412 
The Proceedings, therefore, being now in the hands of all 
Members up to the present date, render unnecessary any minute 
recapitulation of what has occurred at our public meetings; it must 
suffice to observe, that there has been no lack of important and 
valuable communications in any of the three departments of the 
Academy’s labours. 
The formation of a Museum of Irish Antica is an object to 
which the attention of the Academy has been directed for the last 
seven years; and the Council have great pleasure in being able to, 
report, that, during the past year, this important department has 
not been neglected. The value of such a Museum is now recognised 
by every Member of the Academy, and continues to be regarded 
with great interest by the public. 
The Council are most anxious that the Museum should be 
thrown open to public inspection as fully as is consistent with its 
safe preservation. But they are impeded in this desire by the nar- 
row accommodation afforded by our present rooms, and also still 
more by want of funds; for it is obvious that a greatly increased 
staff of attendants would be necessary if the public were admitted 
to the Museum as fully as is desirable. For these reasons, admis- 
sions have hitherto been restricted to parties accompanied by 
Members, or bearing their orders, although it is the wish of the 
Council that no respectable person who applies for admission should 
be excluded. 
The Museum, as is well known, is deeply indebted to the libe- 
rality of Members, and other friends, who have, from time to time, 
by private subscription, raised large funds for the purchase of anti- 
quities. About £800 have also been contributed in various sums at 
different periods, during the last seven years, from the funds of the 
Academy, for the promotion of this object, and donations of anti- 
quities of great interest and value have been, from time to time, 
received. It would be very desirable that a full and exact account 
of all these purchases and donations should be placed on record ; 
and the Council would, therefore, strongly recommend it to their 
successors to have a brief historical account of the formation of 
the Museum drawn up, and presented in the form of a Report to the 
Academy. 
