412 



The Proceedings, therefore, being now in the hands of all 

 Members up to the pi-esent 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 Antiquities 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. 



