When this innovative, eco-friendly building at Ionad Naomh Moluag (the gathering place of St Moluag) was opened on 17 March 2007 it once more put the Gaelic language and culture at the heart of Lismore. After 13 years of hard work, members of the Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mòr broke the silence that had been imposed on the island’s culture when English became the language of advancement and the Gaelic language and culture were encouraged to die.
Until this time the Comann Eachdraidh Archive, which was being painstakingly put together, had been housed two miles away in the old school house at Achnacroish.
The first turf was turned by Duncan MacGregor on 15 February 2006 his parents having donated the land. The building was designed by Shauna Cameron and built by Stuart Carmichael with Tony Perkins the local Nadair Project Officer. It has a grass roof and geo thermal heating and houses an Exhibition Area, a Library, an Archive room, a Gift Shop, a Café, an office, and toilets. For a population of 176 to handle a £600,000 project is a tribute to the skill, determination and cohesiveness of the whole community.
Heritage Centre Museum
The Museum is the hub of the centre with informative displays about the history of Lismore’s landscape, industry, agriculture and population. At any one time some part of the objects’ archive are on display. In addition there is a continuing series of major exhibitions every year as well as a flow of special events such as lectures, performances, book launches, art exhibitions etc. An information board traces the history and works of Alexander Carmichael the island’s folklorist son.
Museum Special exhibition – 29 March 2013
The curators have mounted significant exhibitions on the Story of the Shop, the Edwardian Schoolroom, Lismore Faces Photography exhibition, and above the History of Ploughing in Lismore.
Museum special exhibition 2015 women