Wexford historian turns detective on RTÉ for Ireland’s Hidden Treasures

Following on from the popularity of its opening episode Ireland’s Hidden Treasures returns with a sparkling selection of new secret artefacts, stories and the people behind them.

This week’s episode sees Wexford native Dr. Siobhán Doyle putting aside her obsession with all things GAA to become a museum super-sleuth as she investigates a selection of broken ceramic fragments that are discovered in the dark, mysterious depths of the Crypt in the National Museum of Ireland.

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“I am very excited to see these ceramic fragments that were recently discovered after lying in storage for almost a century”, says Siobhán Doyle, Curator of Glass, Ceramics and Asian collections at the The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History (This is a branch of the National Museum of Ireland located at the former Collins Barracks in the Arbour Hill area of Dublin).

“This is definitely one of my favourite parts of the job. Unwrapping these fragments is like a curator’s Christmas,” said Siobhán.

The fragments in question may just be the missing link to a large incomplete Della Robbia disc ceramic that Siobhán has in her care. In episode 2 of Ireland’s Hidden Treasures, Siobhán takes viewers behind the scenes of the National Museum of Ireland, on a journey of discovery, unearthing a rich and gripping story that links Italy to Liverpool and Dublin.

An avid GAA fan, Dr. Siobhán Doyle, originally from Wellingtonbridge in Wexford, released the book, “A History of the GAA in 100 Objects” in 2022 and is the Curator of the GAA: People, Objects and Stories exhibition currently open in the National Museum – Decorative Arts and History building in Collins Barracks.

In her remit as Curator of Glass, Ceramics and Asian collections Siobhán is responsible for a huge and varied collection. She shares some of her favourites and highlights on this week’s episode of Ireland’s Hidden Treasures, from Irish porcelain made by an Irish artist who trained in China to the incredible Vodrey collection in the visible storage section of the museum - this is an experience not to be missed!

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to go behind the scenes at Ireland’s Museums with Ireland's Hidden Treasures.

RTÉ 1, Sunday April 28 at 6.30pm.