24th July 2025 – The Model, home to the Niland Collection, has been awarded Full Museum Accreditation by the Heritage Council under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI). This is the highest level of recognition available through the programme and marks a significant milestone for The Model and cultural life in the northwest.

The MSPI supports museums across Ireland in achieving and maintaining the highest standards in how they are managed, how they care for their collections, and how they engage with the public.

This year, 11 museums were recognised through the MSPI at a special ceremony at Kilkenny Castle. Among them, The Model was commended for its outstanding commitment to collection care and public engagement, particularly for the way in which it brings significant Irish artworks to life for both local and national audiences.

Speaking at the Awards Ceremony at Kilkenny Castle, Director of The Model, Emer McGarry paid tribute to all of the staff for their work during the accreditation process, and thanked the Heritage Council and Sligo County Council for their support. “The Model is very proud to receive Full Museum Accreditation alongside so many great organisations and National Cultural Institutions. This wonderful achievement demonstrates that the way we care for and manage Sligo’s Municipal Niland Collection and plan for the continued success of The Model is in keeping with international standards of best practice – in the same way as the finest museums in the world.”

Opening the ceremony, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said: “The achievements of these museums prove that we can hold our heads high with the best in the world, confident that we are professional, thorough, knowledgeable and ambitious for our cultural heritage institutions.”

CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, commended “all the accredited museums in 2025 for the focus they demonstrate, day in and day out, on engaging communities with societal issues, both contemporary and historical, via their collections and organisations. We appreciate the work that these museums do and the profound capacity for impact that our museums and cultural heritage organisations represent.”

The Model extends sincere thanks to the Heritage Council and Sligo County Council for their continued support, and looks forward to building on this accreditation to further enrich the cultural offering for all its audiences.