Sybil Connolly gowns on display in the Captain's Room at The Hunt Museum

The Hunt Museum is in the process of raising money to fund the conservation of garments in the Sybil Connolly Archive.

Irish Fashion Designer Sybil Connolly put Ireland on the international fashion map in the 1950s/60s. Connolly dressed some of the world’s most glamorous women from Jackie Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor.

With the help of very generous funders, we can restore Sybil’s garments to their former glory. Many of these garments are over 70 years old and had been worn and loved by Irish women. Last year we raised €12,500 via our Fund:it Crowdfunder towards the cost of employing a professional conservator for the restoration.

Any amount you can contribute is most welcome. Amounts over 250 qualify for an additional 31% of returned tax that the museum can claim on your behalf.

Further information on donations that qualify for tax relief

The following donations to approved bodies qualify for the tax relief:

  • a minimum donation of €250
  • a maximum donation of €1,000,000 in any one year.

Relief will be restricted to 10% of the donor’s annual income if there is a connection between the donor and the approved body.

An approved body may claim 31% tax relief on your donation. They receive the grossed-up amount, net of tax deducted at the specified rate.

Example
If you make a donation of €250, the Hunt Museum is deemed to have received a gross donation. The gross donation is calculated as follows:

€250/(100%-31%)=€362.32. The approved body can claim a refund of €112.32 which is €362.32×31%.

The repayment to an approved body cannot exceed the amount of tax that the donor has paid for that year. The donor is not allowed repayment of any tax that has been repaid to the approved body.

The donation must:

  • be in the form of money or designated securities (quoted shares and debentures) or a combination of both
  • not be repayable to the donor
  • not benefit the donor or anyone connected with the donor
  • not be a condition or connected with any arrangement involved in obtaining a property other than by way of a gift from the donor to the approved body.

Garments in need of Conservation: The Heiress

Heiress Dress by Sybil Connolly

Heiress Dress by Sybil Connolly

Sybil Connolly dress

Dress, Heiress/Sybil Connolly/Textile/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Sybil Connolly dress

Dress, Heiress/Sybil Connolly/Textile/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Sybil Connolly dress

Dress, Heiress/Sybil Connolly/Textile/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Sybil Connolly dress

Dress, Heiress/Sybil Connolly/Textile/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Sybil Connolly dress

Dress, Heiress/Sybil Connolly/Textile/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Garments in need of Conservation: Green Moss

Dress,

Dress, "Irish Moss"/Sybil Connolly/Textile/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Dress,

Dress, "Irish Moss"/Sybil Connolly/Textile/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Dress,

Dress, "Irish Moss"/Sybil Connolly/Textile/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Garments in need of Conservation: Red Washerwoman's Skirt

Detail of a red skirt by Sybil Connolly

Dress, Red Wool Skirt/Sybil Connolly/Textile,Wool/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Detail of a red skirt by Sybil Connolly

Dress, Red Wool Skirt/Sybil Connolly/Textile,Wool/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0

Detail of a red skirt by Sybil Connolly
Detail of a red skirt by Sybil Connolly

Dress, Red Wool Skirt/Sybil Connolly/Textile,Wool/20th century /Sybil Connolly Collection/CC0