Hunt Collection. A room with couches, coffee table, cabinet, and shelves with books. There are two statues on either side of the room, and a small statuette on the coffee table.

A view of the Hunt family living room at Lough Gur, c.1940

History

The Hunt Museum was established to house the internationally important collection of approximately 2,000 works of art and antiquities formed by John and Gertrude Hunt during their lifetimes. As antique dealers and advisors to collectors they built a thriving business and also began to acquire pieces that reflected their own interests and curiosity rather than for commercial purposes.

During the latter stages of John’s life, they became increasingly aware of the scale of their collection and wished for it to remain intact.  Fortunately, The National Institute of Higher Education, later to become the University of Limerick, agreed to house part of the collection on a temporary basis. The Hunt Museum opened there, in 1978, in an exhibition room with the display designed by architect Arthur Gibney.

Black and white image of The Hunt Museum family; Gertrude and John Hunt with their two children

The Hunt Family, left to right: Gertrude, Trudy, John Junior and John Hunt Sr.

During this period the Irish Government had declined the offer of the Collection, so finding a suitable home and owner to take responsibility for the artefacts became more urgent. The Hunt Museum Trust was established in 1974 to hold the Collection and the property at Craggaunowen, a 16th-century Irish tower house that the Hunts had restored, in trust on behalf of the people of Ireland.

The Trust established The Hunt Museum Ltd. whose sole purpose was the establishment of a permanent home for the Museum. Under the chairmanship of Dr Tony Ryan, this company provided the necessary energy to create the Museum as we see it today. A public/private partnership involving the University of Limerick, Shannon Development, Limerick Corporation and the Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, linked with local business interests, secured the historic 18th-century former Customs House in Limerick City. They also secured the funds to restore and renovate the building to international museum standards.

The Museum was officially opened by An Taoiseach, John Bruton, on 14 February 1997. It was a moment of great celebration for all concerned however, unfortunately, neither John nor Gertrude Hunt had lived to realise their dream. The Museum stands as a monument to their enthusiasm, curiosity and generosity.

Explore The Hunt Collection

Photographs by Justin Gawke.