The Irish Museums Association is a voluntary, not for profit association, founded in 1977. It is dedicated to promoting the interests of museums and the Irish museums community (those who work and are interested in museums) throughout Ireland, north and south.

The IMA aims

• to promote professional practice in museum management, collections care and visitor services



• to provide a platform for anyone interested in Irish museums to provoke debate on museum ideas



• in co-operation with other professional bodies and central and local government, to achieve a sustainable level of museum provision and operation in Ireland

The IMA organises an Annual Conference in spring each year at which a theme of relevance to those working in Irish museums is debated. It is also an opportunity for members of the Irish museums community to meet, network and get to know each other.

It undertakes an IMA Field Trip to visit museums and historic houses countrywide each spring, followed by the Museum Practitioners Forum Blow Your Own Trumpet in summer, when those interested in presenting new concepts and projects have a platform to discuss their ideas. A key figure from the international museums community is invited to speak at the Annual Lecture in November. Special events are organised in partnership with other museum-related bodies.

The annual journal Museum Ireland contains information, review articles and critical discussion pieces, while a Newsletter is printed twice yearly with details of current developments and events in the Irish museum world.

The IMA also organises core Training under its Museum Basics programme designed in association with The Heritage Council's Museum Standards Programme for Ireland

Since 8th June 2004 the IMA has been a limited company, with Directors serving in a voluntary capacity. Its registered office is located at 89 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. The IMA receives generous financial support from the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism and The Heritage Council.