THE FORMER keeper of art and industry at the National Museum of Ireland, Máiréad Dunleavy, died yesterday aged 66.
Ms Dunleavy was the first director of the Hunt Museum and played a key role in the transfer of the museum's collection to a permanent premises in Limerick's.
She oversaw the launch of decorative arts exhibitions in the national museum at Collins Barracks. She curated the museum's permanent exhibition The Way We Wore which covers the history of Irish clothing, jewellery and accessories over 250 years.
The opening of the Georgian house museum at 29 Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin, in 1991 was a result of a partnership she set up between the national museum and the ESB. Dress in Ireland: A History (1989) and A History of the Irish Post Office (1983) are two of a number of books she wrote. She also scripted and presented a television documentary on Irish lace.
Ms Dunleavy was an Irish language enthusiast and during her life she served on Bord na Gaeilge and was a chairwoman of Cumann Merriman.
Born in Mountcharles, Co Donegal, she qualified as a teacher in Carysfort College when she was 19 then studied for a BA from UCD. She received an MA in archaeology for her thesis on medieval combs.
She is survived by her partner John P Reihill and brothers Brian and Maurice.
Her body has been donated to medical science and a memorial Mass will be held at University Church, St Stephen's Green, on March 29th.