Mid-Term Crowds Flock to Johnstown Castle as the Irish Heritage Trust Unveils New Permanent Exhibition at the Irish Agricultural Museum
The Irish Heritage Trust have unveiled a new permanent exhibition, in the first stage of transforming the visitor experience at the Irish Agricultural Museum, at Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens and marking the very beginning of an ambitious redevelopment that will continue through 2026 and 2027.
Over the mid-term break, children and families from across Wexford and beyond descended on Johnstown Castle to take part in a lively soil science event with the scientists from Teagasc to celebrate the unveiling of the exhibition. The atmosphere inside the Museum was one of curiosity and excitement, as young visitors rolled up their sleeves to examine soil samples, carry out simple experiments and quiz scientists about what lies beneath their feet.
The workshops, led by Teagasc soil scientists Fiona Brennan, Luiz Lopez Sanguli and Karla Burke, gave children the rare opportunity to engage directly with working researchers. In a setting steeped in agricultural history, they learned how to test soil, why nutrients matter and how scientific discovery has shaped Irish farming.
The timing was fitting. The new permanent exhibition ‘Changing Farming Fortunes’ places soil science centre stage, telling the remarkable story of how Johnstown Castle became a national hub for agricultural research. At its heart is the story of Dr Tom Walsh, known affectionately as “The Doc”, who in 1948 led the National Soils Laboratory from the Castle. Faced with poorly nourished land and low productivity, his team surveyed and analysed tens of thousands of soil samples, building the scientific foundations that would help transform Irish food production in the decades that followed. Their motto, In Scientia Copia – in science there is plenty – captured the optimism of an era when research began to reshape farming fortunes.
Speaking about the first in what will be four new permanent exhibitions, Dr Emma O’Toole of the Irish Heritage Trust says, “Once complete, the exhibitions will reimaginate the Museum’s extensive collection through a strong narrative thread that links science, estate life, machinery and the rural home. Changing Farming Fortunes explores the evolution of Irish agriculture through the lens of soil, sustainability and innovation, and three other themes will reveal what daily life was like on a busy 19th-century agricultural estate, open a window into the kitchens and living spaces of earlier generations, and showcase the clever and sometimes curious contraptions once used to plant, harvest and transport food, celebrating the ingenuity of farming communities.
Together, each of these themes creates a more cohesive and immersive experience, appealing to families, school groups, agricultural enthusiasts and curious young minds alike. The character-led approach, including the figure of “The Doc”, helps younger audiences connect with complex ideas about soil health and sustainability, while older visitors can reflect on how dramatically farming has evolved within living memory.
The launch of the first permanent exhibition was the first step in a wider timeline of development that will unfold across 2026 and 2027. Each phase is designed to encourage repeat visits, ensuring there is always something new to discover.”
Since 2019, Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens has been under the stewardship of the Irish Heritage Trust, following Teagasc’s decision as site owner to entrust the organisation with its care. The partnership continues to blend heritage and science, positioning the Estate as both a place of memory and a place of forward-looking research.
Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens is open year-round, 7 days per week, see https://johnstowncastle.ie/
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Media contact: Ann Power – Powerhouse PR – 086 3065588. ann@powerhousepr.ie