Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

The Work

As a museum/art gallery attendant, your job is both to help visitors find their way around and to make sure that artefacts, artwork or whatever is on display, is protected. You need to keep an eye on visitors to make sure they follow museum rules relating to photographing, consuming food or drink, and of course - no touching the art works!

Attendants' duties vary depending on the museum or gallery they work in. Attendants in national museums or galleries, sometimes called wardens, normally clean displays, patrol rooms to monitor security, talk to visitors and help curators to set up exhibitions.

Independent and privately owned museums and galleries usually have a smaller number of staff members. They may be required to help with a variety of tasks such as issuing entrance tickets, looking after a gift shop and mounting exhibitions.

National museums and galleries generally have security guards, but in many smaller museums, security is part of the attendant's job.

In some cases, attendants may have to wear a costume from a particular historical period, especially in what’s called a ‘working museum’. Working museums are primarily educational as visitors may be able to see and touch objects which were used in the past.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Greet patrons attending entertainment events.
• Sell or collect admission tickets, passes, or facility memberships from patrons at entertainment events.
• Clean facilities.
• Settle seating disputes or help solve other customer concerns.
• Examine tickets or passes to verify authenticity, using criteria such as color or date issued.
• Provide assistance with patrons' special needs, such as helping those with wheelchairs.
• Guide patrons to exits or provide other instructions or assistance in case of emergency.
• Refuse admittance to undesirable persons or persons without tickets or passes.
• Assist patrons by giving directions to points in or outside of the facility or providing information about local attractions.
• Assist patrons in finding seats, lighting the way with flashlights, if necessary.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

This can be an entry level job so you can apply to work as a museum/art gallery attendant without formal qualifications.

Experience of working and skills or qualificiation development in nfq level 4-6 in customer service, arts, tourism, and security roles will be beneficial if you are applying for a job.

You may receive some on-the-job training relating to security or the specific collection in the museum.

If you want to develop your career further, you have a few options. You may want to move into security, or if you are more interested in the collections in the museum, you may want to pursue studies in history or art and explore careers such as museum or art gallery curator.

Training and Development

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Having some knowledge of the collection or speciality of the museum/gallery can also be beneficial in developing employment prospects.

It is likely that you will be required to undergo Garda Vetting. Garda Vetting forms are submitted through the employer and cannot be completed by the applicant prior to employment. You can read more about Garda Vetting here.

Training and Development

You may receive some on-the-job training relating to security or the specific collection in the museum.

If you want to develop your career further, you have a few options. You may want to move into security, or if you are more interested in the collections in the museum, you may want to pursue studies in history or art and explore careers such as museum or art gallery curator.

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €38k

Salaries vary based on employer, role, duties, and location in the Tourism sector.

Data Source(s):
National Museum of Ireland/ IMMA/ Gov.ie/ PAS

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment levels grew between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation, numbers employed remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. The numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation are too small in the Labour Force Survey for further analysis but the CSO Census data shows that approximately half of those in this occupation worked as air travel assistants or travel agents, with 2022 levels for these roles well below their 2016 levels.

Approximately a third of persons employed in this occupation work part-time, higher than the national average. The extent to which employment in these occupations will recover to their prepandemic levels is uncertain as affordability and attractiveness for air travel services in particular remains vulnerable to increased energy costs, and consumer demand and preferences given the green agenda and cost of living pressures.

• Irish Museums Association

  • 11, Parnell Square East, Dublin, 1
  • (01) 873 4216
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Museum of Ireland

  • Kildare Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 677 7444
  • Click Here

• National Gallery of Ireland

  • Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
  • (01) 661 5133
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here