Four major Irish museums could close next year unless their finances improve. The National Museum of Ireland has announced that it will have to close its museums on Kildare Street and Merrion Street and in Collins Barracks, as well as the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar, if they don’t find another source of revenue. That could mean the museums, which are currently free, charging for admission. Funding for the National Museum has declined by 40% since 2008, and it has adopted cost-saving measures including lowering internal temperatures to save on heating bills. Read more: independent.ie