The Garda Post has teamed up with the Medieval Mile Museum in the heart of Kilkenny, to offer one lucky reader a pair of tickets to visit Ireland’s newest museum.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply send an email, along with your name and telephone number, to competition@universalmedia.ie – the closing date for the competition is Tuesday, March 14th, 2017.

Set in the magnificent 13th century St. Mary’s Church, the Medieval Mile Museum opened to the public this week, following €6.5 million restoration project and excavation.

The church and graveyard is the finest example of a medieval church in Ireland, now converted into a modern museum with state of the art technology.

Displays range from civic treasures like the city’s sword, mace and ‘Liber primus Kilkenniensis’ (one of the most important records of medieval town life in Ireland, dating from 1231), to replicas of the High Crosses of Ossory, and a host of stunning medieval sculptures including 1608 and 1609 charters from James I, and Renaissance tombs.

The museum tells Kilkenny’s 800-year story with a contemporary twist. The visitors experience includes long colourful interactive tables (similar to a giant iPad), an elongated plasma TV screen and projected imagery, allowing guests to become immersed in the rich history with the aid of modern technology.

Another highlight is the ornate Rothe Chapel, with exposed tombs belonging to the medieval merchant Rothe family. Towards the rear of the building, with views over the city, the Kilkenny Room is home to a unique collection of ancient papers and civic records dating back to the 1200s.

Grace Fegan, Curator/Manager of the Medieval Mile Museum, explained the five-year restoration project and excavation yielded many surprising and exciting archaeological finds,”including bones, Roman coins, brooches, mounts, weapons and toys. These are personal items lost and left behind by people through the years.”

Another really exciting and rather unusual find are the perfectly preserved, richly decorate Renaissance burial tombs with crisp, clean carvings, which look like new, she added. The new artifacts will take their place alongside numerous civic treasures of Kilkenny, the first time many will be on public view.

Kilkenny’s ‘Medieval Mile’, which stretches from Kilkenny Castle to St. Canice’s Cathedral, has become an increasingly popular tourist trail in recent years. Both it, and the new museum, are flagship attractions for Ireland’s Ancient East.

As the starting point of the ‘Medieval Mile’ trail, it brings to life Kilkenny’s history as Ireland’s premier medieval city.

45-minute guided tours are available from €12 for adults & €5 for children, and the museum will also host temporary exhibitions and events.

For more information, see medievalmilemuseum.ie.