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the Year 2002, a coveted international accolade in the museum world.
The Library’s exhibitions open a window on the artistic treasures of the
great cultures and religions of the world. The rich collection from
countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe offers
visitors a visual feast. Admission is free. For further details, Tel: (01)
407 0750.
The City Hall, one of Dublin’s finest neo-Classical buildings, houses
a multimedia exhibition tracing the evolution of the city from 1170 to
the present day with emphasis on the development of the civic
government. The story is told through the display of Civic Regalia,
including the Great City Sword and Mace, the Lord Mayor’s chain and
other city treasures and supported by digital interactive displays,
archive films, models and costumes. Tel: (01) 222 2204.
Slightly further from the city centre is Kilmainham Gaol. Antique-
lovers should stop off en-route at Francis Street in the historic
Liberties area to snap up a bargain. From the Gaol’s construction in
1792 until its decommissioning in 1924, Kilmainham Gaol has
witnessed some of the most heroic and tragic events in Irish history.
Most notably, it was the site of the executions that followed the 1916
Easter Rising. A visit begins with an excellent audiovisual
introduction, followed by a tour, which ends with an atmospheric visit
to the prison yard where the executions took place. Open daily, year
round. Tel: (01) 453 5984.
A unique heritage experience can be had at Dublinia, located in
Christchurch. A project of the Medieval Trust, Dublinia is an exciting
audiovisual tour around the medieval city of Dublin. A special
favourite with young people, it features models of historical episodes
and scenes of medieval life, archaeological finds, a half-hourly
multimedia show, a superb model of the old city and the addition of a
new exhibition, The Viking World. Tickets can be purchased to include
access to Christ Church Cathedral. Tel: (01) 679 4611.
Who can leave Dublin without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse? In
recent years this fantastic attraction has been hugely revamped, so if
Christ Church Cathedral. this is not your first visit to Dublin and you think you’ve already seen
it all, think again! Any pre-November 2000 visit to what was formerly
the Guinness Hopstore would have been a completely different
DID YOU KNOW…? experience. The Guinness Storehouse, shaped like a giant pint, offers
IN 1689 ALL THE FELLOWS AND STUDENTS OF TRINITY COLLEGE an exciting tour through the ins and outs of the brewing process and
WERE EXPELLED AS THE COLLEGE CAMPUS WAS TURNED how it has been marketed and transported across the globe. So, head
INTO BARRACKS FOR THE SOLDIERS OF JAMES II. to the world’s most famous brewery and discover what goes into
making the black stuff. Then, finish off your visit in Gravity – a chic
bar located at the ‘head’ of the ‘pint’ (or building) – where you will be
century illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, one of the world’s treated to a complimentary pint of Guinness and an astonishing view
oldest and most beautiful books. Along with the equally venerable of the city! Open daily 9.30am–5pm (last admission 5pm), with later
Book of Armagh and Book of Durrow, it is housed in the east pavilion hours July and August (last admission 8pm).
of the Colonnades Library. Open year round Mon. to Sat. 9.30am–5pm A visit to Dublin would not be complete without sampling a bit of
and on Sundays 9.30am–4.30pm from May to September and the culture that has inspired the minds and ideas of its great writers,
12pm–4.30pm from October to April. artists and musicians. The Irish art market has enjoyed increasing
Until the Act of Union in 1801, the Bank of Ireland building across interest in recent years and you don’t have to walk far to stumble
from Trinity College served as the Irish Parliament building. Since its upon a gallery. The National Gallery of Ireland in Merrion Square is
construction in 1729, a host of illustrious architects, including the city’s primary public art gallery and is nothing less than a
Edward Lovett Pearce, James Gandon and Francis Johnston, have treasure-trove of Irish and European art. Its four wings feature a
added their own touches, yet the building retains a glorious wealth of British, Irish, German and Spanish masters from Rembrandt
consistency of style. The House of Lords Chamber, with its 18th and Picasso to Yeats and Turner. Open Mon. to Sat. 9.30am–5.30pm;
century chandeliers, tapestries and oak panelling, offers a fascinating Thurs. 9.30am–8.30pm; Sun. 12 noon–5.30pm. Tel: (01) 661 5133.
glimpse of the past. Open Tues. to Fri. 10am–4pm. Tel: (01) 671 1488. An outdoor art sale also occurs daily at Merrion Square as dealers and
Finally, make your way up Dame Street to visit Dublin Castle and artists peddle their wares. Sailing past the perimeter of Merrion
City Hall, where you can view the State Apartments and the Chester Square on a Dublin Bus is to experience a riot of colour owing to the
Beatty Library. Dublin Castle was built in the 13th century on a site various styles of painting juxtaposed around the square’s outer
originally occupied by the Vikings. Over its long history, it has been a boundaries. A great bargain can be had, and Sunday is generally the
military fortress, a treasury and the seat of English government in day when there is the most work available.
Ireland for 700 years. Open year round, Mon. to Fri. 10am–5pm, The Irish Museum of Modern Art, affectionately known as IMMA,
weekends 2pm–5pm. Tel: (01) 677 7129. The Chester Beatty Library houses a vast collection of Irish and non-Irish art from the 20th
is an art museum and library which houses the fascinating collection century onward. Located in the magnificent 17th century Royal
of manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and Hospital Kilmainham, the IMMA collection is a stimulating mix of
some decorative arts assembled by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty modern paintings, sculpture, photography and crafts. Tel: (01) 612
(1875–1968). His collection is now housed in Dublin Castle in a 9900. The Bank of Ireland Arts Centre and Interactive Museum,
restored 18th century building. The Library was named Irish Museum situated at the back of the main Bank of Ireland building, mounts
of the Year in 2000 and was awarded the title European Museum of numerous exhibitions throughout the year. The Interactive Museum
28 dublin and the east
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