National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland is home to the world’s greatest collection of objects related to Irish heritage and history, displayed at four museums in Dublin and Mayo. The collections span from prehistoric times to the present day and explore a wide range of themes from Bronze Age gold to 20th century revolution. The main aim of the NMI is to preserve, share, explore and celebrate Ireland’s history and culture and its place in the wider world. Admission is free. See www.Museum.ie. Or follow on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.
National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History is located at one of Dublin’s most impressive, historic sites. This former military barracks is home to two fascinating and completely diverse collections. Decorative arts encompasses silver, ceramics, glassware, furniture, clothing, jewellery and coins while the military history collection tells of Ireland’s military and revolutionary past. Exhibition highlights include 1916 – Proclaiming a Republic, (closing April 2020) which examines one of the most turbulent chapters in modern Irish history, and Eileen Gray, exploring the life and work of the iconic 20th century designer. The museum offers a year-round programme of workshops, talks and tours for all ages and a changing programme of temporary exhibitions on historical and contemporary themes. There is also a café and gift shop onsite.
National Museum of Ireland – Country Life Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Set in the spectacular grounds of historic Turlough Park House and Victorian gardens, the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is home to the National Folklife Collection. Audio and visual displays, objects and rare archive photography and film combine to describe an all-but-vanished way of life from not too long ago. Admission is free. Highlights include Straw, Hay and Rushes, exploring exceptional crafting traditions, and Life in the Community, which depicts a year-in-the-life of our rural ancestors. The museum offers a year-round programme of workshops, talks and tours for all ages and a changing programme of temporary exhibitions on historical and contemporary themes. There is also a café and gift shop onsite.
National Museum of Ireland – Natural History Merrion Street, Dublin 2
Built in 1856, the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History is a magnificent Victorian artefact in its own right. Sometimes described as ‘a museum of a museum’, it houses a wide-ranging and comprehensive zoological collection of more than 10,000 exhibits. Visitors can explore Irish mammals, birds, fish and insects, as well as mammals from around the world. Admission is free. Highlights include imposing skeletons of Ireland’s extinct giant deer and a huge, basking shark suspended from the ceiling. The aptly named Wonder Cabinet allows visitors to get up-close to museum objects with a fascinating handling collection. The museum offers a year-round programme of workshops, talks and tours for all ages. There is also a gift shop onsite.
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology Kildare Street, Dublin 2
The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology is home to an extraordinary range of priceless and iconic treasures, including the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the famous Derrynaflan Hoard. From Prehistoric Ireland to Ancient Egypt, visitors can see important archaeological artefacts dating from 7000 BC up to the 20th century. Admission is free. Highlights include the world-famous Iron Age ‘bog bodies’, an exhibition of prehistoric Irish gold, and a section dedicated to an early medieval book of psalms known as the Faddan More Psalte. The museum offers a year-round programme of workshops, talks and tours for all ages and a changing programme of temporary exhibitions on historical and contemporary themes. There is also a café and gift shop onsite.
See www.Museum.ie. Or follow on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.
