Seeing the Sights - Dublin - page 102

Library, and Gallery all surround it. In 1924, however, it took on a
new role when the Irish Free State government acquired it as a par-
liament house. Since then, it has been the meeting place for the Dáil
Éireann (Irish House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (Irish
Senate), which together constitute the Oireachtas (National Parlia-
ment). Tickets for a guided tour when the Dáil is in session
(Oct-May, Tues-Thurs) must be arranged in advance from the Pub-
lic Relations Office ( & 01/618-3066 ).
Kildare St. and Merrion Sq., Dublin 2. & 01/618-3000. Free admission. By appoint-
ment only, Oct-May Mon and Fri 10am-4:30pm. DART: Pearse. Bus: 5, 7A, or 8.

Newman House In the heart of Dublin on the south side of
St. Stephen's Green, this is the historic seat of the Catholic Univer-
sity of Ireland. Named for Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th-
century writer and theologian and first rector of the university, it
consists of two of the finest Georgian town houses in Dublin. They
date from 1740 and are decorated with outstanding Palladian and
rococo plasterwork, marble tiled floors, and wainscot paneling. No.
85 has been magnificently restored to its original splendor. Note:
Every other Sunday, Newman House hosts an antiques-and-col-
lectibles fair, where dealers from throughout Ireland sell a wide
range of items, including silver, rare books, paintings and prints,
coins, stamps, and so forth.
85-86 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. & 01/706-7422. Fax [phone]. Guided
tours

4 ($4.80) seniors, students, and children under 12.
June-Aug Tues-Fri noon-5pm, Sat 2-5pm, Sun 11am-2pm; Oct-May by appoint-
ment only. Bus: 10, 11, 13, 14, 14A, 15A, or 15B.
LIBRARIES
Chester Beatty Library and Gallery of Oriental Art
Bequeathed to the Irish nation in 1956 by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty,
this extraordinary collection contains approximately 22,000 manu-
scripts, rare books, miniature paintings, and objects from Western,
Middle Eastern, and Far Eastern cultures. There are more than 270
copies of the Koran to be found here, and the library has especially
impressive biblical and early Christian manuscripts. There's a gift
shop on the premises.
Clock Tower Building, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. & 01/407-0750. Free admission.
Tues-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 11am-5pm; Sun 1-5pm. Free guided tours Wed and Sat
2:30pm. DART: Sandymount. Bus: 5, 6, 6A, 7A, 8, 10, 46, 46A, 46B, or 64.

€ 5 ($6) adults; €

Marsh's Library This is Ireland's oldest public library, founded in
1701 by Narcissus Marsh, Archbishop of Dublin. It is a repository of
more than 25,000 scholarly volumes, chiefly on theology, medicine,