Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alfred Chester Beatty
An avid traveller and collector, Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968) was fascinated by dif-
ferent cultures and amassed more than 20,000 manuscripts, rare books, miniature paint-
ings, clay tablets, costumes and any other objets d'art that caught his fancy and could tell
him something about the world. Fortunately for Dublin, he also happened to take quite a
shine to the city and made it his adopted home. In return, the Irish made him their first
honorary citizen in 1957.
Art of the Topic
The collection is spread over two levels. On the ground floor you'll find the Art of the
Book, a compact but stunning collection of artworks from the Western, Islamic and East
Asian worlds. Highlights include the finest collection of Chinese jade books in the world
and illuminated European texts featuring exquisite calligraphy that stand up in comparison
with the
Book of Kells
. Audiovisual displays explain the process of bookbinding, paper-
making and printing.
Sacred Traditions
The 2nd floor is home to Sacred Traditions, a wonderful exploration of the world's major
religions through decorative and religious art, enlightening text and a cool cultural-pas-
tiche video at the entrance. The collection of Qu'rans dating from the 9th to the 19th cen-
turies (the library has more than 270 of them) is considered by experts to be the best ex-
ample of illuminated Islamic texts in the world. There are also outstanding examples of
ancient papyri, including renowned Egyptian love poems from the 12th century, and some
of the earliest illuminated gospels in the world, dating from around AD 200. The collec-
tion is rounded off with some exquisite scrolls and artwork from China, Japan, Tibet and
Southeast Asia, including the two-volume Japanese
Chogonka Scroll
, painted in the 17th
century by Kano Sansetu.
The Building
As if all of this wasn't enough for one visit, the library also hosts temporary exhibits that
are usually too good to be missed. Not only are the contents of the museum outstanding,
but the layout, design and location are also unparalleled, from the marvellous Silk Road
Café (
Click here
)
and gift shop, to the Zen rooftop terrace and the beautiful landscaped
garden out the front. These features alone would make this an absolute Dublin must-do.
