Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DUBLIN WRITERS MUSEUM
MUSEUM
(
www.writersmuseum.com
; 18 North Parnell Sq; adult/child €7.50/4.70; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun;
3, 10, 11, 11A, 13, 16, 16A, 19, 19A, 22 from city centre)
Memorabilia aplenty and lots of literary eph-
emera line the walls and display cabinets of this elegant museum devoted to preserving
the city's rich literary tradition up to 1970. A curious decision to omit living writers limits
its appeal and no account at all is given to contemporary writers, who would arguably be
more popular with today's readers.
Although the busts and portraits of the greats in the gallery upstairs are worth more than
a cursory peek, the real draws are the ground-floor displays, which include Samuel Beck-
ett's phone (with a button for excluding incoming calls, of course), a letter from the 'tene-
ment aristocrat' Brendan Behan to his brother, and a first edition of Bram Stoker's
Drac-
ula
.
The building, comprising two 18th- century houses, is worth exploring on its own.
Dublin stuccodore Michael Stapleton decorated the upstairs gallery. The
Gorham Library
next door is worth a peek and there's also a calming Zen garden. The museum cafe is a
pleasant place to linger, while the basement restaurant, Chapter One (
Click here
)
, is one of
the city's best.
Admission includes taped guides in English and other languages, which have the an-
noying habit of repeating quotes with actor's voices.
While the museum focuses on the dearly departed, the
Irish Writers Centre
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 01-872 1302; 19 North Parnell Sq)
next door provides a meeting and working
place for their living successors.
ST MICHAN'S CHURCH
CHURCH
(Lower Church St; adult/child/student €5/3.50/4; 10am-12.45pm & 2-4.45pm Mon-Fri, to 12.45pm Sat ;
Smithfield)
Macabre remains are the main attraction at this church, which was founded by
the Danes in 1096 and named after one of their saints. Among the 'attractions' is an
800-year-old Norman crusader who was so tall that his feet were lopped off so he could fit
in a coffin. Visits are by guided tour only.
The oldest architectural feature is the 15th-century battlement tower; otherwise the
church was rebuilt in the late 17th century, considerably restored in the early 19th century
and again after the Civil War. The interior of the church, which feels more like a
courtroom, is worth a quick look as you wait for your guide. It contains an organ from
1724, which Handel may have played for the first-ever performance of his
Messiah
. The
