Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Church. Over the next two centuries, they built “Duiblinn” into an important trading post,
slave market, metalworking center, and the first true city in Ireland. (See a model of Dub-
lin showing a recently excavated area near Kilmainham Gaol.)
The state-of-the-art Viking boats (“Viking” means seafarer) worked equally well in the
open ocean and shallow rivers, and were perfect for stealth invasions and far-ranging trad-
ing. Soon, provincial Dublin was connected with the wider world—Scotland, England,
Northern Europe, even Asia. The museum's displays of swords and spears make it clear
that, yes, the Vikings were fierce warriors. But you'll also see that they were respected
merchants (standardized weights and coins), herders and craftsmen (leather shoes and
bags), fashion-conscious (bone combs and jewelry), fun-loving (board games), and literate
(runic alphabet). What you won't see are horned helmets, which, despite the stereotype,
were not common. By 1000, the pagan Vikings had intermarried with the locals, become
Christian, and were subjects of the Irish king.
The Rest of the Museum:
PartofthefirstfloorisdedicatedtomedievalIreland—daily
life(ploughs,cauldrons),trade(coins,pottery),andreligion(crucifixesandsaints).Upone
more flight, the Egyptian room has coffins, shabtis, and canopic jars—but no mummies.
Adjacent to the archaeology branch are these other major museums. Also nearby is Lein-
ster House. Once the Duke of Leinster's home, it now hosts the Irish Dail (parliament)
and Seanad (senate), which meet here 90 days each year.
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National Gallery
While not as extensive as national galleries in London or Paris, the collections here are
wellworthyourtime.ThemuseumboastsanimpressiverangeofworksbyEuropeanmas-
ters, and also displays the works of top Irish painters, including Jack B. Yeats (the broth-
er of the famous poet). Try not to miss the wonderfully romantic
Meeting on the Turret
Stairs
, Ireland's favorite painting, by Frederic Burton. Because this vividly painted water-
color is vulnerable to fading, it's on view for only three hours per week (Mon and Wed
11:00-12:00 & Sat 15:00-16:00).
Cost and Hours:
Free, Mon-Sat 9:30-17:30, Thu until 20:30, Sun 12:00-17:30, expect
disruptions due to renovation through 2016, Merrion Square West, tel. 01/661-5133,
Tours:
The museum offer a free audioguide (donations accepted) as well as free
45-minute guided tours (Sat at 12:30; Sun at 12:30, 13:30, and 14:00).
Visiting the Museum:
Study the floor-plan flier and take advantage of the free audi-
oguide. Be sure to walk the series of rooms on the ground floor devoted to Irish painting
