Collins Barracks in Dublin City, named after famed Michael Collins, could be said to be the National Museum of Ireland's largest artefact, having had a unique history all of its own in another life. It housed both British Armed Forces and Irish army garrisons over three centuries. Built in 1702, the complex's main buildings are Neoclassical in style. Collins Barracks has been completely renovated and restored to become the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, charting Ireland's economic, social, political and military progress through the ages.
Exhibits:
Irish Wars 1917 to 1923 and the 1916 Rising; Soldiers & Chiefs - Irish at war from 1550 to present day;
Photography of the revolutionary era in Ireland; 1000 years of Irish coin and currency; Irish country furniture and four centuries of furnishing;
The Way We Were - antique clothing and crafts; Sacred Art of Ireland 1600 to 1750; Irish silver exhibition; Eileen Gray exhibition;
A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art - Albert Bender Collection; 21st century Irish Craft; Ib Jorgensen Fashion Retrospective; the Asgard, a restored sailboat with pivotal role in the 1914 Howth gun running story; and more.
Artefacts on display range from silver, ceramic and glassware pieces to weaponry, furniture, examples of folk life and costume. All of these are displayed with imagination in innovative and contemporary galleries, which entice you to go further, look harder and examine more closely.
- July Tours at NMI - Decorative Arts & History
Family funJuly Tours at NMI - Decorative Arts & History This July, NMI Decorative Arts & History are offering a range of free guided tours of the Museum's collections every week.
- Late Night at the Museum - NMI Decorative Arts & History
Family funLate Night at the Museum - NMI Decorative Arts & History Join enriching after hours events at the National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts & History with Late Night at the Museum on Thursdays until 8pm.
- August Tours at NMI, Decorative Arts & History
Family funAugust Tours at NMI, Decorative Arts & History National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts & History are offering a diverse range of free guided tours this August, so come down to Collins Barracks and discover something new!
- The Way We Wore Guided Tour- Late Night at the Museum
Free things to doThe Way We Wore Guided Tour- Late Night at the Museum Explore the changing roles of women in Ireland as reflected by the history of their clothing and costume.
- Interactive Demonstrations with the Guild of Irish Lacemakers
Family funInteractive Demonstrations with the Guild of Irish Lacemakers Discover the delicate art of Irish Lace! Join members of the Guild of Irish Lacemakers for a morning filled with tradition and craftsmanship that the whole family can enjoy.
- Hands-on History: Music Makers
Family funHands-on History: Music Makers Hand-on History is a free, drop-in interactive handling session with objects from the Museum's handling collection.
- The Army No. 1 Band Lunchtime Performance at Collins Barracks
Family funThe Army No. 1 Band Lunchtime Performance at Collins Barracks Join in for a free lunchtime concert by the No. 1 Army Band in Clarke Square at the National Museum of Ireland- Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks.
- Hands-on History: Unconvertible Rebels, The Women of Revolutionary Ireland
Free things to doHands-on History: Unconvertible Rebels, The Women of Revolutionary Ireland Join Hands-on History: Unconvertible Rebels - The Women of Revolutionary Ireland, an interactive handling session with objects from the Museum's handling collection that reflect a history of women's activism during the revolutionary era of 1913-1923.