All posts by Seán Silke

Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland

Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland

Dublin A to Z, Historical, Libraries

The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland was founded in 1849 (as the Kilkenny Archaeological Society). It was granted a Royal Charter in 1869. Its early aims included the conservation of endangered buildings (e.g. Clonmacnoise, Jerpoint Cistercian Abbey). It pioneered a comprehensive effort to photograph the antiquities of Ireland.

RSAI is actively involved in conserving Ireland’s heritage. It maintains a library and archival collections, provides lectures and organises excursions, and publishes a widely respected Journal. The June “summer soirée” and winter Monday evening talks are event highlights. Guests are welcome to attend these events.

The Society is generally open to members only (€75 p.a.). Members are entitled to use the Society’s library, participate in all Society events, and receive a copy of the Journal every year.

The restored library houses a collection of books, journals and archive materials documenting Ireland’s human and built heritage (10,000 printed works;100,000 photographs and drawings).

The house has fine meeting rooms overlooking Merrion Square to the front and a restored Georgian garden to the rear (this is the only surviving Georgian townhouse garden in Dublin city, fully restored to its original late 18th-century splendour).

Opening Hours:
The RSAI facilities are open to non-members by appointment only.
The Society is generally open to members only (€75 p.a.).
Members are entitled to use the Society’s library, participate in all Society events, and receive a copy of the Journal every year.

The library currently operates by appointment only.

Contact & Pricing:
rsai.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 676 1749
63 Merrion Square, Dublin 2

Science Gallery

Science Gallery

Dublin A to Z, Exhibitions, For Kids

The Science Gallery was a Trinity College venue promoting current areas of science and art-science collaborations. It was noted for its knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff. There were 4-6 temporary exhibitions each year, as well as lectures and other events.

The Science Gallery closed at the end of January 2022. Trinity College thanked the Science Gallery Dublin team whose hard work, know-how and unwavering commitment over the last 14 years helped ignite curiosity where science and art collided for over three million visitors.

A message from the Trinity Provost, Linda Doyle, issued on 28th January 2022, said among other things –

“Looking back, the gallery has been wonderful, but it has had problems in recent years. Unfortunately, in its present form, with its substantial and growing debt, it cannot overcome those problems. The current operational model has run its course.

The gallery needs to be totally reimagined and work very differently from the way it does now. Closing the gallery affords us the time to address the problems and build a new, exciting and sustainable way forward.

Colleagues and students across Trinity are eager to be involved, as are many of the long-time friends and supporters of the gallery. We can also count on widespread public support, as well as the wisdom and support of Science Gallery International.

Over the past months we have also had excellent engagement with multiple Government departments who have come together in a very collaborative manner and pledged support for our future ambitions.

None of what I have said above takes from the fact that the gallery has been a source of delight and inspiration since it opened in 2008. We are proud to have inspired other cities around the world to adopt our vision to showcase research and ideas from science and technology in exciting new ways.”

The gallery may reopen soon. Check the website for the latest status:
dublin.sciencegallery.com

Skerries Mills

Skerries Mills

Country Estates, Dublin A to Z, Historical

Skerries Mills is an award-winning restoration of a Great 5 Sail Windmill, a Thatched 4 Sail Windmill and a Water mill. All three mills are in working order, a rare survival of 17th, 18th and 19th Century industrial Ireland. The centre is built on a high site with fine coastal views. The Watermill Café and a Craft Shop are also open for visitors.

Guided tours are available daily and last approximately 50 minutes. Your guide shows you the history of milling and Skerries Mills. Try your hand at stone grinding flour, then see the water wheel in action turning the sieves, shakers, blowers and all inside the mill. Take a walk across the crop field and go up inside the four sail windmill  and then onto the five sail Great Windmill of Skerries which dominates the local skyline. There are views of the town as well as the islands off Skerries and the coastline as far as the Mourne Mountains. Later, enjoy refreshments in the Watermill Café.

Opening Hours:
Apr to Sept: 10am – 5.00pm, last tour 4.30pm
Oct to Mar: 10am – 4.30pm, last tour 3.30pm
Closed 1 Jan, 17 Mar, 24 – 27 Dec, 31 Dec

Contact & Pricing:
skerriesmills.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 849 5208
Skerries, County Dublin
Adults €12; concessions

St Audeons Church

St. Audoen’s Church

Churches, Dublin A to Z, Historical

St. Audoen’s Church – sited in the heart of the walled medieval city – is the only remaining medieval parish church in Dublin. It is dedicated to St Ouen, the 7th century bishop of Rouen and patron saint of Normandy.

The Guild Chapel of St Anne houses an award-winning exhibition on the importance of St Audoen’s Church in the life of the medieval city. Visitors to St Audoen’s will see the part of the church still in use by the Church of Ireland as a parish church. They can also view the 17th century memorials to the Sparke and Duff families and the 15th century effigial tomb to Baron Portlester and his wife.

Opening Hours:
April to October: 9.30am – 5.30pm, last entry at 4.45pm

Contact & Pricing:
heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/st-audoens-church
[email protected]
Tel: 01 677 0088
Cornmarket, Dublin 8
Free admission

St Mary's Abbey

St. Mary’s Abbey

Churches, Dublin A to Z, Historical

St. Mary’s Abbey is one of Dublin’s best kept secrets. It was once the wealthiest Cistercian Abbey in Ireland. Today only two rooms remain – the Chapter House and the Slype.

The Abbey, founded in 1139, played a large role in the affairs of the state until its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1539. It was in the Chapter House that “Silken” Thomas Fitzgerald started his unsuccessful rebellion in 1534 and it is in this context that the Abbey is mentioned in the “Wandering Rocks” chapter of Ulysses by James Joyce.

The area is currently being excavated in preparation for a hotel development.
thejournal.ie/skeletal-remains-found

St Michans Church

St. Michan’s Church

Churches, Dublin A to Z, Historical, Tours

St. Michan’s Church is situated on Church Street behind Dublin’s Four Courts and near the old city fruit and vegetable markets. St. Michan’s church is the oldest parish church on the north side of the river Liffey.

Originally founded in 1095 (as an early Danish chapel), the present church dates from 1685 and was renovated in 1825. Internally the church retains its original galleried interior and organ. The interior is little changed since Victorian times. The pulpit, now displayed at the back of the church, was commissioned from Christopher Stephens in February 1724. The staircase dates from 1724. Another remarkable survival is the ‘oak moving desk’ or ‘Penitents desk’. Used for public confession, it was commissioned in 1724.

The delightfully decorated organ was built by John Baptiste Cuvillie between 1723-1725. In front of the gallery is the ‘Organ Trophy’, a piece of wood depicting 17 musical instruments, possibly carved by Henry Houghton or John Houghton. The ‘Trophy’ was installed in 1724. Legend has it that Handel practised for the first performance of the ‘Messiah’ on this organ.

Underneath the church are five long burial vaults containing the mummified remains of many of Dublin’s most influential 17th, 18th and 19th century families, including the legendary Shears brothers and the highly decorated coffins of the Earls of Leitrim. The constant dry atmosphere has caused the mummification of the bodies and the preservation of the coffins. Since Victorian times visitors have descended the vault steps to see the mummies; Bram Stoker, creator of the ‘Dracula’ stories, is believed to have visited. In one vault can be seen the remains of the “Crusader”, though in fact he is only 650 years dead.

Opening Hours:
Apr to Oct: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays weekly from 10am.
Nov to Mar: Mon to Fri, 12.30pm – 3.30pm
No tours on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays.
Closed: Easter weekend (Friday-Monday),  23 Dec to 1 Jan
No booking required; tours ongoing during opening hours.

Contact & Pricing:
cathedralgroupdublin.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 872 4154
St. Michan’s Church, Church Street, Dublin 7
Adults €7; concessions

St Patricks Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Churches, Dublin A to Z, Historical

St. Patrick’s Cathedral dates from 1220-1259. It was constructed on the site of an ancient well (supposed to have been used by Saint Patrick himself). The building replaced an earlier wooden church.

Archbishop John Comyn was responsible for elevating Saint Patrick’s to Cathedral status but the credit for its construction must go to Archbishop Luke (1219-1260). He built a Gothic cathedral in a cruciform shape. It is believed that the design was based on Old Sarum Cathedral, near Salisbury in England.

The building constantly evolved over the course of the next 700 years. In 1270 the Lady Chapel (later to be known as the French Chapel because of its connection with the Huguenots) was added. In 1316 a violent storm blew down the spire of the building and in 1362 the Cathedral suffered substantial damage after an accidental fire. In 1370 repairs to the nave and the tower were carried out. This structure also collapsed (1394) destroying much of the west end of the Cathedral in the process. Eventually the tower was rebuilt but was never renamed.

After the English Reformation Saint Patrick’s became an Anglican Cathedral and modifications were made to its interior to suit new theological changes. The turbulence of the period led to neglect of the fabric of the building. The Cathedral was demoted to the status of a parish church and also saw use as a court house and for a short period as a university. It was restored to cathedral status in 1555.

By the start of the 19th century it was once again in a dire state of disrepair but was handed a lifeline by Benjamin Lee Guinness who offered to bear the total cost of the restoration. Between 1860 and 1865 the Cathedral was closed for massive restoration and repair. Overall Guinness spent approximately £150,000 on the restoration project.

Jonathan Swift was Dean here from 1713–1745. Handel’s Messiah received its first performance here (1742). There are two sung services every day. There is also a permanent exhibition called “Living Stones”.

Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5:00pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm

Free guided tours take place throughout the day. Ask at the front desk for the time of the next tour. Tour times are not guaranteed and tours cannot be booked. The tours are conducted by volunteer tour guides.

On arrival at the Cathedral, staff can inform visitors of any free guided tours due to begin or currently in progress. If no tour is available, you can ask for an audio guide and written information/maps (no extra charge). You can book an admission ticket online but you cannot book one of the guided tours online.
Closed 24 – 26 December.

Contact & Pricing:
stpatrickscathedral.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 453 9472
Saint Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8
Adults €10; concessions

St Stephens Green

St. Stephen’s Green

Dublin A to Z, Gardens

St. Stephen’s Green is Ireland’s best known Victorian public park. The extensive grounds amount to some 9 hectares (22 acres) and are maintained in the original Victorian layout. There are lunchtime concerts during the summer months.

Re-opened by Lord Ardilaun in 1880 for the citizens of Dublin, the park has been maintained in the original Victorian layout with extensive perimeter tree and shrub planting, and spectacular spring and summer Victorian bedding. The herbaceous border provides colour from early spring to late autumn. Sanctuary from inclement weather can be obtained in the Victorian lakeside shelter or in the Victorian Swiss shelters in the centre of the park.

The Green Mile walking tour of St Stephen’s Green is a venture by the Little Museum of Dublin. The Green Mile tour tells the story of a square which has been at the centre of Irish history for hundreds of years. Every year 8.1 million people walk through St Stephen’s Green; the park has long served as a backdrop for public and private drama, as well as being the setting for many great love stories. The tour begins with a short presentation at the Little Museum. Participants then embark on a 60-minute walk in the company of an expert local guide. The tours take place every day at 11.30 am. Advance booking is essential.

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat: 7.30am till dusk
Sun & Bank Holidays: 9.30am till dusk
Open Christmas Day: 9.30am – 12.30pm
The closing time of the gardens varies in line with daylight hours.

Free audio guide available to download from the website linked below.
Guided tours available from the nearby Little Museum of Dublin.

Contact & Pricing:
ststephensgreenpark.ie
[email protected]
Tel: 01 475 7816
Admission free; Tour €13

Tailors Hall

Tailors’ Hall

Dublin A to Z, Historical

Tailors’ Hall is Dublin’s oldest surviving guildhall. It was built in 1706 to accommodate the Guild of Tailors in Dublin. Since 1984, the building has been home to An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland.

In its time Tailors’ Hall has passed through many uses, including entertainment, guilds, education, political meetings, an army barracks, and a courthouse. It is a two-storey building over basement, clad in red brick with a steep pitched roof. The entrance hall is brightly lit by tall round-headed windows. The interior includes a particularly fine staircase and several 18th century marble chimney pieces. Restored from dereliction in the 1960s, further work took place in the 1980s.

Opening Hours:
Open Mon & Wed, 10am – 5pm
The building is closed for holiday periods.
The lower floors have recently been converted into a pub and function rooms.

Contact & Pricing:
antaisce.org/tailors-hall
[email protected]
Tel:  01 454 1786
Back Lane, off Christchurch Place, Dublin 8
Admission €5. Free admission for An Taisce and National Trust members.