National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Name	National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Caption	The museum's main entrance on Kildare Street, Dublin.
Established	1890
Location	Kildare Street, Dublin, Ireland
Type	Archaeology museum
Collection	2+ million objects
Director	Lynn Scarff
Owner	Government of Ireland
Publictransit	St Stephen's Green (Luas)
Website	https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Archaeology

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology is a branch of the National Museum of Ireland located on Kildare Street in Dublin. It is the national repository for all archaeological objects found in Ireland and holds a collection spanning from the Mesolithic period through to the late Middle Ages. The museum is famed for its extensive collection of Irish Bronze Age gold, early medieval Insular art, and preserved bog bodies. Its iconic building, designed by Thomas Newenham Deane and Thomas Manly Deane, is a landmark of Victorian architecture in the capital.

History

The institution's origins lie in the amalgamation of collections from the Royal Dublin Society and the Royal Irish Academy during the 19th century. The museum was established by act of the Westminster Parliament under the Science and Art Museum Act 1877. The current building on Kildare Street was constructed specifically to house these collections, opening to the public in 1890 as the "Dublin Science and Art Museum". Following Irish independence, it was renamed the National Museum of Ireland and its archaeological collections were consolidated here. Major expansions to the collection occurred through the work of figures like George Coffey and later through the Irish Antiquities Division of the museum.

Building and architecture

The building is a prime example of Victorian Palladian architecture and was designed by the architects Thomas Newenham Deane and his son Thomas Manly Deane. Its facade on Kildare Street features a grand portico with Corinthian columns and is constructed from Portland stone. The interior is dominated by the magnificent barrel-vaulted "Main Hall", inspired by the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome, which is decorated with intricate mosaic floors and a cast-iron and glass roof. The layout includes a central rotunda and a series of radiating galleries, such as the "Treasury" and "Ór - Ireland's Gold" exhibition spaces, which were redesigned in the late 20th century.

Collections and exhibits

The museum's permanent exhibitions are arranged chronologically and thematically. The "Prehistoric Ireland" gallery displays artifacts from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age, including tools, weapons, and pottery. The "Ór - Ireland's Gold" exhibition showcases the world's largest collection of prehistoric gold artifacts, such as the Broighter Gold Collar and the Gleninsheen gorget. The "Treasury" focuses on early medieval Insular art, featuring masterpieces like the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch. Other significant galleries include "Viking Age Ireland", which explores the impact of the Norsemen, and "Ancient Egypt", which houses a collection of Egyptian mummies.

Notable artifacts

Among its most celebrated holdings are the Ardagh Chalice, an 8th-century liturgical vessel representing the pinnacle of Insular metalwork. The Tara Brooch, a 7th-century pseudo-penannular brooch, is renowned for its intricate filigree and amber studs. The collection of bog bodies, including Old Croghan Man and Clonycavan Man, provides unique insights into Iron Age rituals. Significant prehistoric gold items include the Broighter Gold Collar and the Gleninsheen gorget. The museum also holds the Derrynaflan Hoard, discovered in County Tipperary, and the Bell of St. Patrick.

Public access and facilities

The museum is located in central Dublin, adjacent to Leinster House and near Trinity College Dublin. It is served by the Luas tram at St Stephen's Green and multiple Dublin Bus routes. Admission is free, and the museum offers guided tours, educational programs, and lectures. Facilities include a museum shop, a reading room for researchers, and wheelchair access to all public galleries. Temporary exhibitions are regularly held, often in collaboration with institutions like University College Dublin or the Discovery Programme.

Management and governance

The museum is a state cultural institution under the aegis of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. It is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Day-to-day management is led by a Director, currently Lynn Scarff. The institution's policies, including acquisitions and conservation, are guided by the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. It works closely with the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History and other branches, as well as with international bodies like UNESCO.

Category:National Museum of Ireland Category:Archaeological museums in the Republic of Ireland Category:Museums in Dublin (city)