Dublin - National Musuem of Ireland

To the right of the Bank of Ireland gateway in Dublin is the National Museum, which has a rich collection of Irish antiquities from prehistoric times to the end of the medieval period.

At present, when new rooms are being opened and old ones renovated, exhibits are liable to be moved around and some rooms may be closed.

The entrance rotunda (used for special exhibitions) leads into the Great Hall. Among the most notable items to be seen here are gold jewellery, mainly of the Bronze Age; 11th and 12th C. crosiers; the Ardagh Chalice (early eighth century), silver with gilt ornament, enamel and glass decoration, gold filigree handles; among the processional crosses, the Cross of Cong (1123), of oak with silver and gilt-bronze animal ornament; among a number of shrines, the Shrine of St Patrick's Bell (12th C.), decorated with silver gilt, gold filigree and ornamental stones; and various reliquaries, including the Breac MaodhÓg Reliquary (11th century), with an exact depiction of the dress of the period. In the gallery of the Great Hall are antiquities covering a period of more than 7,000 years (century 6000 B.C.-A.D. 1000).

Particular treasures to be seen here are the Tara Brooch (700-750), of gilded bronze inlaid with silver, copper and enamel, and the Moylough Belt Shrine (eighth century), a reliquary of silvered bronze with enamel ornament designed to be attached to a belt.

There are also a number of ogham stones. A collection of sheila-na-gigs (female figures in obscene postures) can be seen on application.

On the upper floor are metal objects, glass and porcelain, textiles and ceramics. Of particular interest are the cases displaying Irish silver.