Chester Beatty Library, Dublin (must see)

The Chester Beatty Library is housed in the 18th-century clock tower on the grounds of Dublin Castle and is a wonderful museum to visit.

The library opened in 1950 and holds the vast and varied collection of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, a mining millionaire and collector of Oriental books and artifacts. The museum has two sections: “Artistic Traditions” and “Sacred Traditions”.

Here you will find a magnificent collection of manuscripts and papyruses covering over 4,000 years of religious culture, including Christian Bibles, copies of the Koran, Chinese jade books and Japanese woodblock prints. Also on display are the priceless “Life of the Prophet” and “The Gospel of Mani”, which is possibly the last remaining Manichaeism artifact.

You can also admire Turkish and Persian miniature paintings, Chinese Dragon robes, Buddhist paintings and European medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, prints, drawings, a collection of rare books, as well as Islamic, East Asian and Western decorative art and a wonderful display of East Asian carved snuff boxes.

It isn’t unusual to find students in the museum, as it is one of the most important sources for religious studies. As well as the permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions of Islamic law texts, photos of China and its people over the decades, and Japanese art.

Why You Should Visit:
There are lots of great book & antique art collections in the world but the preservation techniques used by the Chester Beatty are amazing.
Reputedly one of the best museums in the world, let alone Ireland.

Tip:
Free one-hour tours are available on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Don't miss the classy Silk Road café full of yummy Middle Eastern cuisine.
And, as an extra, there are a rooftop "meditation" garden, as well as the gardens out the front with great views to the Castle.

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 10am-5pm; Saturday: 11am-5pm; Sunday: 1-5pm.
Closed 1 January; Good Friday; 24, 25 and 26 December; and Monday public holidays.