Hugh Lane is not an address but is the name of the late and visionary art dealer, who had an admirable dream for Dublin. Lane wanted to provide the people of the city with a chance to view the best of national and international art. His dream was achieved and continues today but the man himself did not survive to see it in its full glory.
The first thing you need to know about the Irish Museum of Modern Art is that it is housed in one of Dublin’s first ever and finest 17th century classical buildings – the former Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
In this world there’s art and then there’s modern art! On a recent trip to Amsterdam, for example, a banana stuffed through a hole in a piece of plywood then left to rot on the floor was presented to me as the latter. Thankfully, the National Gallery of Ireland offers more traditional works for your enjoyment.
The Irish used a very simple and easy to follow recipe for creating a fantastic national museum. You take a number of fine and historic collections, bring them together and plonk them in a selection of historic buildings, some of which are themselves steeped in history, and bingo! There you have it – the National Museum of Ireland.
In the marketing blurb for this attraction it claims to be ‘an exceptionally original visitor attraction’. Now I think they know, and we know, and a certain French woman whose surname was Tussaud definitely also knows that statement might be stretching the truth a little. But ignoring the originality argument, this still provides a great family afternoon out.
Attractions in Dublin
No matter how long or short your visit to Dublin, you will always be looking to pack as much as possible into your visit. Holidaying in Dublin is like being in the world's most interesting history lesson, Dublin is full of cultural sites, so make sure you set aside some time to visit these fascinating places.And if you are an art lover, you'll be spoilt for choice in Dublin. Here are some of the things we think you should be doing...
Art
Hugh Lane is not an address but is the name of the late and visionary art dealer, who had an admirable dream for Dublin. Lane wanted to provide the people of the city with a chance to view the best of national and international art. His dream was achieved and continues today but the man himself did not survive to see it in its full glory. READ MORE
The first thing you need to know about the Irish Museum of Modern Art is that it is housed in one of Dublin’s first ever and finest 17th century classical buildings – the former Royal Hospital Kilmainham. READ MORE
In this world there’s art and then there’s modern art! On a recent trip to Amsterdam, for example, a banana stuffed through a hole in a piece of plywood then left to rot on the floor was presented to me as the latter. Thankfully, the National Gallery of Ireland offers more traditional works for your enjoyment. READ MORE
The Irish used a very simple and easy to follow recipe for creating a fantastic national museum. You take a number of fine and historic collections, bring them together and plonk them in a selection of historic buildings, some of which are themselves steeped in history, and bingo! There you have it – the National Museum of Ireland. READ MORE
In the marketing blurb for this attraction it claims to be ‘an exceptionally original visitor attraction’. Now I think they know, and we know, and a certain French woman whose surname was Tussaud definitely also knows that statement might be stretching the truth a little. But ignoring the originality argument, this still provides a great family...READ MORE
