A former military barracks, Collins Barracks now house the National Museum of Ireland. Having housed British armed forces and Irish army garrisons through three centuries, Collins Barracks are the oldest continuously occupied barracks in the world. Upon being handed to the Irish Free State in 1922, the barracks were named after Michael Collins, the first commander-in-chief of the Free State, who was killed later that same year. It housed forces of the Free State Army through the Irish Civil War and the Easter Command of the Irish Civil War called it home for 70 years.
Built in the beginning of the 18th Century, the neo-classic complex was further extended throughout the century and since 1997, it has been home to the Decorative Arts and History section of the National Museum of Ireland. Exhibits include Irish coins and currency, silverware, furniture, folk costumes, ceramics, and glassware. One can also admire such items as the gauntlets worn by King William at the Battle of the Boyne, Etruscan vases, the pocket book that Wolfe Tone wrote on while imprisoned at the Barracks and a life belt and oar salvaged from the wreck of the RMS Lusitania.
The story of Irish soldiers and warfare in Ireland is followed from 1550 to modern days. Uniforms, memorabilia and weapons take visitors back to the era when the Irish participated in the American Civil War. Modern warfare is represented in the form of a rare Landsverk tank, armoured cars, planes and weapons used by Lebanese and Palestinian fractions. A diverse range of touring exhibitions is also frequently housed at the National Museum at Collins Barracks. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm, and on Sundays and public holidays between 2pm and 5pm. Entrance is free.
