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If you could read three books a day, it would still take you the best part of fifty centuries to read the six million items at the National Library of Ireland. This might seriously mess with your holiday schedule so it’s probably best that you just go in for a look around.
Open every day except Sunday, the National Library’s collection includes rare books, manuscripts, prints, maps, newspapers, periodicals, and photographs. The majority of the material is Irish-related and exhibitions of archived works are held regularly.
Since the National Library is a reference library, books cannot be taken out but its material can be consulted without charge. If you’re a book lover, you’ll be in seventh heaven in the grand and silent atmosphere of the domed Reading Room on the first floor.
Also, if you’d like to trace your Irish ancestry, a Genealogical Office will provide you with advice on how best to trace your ancestors while also giving you access to their computerised records. Who knows, you might be the direct descendant of some ancient chieftain and automatically inherit most of Galway as your birthright. Such an event is probably not even remotely possible but it’s always fun to dream.
Apart from the works housed within, the National Library is also an impressive sight in its own right. The building stands right beside the National Museum and just behind Leinster House, Ireland’s parliament building. Its foyer is decorated with a mosaic floor as well as stained-glass windows depicting prominent writers.
For more information visit www.nli.ie
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