On 10th March the members of the club went to Collins Baracks for the Tuesday outing.
Getting to Collins Barracks by public transport, Luas, is very straight forward as the Red Luas line stops outside the museum. It is an imposing granite building, three stories high, with an archway entrance into the quadrangle, which is marked out on either side in 100 paces, vital for its previous uses as a barracks.
On entering we find that it is pleasantly warm, so we made use of the cloakroom to divest ourselves of our outerwear. All 9 of us headed off in different directions and different floors. Some towards the Dead Zoo, on loan from Merrion Square. Others towards the small display of Harry Clarke’s stained-glass windows and then on to Military Life and history, complete with tanks and airplanes. More military life was available on Floor 1, as well as Silver & metalwork, Coins and currency and the Curator’s choice.
Floor 2 had Gaelic Games, Furniture, set out in 17th and 18th century rooms and Ib Jorgensen for those interested in fashion and also Temporary Exhibitions.
Floor 3, top floor, had a large area dedicated to the amazing Irish woman Eileen Gray, along with more fashion, jewellery and Asian Art. Changing Ireland was particularly interesting.
Overall, there is something of interest for everyone here. One could easily spend a day here!
At noon we convened in the coffee shop, interestingly called Synge & Byrne, situated opposite the entrance where we chatted and exchanged stories of what had taken our fancy. All in all a very enjoyable day out.
Some images (click on an image to open in full-screen mode) from the outing can be seen below:
