Guide Index Red words? Check the Dub Glossary!
One of the destinations on any tourist map of the city is the Dublin Civic Museum. Well, here's the truth: there's not much to it. It's a one-room affair in a somewhat interesting building, with somehwat intersting exhibits on the walls and lots of brochures for the other tourist attractions that are on your tourist map.
The day I visited, the exhibits on display were about the Pro Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, and St. Patricks. Nice for a glance, but no information there that couldn't be picked up (so much better!) by visiting those attractions themselves.
There are also some intersting historic photos and signs on the walls. One memorable image was of a el train, circa 1900, that crashed through the wall of Harcourt Street Station. There were some old-fashioned shop signs as well, real "Dublin in th' rare Oul' Times." They were kind of amusing.
The highlight was Nelson's Head. Not the actual head of Admiral Nelson, mind you, but the head off of Nelson's Column. In the middle of O'Connell Street, just opposite the GPO, there used to stand a lofty pillar commemorating the English Lord Nelson's naval victories of the Napoleonic Wars. The IRA blew it up in the 1960's. Well, someone found the head of the statue of Nelson that used to stand on top of that pillar. They brought it here to the Dublin Civic Museum, where visitors can inspect it and read some of the details.
If the exhibits were wholy original and more comprehensive, telling the whole story of Nelson's Pillar, for instance, the museum would be better. As a Yank unfamiliar with Irish history, nothing within would mean very much.
So the verdict: the Dublin Civic Museum is a good enough free spot to sit down and kick up the feet if you need a place to rest, while shopping the surrounding streets. And, to shop those surrounding streets properly, you'll need a few hours and thus a rest. Otherwise, give it a miss.
- Added to the DFA Guide, September 2002.
Guide Index Red words? Check the Dub Glossary!