Page 71 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland
P. 71
SOUTHEAST DUBLIN 69
The magnificent domed Reading Room on the first floor of the National Library
8 National Museum including public lectures, poe try of Leinster in 1745. Designed by
of Ireland – and music recitals, theatre, child Germanborn architect Richard
Archaeology ren’s storytelling, public tours of Cassels, the Kildare Street façade
exhibitions, creative workshops resembles that of a large town
See pp70–71. and a lot more. Admission is free. house. However, the rear, looking
on to Merrion Square, has the air
of a country estate complete with
9 National Library 0 Leinster House sweeping lawns. The Royal Dublin
Society bought the building in
Kildare St. Map E4. Tel 603 0213. Kildare St. Map E4. Tel 618 3000.
Open 9:30am–7:45pm Mon–Wed, Open for tours 8 10:30am & 2:30pm 1815. The government obtained
9:30am–4:45pm Thu & Fri, 9:30am– daily; email events.desk@oireachtas.ie a part of it in 1922 for parlia
4:30pm Sat (Reading Room closes to book in advance. mentary use and bought the
12:45pm). Closed public hols. ∑ oireachtas.ie entire building two years later.
7∑ nli.ie Email ahead to book a place
This stately mansion houses the on the two daily tours of the
Designed by Sir Thomas Deane, Dáil and the Seanad – the two rooms, including the Seanad
the National Library opened in chambers of the Irish Parliament. chamber with its heavily
1890. It now con tains first It was originally built for the Duke ornamented ceiling.
editions of every major Irish
writer and a copy of almost The Irish Parliament
every book ever published in
Ireland. Its hold ings also include The Irish Free State, forerunner of the Republic of Ireland, was
manu scripts, prints, drawings, inaugurated in 1922 (see p48), although an unofficial Irish parliament,
maps, photo graphs, newspapers, the Dáil, had already been in
music, ephemera and gene existence since 1919. Today,
alogical material, all of which parliament is made up of two
comprise the most outstand ing houses: Dáil Éireann (House of
collection of Irish docu men tary Representatives) and Seanad
Éireann (the Senate). The
heritage in the world. Prime Minister is the
Visitors can view the famous Taoiseach and the deputy, the
Reading Room where distin Tánaiste. The Dáil’s 166
guished Irish writers have representatives – Teachtaí
studied, or explore the award Dála, known as TDs – are
winning exhibitions. elected by proportional
For anyone interested in representation. The 60strong
family history, the Genealogy Seanad is appointed by
Advisory Service is available for various individuals and autho
free to all personal callers. rities, including the Taoiseach Opening of the first parliament of the
The library also hosts an on and the University of Dublin. Irish Free State in 1922
going programme of events,
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp296–7 and pp308–11
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