Collins Barracks museum – a hub for history and arts

The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History is situated just off Benburb Street, near Stoneybatter. The Museum is located in Collins Barracks, one of the most notorious historical structures in Ireland.

Originally constructed as a barracks in the 18th century, Collins Barracks has witnessed several historical uprisings, including the 1916 Easter Rising. Parts of it were transformed over recent years into the this branch of the National Museum.

Every exhibition at the museum has a unique quality while still being connected to Irish history and art. One of the biggest exhibitions is the Irish Wars 1919-1923 exhibition. This covers the history of the wars that followed the famous 1916 rising. There is currently a temporary imagery exhibition that covers photography of the conflict from 1913-1923 which is only available to see until October this year.

Anne Breslin was visiting the museum’s exhibition about an important 20th century designer when she stopped to chat with The Liberty.

“My favourite exhibition had to be the Eileen Gray, it was amazing to see all the pieces of architecture and design that she had created. The exhibition showed a true reflection on her life from family to student to designer,” Breslin said.

Irishwoman Eileen Gray was one of the pioneers of the modern design movement. She was well-known in France in the early 1900s for her work designing lacquer furniture and interiors. In the late 1920s, she started experimenting with architectural forms.

For all sports lovers, there is also a temporary exhibition on the GAA: people, objects, and stories. This exhibition showcases several old and outdated objects that used to be used as clothing or equipment to play the many GAA sports.

“Another must see exhibition is ‘we make our own histories’. It was a special exhibit as it showed all the cultural changes from fashion to identity and what has still managed to stay in fashion or regain popularity throughout history,” Breslin said.

‘We make our own histories’ is a temporary exhibition that is leaving on the 30^th of June and is a must see before it’s gone. The exhibit marks the end of a residency at the museum for artist and TU Dublin lecturer Anthony Haughey.