National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology

You are suddenly transported back as you enter the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street to witness well-known Celtic artifacts. Natural History on Merrion Street, Decorative Arts and History in Dublin 7, Country Life in Co. Mayo, and the Archaeology section on Kildare Street are the four venues that make up the National Museum of Ireland.

You can explore St. Patrick's Bell, Tara Brooch, Ardagh Chalice, ancient gold, Viking and Medieval artifacts, and bog bodies.

Things to do at the National Museum Of Ireland-Archaeology:

• Get bewitched by the sparkle of the art and the place that houses it:

Despite the incredible riches, the structure itself (which opened in 1890) never fails to dazzle. Keep an eye on the ground, too, as the mosaic floors in the entrance rotunda feature an elaborate zodiac pattern. Under its elaborate Palladian dome, you'll find a wide variety of items that date from prehistoric periods until the rise of Irish civilization.

• You can travel back in time to 7,000 BC by taking a stroll.

Since its doors opened in 1890, the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, located on Kildare Street in Dublin, has been a must-visit destination for its enormous archaeological collections. Spend some time at The Treasury, home to magnificent Celtic and Medieval art pieces, including the renowned Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch, the St. Patrick's Bell, and the Derrynaflan Hoard. Wander into Prehistoric Ireland and witness a recreated Passage Tomb, Neolithic farming implements, ceramics, and personal items, such as a gorgeously decorated flint mace head from Knowth.

• Look in awe at Or, Ireland's Gold, which contains the best collection of prehistoric gold artifacts in all of Europe.

The prehistoric goldwork collection dates from 2200 BC to 500 BC. While most are jewelry, some may have other uses that are not yet understood.

• If there is a particular exhibit you're interested in viewing, plan your trip because this museum has eight major permanent shows.

Bog Bodies, or human remains discovered in Ireland's boglands during the Iron Age, can be found in the Kingship and Sacrifice display. Even their eyelashes and teeth are still present and properly preserved. 

The Viking Ireland exhibition is divided into three sections, Power, Work, and Prayer, representing the three tiers of medieval society: clergy, peasants, and nobility.

See Clontarf 1014 through 2021. This groundbreaking exhibition debunks falsehoods and lays out our current information regarding what truly transpired at Clontarf. Alongside hoards of priceless silver items and holy relics are weapons typical of the Viking and Irish combatants.

Other facilities:

While there is a fair range of coffee table literature and Irish jewelry in the lobby gift shop, it is primarily aimed at children (think toys and Viking caps). The café at a museum serves foods like apple tarts, chocolate biscuits.