Experience engaging OPW events across Dublin between Christmas and New Year

The OPW invites visitors to enjoy a number of engaging events and exhibitions across Dublin between Christmas and the New Year. From guided walking tours to art exhibitions at numerous locations across the city, there is something for everyone to enjoy with family and friends.

The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin is hosting a number of tours from 28 December until 1 January. From the delicate beauty of blooms to elegant evergreen foliage, the themed tour ‘Old Roots, New Shoots’ invites visitors to embrace the tranquil winter gardens and discover hidden seasonal highlights. Visitors can also enjoy the ‘Winter Daily Guided Tours’ that uncovers the history and development of the gardens and explores the seasonal highlights of our collections.

History enthusiasts can gain an insight into Ireland’s past at Kilmainham Gaol with two inspirational exhibitions on offer. ‘The Prisoners Lens; Secret Photography in Kilmainham Gaol, 1921’ showcases a collection of rare photographs taken by prisoners using cameras smuggled into the prison in Kilmainham Gaol during the War of Independence. Visitors can also enjoy the exhibition ‘Objects, War and Memory in Ireland past and present’. This exhibition explores the personal stories and artefacts, connecting Ireland’s history with contemporary experiences of conflict and displacement.

Dublin Castle is displaying the exhibition ‘Artistic Islands – exploring Irish Art and Diaspora’, an exciting exhibition that identifies Ireland and its diaspora as places where creative genius was always encouraged. Visitors can experience Irish art and its global impact in new ways.

Visitors to Farmleigh, Dublin can enjoy the ‘Benjamin Iveagh: A Life in Books’ exhibition. This exhibition hosts one of the most important Irish book collections of the twentieth century. Benjamin Guinness, third earl of Iveagh, collected over 4,000 rare books and manuscripts relating to Ireland’s history, literature, craftsmanship and language, some of which are on display in this fascinating exhibition.

Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham, is hosting the exhibition ‘Liam Roe, A Life’s Work: A retrospective of an Irish Wood Sculptor’. Roe devoted his life to the craft of wood sculpture, working with native hardwoods to create human and animal forms that reflect Irish cultural memory, history, mythology, music, faith, and the natural world. Visitors can experience the wide selection of his work, many of these on public display for the first time.

Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran said, “The OPW has a number of events to keep you busy between Christmas and the New Year, from guided tours to historic and art exhibitions, visitors to our sites can learn something new with family and friends. Our experienced staff and guides look forward to welcoming visitors to their sites”.

For more information about our events, please see the links below or visit www.heritageireland.ie.

For more information about the events please see links below:

Dublin Castle

• Dublin Castle: Exhibition: “Artistic Islands” Exhibition at Dublin Castle, exploring Irish Art and Diaspora. 28th and 29th December - link

Farmleigh House and Gardens

• Farmleigh House: Exhibition: ‘Benjamin Iveagh, A life in books’ 10am-5pm - link

Kilmainham Gaol

• Kilmainham Gaol: Exhibition ‘Objects, War and Memory in Ireland past and present’ reopens 28th of December - link
• Kilmainham Gaol: Exhibition “’The Prisoners Lens: Secret photography in Kilmainham Gaol, 1921’ Exhibition. Reopens 28th of December - link

National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Co. Dublin

• National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin: Themed Tour ‘Old Roots New Shoots’. 28th December – 1St January 2-3pm - link
• National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin: Themed Tour ‘Winter Daily Guided Tours’ 28th December – 31st January 11am and 3pm - link

Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham

• Pearse Museum: Exhibition ‘Liam Roe, A Life’s Work: A retrospective of an Irish Wood Sculptor’ 9.30am- 4pm - link

NOTES TO EDITORS

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request to discuss the events. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

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