CHESTER BEATTY LIBRARY

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful museums in Dublin and even in the country. Originally from New York, Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968) made his fortune in mining. A great traveller, attracted by different cultures and passionate about art, he collected rare books, paintings, costumes, art objects...

On the^first floor, there is a collection of objects from Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Illuminated books, Japanese writing materials, Chinese clothes, swords, various prints, French fashion prints from the early 20th century, Egyptian papyri, books from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The series of etchings by Goya: The Disasters of War... An eclectic collection of objects, each one more beautiful than the next. On the walls, videos explain the manufacturing process of books, paper and prints.

The^second floor is devoted to religious art, and houses a collection of Korans from the 9th to the 19th centuries, considered to be the finest examples of illuminated Islamic texts in the world. Also on display are damaged pages of the Gospels, in ancient Greek, of John and Luke (from the 3rd century), ancient texts on papyrus and manuscripts from Myanmar (Burma). A breathtaking collection.

Pleasenote: as the Chester Beatty Library sends works around the world for other exhibitions, some may not be present when you visit. Check it out if you are travelling for a particular piece.