Art & Literature

“I can't think of a case where poems changed the world, but what they do is they change people's understanding of what's going on in the world.” - Seamus Heaney

With a literary history dating back to 800AD, and three Nobel Prize winners, it's no wonder Dublin is now a UNESCO City of Literature. Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw and William Butler Yeats all called Dublin home and their presence is still felt around the city. Modern day Irish writers also include Maeve Binchy; the wonderful, late poet, Séamus Heaney, another Nobel Prize winner and many, many more.

Art is also very important in Irish culture. Not only paintings and artwork, but music, dance, film and theatre all play a big role in Ireland's art scene. So much so, in fact, that artists of all kinds are entitled to tax exemption on royalties from their work. This is part of a long standing government incentive to cultivate the arts in Ireland.

During your next self catering Sunlight Properties holiday in Dublin, plan to visit some of the exciting galleries and museums listed below. If galleries aren't your thing, enjoy the street art that is popping up all over Dublin. Check out Camden Street, Windmill Lane and the Docklands area for public and amazing street art.click here

Book of Kells, Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin 2.

One of the oldest manuscripts in Ireland, dating back to the 9th Century, it is now on show at Ireland's most prestigious university.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat: 9.30am – 5pm (year round)
Sun: 12.00pm – 4.30pm (October – April)
9.30am – 4.30pm (May – September)
Admission: €10 per adult

National Library of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 (0)1 1 603 0200

Housing over eight million publications, this is an impressive and extensive library. Don't miss the award winning permanent exhibition “Yeats: the Life and Works of William Butler Yeats”.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Wed: 9.30am – 7.45pm
Thurs & Fri: 9.30am – 4.45pm
Sat: 9.30am – 4.45pm
Sun: 1pm – 4.45pm

Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, €10 per person plus food or drinks.

This is a fantastic way to get to know the city a bit better from the eyes of our literary heroes! The tour visits four historical pubs and the guides will explain the significance of pub culture in Irish writing. Entertaining and informative, if you are interested in Irish literature, you cannot miss this tour!

Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 (0)1 407 0750

This is where you will find rare manuscripts and some of the earliest printed books. Be enthralled by rare artistic artefacts from around the world at this historic library. Japanese woodblock prints and Egyptian papyrus texts are also amongst the exhibits on display.
Opening Hours:
May - September:
Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm
October - April:
Tues - Fri: 10am - 5pm
Sat: 11am - 5pm (all year)
Sun: 1pm - 5pm (all year) Closed Public Holidays
Admission: Free

Dublin Writers Museum, 18 Parnell Square North, Dublin 1. Tel: +353 (0)1 872 2077

Opened in 1991, this museum celebrates Irish literature. Discover more about Jonathon Swift, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, and many more through their writings on display here, both personal and private.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat: 10am - 5pm, last admission 4.15pm
Sun & Bank Holidays: 11am - 5pm, last admission 4.15pm
Admission: €7.50

The National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 (0)1 661 5133

Situated next to Leinster House, the National Gallery houses a very fine collection of Irish and European art. See works by Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet among hundreds of others. The famous Dublin writer, George Bernard Shaw generously donated the royalties from his play “Pygmalion” to the museum.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Thurs: 9.30am – 8.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 5.30pm
Bank Holidays: 10am – 5.30pm
Admission: Free for the permanent collection

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 (0)1 677 7444

Opened in 1890, this is a very fine collection of art, jewellery and other artefacts dating all the way back to 7,000 BC; including the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch which are on display here. The recently discovered bog bodies, which date back to the Iron Age, can also be seen in the Kingship & Sacrifice exhibition centres. This is a must visit destination on your next Sunlight Properties holiday letting.
Opening Hours:
Tues to Sat: 10am - 5pm
Sun: 2pm - 5pm
Closed: Mon (including Bank Holidays), Christmas Day and Good Friday
Admission: Free to the Museum

National Museum of Ireland, Merrion St, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 (0)1 677 7444

Showcasing over 2 million species from all over the world, including extinct species, this is one of the most extensive collections to be seen.
Opening Hours:
Tues to Sat: 10am - 5pm
Sun: 2pm - 5pm
Closed: Mon (including Bank Holidays), Christmas Day and Good Friday
Admission: Free

National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7. Tel: +353 (0)1 677 7444

Aptly located in the historic Collins Barracks, see the history of Ireland from an economic, social, political, and military perspective. Various exhibitions include one charting the Irish at War between 1550 and 2001 and one on the history of the Asgard yacht.
Opening Hours:
Tues - Sat: 10am - 5pm
Sun: 2pm - 5pm
Closed: Mon (including Bank Holidays), Christmas Day and Good Friday
Admission: Free

The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital, Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. Tel: +353 (0)1 612 9900

Recently refurbished, the stunning Royal Hospital building houses Ireland’s modern and contemporary art collection. Exhibitions are often shown here but the location alone is an exhibit. The 17th Century building is surrounded by a formal garden and a medieval burial ground.
Opening Hours:
Tues - Fri: 11.30am-5.30pm
Sat: 10am -5 .30pm
Sun & Bank Holidays: 12pm - 5.30pm
Closed: Mon, Good Friday, 24th – 26th December
Admission: Free including all exhibitions

Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, Charlemont House, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1. Tel: +353 (0)1 222 5550

This city centre museum is home to one of Ireland’s best collections of modern and contemporary art and makes for a great visit from your Sunlight Properties holiday home. Not just a gallery, there are also temporary exhibitions, lectures, and much more to enjoy here.
Opening Hours
Tues - Thurs: 10am – 6pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free

Dublin Writers Museum, 18 Parnell Square North, Dublin 1. Tel: +353 (0)1 872 2077

Opened in 1991, this museum celebrates Irish literature. Discover more about Jonathon Swift, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, and many more through their writings on display here, both personal and private.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat: 10am - 5pm, last admission 4.15pm
Sun & Bank Holidays: 11am - 5pm, last admission 4.15pm
Admission: €7.50

Irish Language

“Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. (tear gone chonga, tear gone an-um) A country without a language is a country without a soul.”
- Pádraig Pearse

Irish, or Gaelic (gale-ick) is the official language of Ireland, along with English. For centuries, it was the only language spoken but due to the English invasion, it slowly died out and is now only spoken as a first language in certain parts of the country. However, all Irish people learn Gaelic in school from a young age. There are certain Gaelic words that are essential during your self catering Sunlight Properties holiday in Dublin. Below is a list of terms to get you by!