Why You Should Experience Dublinia by Elisa Dauphin

Dublinia. Photo credit PIXABAY

Why You Should Experience Dublinia

by Elisa Dauphin

The Dublinia Museum is very well placed in a nice area. Let me show and describe to you the Dublinia experience and tell you why you should see it with your own eyes. What is there to experience in Dublinia the Museum in Dublin? It is a fantastic museum about the Vikings and Medieval times of Dublin, or so they specifically thought. In terms of culture, there are literally various possibilities to go to Dublin 8, but one of my main recommendations so far, for all intents and purposes, would be Dublinia, which is significant. Here are the reasons why in a subtle way: 1. The Structure of the Visit

The Museum is really well made. There are three floors in total and the experience you essentially get from start to finish is particularly impressive and very interactive. You can see a lot of effort put into details and a lot of materials that can demonstrate perfectly what each writing board is saying. It is definitely not a modern museum and I personally think that it might be better this way, as many people want to be immersed into the medieval and Viking times of Ireland, fairly contrary to popular belief.

There is just the right amount of technology throughout your visit: you can see some screens to demonstrate what the board is saying, some pieces of audio, and animations that represent a person from the medieval age. I think it would be less accurate and credible if the museum leaned more into technology. This Museum is also very educational and interesting for children. It’s well made for every age, children would have fun with the statues and different objects that you can see and touch, and the adults would appreciate the richness of information that you can find in the Museum.

2. The Quality of the Information

Everything is interesting! Even at times when things are not the easiest to understand, it is really well explained, which is quite significant. The Museum is big, and there is a lot to learn about. Did you know the Vikings’ age in Dublin extended over a period of 333 years from 837 to 1170? It goes through the different gods and goddesses that the Vikings believed in (Thor, Odin, Freya, etc.). This was considered North Paganism. Different information is provided, from the ships that represented some of the most advanced technology of the period and gave the Vikings many advantages over their rivals, to the different health medicine involved at that time and a big replica of Dublin at that time with a kind man right next to it that will explain to you everything that happened from then to now. There is also a sort of short film at the end of the Museum. The staff there are very helpful, so do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions, I’m sure they would be glad to answer. You can also find different wax statues in the museum with accurate period attire. This brings such joy through your visit and transports you to a period of time in Irish history.

3. The Location

Over 200 parishes in Dublin and Dublinia are linked by a medieval bridge to one of the most popular Churches in Dublin, The Christ Church Cathedral. The location of Dublinia is central Dublin. Dublinia is in the Liberties area, at the junction of St. Michael’s Hill, Patrick Street, and High Street. It’s near College Green, and there is a nice park right next to the Museum. The Peace Park was made to remember the desire of the Irish people for peace in 1988. Today it is closed for renovations, but we hope it will reopen soon. The museum is housed in Synod Hall, a building that was once the home of the Church of Ireland from 1875 to 1983.

Some pieces of advice:

Take your time

The Museum is a vast place so take your time while you are there. I would say it will take you approximately three hours to see every different room and read the major information. I would recommend taking the morning or the afternoon to really enjoy yourself without thinking of the time you have left in this beautiful place.

Take pictures

Without flashes, of course, but it’s a good visual experience, so don’t forget to take some souvenirs from it. For photography lovers, you are going to be filled with joy, the exterior is really well made, and the lightning inside is interesting with warm and cool tones depending on the room you are in.

Visit the Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral, officially The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, is the basilica of the United Dioceses of Dublin. It is the senior of the capital city’s two middle-aged basilicas, the other being St Patrick’s Cathedral. Christ Church has a long melodic history, with a notable house of God ensemble and a young ladies’ choir. So, if you have the chance, go there while they are playing music, you do not want to miss it.

Here are a few of many reasons and advice on why you should really see the magical Dublinia Museum in Dublin 8. Now you know why you do not want to miss it, to have a great look into Ireland’s history and know all of the mysteries around it.

A Match That Won’t Disappoint: Culture Date With Dublin 8

Are you looking for an area of Dublin to visit, but want to avoid the clichés and tourist traps? Swipe right, we have a match!

by Ana Monteiro

The goal has always been to further explore Dublin 8 and see beyond the city centre

The postcode D08 was born in 1923 when the new Free State government adopted the district codes. It includes the areas of Dolphin’s Barn, Inchicore, Island Bridge, Kilmainham, Merchants Quay, Portobello, South Circular Road and the Coombe. In fact, it is ranked 15th of the 49 “coolest” neighbourhoods in the world’s Time Out Index 2021 survey. Time Out magazine called Dublin 8 a place that “captures the essence and charm of the Irish

capital to a tee”.

Due to its preserved architecture, the area has a historical cultural atmosphere, with a mix of modern street art, cafés and brand-new shops.

Culture Date with Dublin 8 project launched in 2017, with the idea being to celebrate the history, culture, architectural heritage and stories of the Dublin 8 area. The initiative was the brainchild of Dublin City Council, Failte Ireland and supporters like the Irish Museum of Modern Art. It was the first time so many cultural institutions had come together to develop a project focused on a historic Irish neighbourhood.

“The goal has always been to further explore Dublin 8 and see beyond the city centre”, points out Grace McEvoy, project manager and Social Media Promoter for Culture Date. Culture Date with Dublin 8 is far from another tourism blog or advertising space. It is a community with an online presence dedicated to discovering Dublin 8. The mission has around 3,200 followers on its Facebook, Instagram and

D8 Logo by John Rooney Designs

How do you become a tourist in your own neighbourhood?

Twitter accounts.

A weekend event was held on 13th and 14th May to bring together nearby institutions and promote family - friendly activities, such as free guided tours and community workshops.

Approximately 2,000 people participated in the opening festival, which featured a concert for the reopening of Goldenbridge Cemetery, an open studio visit with artist Bharti Parmar and a creative family art class. Because the original festival was only able to feature a small area of Dublin 8, the following events will branch out to include The Liberties, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Mashy’s Library and Christ Church Cathedral, among others.

Grace McEvoy, Project Manager and Social Media Promoter. Photo courtesy of Grace McEnvoy

“A unique point of the project has been opening these places for free and encouraging people who live, work and visit the area to visit it on the doorstep”. McEvoy proposes an extraordinary exercise for those who are familiar with the area but have not visited all the attractions. “How do you become a tourist in your own neighbourhood?”

She argues that there are undiscovered wonders ready to be found by Dubliners in their own neighborhoods, and people just need to take a chance to get out and explore.

With the aid of John Rooney Designs, Culture Date with D8 created illustrations, motion graphics, a logo, and a Culture Map of Dublin 8. The project is currently managed by a single person, and increases in funding and staff will be a necessity for growth. Culture Date hopes to start bringing in more customers and raising awareness by increasing their advertising and social media outreach. The long-term vision is for Dublin 8 to be recognised as an international cultural destination.

For the next year, the goals of Culture Date’s media outreach are the creation of promotional videos and a “D8 passport” for each business or historic site visitors can explore, where they will acquire a stamp as part of the experience and to keep as a souvenir. Having John Rooney’s D8 design maps printed and distributed is another target for next year.

A “steering meeting” to discuss 2022’s targets and planning for Culture Date will be held in January between contributors and Dublin City Council. With Covid 19 having cancelled most live events and festivals in 2020 and 2021, focus will likely be on figuring out the best way to make a comeback worthy of our dynamic and fascinating local area.

To follow the work of Culture Date with Dublin 8, they can be found on Twitter and other major social media at: @CultureDateD8.