National Museum Exhibition

[DeV]

Date: 5-October-2006
Time: 12:00 - 12:00

Soldiers and Chiefs: The Irish at War at Home and Abroad, 1550-2001

location: Decorative Arts & History

The National Museum of Ireland is opening a major new exhibition in October 2006 at Collins Barracks, using original artefacts, letters, and replicas and audio accounts to show how soldiering and war have affected the lives of Irish people. There are three main themes, Irish soldiers at home, Irish soldiers aboard and Irish soldiers in the 20th century, which are explored through the eyes of the average Irish soldier, and from that of civilians caught up in war and conflict here in Ireland. Our collection of military artefacts, and recent donations, including more unusual items such as the sword of one of Napoleons soldiers, playing cards taken from a pirate ship, Christmas cards and chocolate boxes from the trenches, a child's gas mask, uniforms, rifles and the flag of the Irish Republic will be on display to bring alive the military and social history of these Irish soldiers. The new 3 story purpose built exhibition space house planes and armoured vehicles leant by the Irish Defence Force and Aer Corp and are displayed with objects in our collection, to tell the tales of the men who flew, drove and serviced the vehicles in Ireland and on UN Peacekeeping duty. Bring along your family to explore the histories of the soldiers and their families in this exciting new exhibition. Admission is free of charge.

http://www.museum.ie/events/details_...1235&site_id=0

[Goldie fish]

As good a reason as any to visit the pale.

[Curragh Plains]

Excellent and thorough display of the Irish at war, home and abroad, from pre battle of the Boyne to 20th century.

Not just a sterile display of memorabila put uses advanced exhibition techniques to put everything in context including pulling no punches on the fact that war is a cruel affair leading to devastation in communities and families. Particularly eye catching display of 20th century hardware including a Vampire hanging from ceiling and various armoured cars and artillery at ground level, stuff which will go down well with the school groups.

Bualadh bos to all concerned.

[Parts]

Except a certain 5 Inf Bn Sgt, pictured in yesterday's Star at the official launch of the exhibition with a twisted sling. Don't worry, John, I'm sure no-one saw it

[hedgehog]

I was there with some civvy friends, I thought it was great but there were a few little niggles. Thereally early stuff was brilliantly done but the more modern it got the more ramshackle it became eg on the war of independence slot there were signs for a pistol that had exploded but we couldnt find said pistol.and the curator said he never noticed it wasnt there . There were a couple of instances like that and then the final one that had the ughh factor - was the modern UN Soldier

why did the museum and the DF who went totsuch bother as to mount such a gerat exhibit

not just go the extra mile and shape the dummies beret

he looked like a Cadre CQ from south Kerry with that shape

[spider]

I was there a month ago. I thought it was a military museum. Until a young lady who worked there told me the military display would be opened in October . Bad timing. Nice cafe though and a very impressive site. The square must have been some place in its day.

I did one of the Cathedrals (St Patricks? on the tour bus circuit), full of memorials to the old Irish Regiments. Very interesting.

[beenthere]

I rang the Museum today (sat) and was told it's open on Sun 8th from 1400 to 1700hrs

[X-RayOne]

"eg on the war of independendce slot - there were signs for a pistol that exploded but we couldnt find said pistol"

probably because it had exploded. not much of it left i'd say

[hedgehog]

probably because it had exploded. not much of it left i'd say

Very good- WELL done

[Truck Driver]

Thanks for the heads up, Dev, will definitely be paying a visit this week...

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi all
historical note: my late grandfather referred to one pistol, bought for the IRA in Europe, for the War of Independence, which was a .32 Colt-Browning, made by FN, as a "Peter the Painter" and said that it had a habit of bursting the breech, due to bad ammunition. The Mauser C-96 was also referred to as the "painter" because of the shape of it's handgrip.
Collins Barracks is cleaner than it ever was.
regards
GttC

[apod]

Looks like a trip to the pale is on the cards.Is there much of a "modern irish soldier" display?

[Truck Driver]

Looks like a trip to the pale is on the cards.Is there much of a "modern irish soldier" display?

Take it handy on the oul' "duty free" on the train, then.......

[turbocalves]

Chiefs and Leaders Exhibition

Recently the National Museum in Collins Bks Dublin opened an exhibit called chiefs and leaders, it basically covers irish military history for the past 400/500 years, i got to visit it briefly(very briefly) during the week and have to say well done to the staff at the museum on an absolutely fantastic job and i recommend everyone to go have a look, i know i'll be back, it got everythin WW1, WW"2, korea UN peacekeping, the civil war, war of independence, american civil war, its even got an Air corps Vampire suspended from the roof. If your free go have a look its quite cool even for the casual visitor , admission is free

[eelmonster]

great exhibition - well worth a look.