A postcard from the Beatty

For some reason it has taken me this far in my life before getting to visit the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin.

An art museum and library, it is now located in Dublin Castle, with a set of state of art modern display rooms grafted on to one of the old buildings of the complex.

Sir Alfred was a lifelong collector of books, prints and art, with special interests in pieces from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. The core exhibitions are Arts of the Book and Sacred Traditions, and both offer fascinating insights into the histories and cultures of many ancient and relatively modern countries.

There are also special exhibitions held in the CBL, with a current one being about modern printmaking. Free tours are available on Wednesdays and Sundays, and entry to the museum is also free.

For details of opening times and current happenings are available at www.cbl.ie

Brian Byrne.