Situated in the heart of the city centre, the Chester Beatty Library is an art museum and library which houses the great collection of manuscripts,
miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and some decorative arts assembled by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968). The Library’s exhibitions
open a window on the artistic treasures of the great cultures and regions of the world. The rich collection from countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe offers visitors a visual feast.
Chester Beatty Library was named Irish Museum of the Year in 2000 and was awarded the title European Museum of the Year in 2002, a coveted international accolade in the museum world. Egyptian papyrus texts, beautifully illuminated copies of the Qur’an, the Bible, European medieval and renaissance manuscripts are among the highlights of the collection. Turkish and Persian miniatures and striking Buddhist paintings are also on display, as are Chinese dragon robes and Japanese woodblock prints.
In its diversity, the collection captures much of the richness of human creative expression from about 2700 BC to the present day.
Opening Times:
Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm (May to September).
Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm (October-April)
Saturdays: 11am-5pm (all year).
Sundays: 1pm-5pm (all year)
Closed Public Holiday Mondays,
Good Friday, 24th, 25th and 26th
December, 1st Jan.
St. Patrick’s Day: 1pm-5pm
Facilities:
Free public tours are available on Wednesdays at 1pm and on Sundays at 3pm and 4pm. Other times by prior arrangement. Toilets, lift, restaurant, gift and book shop, audio-visual presentations, roof garden.
How to Get There:
By bus: 54A (Burgh Quay), 50, 50A, 56A, 77, 77A, 77B (Aston Quay).
Off Dame Street, behind City Hall, 10 minutes walk from Trinity College.
Email: info@cbl.ie
Web: http://www.cbl.ie
