4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
The Little Museum of Dublin reopens on St Stephen's Green after €4.3m refit
The museum had closed its temporary address on 33 Pembroke Street in May to move back into its original refurbished location.
Today's official re-opening, attended by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, will allow visitors to enjoy an expanded and reimagined exhibition space and a new reception area.
The museum will also welcome a new youth education space, an integrated lift to improve accessibility, a sun-trap patio and an enriched collection of artefacts donated by the people of Ireland.
Since its first opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed over one million visitors and remains the titular placeholder for the top spot for Things To Do in Dublin, according to TripAdvisor.
The reimagining of the Little Museum of Dublin was partly funded by Fáilte Ireland, along with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport & Media.
Dublin City Council and private donations got renovations over the line.
The museum will open seven days a week from 9.30am to 5pm and will continue to offer guided tours every forty minutes.
A new walking tour, The Little Walking Tour of St Stephen's Green, will take place each afternoon at 2.15pm.
The walking tours include The Official Walk of Shame, The Football Walking Tour, The Freedom of Dublin and more.
Speaking at the launch, Sarah Clancy, CEO of the Little Museum of Dublin, said: 'Thanks to the generosity of the Irish people, the support of the state and the talent of our team, we have managed to reimagine the Little Museum of Dublin for generations to come.
'We are so proud to be reopening our doors and welcoming guests back into our newly renovated and accessible museum at 15 St Stephen's Green.'
Lord Mayor Emma Blain added: 'I am delighted to see the Little Museum of Dublin on St Stephen's Green reopen its doors after two years. It is such a great addition to the city centre, bringing Dublin to life in a very real way.'
Among the newest artefacts on display are everything from the first ever medal awarded to William Deans under the states Bravery Act 1947, to Mary McAleese's First Holy Communion Rosary beads donated by the [former] President herself.
Mary Stack, Head of Product Development – Attractions at Fáilte Ireland said that projected visitor numbers are expected to rise to over 5,000 annually by 2035, with the redevelopment is set to generate an economic impact of €24.7m over the next decade.
