Dublin Art Trip

Dublin Art Trip

On Thursday the 11th of December, Art students from T.Y., 5th year and Leaving Cert. Art students had an early start at Millstreet train station. We set off with Ms O’Donoghue and Ms Moynihan at 8 a.m. for Dublin.

When we arrived at Dublin, we took the bus to our first destination which was the National Museum, situated right next to the Dáil. After a quick group picture, we went inside. We admired the classical architecture on the way in.

Inside, we first looked at the bog bodies. These were real people’s bodies that had been sacrificed many years ago in old Ireland and buried in the bog which preserved their bodies. We could clearly see the fingers nails on one bog body and even the ginger hair of another!

In the National Museum, we also saw the Tara Brooch and Ardagh Chalice. We admired the very intricate designs hand done by Monks. We really enjoyed looking at these artefacts that we had often talked about in History and Art. In a different section of the museum, we also saw many ancient artefacts from Egypt.

After the National Museum, we went to the city centre and got lunch. We were given about an hour to get our food before we met up to walk to the National Art Gallery.

At the National Art Gallery we had a guided tour. I think for most this was the highlight of the trip. We saw many different, interesting paintings and pictures, old and new. We got a lecture on the Caravaggio, ‘The Taking of Christ.’

My personal favourite painting in the gallery was from the Zurich Portrait Prize 2018 competition exhibition. The final twenty-five that were shortlisted, including the winning piece, were on display. My favourite was called ‘Me and my Dad in McDonalds, 2018’ which was a painting of the first time the artist met his father.

After the National Art Gallery, we went back to the city centre and were given two hours to shop and eat. We all really enjoyed seeing all the Christmas lights.

We then took the jam-packed Luas back to the train station and arrived back to Millstreet Train Station for about ten o’clock.

We all had a really nice day that was both educational and enjoyable.

by Sarah Lenihan