Chester Beatty Library & Museum

Once the private library of the American mining magnate, this museum is known for its world-class collection of artifacts from all over the world

Visit the Chester Beatty Library with Go City®

• With your pass, you'll receive a complimentary Chester Beatty publication or a set of greeting cards worth €4.
• Explore a plethora of pieces from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.
• Take a look at temporary displays and an intercultural learning program.

The Chester Beatty Library and Museum is the work and culmination of a private collector, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. It’s a diverse collection of historic artifacts, brought together in the mid-1900s, dating back to 2700BC to the present day. The priceless artifacts come from across the globe including Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe into a fascinating assortment of cultural progression.

 

What You Can Expect to See at The Chester Beatty Library

If you're a traveler or visitor to Dublin, you won't want to miss the Chester Beatty Library and Museum. With the Go City® Dublin Pass, you can explore over 40 of Dublin's top attractions, including this fascinating museum. The Chester Beatty Library and Museum is a unique collection of art and artifacts from cultures all around the world. Its collection includes rare manuscripts, prints, and paintings that go back thousands of years. Whether you're interested in ancient Egyptian papyrus, detailed Persian miniatures, or delicate Chinese snuff bottles, there's something here for everyone. So why not add the Chester Beatty Library and Museum to your itinerary and discover the wonders of Dublin with Go City®?

Chester Beatty Library Highlights:

• Egyptian papyrus texts

• Illuminated copies of the Qur'an and the Bible

• European Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts

Did you know

- The Chester Beatty Museum offers one of the finest collections of manuscripts and books from a private 20th-century collector

- The collection is the only museum in Ireland to have won 'European Museum of the Year'

- Sir Alfred Chester Beatty was originally a mining magnate and millionaire, nicknamed the ‘King of Copper’

Things to see at the Chester Beatty Library & Museum:

Islamic Collection
Arguably one of the finest collections of its kind in the world, the Islamic manuscripts in this museum date from the eighth century to the early 20th century. The historic artifacts mainly come from Iran, Turkey and India and make up some of the highest quality and best preserved in the world, detailing the Islamic Qu’ran, calligraphy, illumination and miniature painting. The collection is divided into five subsections where visitors can delve deeper into the rich culture of the Islamic world.

Western Collection
This fascinating exhibition contains Ancient Egyptian papyri, manuscripts and rolls dating back to Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and Coptic Egypt. The collection also documents the history of bookmaking and how manuscripts have evolved over time, looking at Byzantine, Slavonic and Ethiopian examples, among others. It also displays an exquisite collection of 35,000 Europen prints and drawings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries.

East Asian Collection
Learn about the East Asian cultures of China, Japan and Mongolia through Chester Beatty’s diverse assortment of manuscripts, art and prints. The Japanese picture books are of particular noteworthiness, made even more valuable now because of their increased popularity and study.

Click here to see the current exhibitions at Chester Beatty.