"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Located on the grounds of Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Library is home to a large array of manuscripts and books from around the world. Between two atmospheric collections, you’ll find an assortment of treasured items dating as far back as 2700 B.C. Ye shall know them by their permanent collection: How was it? Manuscripts are divided into the Islamic Collection—considered one of the best outside the Middle East, with more than 260 Qur’ans dating back to the late 8th century—The East Asian Collection, and The Western Collection. Modern pieces are impressive, too; there’s a beautiful cover by Dante Gozzi of Modena in the bookbinding section. But also by their new shoes. How were the exhibits? Temporary exhibitions tend to remain on view for six months and are fairly comprehensive. The recent "Miniature Masterpiece: The Coëtivy Hours" features all but four of the decorated miniatures from Chester Beatty’s manuscript, which was a gift from his wife. This "Book of Hours" (a Christian devotional book popular in the Middle Ages) was disbound into individual pages at Beatty’s request so that each page could be enjoyed by anyone who wished to see them. What did you make of the crowd? Things never get too busy, which makes for a pleasant perusing experience; you can stroll around the various exhibitions and never feel rushed or harangued. Visitors tend to know the lay of the land, or have a particular interest in one field. On the practical tip, how were facilities? There are only two floors with a handful of benches, so it’s a cinch to get around. Any guided tours worth trying? Free public tours take place on Wednesdays at 1 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. The library also hosts free workshops and talks on topics such as freehand sketching and Qigong on the rooftop garden. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? The shop has an excellent collection of books that complement the exhibitions, high-end kids' games, and a small collection of postcards. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere? One of the best-kept secrets in Dublin, the Silk Road Café is a Middle Eastern paradise with falafel sandwiches with hummus and salads, baklava, and wine. There's also a heavenly rooftop garden—the views aren't great, but you can sit in peace and sunshine. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? The space is fairly small; you can pack in a good amount quickly." - Nicola Brady
