National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street

"Tracing Ireland's history at the National Museum of Archaeology The National Museum of Ireland is free to enter and is spread across four sites in Dublin, covering archaeology, decorative arts and history, country life, and natural history. The archaeology museum is in an imposing building of columns, vaulted ceilings, and marble staircases situated on Kildare Street. It traces Ireland's history from prehistoric times through the Roman, Viking, and medieval periods. The exhibitions are well set out and clearly labelled. The section on Ireland's prehistoric gold, including exquisitely-wrought jewellery from the bronze and iron ages, is particularly interesting. But the most mind-blowing exhibition is called Kingship and Sacrifice, and displays findings related to the ritual killing of presumed royals during the iron age. As part of what are thought to be sovereignty and kingship rituals, people were sacrificed - sometimes brutally - and their bodies tossed into peat bogs (which often marked the boundaries between kingdoms). The anaerobic conditions of the bogs preserved the bodies, some of which are on display. Even after thousands of years you can still make out facial expressions, and in one case, hair! The museum also hosts important religious icons and relics from medieval Christianity, for example the twelfth century Cross of Cong - said once to have contained a fragment of the true cross. If you are at all interested in ancient history, set aside a good couple of hours and explore the museum thoroughly. It's well worth it! By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

"Tracing Ireland's history at the National Museum of Archaeology The National Museum of Ireland is free to enter and is spread across four sites in Dublin, covering archaeology, decorative arts and history, country life, and natural history. The archaeology museum is in an imposing building of columns, vaulted ceilings, and marble staircases situated on Kildare Street. It traces Ireland's history from prehistoric times through the Roman, Viking, and medieval periods. The exhibitions are well set out and clearly labelled. The section on Ireland's prehistoric gold, including exquisitely-wrought jewellery from the bronze and iron ages, is particularly interesting. But the most mind-blowing exhibition is called Kingship and Sacrifice, and displays findings related to the ritual killing of presumed royals during the iron age. As part of what are thought to be sovereignty and kingship rituals, people were sacrificed - sometimes brutally - and their bodies tossed into peat bogs (which often marked the boundaries between kingdoms). The anaerobic conditions of the bogs preserved the bodies, some of which are on display. Even after thousands of years you can still make out facial expressions, and in one case, hair! The museum also hosts important religious icons and relics from medieval Christianity, for example the twelfth century Cross of Cong - said once to have contained a fragment of the true cross. If you are at all interested in ancient history, set aside a good couple of hours and explore the museum thoroughly. It's well worth it! By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

10 Best Museums in Dublin | Condé Nast Traveler

"There are four locations under the National Museum of Ireland umbrella—Natural History on Merrion Street, Decorative Arts and History in Dublin 7, Country Life in Co. Mayo, and this, the Archaeology branch on Kildare Street. You’ll find a serious array of artifacts under its impressively ornate Palladian roof, spanning from prehistoric times through the development of Irish civilization. Although the treasures are remarkable, the building itself (which opened in 1890) never fails to impress. With eight main permanent exhibitions, the scale of this museum can feel a little intimidating, so map out your route ahead if there’s something specific you're interested in seeing. Don't miss the Kingship and Sacrifice exhibition, where you’ll find Bog Bodies—human remains found in Ireland’s boglands during the Iron Age. Today they're perfectly preserved, complete with hair, teeth, and even eyelashes." - Nicola Brady

Dublin Travel Guide by Rick Steves

"▲▲▲  Excellent collection of Irish treasures from the Stone Age to today." - Rick Steves' Europe