We have a couple of free days in Dublin before the Rick Steves tour begins so today we explored the Archaeology Museum. We were especially impressed by The Treasury section which has amazing examples of Irish metalworking from as far back as the 9th century. Below are just a few examples. And don't forget to click on the pictures to get a larger version - there are a lot of interesting details on this stuff.
This is the ceiling in the entrance hall.
These are various parts of three croziers. In the second frame of the picture below those are dogs (hopefully playfully) biting each other's butts!
The little gold boat in this next picture dates from the 1st century BC and may have been an offering to a sea god.
This is the famous Tara Broach which dates from the eighth century. Made of cast and gilded silver, it’s ornamented with exquisitely filigreed gold panels and studded with amber, enamel, and colored glass [from Rick Steves Best of Ireland guide book].
This next is a shrine (portable reliquary containing holy relics), The two side panels were the same (third pic) so I only included one picture of them.
This was a chalice.
We guessed that this was an ancient strainer.
And these are just a few of the brooches.
This is parts of the famous Cross of Cong.
This next picture is bits of a belt shrine - a circular metal casing that held a saint’s leather belt [thanks Rick!].
And I just love this little carved guy.
This is a carved ivory gaming piece. Cute!
These are some of the architectural features of the building.
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