Get a true feeling of history at this former barracks which housed troops for over three centuries. When handed over to the Free State Army in 1922, they were renamed Collins Barracks after Michael Collins, the Army's first commander-in-chief. The unifom he was wearing when shot is on display, alongside exhibitions on Irish military and civilians in wartime, and a major documentation of the Easter Rising and Irish Civil War. On the decorative arts side, the museum also showcases some of Ireland's finest designs - including clothing, jewellery, furniture, glassware, ceramics, glassware and silver. Artefacts of international origin are also on display, most notably The Fonthill Vase, a Chinese porcelain vase presented in 1338 by the Chinese Emperor to Pope Benedict XII. Find the museum on the red LUAS line or avail of the free car parking on site.

ASGARD
One of the most iconic items in recent Irish history, the Asgard forms the central piece of this great new exhibition at Collins Barracks. From the ship's construction in 1905 to its pivotal role in the infamous 1914 Howth gun running and her later use as Ireland's first national sail-training vessel, the yacht has had a colourful history, and its story will now be told at the National Museum. From 2007 to 2011 a major conservation programme was undertaken to conserve the ship and save as much original material as possible while also retaining the structural integrity of the vessel. Now, it's ready to be seen in all its glory, its story intertwined with those from other exhibitions on show - 'The Easter Rising: Understanding 1916' and 'Soldiers and Chiefs: Irish Soldiers at Home and Abroad Since 1500'. Open to the public from Aug 9, this permanent exhibition is free.

BLAZE AWAY
A new exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland's Decorative Arts and History building, examines duelling in Ireland and the work of two Irish families who made swords and guns in Dublin in the 19th century. Named after the phrase used to start a duel, Blaze Away highlights the work of Ireland’s most famous gun makers, the Rigby family of Suffolk St, and Ireland’s most renowned sword makers, the Read family of Parliament St. This exhibition has enabled the Museum to bring out of storage its large collection of swords and guns, many of which have never before been viewed by the public. Lar Joye, military history curator at the National Museum of Ireland, said “Duelling reached its high point during the early 1800s. Using the latest interactives, the exhibition explores the history of this gruesome practice and also places duelling in its social and economic context”.  Check Museum website to keep updated.