Visit to The Little Museum of Dublin on 09 October 2025

Bill board at the entrance to the Little Museum of Dublin — **Wall sign on the way in to the Little Museum of Dublin**

Laois Association Dublin members enjoyed a wonderful entertaining guided tour of the “highlights” of The LITTLE MUSEUM of DUBLIN on Thursday 09 October 2025. As we arrived at the Museum, we were warmly welcomed by Claire. She mentioned that The Little Museum of Dublin was officially reopened on 4th June 2025 by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, following a €4.3million redevelopment and restoration project. The Little Museum of Dublin has been transformed with new Exhibition spaces, an Education Centre and a new lift to increase accessibility.

Our guided tour started at 10.30 am sharp!

Claire, welcomes our group to the Little Museum of Dublin. — **Education Manager, Claire, welcomed our group to the Little Museum of Dublin**

The Little Museum of Dublin captures and reflects the history, hospitality and humour of Dublin City and the unique wit of its people, showcasing a collection of artefacts, largely donated by the people of Ireland.

Short Introductory Film

Our tour began with a short film which provided background on Dublin’s history. Everyone in our group thoroughly enjoyed this film. It included stories that were funny, nostalgic and a lively informative introduction that set the stage for the next 30 minutes.

Animated images projected on the walls during the short film — **Animated images of famous Dubliners were projected on the walls during the short film**

Tara’s Palace

The museum proudly displays one of the World’s Greatest Dolls’ Houses. It is called Tara’s Palace which is a 2.5-metre by 4-metre miniature doll’s house meticulously modelled to scale on three great 18th-century Irish mansions: Leinster House, Castletown House and Carton House. It took master craftsmen 20 years to build and furnish Tara’s Palace.

Emma’s Guided Tour of The Little Museum of Dublin

After the short film, we were introduced to our guide Emma. She took us on a wonderfully rich, energetic, entertaining, informative and memorable journey through the history of Dublin – liberally sprinkled with a great sense of humour, pathos and theatrical excellence.

Museum guide Emma introduces herself to our group — **Museum guide Emma introduces herself to the group of Irish and overseas visitors**

**Emma invited everyone to gather around the couch at the center of the room**

Emma engaged our group with her unique style — **Emma engaged the group with her unique and humorous style of storytelling**

Museum guide Emma telling a humorous story — **Museum guide Emma telling a story about one of the exhibits**

Members of Laois Association Dublin reflecting on what we had seen and heard — **Members of Laois Association Dublin take a moment to reflect on what we had seen and heard**

Emma concluded the tour by sweetly singing a verse of Raglan Road, composed by poet Patrick Kavanagh and made famous by the renowned Luke Kelly and the Dubliners folk group.

Taking time to read more about the exhibits Emma highlighted — **Taking time to read more about the exhibits Emma had highlighted**

More of the wide variety of exhibits at the Little Museum of Dublin — **The Little Museum of Dublin has a wide variety of exhibits in each Exhibition area**

Alfie Byrne former Lord Mayor of Dublin

Emma told us about Alfie Byrne who was the most popular politician of the 20th Century. He was elected as Lord Mayor of Dublin a record ten times. Alfie Byrne was called the “Shaking hand of Dublin” and “Alfred the Great” by the press, but Dubliners knew him simply as “Alfie”.

Alfie Byrne. renowned former lord Mayor of Dublin — **Alfie Byrne. renowned former Lord Mayor and affectionately called the “Shaking hand of Dublin”**

**Members take time to discuss memories triggered by the exhibits**

**An opportunity to chat with other members of the Association**

Bertie Smyllie former Editor of The Irish Times

One of the early typewriters used at The Irish Times — One of the early typewriters used at *The Irish Times*

Front Page of The Irish Time on Tuesday, 8th May 1945 — **Front Page of *The Irish Times* on Tuesday, 8th May 1945**

1945: Smyllie's Finest Hour — An exhibit entitled **1945: Smyllie’s Finest Hour**

U2: Made in Dublin

The U2: Made in Dublin exhibition charts the story of the band over the last 40 years. “The fan-curated exhibition features musical rarities, signed albums and some great photography, alongside delights such as a Trabant car, an oversize Gibson Explorer“

**Making sense of the exhibition about U2** – “*I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…”*

LUNCH at Hugo’s Restaurant

Following the museum tour, our group enjoyed lunch at Hugo’s Restaurant, Merrion Row, which is across the street from O’Donoghue’s Pub, and a short walk from the Little Museum of Dublin. Our group occupied the entire downstairs area of Hugo’s Restaurant where we enjoyed a tasty 3-course lunch in a relaxing setting that enabled the conversations to flow across multiple topics. Chairman Gerry Thompson thanked everyone involved in organising the event, especially Committee Member Dorothy Murphy who checked out The Little Museum of Dublin whose team were well prepared to welcome and entertain members of the Laois Association in Dublin.