Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 2

European Museum of the Year 2002,
Irish Museum of the Year 2000.

Situated in the heart of the city centre, the Chester Beatty Library's exhibitions open a window on the artistic treasures of the great cultures and religions of the world.

The Library's rich collection of manuscripts, prints, icons, miniature paintings, early printed books and objects d'art from countries across the world offers visitors a visual feast.

Egyptian papyrus texts, beautifully illuminated copies of the Qur'an, the Bible, European medieval and renaissance manuscripts are among the highlights of the collection.

Turkish and Persian miniatures and striking Buddhist paintings are also on display, as are Chinese dragon robes and
Japanese woodblock prints.

In its diversity, the collection captures much of the richness of human creative expression from about 2700 BC to the present day.

Alfred Chester Beatty, who lived from1875 to 1968, was a New York born mining millionaire, who purchased over his lifetime a remarkable collection of precious material from the Middle and Far East. Living much of his later life in Dublin and becoming Ireland's first Honorary Citizen in 1957, he decided to leave the results of his life's work to the nation.