A Question of Love at the National Museum of Ireland
In the spirit of Saint Valentine, we take an affectionate look at all things governed by the heart at the National Museum of Ireland.
In the spirit of Saint Valentine, embark on a romantic journey through the ages and take an affectionate look at all things governed by the heart at the National Museum of Ireland.
Ramble down memory lane in the Museum sites in the National Museum of Ireland-Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks and the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar and see how love was expressed in days gone by. Friendship rings, wedding gowns and gloves, scent bottles with hidden secrets, bracelet of human hair, all await your admiring glances.
A number of love-related items are on display in the National Museum of Ireland:
Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
We challenge you to find a more romantic Museum setting than the grounds of the Museum of Country Life! Stroll through the lakeside woodland walks and terraced gardens and visit the Museum to see how our ancestors expressed their love for each other.
Harvest Knot: Traditionally these knots were made from straw to give to a loved one.
Traditional Wedding dress
Traditionally in Ireland, between now and Shrove Tuesday it was a time for weddings (as none were permitted during Lent). The matchmaking usually started in earnest after Lúnasa when the harvesting work finished. Harvest knots were exchanged as love tokens. The courting continued through the winter with Halloween rings and superstitions.
Museum of Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks.
This beautiful Museum contains some real love-related gems including a Harvest Knot and wedding rings rings and bracelet in The Way We Wore – Jewellery gallery
A real gem is a bracelet of human hair.
The bracelet is of human hair worked over a hard core to resemble snake scales, and given a serpent’s head and tail of gold and enable. The shape signified eternity and faithfulness. The gold heart-shaped locket obviously represented love. Gifts of locks of one’s hair were given in the past to lovers, children, parents of friends as sentimental tokens. Longer lengths were given to specialists who plaited, wove or worked them into rings, brooches, pins, earrings, bracelets etc.
Other beautiful objects include wedding gowns in The Way We Wore – Clothing gallery and a bronze figure of Venus and Cupid in the Out of Storage collection.
To make your Museum visit even more memorable, why not share a coffee and a tasty treat in the Museum cafés or when looking for a gift for a loved one, visit the Museum shops where there is a wide range of jewellery and gifts available to suit every budget. See our bespoke jewellery, starting at €35, inspired by our collections.
For further press information please contact:
Bernie Byron, Marketing Executive, National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Tel: 094 903 1773; email: bbyron@museum.ie
Notes to Editor
1. Celebrate St Valentine’s Day in the Museum Café
Take a stroll through the romantic and magical gardens at Turlough Park. Relax and enjoy a special afternoon tea lovingly prepared in the Museum Café. For queries and bookings contact the Museum Café: 094 92 89972. Booking essential.
2. Valentine’s Day event
Why not visit NMI-Archaeology in Kildare St., Dublin for a special St. Valentine's Day event. Saturday 14th Feb (11am-12pm & 2-3pm).
Valentine's Day: Medieval Love Tokens. Drop-in Activity.
In Medieval times, a lady would give a knight a love token to carry into 'battle' for good luck. Join us to find out more about love and courting in medieval times and to make your own love token to bring home. Located in the Learning Resource Room, First Floor. Not wheelchair accessible. No booking required. Ages 6+. Admission is free.
http://www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx
3. Links to other sites:
http://www.carmelites.ie/stvalentine.html
Shrine of St Valentine, Whitefriar Street Church, Dublin
The Reliquary contains some of the remains of St Valentine – it is not claimed that all of his remains are found in this casket. There is also included a small vessel tinged with the blood of the martyr.
Today, the Shrine is visited throughout the year by couples who come to pray to Valentine and to ask him to watch over them in their lives together. The feast day of the saint on February 14 is a very popular one and many couples come to the Eucharistic celebrations that day which also includes a Blessing of Rings for those about to be married.