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 at 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, matchmaking 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

Bracelet made 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.

Events

1. Take Me To Church - Love & Marriage in the Calendar Year at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life

Sunday 14th Feb 2pm - 3pm
The celebration of Valentine’s Day is a modern construct, but love and marriage customs have traditionally played a significant role in Irish society. Join curator Clodagh Doyle to find out about matchmaking, marriage and the traditions in between. Booking required. Admission is free. Audience: Adults & children 14yrs +
http://museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events?id=2804

2. Love Tokens Family Tour at National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History

Sunday 14th Feb 3-3.45pm
An opportunity to explore the romantic histories of objects on display in the Museum’s collections with Lisa Flanagan, focusing on the fashion and furniture exhibitions, 'The Way We Wore' and 'Irish Country Furniture'. No booking required, places allocated on a first come basis 15 minutes before tour starts. Admission is free. http://museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events?id=2812

3. Love is in the Air at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History

Friday 19th Feb 11.30-1pm
Join Lisa Flanagan for a St. Valentine’s Day themed workshop exploring the romantic connections of objects in the Museum’s collections. Learn the secret language of the fan and find out about the traditions of Claddagh rings and Hurling balls. Then have a go at making your own fan or love token to bring home! Booking required, 2 euro contribution towards materials per child. Audience: 6-12yrs
http://museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events?id=2811

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.

For further press information please contact: marketing@museum.ie