Through accounts of times past, touching objects and reading about life during the periods in question, Reconstructed Rooms: Four Centuries of Furnishings traces the development of furniture in Ireland from 1600 through to the present day. It has accompanying interactive gallery which invites visitors to touch, examine, explore and learn about chair design over the past 200 years.

The material is displayed in a series of room settings, from the 17th century with oak furniture and panelling, through the refined splendour of Georgian Ireland to the high style of the 19th century.

The exhibition also shows some of the international furniture collection, not exhibited for many decades. The galleries are visually enhanced by objects, such as textiles, silverware, glass and ceramics, from other collections.

To the present day

The 20th century furniture gallery looks at Irish modernism from 1900 to the present day. On display is Irish furniture from various design movements, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Deco bedroom, to the thoroughly modernist style of the 1950s. It also displays the work of some of Ireland’s best contemporary furniture designers and leading wood turners.

This exhibition is located on the second floor in rooms five and six.