Chester Beatty Library

An absorbing collection of Eastern treasures

Popular plate: The museum's Silk Road Cafe is worth the visit in itself, with tasty, exotic dishes inspired by the countries represented in the collection.
Arguably the most interesting part of Dublin Castle, this wonderful collection of ancient manuscripts, rare books, paintings and objects was bequeathed to the city by Irish-American magnate Sir Alfred Chester Beatty in the 1960s.

Beatty was primarily fascinated by Eastern religion but his interests were wide-ranging and there are artefacts here from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe: from Egyptian Books of the Dead, eighth century Qur'ans and Chinese jade books to old master prints.
Low-lit, cool and peaceful, the galleries are a nourishing respite from the city, especially when topped off by a visit to the flower and herb-filled roof garden.