Festivals and Films

Blaze Away

From 16 Aug 2009 to 03 Dec 2009

Titled 'Blaze Away' after the phrase used to start a duel, this exhibition examines the history of duelling in Ireland and the work of two Dublin families who made guns and swords in the 19th century. The Rigby family of Suffolk Street were big shots as gun makers while Reads of Parliament Street were at the cutting edge of sword making. Dublin's armaments industry in the nineteenth century was booming and the early 1800s saw an explosion in the sale of weapons.

The National Museum is highlighting this period of Irish history by wheeling out their big guns from storage, many of which have never been viewed in public before.

Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00. Sun 14.00-17.00. Mon closed.