In 2011, the Little Museum of Dublin was launched with a collection created by public donation. Writing in The Irish Times, I revealed that the non-profit museum would occupy two rooms of a Georgian town house on an 11-month licence. Fourteen years later, the Little Museum is not so little anymore.
In 2020, our patrons in Dublin City Council offered the museum a 35-year lease on all five floors of 15 St Stephen’s Green. This week, the museum reopened after a €4.3 million facelift funded by Fáilte Ireland along with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, as well as the museum itself and a small group of benefactors.
The Little Museum is not just the number one thing to do in Dublin (TripAdvisor) and the number 12 attraction in Europe. It is a source of pride for many Irish people, and an award-winning gateway to Dublin for visitors. Seven days a week, we welcome guests of all ages; promote democratic values; build civic pride; and, ultimately, bring people to a closer understanding of who they really are.
Telling the story of a great city is an opportunity most people don’t get once, let alone twice. In 2011, that work felt speculative. Thanks to the Irish people, the support of the State and the talent of our team, the Little Museum will long outlive us all. I hope these photographs – taken as we prepared to reopen – encourage you to visit this summer.
Trevor White is a writer and founder of the Little Museum of Dublin
