The Chester Beatty Library: Dublin Castle

by Michael Ryan

The Chester Beatty Library contains some of the finest treasures of the world's great cultures and religions. This beautifully illustrated and elegantly designed guide is the first to offer an informative walk through the Library's exquisite galleries, and showcases many of the highlights of the collection. These include Egyptian papyrus texts, illuminated Bibles and Qur'ans, medieval and renaissance manuscripts, Turkish and Persian miniature paintings, Japanese scrolls and woodblock prints, Chinese dragon robes and many other outstanding works of art. The Library's rich collection was drawn from across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe by American mining magnate and collector Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. Chosing Ireland as his place of retirement, he bequeathed to the Irish nation his magnificent collection, which represents the richness of creative expression from the third millenium to the present day.

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

The author is retired, living near Rochester, NY with his wife. They have one son living in Australia. Four cats and a few ferrets live at home with them where the author writes a blend of lightweight SF & Fantasy leavened with some mystery. Spiced with action, humor and romance, these tales are drawn from a lifetime of memories and wishes.

And a few regrets.

Reviews

[Marc Lamot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just visited Dublin, and the Chester Beatty Library definitely was the highlight of our visit. This collection of books, manuscripts, miniature paintings, early prints, drawings from the Islamic, East Asian and Western World is utterly awesome. Although the collection on display is rather small, I could stay and wander around here for a full day. Just a few examples: it has on display the earliest known copies of fragments of the Bible (especially the earliest known copies of the letters of Paul, dating 150-200 AD), a very rare illustrated manuscript of the Gospel of Mani, a beautifully illustrated copy of the Quran of the 14th century, lots of incunabili, Japanese woodblock prints etc, etc. A must-go when you're in Ireland! This book offers a good introduction to this treasure of humanity.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put it mildly I was gobsmacked by this library/museum. If every terrorist, racist, neo-con, progressive liberal, hillbilly, Indian, Pakastani, Nazi, Jew, Arab, Fadah or Hezzbolah member, every Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist- if everyone in the world - could visit Dublin and spend time here, we may find a way toward world peace. If people with different religious and ethnic backgrounds could come here and examine each other's world views we couldn't help but develop more understanding. The Beatty's Western, East Asian and Islamic collections are magnificently displayed and make the idea of world peace a tantalizing reality.