Museum Adventure

After January being one the most grey and depressing months that I have ever lived through, February has turned out to be much cheerier since it is now light out when you go and come home from work and it has not been as cold and dreary. Whilst in Scotland I got to know one of my other co-workers, Katrin, much better. She is from Germany and understands the whole foreigner thing (when I get home I will definitely reach out more to foreigners I work with now that I understand how difficult it can be to live somewhere where you know so few people and have no family close). On a nice sunny Saturday afternoon, Katrin drove to our house to park in our free parking space (the second time it has ever been used), and then we walked the 6 miles clear over to the Northside of town to the Museum of Decorative Arts. It is located in the old Collins’ Barracks so it is interesting to see a place like that reused as a museum. We had to stop for coffee once we got there and the food was ridiculously priced, but since all museums are free here, I guess that it the trade off.

We picked this museum since they were having an exhibition of 1950s and 1960s Haute Couture by Neillí Mulcahy which was one of Ireland’s leading fashion designers, producing haute couture garments to the highest Parisian standards for her international and Irish clients. Neillí was one of the first truly Irish designers, she was known for her pioneering use of Irish fabrics, and tweed in particular. Neillí collaborated with the weavers, fabric and print designers and knitters to produce innovative fabrics in vibrant colours. She could make tweed look comfortable and fashionable. We could both appreciate fashion as designers, and it was great to see. We also stumbled upon a exhibition on Eileen Gray (1878-1976), who became one of the most influential designers and architects of the 20th century. She loved working with lacquer and did some great metal and glass furniture later in her career. A movie was playing showing her still designing furniture when she was 97 years old. Very creative woman! It is sad that she is not know that well in Ireland except in designer circles, but she lived and worked in Paris for so long that she was well recognized there.

After walking all around the museum checking out other exhibits, it was time to walk home. I figured we walked about 15 miles, no wonder the next day I was sore. Now I just need to get out and check out all the other museums, especially since they are free!