On the 30th January 4th class pupils from Mr. Byrne, Mr. Gordon and Mr. O’Donnell’s classes took part in a trip to the National History Museum in Dublin city centre.
First we boarded the bus and headed for busy Dublin City Centre. We were visiting the museum in Kildare Street primarily to visit the fantastic Viking Exhibition. Inside we discovered artefacts from the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Medieval Ages. Stone Age tools and burial tombs, Bronze age metal workings and weaponry and Celtic treasures like golden torcs and collars, the Ogham stones, the Ardagh Chalice and the magnificent Tara Brooch were among the treasures we saw. Gold metalwork from the Celtic Iron Age and a huge collection of silver Viking ornaments like weapons, objects, games and jewellery were also on display.
In the Viking area we saw mock villages, weapons, coins, books and many other ancient artefacts. We learned how swords were made and we used our archaeology skills to see the important role peat bogs play in preserving evidence from the past.
Finally, on the way out we passed Dáil Eireann or Leinster House where many of us will be working in a few years! All in all, an enjoyable and educational day was had by everyone.
