Irish Architectural Archive, Archive and museum at Merrion Square East, Dublin, Ireland
The Irish Architectural Archive is a museum and collection space at Merrion Square East in Dublin holding architectural drawings, photographs, and prints from across Ireland's building history. The institution preserves records that document how structures were designed and built from the 16th century forward.
The archive was established in 1976 to document and preserve records of Irish architecture and design. Over the following decades it gathered materials spanning from the 16th century to the present day, creating a comprehensive record of how the nation's buildings developed.
The collection reflects how Irish architects designed buildings across different periods and styles, shaping the country's built environment. Walking through the displays shows how construction methods and design ideas changed over time.
The venue is housed in a historic Georgian building and welcomes visitors on weekdays with free access to view the collections. It helps to call ahead or check online before visiting to confirm opening times and any special arrangements for viewing materials.
The collection includes work by well-known architects such as Augustus Pugin, whose designs shaped Irish buildings in the 1800s. Seeing his original drawings reveals how foreign architects approached projects and influenced the development of structures across the island.
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