Pearse Museum, St Enda's Park

Pearse Museum, the former school run by Patrick Pearse, is located in the beautiful grounds of St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham. The museum is a great place to have a wander around.  It contains reconstructions of many of the original rooms, including Pearse's study, the chapel, the music room and one of the dormitories. There is also a gallery devoted exclusively to the sculpture of William Pearse and what my kids call the “hotroom” with lots of cacti.  A modern extension was added onto the Museum and kids love looking out the glass windows at the grounds of the park below.  The Museum runs some great seasonal events such as art exhibitions and indoor and concerts.   Email Brian Crowley and he will add you to their ebulletin so you can keep up with all the events on there.  His email address is brian.crowley@opw.ie

You can also visit the nature study room in the courtyard behind the museum.  Kids have great fun here as there are toys, coloring pages and paper, a fish tank and examples of Irish plants and animals for them to get busy with (check with the museum for the nature room opening hours).  

St Enda’s Park itself is a wonderful park to walk around.  Kids can explore the gardens, the fountain, the riverside walks, the trees and the walled garden.  For refreshments, you can visit Brambles Café in the courtyard.