Dr Martin Mansergh, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and the Arts, today (Thursday 26 June) launched the Dublin Cultúr Bus, a free 12 noon to 5:pm shuttle bus service operating on Sundays between the city's National Cultural Institutions and other visitor attractions.
The free bus, which will run until the end of September serves:
Merrion Square, Dublin 2 (National Gallery of Ireland)
Dame Street, (Chester Beatty Library and Temple Bar)
Market Street off Thomas Street, (Guinness Storehouse)
Military Road, (Irish Museum of Modern Art)
Wolfe Tone Quay, (National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks - Decorative Arts and History)
Parnell Square, (Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh Lane; Dublin Writers' Museum and the James Joyce Centre)
Nassau Street, (National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street - Archaeology; Trinity College - the Book of Kells and the new Science Gallery)
The Cultúr Bus service runs every thirty minutes. The first bus departs from the National Gallery of Ireland, (Merrion Square entrance) at noon each Sunday.
Speaking today, Minister Martin Mansergh TD said: "Cultural activities provide people of all ages with opportunities to spend enjoyable recreational time together. A variety of events and exhibitions are planned for residents and visitors to explore in our capital throughout the summer. With free access to many of these exhibitions combined now with this free Sunday bus service, I would encourage people to enjoy all that our cultural heritage has to offer." The Minister added: "During the season, visitors will be able to view the 'Rembrandt Etchings' at the Chester Beatty Library; 'Impressionist Interiors' at the National Gallery or the works of Miguel Barceló and Janaina Tschäpe at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The National Museum of Ireland too has exhibitions on Neillí Mulcahy: 'Irish Haute Couture of the 50's and 60's' and 'Scouts 100 - Living the Adventure.'"
"In addition," Minister Mansergh added, "The National Concert Hall and the National Theatre have programmes of concerts and performances during the summer. The National Library is currently running an exhibition on W.B. Yeats and the Irish in Europe, 1600-1800."
Outside of Dublin, the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork is exhibiting works from its permanent collection and will be exhibiting "There, Not There"featuring the work of contemporary Irish painters. The National Museum of Country Life at Turlough Park, Co. Mayo has a variety of exhibitions dealing with aspects of rural life and the natural environment.
The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has provided funding for the bus service as part of a marketing programme which aims to make Sunday a culture day in Dublin. The programme also aims to highlight the variety of exhibitions and events, which can be experienced at Ireland's National Cultural Institutions.