last chance to join my art-lovers trip to Rouen and Normandy (18th to 22nd May ’26)

Many of our guests and subscribers know that we led a trip to the magical city of Venice late last year. It was our first-ever “Dublin Decoded” overseas excursion and was a terrific success, enjoyable, highly convivial, and stuffed with beautiful art treasures. This was just the first of a long serious of overseas tours… Read More last chance to join my art-lovers trip to Rouen and Normandy (18th to 22nd May ’26)

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 Arran Henderson1 Comment

Tours this Friday evening and this Sat am (23rd and 24th July)

this Friday, the 23rd of July, we have a rare outing of our wonderful Saint Patrick’s Park to Cork Street and the Coombe tour, via Fumbally Lane, Blackpitts, Newmarket, Weavers’ Square, Ardee St, exploring several hundred years of tanning, brewing, distilling, irons works, and architectural, social and economic history.It’s a brilliant tour, it takes place… Read More Tours this Friday evening and this Sat am (23rd and 24th July)

July 19, 2021 Arran HendersonLeave a comment

Tableau & Diorama. (iii)

This little display case with its wonderful ship model, was spotted at Dun Laoghaire’s terrific Maritime Museum over the weekend, (the museum is on Haigh Terrace, near Dun Laoghaire’s new public library (pay a visit to both when you can). It put me in mind of a subject close to my heart. Because this isn’t… Read More Tableau & Diorama. (iii)

September 14, 2015March 3, 2016 Arran Henderson13 Comments

Easy sign up to mailing list & Dublin Art & buildings Picture Quiz!

Two quick but key items. 1- The Dublin Decoded mailing list. People on mail-out list receive our monthly newsletter where we reveal the details each month of our unique, sociable, historic and architectural city walks. Joining to receive newsletter list is quick and easy, and the link to sign up is here. Item 2:- the… Read More Easy sign up to mailing list & Dublin Art & buildings Picture Quiz!

September 1, 2014September 29, 2014 Arran Henderson2 Comments

Exciting times… and a new start.

It has been the maddest few weeks of work for a very long time… For many years now I have run cultural programs for schools and colleges, or led one-off tours for schools and language schools, of history or art history, around the city of Dublin. Sometimes I take them to the National Museum, or… Read More Exciting times… and a new start.

May 20, 2013June 16, 2013 Arran Henderson26 Comments

Arran’s Top Dublin Sights & Visits.

This post is for all visitors and was inspired by my students. They often tell me they find it hard to get reliable information on the most interesting places to see here. This sounds a bit unlikely at first? With Ireland’s long-established tourism, you’d imagine we’re bursting at the seams with reliable, objective lists and maps,… Read More Arran’s Top Dublin Sights & Visits.

April 4, 2013July 23, 2015 Arran Henderson26 Comments

Secret Soldiers: Exiled Heroes.

These toy soldiers appear in the same exhibition as the First World War recruitment posters from recent post, although clearly the uniforms and equipment date from much earlier. They come from France, currently on loan to Collins Barracks from the Musée l’armée, at the famous les Invalides of Paris. But as you see, these particular… Read More Secret Soldiers: Exiled Heroes.

March 25, 2013September 12, 2016 Arran Henderson6 Comments

Propaganda & Recruitment. WWI Posters.

First World War recruitment pictures. From an exhibition last year at the National Museum at Collins Barracks, Dublin. All of these posters (bar one, aimed at Irish exiles in the North of England) were used around Ireland during the First World War to drive recruitment. To mark the approach of the onset of World War I… Read More Propaganda & Recruitment. WWI Posters.

March 11, 2013January 7, 2015 Arran Henderson17 Comments

Custom-made Beauty. – Power, genius and intrigue, in 18th century Dublin.

I recently posted on an event that runs in Dublin November each year called Open House, dedicated to architecture by helping to educate and inform us all about the history and practice of that great art, and by giving the public access to some of the best buildings in the country. It’s one of my… Read More Custom-made Beauty. – Power, genius and intrigue, in 18th century Dublin.

February 25, 2013June 2, 2016 Arran Henderson19 Comments

The Dead Zoo

The Natural History Museum was founded in 1856, It was constructed to accommodate the large collections of bird, animal and geological specimens belonging to the Royal Dublin Society, the RDS. For overseas readers, the RDS by the way, is a venerable and prestigious institution dedicated to the promotion of learning industry, agriculture, arts and scholarship,… Read More The Dead Zoo

February 7, 2013December 12, 2013 Arran Henderson20 Comments

Arran Q Henderson

History, Art & Architecture in Dublin & abroad. Plus Art & Architecture tours by Arran & Dublin Decoded.

Tag: History