Dali Universe
County Hall, London
***¼
Permanent London exhibition of 500 paintings and sculptures by Salvador Dali though it's mostly late, quickly-painted series of paintings on a single theme rather than individual paintings in their own right. The first few, more individual paintings are really good but the exhibition soon becomes rather oppressive and overwhelming. This is not helped by the works being too close together and quite poorly hung and presented in a darkish room. Worth going to but rather overbearing even though much of the painting itself is brilliant.
Visited: 28.4.02 (with Anne)

Dublin Writers Museum
***1/2
The Dublin Writers Museum is informative with a good collection of artefacts from the greats of Irish literature such as Swift, Joyce, Shaw and Yeats.  All very fine for legends of the past but what of the present?  The collection is too static and, though I don’t expect the latest one-book wonder to features, the likes of established Irish authors such as Roddy Doyle should surely be commemorated here.
The collection is housed in a prestigious old building in Parnell Square which, although not designed for the modern interactive museum experience, is well worth a visit.  The extensive shop and café are also excellent.
All in all, the Writers Museum is good but far too short of materials on modern living Irish writers and poets.
Visited:  24.10.05 (with Naomi)