The elegant couple examined the medieval artefacts - a church bell from Ballyglass Upper in Co Roscommon, an embroidered cope from Waterford, a warrior's helmet from Co Laois. Kathleen Watkins and Gay Byrne were especially drawn to the medieval harp. With the knowing eye of an expert harpist, Watkins peered closely at the ancient instrument.
The opening of a new exhibition at the national museum on Kildare Street this week was a great source of pride for Dr Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum of Ireland.
"The range of material is finer than anywhere in Europe . . . and artefacts from the 13th century from Wood Quay are being exhibited here for the first time," said a delighted Wallace at the opening of Medieval Ireland, 1150 to 1550. "And the context is better explained here than anywhere else."
He didn't forget to pay tribute to west Cork man Pat O'Sullivan, one of the museum's conservators, who retired this week after 42 years.
Guests gathered in the museum's ceramic room. Cathy Johnson, an archaeologist who helped research the exhibition, brought her daughter Steffi Johnson (5) and teenage son Alex Johnson. Artist Fergus O'Farrell, his wife Maire O'Farrell and his sister, Emer Cosgrave came across from their shop at the foot of Dawson Street to attend.
Also present, sporting a bright yellow tie, was Raghnall ╙ Floinn, assistant keeper of Irish antiquities (who has strong Waterford loyalties as his father came from Stradbally in Co Waterford).
Before S∅le de Valera TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, arrived, St Sepulchre's Consort, a five-piece music group, played Angelus ad Virginem with Andrew Robinson as their director. And food, including wild boar, helped transport us back in time. Admission to the permanent exhibition is free.