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GASTRO WORDS Martina Murray EPIC ‘It was always o
nce springtime in my heart.’ – Oscar Wilde With the arrival of longer, brighter days, Spring is the perfect time to taste and wander your way through the city’s cultural treasures, particularly if, like us, you enjoy your art served with a side of something delicious. As well as housing a host of incredible art, many of Dublin’s museums and art galleries are also home to some lively cafes and restaurants, with a wealth of other great places to whet your whistle often only mere steps away. As the city’s museums and galleries continue to buzz, we’ve put together a brief compendium featuring just some of our favourites this Spring. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum Housed in the vaults of the CHQ Building, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is one of the city’s slickest cultural experiences — digital, interactive and surprisingly moving. This spring, EPIC’s ever-evolving programme of talks, genealogy workshops and exhibitions continues to dig into the far-reaching effects of the Irish diaspora, from literature and politics to sport and science. Between the immersive galleries and the waterfront buzz outside, EPIC feels less like a history lesson and more like a reminder of just how far Irish stories travel — and how good they are when told well. It’s been described as the kind of place where you pop in for a quick look and emerge two hours later, newly evangelical about your great-granduncle Sean in Buenos Aires or your Grandaunt Lizzie in Philadelphia. Thanks to the museum’s location in the Docklands, turning a visit into an epic day out (see what we did there?) is easy. Grab a post-exhibition bite at the airy cafés and restaurants that form part of the CHQ Building, where choices include a nice selection of noodles at Toss’d, pastries and coffee at Bakehouse, and a Shared Tapas menu at Urban Brewing. Alternatively cross the Liffey to sample some delicious ‘food with purpose’ at As One, where every dish comes bursting with sustainability and flavour, or swing by recently opened Volumes on George’s Quay for coffee and a bagel. Walk it all off afterwards with an afternoon stroll along the quays, followed by a cuppa at Coffee Angel. Open 10.00am to 28 Culture Bite Seven Cultural Experiences To Enjoy In Dublin This Spring 6.45pm, seven days a week. Last entry 5pm. The CHQ Building, Custom House Quay, D1. epicchq.com Press Café at The National Print Museum We’re big fans of the inky treasure trove to be found at the National Print Museum over in Beggar’s Bush. Boasting a working collection of over 10,000 objects representing Ireland’s centuries-old printing heritage and craft, the collection comprises everything from printing machinery, to metal and wooden movable type, printing blocks, and ephemera, as well as photographs, books, periodicals and pamphlets. Current exhibition Poster Boys which runs until April 30th, showcases the Museum’s collection of Abbey Theatre posters from the 1970s to the 1980s. Curated by Dr Linda King it focuses on the work of Kevin Scally and Brendan Foreman, the two main poster designers for the Abbey during this period, and their methods of visually interpreting a stage production. Having immersed themselves in a museum layout mirroring that of a print workshop, divided into composing, printing and finishing areas, visitors are encouraged to make their way through the archway for a tasty homemade breakfast, lunch, or afternoon treat at Press Café. Weekend menus feature an extensive brunch selection served until 4pm, where choices include Press Eggs Benedict, Homemade Flatbread and the ‘Press Signature Chorizo’ featuring Toasted Soda Farls with Crushed Avocado, Chorizo and Feta topped with two gorgeous poached eggs. Press Café is Dunne and Crecenzi