Franciscan Faith Fails to Impress at National Museum

A new exhibition entitled "Franciscan Faith - Sacred Art in Ireland 1600 - 1750" has been recently opened in the National Museum of Ireland (Collins Barracks). Coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscan College in Louvain (Belgium), it showcases artifacts from Irish Franciscan houses. But it falls far from sweeping this reviewer off his feet.

The Franciscans have always been one of the more interesting religious orders for me - which might go back to the story of Francis of Assisi himself. He respected animals and shed his worldly trappings for a life in poverty when co-religionists were flaunting obscene wealth most of the time and liked most creatures well roasted.

Unfortunately the exhibition at Collins Barracks isn’t really about the Franciscans, let alone their saintly founder. They hover more or less in the background, most information being provided on their estates in Ireland, not on their spirituality. And filling the showcases is the wealth they in turn acquired. Mainly in the form of ecclesiastical silverware. Which is all very nice, but leaves the visitor slightly confused. Despite its sweeping title the exhibition does not really deal with the "Franciscan faith" and the presentation of "sacred art" is severely limited in scope. Some nice, but not outstanding, chalices, cups and monstrances, a few crosses and small statuary.

Worth going?

Well, yes ... if you are a serious student of the Franciscans or religious silver, some items have never been on public display outside a monastery before. But if you have only a passing interest in medieval artifacts and the Franciscans don’t jingle your bell you might as well miss the exhibition. Or take it in in passing. There are more interesting things to see at Collins Barracks.