Ireland has never had its flaneurs, no one to perfect the art of urban walking while immersing themselves in the landscape of the city. But even if that cultural type has never stepped out onto the Dublin streets — apart perhaps from the fictional Leopold Bloom — the city’s historic buildings and graceful squares have long provided the setting to do so.

The public is getting in touch with its past this week as archives remind us their documents, photos and other objects belong to the people of Ireland.