The first English language copy of James Joyce's Ulysses is among attractions at a new Dublin museum opened to fill the gap left by the closure of the capital's civic museum nearly a decade ago.

A death mask of the writer himself is also one of the 400 artefacts - all of which were donated by the people of the city - on display at The Little Museum of Dublin.

Director Trevor White said: "This is the people's museum of Dublin."

Sited on St Stephen's Green, he said it served as a biography for the city, mapping its history during the 20th century.

"It charts the social, cultural and political history of the city through artefacts donated by ordinary Dubliners," he explained.

Dublin Civic Museum on South William Street closed down in 2003 after 50 years. Mr White said its closure had left a huge void.

"Since the civic museum closed, Dublin hasn't had a museum of its own," he said.

Mr White launched a campaign in the summer appealing to Dubliners to donate or lend historical items and memorabilia.

The walls of the Georgian townhouse, where the museum is located, are now packed with pictures, paintings and different documents that make up the city's history.

"It's certainly exciting what we've achieved in such a short time," he said. "I just hope that the people of the city take to the project - and I think they will."