Best Arts and Culture Places in Ashbourne

"You could spend hours wandering through the halls of the National Gallery, but if you only go to one room, it should be the hall devoted to the paintings of Irish artist Jack B. Yeats. The vibrant colors of his paintings are unexpected and striking, and it’s fascinating to see so much work from one painter in a single space. Accommodations:Hotels near the National Gallery of Ireland"

"The National Gallery of Ireland holds a collection of more than 15,000 works of art as well as regular exhibitions. The Gallery has been opened since 1854 and is housed in a beautiful Georgian building in Dublin city centre. The entrance is located on Clare Street."

"The Merrion Square Open Air Art Gallery is Dublin City’s only free year-round outdoor art exhibition which now has over 200 artists showing and selling their work every Sunday."

"Lonely Planet has described The Chester Beatty Library as the best in Europe, and it is easy to see why. Located on the grounds of Dublin Castle, this popular museum houses an amazing collection of 20,000 manuscripts, rare books, miniature paintings, clay tablets, costumes, and other historical and aesthetically-important artifacts. The Sacred Traditions gallery at the Chester Beatty."

"Within the Dublin Castle complex are also the Garda Museum (Irish Police museum) and the Chester Beatty Library museum. Both of these are free and worth visiting, especially the library museum, if you have time."

"The Irish Museum of Modern Art is fortunate to be housed in one of the finest 17th-century buildings in Ireland, the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, which was open as a retirement home and infirmary for nearly 250 years for generations of military veterans who lived and died here. The IMMA boasts over 400,000 visitors a year and a mixture of both permanent exhibitions and temporary collections from many prominent contemporary artists. It includes ancient burial grounds, early Christian monuments, a Viking settlement and a medieval."

"This is one of the most visited museums in Dublin with more than 400,000 visitors in one year. Here you can also take part in some permanent exhibitions as well as temporary collections. It takes in early Christian monuments, ancient burial grounds and many more."

"The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) houses a large collection of modern and contemporary art by both Irish and international artists."

"Dublin's 'Dead Zoo' – officially the city's Natural History establishment – has been preserved as a classic Victorian mausoleum-of-a-museum. Inside, you'll find a building filled to the rafters with all manner of stuffed animals large and small, preserved insects and spiders – in short, every species under the sun. It's unendingly fascinating, in a horrifying sort of way."

"Another amazing attraction just 10 minutes’ walk from Maldron Pearse Street. Known affectionately by Dubliners as “the dead zoo”, a visit to the Natural History Museum is a must for all families but make sure to allow plenty of time to enjoy this great attraction."

"Collins Barracks as it's popularly known is a very child friendly museum. The huge central square in the barracks is a massive hit and is frequently as popular as anything inside. The Museum is rich with artefacts and is a treasure trove of past centuries."

"The national museum features four total branches, three of which are located in Dublin. Archaeology, Decorative Arts and History, and the Natural History Museum buildings are within walking distance of other major Dublin attractions. The collections found here are entertaining, enlightening, and awe inspiring."

"National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2. Courtesy of the National Museum of Ireland. National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2 Courtesy of the National Museum of Ireland"

"14 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2; 64/65 Patrick Street, Dublin 8. Art and design shop Jam Art Factory has two locations: one in Temple Bar and the other on Patrick Street in the Liberties. Both shops showcase Irish contemporary art and handpicked artists, stocking prints, street art, ceramics, textiles and jewellery."

"If you enjoy quality, unique art, the Jam Art Factory is a great shop to check out. The Jam Art Factory is an independent gallery and design shop. It showcases the best in Irish art and design including ceramics, textiles, jewellery, street art, prints and a whole lot more."

"Jam Art Factory, in the Temple Bar area of Dublin City, is an independent gallery and design shop specialising in local art and design made in Ireland. Set up by brothers John and Mark in 2011, it showcases work from Irish-based artists and designers."

"Kerlin contemporary art gallery can be found just off the Grafton Street thoroughfare in a quiet alleyway you would be forgiven for missing. In the past, this cutting-edge minimalist exhibition space has hosted solo shows by international artists like Andy Warhol and Hiroshi Sugimoto, and its gallery artists include Richard Gorman, Willie Doherty and Liliane Tomasko. Upcoming exhibitors include Kathy Prendergast, the London-based Irish sculptor, painter and installation artistwho won the prestigious Premio 2000 prize at the Venice Biennale 1995."

"Created in 1998, the Kerlin Gallery is one of the leading contemporary art galleries in Ireland. Located near Grafton Street in the Dublin City centre, the gallery is famous for the exhibitions it hosted such as an Andy Warhol retrospective, solo Sean Scully shows or Hiroshi Sugimoto exhibitions. The list of important artists is always growing that’s what makes the Kerlin Gallery a central place for the contemporary artistic sphere."

"Dublin may not have the money and pulling power of New York, Paris or London but there are still some intimate and beautifully curated contemporary art galleries worth seeking out. The exhibitions calendar of Kerlin is very rich and culturally diverse, featuring the abstract, the colourful, the beautiful, the bold and the bizarre."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user William Murphy used under CC BY-SA 2.0. Named for one of Ireland’s greatest writers, the Bernard Shaw is a big pub in the St Kevin’s area of the city with a wide range of draught beers, ciders and cocktails among other delights for thirsty Dubliners and tourists alike. They also do a very tasty line in food, and while pizzas and larger plates are outside the 10 USD price range, their toasted sandwiches are excellent and highly affordable."

"The Shaw' as it's known to its young, trendy clientele is the Dublin equivalent of London's Shoreditch pubs. Seemingly compact and indistinguishable from other pubs from the outside it's the sprawling beer garden inside where all the excitement is contained. The Blue Bus contains a pizzeria, the walls are covered in colourful graffiti and the pool table is rarely left unattended."

"The Rua Red is a gallery which aims at all the members of the community, located in the new cultural quarter of Tallaght is a more urban gallery. There you will see very different things from visual art exhibitions to film screenings."

"RUA RED is South Dublin’s hub for creative activity for all ages – with Galleries, Films, Workshops, Classes, Performances, Community Events, Artistic tenants and much more."

"Dublinia combines modern and medieval Dublin for an educational step back into the city’s Viking era. The exhibits allow the visitor to interact with the exhibition and engage, learn and share, allowing you to witness the sights, sounds and smells of a busy medieval city. Visit our Tour Desk to book a tour or activity for your upcoming stay."

"Next door to Christ Church Cathedral is Dublinia (fee*), a fun family-friendly museum which tells the story of medieval and Viking Dublin. Along with the cathedral, this part of the city was at the center of medieval Dublin, although construction and city changes mean that not much else has survived from that time period."

"Free tours of the official residence of the Irish president, Aras an Uachtaráin, a handsome Palladian mansion whose design inspired the architect of the White House in Washington, DC, depart from the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre every Saturday and operate on a first-come-first-served basis. Occasionally, tours might not run due to state business, so always check the website beforehand. The Irish Museum of Modern Art houses a wide collection of contemporary Irish artists © Jonathan Smith / Lonely Planet"

"The national museum features four total branches, three of which are located in Dublin. Archaeology, Decorative Arts and History, and the Natural History Museum buildings are within walking distance of other major Dublin attractions. The collections found here are entertaining, enlightening, and awe inspiring."

"National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2. Courtesy of the National Museum of Ireland. National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2 Courtesy of the National Museum of Ireland"

"This Arts Centre in Dundrum has a range of events and programmes, but in particular they have a great programme for children. In July they also run performance summer camps."

"That’s our motto these days, and luckily this comedy night runs three days a week offering comprehensive comedic coverage in Dublin city. Taking place every Monday, Tuesday and Sunday downstairs in The Stag’s Head, this stand-up comedy smash hit is often at capacity. It’s a by donation event, and sometimes international funny men and women pop in for a visit and take to the stage."

"Why: If you know that you’re fancying Italian food but are wanting something a little bit different from a standard restaurant, The Little Pig Speakeasy could be just what you’re looking for. This 1920s style speakeasy hidden away in the centre of Dublin not only serves some pretty spectacular cocktails, but also offers a fantastic food menu of Italian classics. You can indulge in dishes ranging from burrata with Parma ham and melon to lobster spaghetti, all while enjoying the classy ambience of the velvet-clad room.Where:6 Glendenning Lane, Wicklow Street, D02 NP97"

"The Little Pig is from the folks behind Suffolk Street's beautiful, underground Blind Pig speakeasy - Michael Martin & Co. It takes up the floor above Pacino's restaurant and is all luxurious red velvet walls, polished bronze roofing, navy velvet seating, white tabletops, dimmed lighting and tasselled lamps. It's pure mysterious, intriguing, elegant, old-school class that brings you back to another era."