Best Arts and Culture Places in Bray

"Following a large-scale refurbishment, the National Gallery has re-emerged as an impressive establishment that more than holds its own on the world’s stage. The National Portrait Gallery, with depictions of beloved Irish personalities like poet Seamus Heaney, author Maeve Binchy, and former president Mary Robinson, is part of the collection. And although the power players are all here—Caravaggio, Monet, Goya—there’s also a solid selection of works by Irish artists, including a Yeats room featuring pieces by painter Jack B. Yeats, brother of the poet."

"If you’re looking for free stuff to do in Dublin when the rain is baitin down, carve out some time to visit the National Gallery. In a nutshell, the National Gallery houses the national collection of Irish and European art. Dating back to the mid-19th Century, it’s packed to the brim with 2,500 paintings, approximately 10,000 other works in different media (including water-colours, drawings, prints, and sculptures), a Yeats museum and much more."

"Exploring the iconic refurbished exhibition galleries is such a fantastic experience for children of all ages. You can pick up a free art pack at the reception, tour the galleries and when your little ones imaginations are inspired to create their own masterpieces, pop over to the Maples Creative Corner and get creating!. The gallery runs FREE Family Workshops and family tours at weekends."

"The Chester Beatty Library is a popular reading hub across the globe and was rendered not only the best museum in Ireland, but also the whole of Europe. The library was also the only one to win the 'European Museum of the Year' award. Right behind the Dublin castle is this beautiful building which houses the Chester Beatty Library that features lovely exhibits, illuminated manuscripts, religiou...Read more"

"These include the Irish government state apartments, which are used for official state engagements, as well as the Garda (Irish police) Museum and the Chester Beatty Library museum. All of these can be visited. Visiting the main Castle, which includes the State Apartments, requires a ticket, and you can either do a self-guided tour or a guided tour. The former is free for holders of the Dublin Pass."

"Located in the imposing Royal Hospital Kilmainham, which was built during British rule in 1684, IMMA holds the national collection of contemporary art inside a reminder of the country’s colonial history. The permanent collection features 3,500 artworks by Irish and international artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Mary Swanzy and Wolfgang Tillmans, and the museum regularly hosts themed exhibitions. With the exception of some temporary exhibitions, entry is free."

"If you're looking for something more contemporary, IMMA is an absolute must-visit. Located in Dublin 8, IMMA is home to the National Collection of modern and contemporary art, showcasing over 3,500 works of arts from both Irish and international artists. Focusing on artwork from the 1940s and onwards, the collection is regularly updated so it's always worth revisiting this spot if you haven't explored it in a while."

"Ireland’s Natural History Museum is affectionately nicknamed the Dead Zoo thanks to its extensive exhibits of taxidermy animals. Housed on Merrion Square, the National History Museum is one of the most impressive branches of the National Museum of Ireland. The collections span from geology to zoology, with an emphasis on the natural wonders found on the Emerald Isle, as well as an exhibit on “Mammals of the World.” In addition to showcasing historical flora and fauna, the exhibits aim to educate visitors about modern-day threats to Irish wildlife."

"The accumulation has some notable countenances and you can see the skeleton of John Bellingham who was the main individual in the history to exchange a British Prime Minister. The gallery likewise portrays the Sherlock Holmes foundation. Sir Arthur went to the exhibition hall once as an area of his preparation and it is trusted that he had a couple of his short Sherlock stories in one of the workplaces of the Bart's principle."

"The National Museum of Natural History is also known as the ‘dead zoo’ because of its large collection of animal skeletons and taxidermy. The 10,000 exhibits include native Irish animals and also mammals from around the world. The most impressive skeleton for me is that of the Giant Irish Deer which stood up to two metres high, with antlers as wide as four metres!"

"Ireland's most important cultural institution was established in 1877 as the primary repository of the nation’s archaeological treasures. These include the most famous of Ireland's crafted artefacts, the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch, dating from the 12th and 8th centuries respectively. They are part of the Treasury, itself part of Europe's finest collection of Bronze and Iron Age gold artefacts, and the most complete assemblage of medieval Celtic metalwork in the world."

"The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology houses everything from gold to Viking artefacts|© Chon Kit Leong / Alamy Stock Photo"

"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."

"Temple Bar Gallery and Studios was first founded in 1983 as one of the country’s first artist-led arts organisations. A non-profit funded by the Irish Arts Council, today it consists of a contemporaryexhibition space and 30 visual artists’ studios, located at the epicentre of Dublin’s Cultural Quarter. As well as exhibitions, they run regular talks, masterclasses and events for aspiring artists."

"Featuring installations and performance art as well as sculpture and video, the Temple Bar Gallery works hand in hand with Artists Studios. It’s a really interesting and engaging concept and it puts you right into the heart of the artist’s community here in Dublin. Past exhibitions included Declan Clarke, Amie Siegel and Barbara Knezevic."

"At the beginning in 1983 the Temple Bar Gallery + Studios was the first DIY artist-centred initiative in Ireland, they started in a shirt factory and this is now a big gallery. Thanks to the fame of Temple Bar the gallery became notorious but it still supports upcoming artists."

"Gallery Zozimus, art gallery, in the centre of Dublin’s Arts and Antiques Quarter of Francis Street, is ideally situated in the centre of a triangle…"

"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."

"Jam Art Factory is an independent gallery and design shop on Patrick Street and in Temple Bar. Set up by brothers Mark and John in 2011,…"

"If you appreciate a good, strong cup of coffee, then you need to get yourself to One Society in Dublin. It has some of the nicest tasting coffee we’ve ever tried anywhere in Ireland, and we’ve tried a LOT of places. Not only are their drinks phenomenal, but their food is out-of-this-world grade, too."

"One Society cafe on Lower Gardiner Street is a “hidden” gem. If you’re looking for a cool coffee, breakfast, brunch, or lunch spot, check this place out. ⁣It’s a little bit out of the way to get to, but no more than a 5-10 minute walk from O’Connell bridge."

"Nunki Tea House opened at the start of the summer and it's the most darling spot for a cup of tea or bubble tea. Along with tea in precious Japanese porcelain cups, they serve delicious sweet treats including a classic bubble tea waterfall cake. It's a really cute spot, deffo worth a visit."

"If you find yourself hungry or thirsty in Dún Laoghaire, Nunki Teahouse is always a good call. For some serious refreshment, they have a range of cold fruit teas including pineapple, orange, watermelon, and a totally tropical mango cloud yogurt tea."

"Address: 101 Dorset St Upper, Inns Quay, Dublin, Ireland Site: http://www.veginity.com/ Phone: 353-15359067 $$. Serving up a range of internationally inspired plant based dishes, Veginity is a favorite amongst plant-based eaters in Dublin. The team that drives the restaurant likes to challenge the notion that a good meal must include meat, must be served in a fine restaurant, and must be of detriment to the earth."

"After running from a truck for quite some time in Portabello and Eatyard, Vegenity has now made it over to it's permanent home on the Northside. This stunning restaurant serves up top class veggie based dishes and desserts."

"the world's highest free-standing monument resembles a needle and is about as popular with locals as the sewers below O'Connell Street and the Spire. You know they're there, but you don’t stop and admire them. Only artists, architects, and non-Dubliners spare this steel column more than a passing glance."

"A regular meeting point for the locals (At 120metres high you can’t really miss it, can you?!). From the North, the south, the east or west, you’ll soon find a shot that you like!. The Spire is also known by a few other names… we’ll let you ask the locals what they are!"