Best Arts and Culture Places in Maynooth

"Dating back to the mid-19th Century and packed full of fantastic pieces, the National Gallery of Ireland is one of the best ways to spend an inclement afternoon in Dublin. You can take your time exploring the many wings of art and sculpture that it has on offer for free. Take a free audio guide from the information desk or take a free tour to properly immerse yourself in the European and Irish masterpieces, you'll soon find that many hours have passed along with the bad weather."

"Located in the centre of Dublin, the National Gallery of Ireland displays over 2,500 paintings and roughly 10,000 art works in other mediums. The National Gallery also includes a Yeats archive where a prestigious collection is held, a small part of which includes Jack. B Yeats’ sketchbooks for over fifty years."

"There are a number of great free museums in Dublin which include the National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Hall, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Also keep an eye out for discount cards, coupons, and special deals to save money on tickets, tours, and meals."

"Unexpected and splendid: the Chester Beatty Library, with its remarkable collections of Oriental, Islamic and Western art and books, is simply one of the finest museums in Ireland. This collection was gifted to the Irish State by Chester Beatty, an American mining magnate. The permanent 'Arts of the Book' and 'Sacred Traditions' exhibitions showcase the Library's treasures, which include Chinese jade books and Biblical papyri in state-of-the-art galleries; other exhibitions change regularly."

"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."

"Nestled behind Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty is the only museum in Ireland to have won the European Museum of the Year award. Its vast collection of religious artifacts from across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa is unparalleled. Works from 2700 B.C."

"Based in a renovated 17th century hospital, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) hosts different exhibitions from Irish designers such as Elieen Gray to international artists like Philippe Parreno. The IMMA is a mix between old and new culture which makes it unique. It’s a really original gallery we recommend you to visit it."

"Housed on the grounds of the Royal Kilmainham Hospital, not only does IMMA offer renowned permanent and temporary exhibitions but it is also a fine setting for a stroll on a sunny day."

"Out in Kilmainham, IMMA is worth a visit for the striking building and gardens alone. Contemporary art is spread throughout the former hospital, with free guided tours available too."

"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 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!"

"Yes, Natural History Museums are common places in every European capital. Dublin has one of the most impressive zoological exhibits. It’s in the same complex as the National Museum of Ireland, it has been in operation since 1856 and is still a big hit with visitors."

"The National Museum of Ireland provides a variety of kids-friendly entertainment, from enchanting exhibitions, through educational events and workshops, to online tours. The Natural History Museum, Archaeology Museum and Decorative Arts & History Museum are all located in Dublin!. The Museums provide a vast array of exhibitions to suit different interests and age groups."

"The LAB Gallery supports emerging art practices and focuses on fresh ways to develop engaged audiences for visual arts. The LAB is open Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00 and Saturday 10:00-17:00 and admission is free."

"Going to the Guinness factory and taking the tour is about as touristy as you can get- but for good reason. It's a fun, interactive tour and you get to drink at the end. The rooftop bar also has a great view."

"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."

"Dalkey Island is a beautiful place that's one of the most Instagrammable places in Dublin. It is an island that is very close to Dublin and it's very to get there. View this post on Instagram"

"Set within rugged woodland and untamed fields in a well-to-do part of south of Dublin, Killiney Hill Park is wilder than other parks in Dublin. For seasoned walkers, the incline provides a fine challenge. But if climbing to the top is easily accomplished, take in even better views of the Irish Sea, Dublin and Wicklow in the distance by scaling the stony steps of the Pyramid of Dublin."

"Overlooking the villages of Dalkey and Killiney is a small public park, the Killiney Hill Park. Visitors can enjoy a variety of teas from their famous tea rooms, playgrounds for children and adult alike, and long green walking paths and woodland trails. Families and friends can enjoy their picnics here in the park as they enjoy the view of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountain."

"The beautiful grass and colourful flowerbeds are overlooked by the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It’s a great day out for all, and even sits by the River Liffey."

"This is the city centre's oldest shopping centre with entrances on Henry St, Parnell St and Moore St. Named after its builders, Irish Life Assurance …"

"The Ilac Centre is a shopping centre, located in central Dublin, north of the River Liffey. It has entrances opening onto Henry Street, Parnell…"

"Blanchardstown Shopping Centre was extended in 2004, allowing it to now host over 180 stores, and plans for another extension are currently underway. Anchor tenants here include Dunnes Stores, Penneys, Marks and Spencer, H&M, Debenhams and Zara. As well as more shops than you could ever hope to visit in one spree, the centre boasts a nine-screen cinema, Leisureplex entertainment centre, the Draiocht arts centre and Ireland’s largest public library."

"Now in its second decade, this shopping centre and retail park has a multiplex cinema, theatre, 24hr Leisureplex, disco bars, gym, oratory and Ireland's …"