Free Museums in Dublin

"The gallery, which was established in 1864, houses an extensive collection of Irish, Italian Baroque, and Dutch masters paintings. During normal times, a good way to see the gallery is to take a free guided “Highlights Tour,” which includes highlights of the gallery’s permanent collection. It is normally offered six times a week, on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., on Saturdays at 12:30 p.m."

"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."

"The National Gallery of Ireland has recently been restored by the Office for Public Works, in collaboration with Heneghan Peng. Opened in June 2017, the scheme forms part of a four-stage masterplan by Heneghan Peng, seeking to address the original 19th-century building’s lack of natural light and level access."

"Stroll the campus greens and pretend to be a student at one of Europe’s most prestigious universities, Trinity College. Many top thinkers and creators can call this university their alma mater (ahem, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett . . .). If you’re in the relative college age range and look comfortable enough, other tourists are bound to ask you for directions – now’s the time to practice that Irish accent!"

"The castle is more of a complex with multiple things to see and do. The castle charges admission for the tour, which includes the subterranean view of the River Poddle and of the decommissioned Chapel Royal. That said, tour or no tour, you can plan to take plenty of photos in the courtyard and then go to the gardens to enjoy the Garda Memorial and the Exhibition Hall."

"It would be almost blasphemous for me to make a “Best Castles in Dublin” list without including Dublin Castle. Right in the heart of the city, the castle was originally built in 1204 as a residence for the British monarch’s Irish representative. From then on until 1922, Dublin Castle has served as the seat of British rule in Ireland."

"Situated within the imposing 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, IMMA is an impressive setting for modern art, one with a cobblestoned courtyard, gardens, and pretty benches overlooking the grounds. The collection itself consists of more than 3,500 pieces, with about 250 works on display at any given time. Although IMMA is a bit outside the city center—about a 30-minute walk from Dame Street—you can combine it with a visit to the Kilmainham Gaol, which is 15 minutes away by foot."

"Next up is the Irish Museum of Modern Art (also known as IMMA). You’ll find this place nestled in 48 acres in the heart of Dublin 8 (there are some nice walks nearby!). You can join one of the guided tours for free and get to known IMMA and the exhibitions in more detail via the words of an experienced guide."

"The Irish Museum of Modern Art is Ireland’s leading institution for the collection of modern and contemporary art. The Irish Museum of Modern Art building in Dublin. Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland."

"Tel: + 353 1 222 5550 Email: info.hughlane@dublincity.ie Web: www.hughlane.ie. Located in Dublin’s city centre, Dublin City Gallery: The Hugh Lane, (formerly The Municipal Gallery of Modern Art), houses one of Ireland’s foremost collections of modern and contemporary art. The original collection, donated by the Gallery’s founder, Sir Hugh Lane, in 1908, has now grown to include over 2000 artworks, ranging from the Impressionist masterpieces of Manet, Monet, Renoir and Degas, to works by leading national and international contemporary artists."

"Just a short walk from Dublin’s main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, this permanent collection hosts some of Ireland’s most notable modern art and is free to enter. It’s named after Sir Hugh Lane, who donated a collection to the council in 1908; the works included pieces by well-known French impressionists such as Renoir, Manet, Morisot and Pissarro, and they can still be seen on display here today. There is also a room dedicated to the abstract works of Dublin-born painter Sean Scully, who has twice been a Turner Prize nominee."

"Imaginosity, the Dublin Children’s Museum, is a unique child-centred creative space for children up to nine years of age and their families. The Museum celebrates children’s imaginations on the journey from curiosity to discovery. Imaginosity offers a wide variety of workshops and classes in arts and crafts, computers, music and theatre every day in the Art Studio, in the Children's Theatre Space and in the Cyber Room – and most are free with admission."

"Dublin’s Children’s Museum is the perfect spot to take kids in the city as it encourages children under nine to explore and become curious about the world around them. The interactive exhibitions on offer here encourage learning through play, making it a fun-filled way for children to engage in educational activities. Address: The Plaza Beacon South Quarter Sandyford Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland"

"When we visit new cities with our son, we always seek out kid-friendly activities. These include zoos, aquariums and children’s museums. Now, I’ll be honest and say I hadn’t known that there was a Dublin Children’s Museum until I returned to Ireland over Easter in 2018 and was on the hunt for kids activities in Dublin."

"Set in the beautiful St Anne's Park in Clontarf, the Red Stables Food Market is ideal for a romantic stroll, a day out with the family, or just a browse with your mates. It runs every Saturday from 10am to 5pm (10am to 4 pm in winter) and is set against a Victorian two-storey building which features design studios, artist workspaces, a commercial gallery, café and courtyard area where the market takes place."

"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"

"Located outside Dublin city in Dun Laoghaire, this museum aims to preserve and present the many aspects of marine life in Ireland."

"The Gerard Byrne Studio, Art Gallery is home to a display of Gerard's paintings and is aimed at art enthusiasts and collectors."

"The Marlin is a spacious venue ideal for families, couples or those on city breaks. With 300 rooms and an open plan common area, it’s a place to relax while you enjoy all that Dublin has to offer. Water, fast wifi and luxury toiletries are all complimentary."

"Swish, intelligently designed, and with a definite added note of style, the Marlin is a brand-new and airy addition to the Dublin hotel scene. It’s a smart choice for a comfortable stay in the heart of the Irish capital."

"Hotel 7 is a contemporary boutique hotel, right in the centre of Dublin City, just a 5-minute walk from Dublin's famous O'Connell Street and the Spire. Rooms are designed with city breaks in mind and are ideal for any occasion. All are equipped with air-conditioning,"

"Hotel 7 on Gardiner Row, Rotunda, Dublin, have a stunning hidden haven for al fresco dining and drinks. 'The perfect way to spend a lazy summers day or evening in Dublin.'. View this post on Instagram"

"A stylish beer garden with an 80 person capacity, this is a sun trap during good weather. They have also built a second outdoor area that can seat up to 35 people to deal with high levels of demand. Dan Foley, the general manager told Dublin Live: "Our team are delighted to be reopening and that we can welcome customers and friends through our doors again."

"Pinocchio Restaurant in Temple Bar not only serves the full whirl of Italian dishes for dinner, but they also do team cookery classes where you whip up your own meal while having a few drinks along the way. You're guaranteed to leave with full bellies and that lovely glow you feel when you've had a really great just wholesome night with good food and good company."

"Pinocchio in Temple Bar is an Italian restaurant and wine bar known for their excellent wine list and fine Italian cooking. Focusing on using the freshest local ingredients in their dishes, they serve up a range of sumptuous past dishes, as well as fish and meat courses. Pinocchio also have a second location in the South Dublin neighbourhood of Ranelagh."

"Last but not the least is Pinocchio Restaurant in Temple Bar. Now, you may remember earlier that I said that I try and avoid eating in tourist hotspots?!. Well, Pinocchio is my one exception."

"For a warm welcome and its menu, we have to add Rosa Madre to this list. This authentic Italian seafood restaurant will complement a nice evening in the heart of the city, with delicious seafood. The house speciality is fresh Calamari and Gamberi served with spicy spinach, and for the pasta lovers, why not give the Ravioli Al Tartufo or the Lobster Tonnareli a try?"

"One of the newer Italian restaurants in Dublin, Nero XVII in Carba is all about classic Italian food. Pizza is topped with imported salami from Italy, while the bistecca con gorgonzola (dry-aged sirloin steak) is a real treat for all you meat lovers. Venison ragu, meatballs, and pasta carbonara are some of the signature dishes here at this lovely Italian restaurant with leather booths and wooden walls."

"Nero XVII is a casual restaurant boasting an ample selection of pizza, pasta and grill dishes, alongside a number of plant-based and gluten-free option. Ideal for date nights, family outings and group dinners, this neighbourhood favourite is a solid all-rounder."