Best Museums 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."

"You don’t have to go far to see a castle, as the Dublin Castle is in the heart of Dublin. It played a massive role in Ireland’s history, as it was the seat of England from 1204 until 1922. While no one lives there now, you can walk inside to see the how the staterooms used to be. There are over 11 acres to explore, including multiple museums and gardens."

"Dublin Castle can be read as a “living building” which has been adapting for over 1000 years. The center of state ceremony for hundreds of years, the building has hosted Ireland’s presidency of the European Commission, state visits, and the inauguration of Irish presidents."

"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."

"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."

"Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane – also known as the Hugh Lane Gallery – was founded in 1908 by Sir Hugh Lane, a County Cork-born art dealer and collector who died on the Lusitania. At the time of its founding as Dublin’s Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, the Hugh Lane Gallery was the first public gallery of modern art in the world. Now operated by Dublin City Council, the Hugh Lane Gallery has received bequests from the estate of Francis Bacon and a donation of eight paintings from renowned modern Irish artist Sean Scully."

"The Dublin City Gallery – Hugh Lane, most of which is housed in the William Chambers-designed Charlemont House, focuses exclusively on modern and contemporary art, with a strong representation Irish artists, Highlights are the Impressionist paintings of the Lane Bequest and the faithfully reconstructed studio of hell-raising painter Francis Bacon in all its messy glory. You might also like: Best day trips from Dublin"

"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."

"Imaginosity is often referred to as Dublin’s children’s museum as it is a child-centred space where kids and parents can engage in creative play together. Imaginosity contains exhibits, which are educationally designed to inspire learning through play. Address: The Plaza Beacon South Quarter Sandyford Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland"

"Suitable for children up to 9 years of age this museum has been designed to stimulate children’s natural curiosity and ability to explore. Visit the website for directions, public transport options, opening hours and prices."

"Located in temple bar, right in the centre of Dublin, The Ark is a space dedicated to teaching art to children. A good address especially on a wet day, their programme involves workshops for kids to familiarise and experience theater, literature, art and creative endeavours of all types. A wonderful creative space just for kids with amazing facilitators."

"The Ark is a fantastic creative hub and dedicated cultural centre for children, located in Temple Bar. It hosts performances of music, theatre and dance, including workshops and exhibitions for kids. Go there, and create opportunities for children, families and friends to discover and love art."

"Magnificent Castletown House simply has no peer. It is Ireland’s most imposing Georgian estate, and a testament to the vast wealth enjoyed by the Anglo-Irish gentry during the 18th century. Hour-long guided tours begin at noon and 3pm, offering an insight into how the 1% made out in the 18th century; otherwise you can wander at will. Don't miss a stroll down to the river for grand views back to the house. Castletown is signposted from junction 6 on the M4."

"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"

"This restored soldiers barracks is today a state-of-the-art exhibition space and venue that pays tribute to its colourful history and Ireland’s heritage."

"Closing our list of the best museums in Dublin is the Zoological Museum. It is housed on the grounds of Trinity College and is home to over 25,000 specimens from around the globe."

"For tourists looking for accommodations close to Dublin Airport, you should consider making Bonnington Hotel & Leisure Centre your home for your vacation. It is conveniently a 10-minute trip to the airport by car, and it features world-class amenities that will make your stay worthwhile. Two on-site restaurants invite guests to try their delicious European fare, and a swimming pool charms patrons to go for a late-night swim."

"The Bonnington Hotel is conveniently located on the main route to Dublin Airport. So you can be unpacked and enjoying the hotel’s leisure centre in no time. The leisure centre has a gym area, but if that sounds too much like hard work there is a hot tub, steam room and sauna – a much more relaxing way to work up a sweat, don’t you think?"

"The sister restaurant to the original Jo'Burger in Rathmines, the town version on Castle Market offers more space, more music and a bigger drinks menu to boot. The same branding and atmosphere that can be seen throughout all of Joe Macken's restaurants is here in abundance - you might sometimes feels like you're prepping for a night out while you munch on your burger. The same great quality food and interesting flavour combinations still apply however and the giant jam jars of homemade spritzers and lemonades can be 'spiked' to create super sized, delicious cocktails."

"Supermac's are like the Irish McDonald's but ten times better. They take time and care and have loads of restaurants all over Ireland."

"Cocu is another Dublin spot with multiple locations, with a foodie philosophy based around “quality, creativity, simplicity”. Offering a variety of healthy dishes for all dietary needs, you’ll catch us gnawing on a yoghurt pot and some avocado for breakfast, or some pumpkin curry and harvest flatbread for lunch."

"You don’t have to go far to see a castle, as the Dublin Castle is in the heart of Dublin. It played a massive role in Ireland’s history, as it was the seat of England from 1204 until 1922. While no one lives there now, you can walk inside to see the how the staterooms used to be. There are over 11 acres to explore, including multiple museums and gardens."

"Dublin Castle can be read as a “living building” which has been adapting for over 1000 years. The center of state ceremony for hundreds of years, the building has hosted Ireland’s presidency of the European Commission, state visits, and the inauguration of Irish presidents."

"Climb aboard The Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship and experience a remarkable voyage of despair, hope, endurance and triumph against all odds. You’ll hear the tales of Irish emigrants who embarked on the treacherous journey across the Atlantic in the hopes of starting a new life. During the Great Famine, roughly 1.5 million Irish people left for North America."

"Just across the road from the Irish Emigration Museum is the Jeanie Johnston tallship. This is an accurate replica of the original Jeanie Johnston – a three masted ship that was originally built to carry cargo between Ireland and North America."

"The National Library offers an exciting programme of exhibitions, events and learning opportunities for people of all ages and interests. They host children's storytelling, creative workshops, and much more. At various times throughout the year, they run family and children's workshops."

"After getting artsy with Jack, stroll over the National Library of Ireland to wax poetic with his brother William. The museum’s interactive exhibit dedicated to W.B. Yeats allows you to electronically scan through the poet’s private notebooks with a swipe of the finger."

"The National Library of Ireland houses a large collection of books, maps, manuscripts, music, newspaper archives, periodicals, and photographs. Entrance to the National Library of Ireland, Dublin. Photo: Sheri Fresonke Harper for Getty Images."