Whether you are into contemporary art, classic artworks, archeology, or historical exhibitions Dublin has much to offer when we talk about museums and cultural attractions. In total, the Irish capital has more than 40 museums spread around its territory, with options for all tastes. If you have just a limited time in the city, it can be hard to choose which of the many options are worthy but don't worry, we get your back! Here’s a list of 6 museums to visit in Dublin and a summary of what you will find in each of them:
1. The EPIC Museum about Irish Emigration History
Ireland has a long history of emigration, with almost 10 million people have left the island to live in other parts of the world to this day - keep in mind that in 2022, the whole population of the country is around 5 million people. In the amazing EPIC museum, located at the heart of Dublin city, you will learn about the history of many of those Irish emigrants who made an impact with bravery. The 20 galleries that make up the exhibition bring visitors to an immersive experience, looking at what the Irish culture is made of, and what these emigrants bring from their home country no matter where they go. According to the museum website, the idea behind this project is to share how emigration is one of the best ways to fully understand a country and its culture, so you will learn a lot about Ireland after visiting this gem.
The EPIC museum is located at CHQ, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1, and opens from 10.00 AM – 6.45 PM seven days a week.
Tickets are €17.50 for adults and €15.50 for students.
2. IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art
The National Cultural Institution for Modern and Contemporary Art of Ireland is one of the coolest museums in Dublin. There you will find over 3,500 artworks by Irish and international artists made after 1940, with new works being added every year to keep an updated collection that reflects the current changes in the world. The Museum is located on the grounds of the historical Royal Hospital Kilmainham, founded in the 17th century and dating back to 1684. There are also some nice events being held at IMMA such as Yoga Classes every Wednesday and Thursday at the museum’s gardens. You can learn more about those events on their website.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Tickets cost €8 but there is no entry fee on Tuesdays. From the city center, you can get the Dublin bus C1, C4 or 26 to go visit the museum.
3. Dublin Castle
The historical Dublin castle served as the headquarters of the British Administration in Ireland from 1204 until 1922 and was transformed into a museum after the Irish Independence. All the rooms in the castle are preserved and open to visitors to explore and immerse themselves in this unique experience. You will visit the state apartments, Record Tower, medieval undercroft, and the Chapel Royal.
The Dublin Castle is open every day from 9:45 am to 17:45 pm, you can also get a guided tour on the day of your visit.
Tickets cost €8.00 for adults and €6.00 for students. The historical building is located at the famous Dame St, in Dublin.
4. Dublinia
This museum is the perfect place to go if you want to immerse yourself in a Viking and Medieval Dublin experience. Before being Ireland’s Capital, the city was ruled by Vikings, which still influences part of the city to this day, and is where the name Dublin comes from. In each room, you will find representations of regular scenes on the streets of Medieval Dublin. When visiting the museum you can also check the famous Christ Church - located right beside Dublinia - with medieval crypts and a neo-Gothic archway connecting the two spaces.
The Dublinia Museum is open every day from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm.
Tickets are €15.00 for adults and €13.50 for students.
5. The Writers Museum
This is one of the smallest museums in Dublin, but holds some important and very interesting exhibitions, especially for book lovers. The Writers Museum honors some of Ireland’s most famous names in literature, such as Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, and Bram Stoker. There you will find many first impressions of famous Irish books, information about the authors, and some of their personal belongings.
The Writers Museum is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Sundays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Admission tickets are €7.50 for adults and the museum is located at 18 Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin.
6. The Little Museum of Dublin
This very special museum is located inside an eighteenth-century Georgian townhouse beside St Stephen’s Green and has three floors with different exhibitions on each one. There you can find over five thousand artifacts donated by Dubliners in the past 10 years, the idea is for these objects to tell an original story of the social, cultural, and political scenes in Dublin from 1901 to 2000.
The Little Museum of Dublin is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Tickets are €10,00 for adults and €8 for students, and the address of the gallery is 15 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
Now you just have to decide which of these Dublin museums you would like to visit first!
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