A cultural and historical center of Europe, Dublin boasts an array of free activities, including free walking tours in Dublin, museums, and galleries. Unlike most European capitals, the main Irish city offers quite a few options for free museums in Dublin. From national museums and galleries to private collections, the city brims with exceptional cultural and historical offers that will cost you literally nothing. In this guide, we will focus on the best museums in Dublin with free entry.
Chester Beatty Library
The library housing an impressive literary and art collection assembled by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty is located inside the magnificent Dublin Castle. A mining magnate and prominent collector, Alfred Chester Beatty established his free museum in 1954 and left his lifelong work to the Irish State after his death in 1968. His collection is among the richest and rarest in the world, spanning Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
Between two floors, you will find extremely rare artifacts, including the second-oldest biblical fragment, a unique collection of Chinese jade books, ancient Egyptian papyruses, old illuminated Qurans and Bibles, and much more. One of the most impressive free museums in Dublin, the collection consists of an array of manuscripts, rare book editions, maps, and artworks, making it one of the most important museums not just in Ireland but in the world.
If you would like to learn more about the history of this incredible museum and its creator, partake in one of the educational programs and events or book a tour guide.
Location & Time
Address: Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, D02 AD92, Ireland
Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday from 9:45 am to 5:30 pm, Wednesday from 9:45 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 5:30 pm, Monday closed.
Why Visit
The Chester Beatty Library is home to one of the finest and rarest collections of manuscripts and other literary creations offering inclusive representation of global cultures and histories, including Islamic, East Asian, North African, and European.
Garda Museum
Among the best free things to do in Dublin is the Garda Museum located inside Dublin Castle and dedicated to the history of Ireland’s police - Garda Siochana. Since 1922, the museum has been known for its charismatic storytelling depicting a fascinating and tumultuous history of the country’s police force. From vintage uniforms and badges to weapons, photographs, and documents, visitors can trace the entire development of the police force in Dublin and beyond. Those intrigued by forensic science can examine various equipment used in famous cases.
Along with the police history, one of the best places to visit in Dublin for free provides context to the events, highlighting important events like the foundation of the state, the WWII period, and recent modernization efforts. The most notable era is the transition from the Royal Police to the current Garda Siochana which was formed after Irish independence in 1921.
Consider booking a tour to learn more about Dublin's heritage, rich history, and Garda Siochana.
Location & Time
Address: Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, Ireland
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, Saturday and Sunday closed.
Why Visit
The Garda Museum features a unique collection of police memorabilia, offering insights into Irish history from the lens of law enforcement, pivotal historical events, and rare forensic equipment from the past.
Hugh Lane Gallery
Art lovers visiting the Irish capital cannot miss Hugh Lane Gallery, an impressive collection of contemporary and modern art created by Sir Hugh Lane in 1908. Located inside a beautiful Georgian building on Parnell Square, one of the best free museums in Dublin is home to one of the most renowned art collections in the world.
The highlight of the gallery is the number of Impressionist paintings by world-famous artists like Renoir, Degas, and Monet. The collection is known as Lane Bequest and includes 39 masterpieces by the most recognizable painters of the 20th century. However, due to a dispute with the National Gallery in London, the Hugh Lane Gallery holds only 27 of them, while ten are shared between the museums, and two belong to the UK.
Another draw of the gallery is the reconstruction of Francis Bacon’s studio, as well as a wide selection of contemporary Irish art. You can hop on informal weekly guided tours every Sunday to learn more about this mesmerizing art collection.
Location & Time
Address: Charlemont House, Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 F2X9, Ireland
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 9:45 am to 6 pm, Friday from 9:45 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.
Why Visit
The Hugh Lane Gallery houses a remarkable collection of Irish and international contemporary art alongside a carefully reconstructed Bacon’s studio with all the creative chaos preserved.
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Housed in a 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is a collection of artworks from 1940 onwards. Originally, the building served as a retirement home for soldiers surrounded by acres of greenery and gardens. Now, the area is the perfect spot for walks and outdoor events hosted by the museums in the warmer months of summer and fall.
One of the best museums in Dublin, the collection boasts works by the most notable artists of the second half of the 20th century, including Marina Abramovic, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Miro, and others. The museum’s art selection constantly grows, with new pieces expanding the 3,500-artwork collection each year.
The gallery also supports emerging artists by offering a residency program to foster creative development in the city. You can also explore IMMA’s educational projects and history on a 30-minute tour three times a week.
Location & Time
Address: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31, Ireland
Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, Wednesday from 11:30 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 5:30 pm, Monday closed.
Why Visit
If you’re interested in art, especially contemporary local and international artwork, IMMA is the place to explore it and expand your knowledge.
James Joyce Tower and Museum
James Joyce is synonymous with Ireland and Irish literature and culture having contributed to it more than anyone else. Located in Sandycove, one of the most popular free museums in Dublin is housed inside the famous Martello Towers dating back to the 19th century. James Joyce spent a few nights here back in 1904 and was so taken aback by the location that used it as an opening scene in his notable Ulysses.
The collection in the museum features Joyce’s old photographs, letters, book copies, and other personal belongings. Established in 1962, the museum is striving to preserve the conditions to how they looked when Joyce stayed there.
After the museum tour, you can also climb the tower to enjoy the breathtaking views of Dublin Bay. The surrounding area is also suitable for sunbathing and swimming during the warmer months allowing guests to stay behind for a few days and relax by the beach.
Location & Time
Address: Sandycove Point, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 FX33, Ireland
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday closed.
Why Visit
The James Joyce Museum is housed inside the Martello Tower which was later used by the author in the opening scene of Ulysses. If you’re a fan of this Irish masterpiece, you will enjoy literally stepping into the pages of the book amid the spectacular Dublin Bay vistas.
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
History nerds would have a blast at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology housing a collection dating from 7,000 BC to the 20th century. Established in 1890, this Dublin museum is free of charge and located in the iconic Victorian Palladian-style historic house featuring an important archaeological collection.
Among the most remarkable artifacts are the 8th-century Ardagh Chalice, 7th-century Tara Brooch, and the 1st-century Loughnashade bronze war trumpet. Another highlight is the Kingship and Sacrifice permanent exhibitions revealing the history of Irish bogs. Here, you can see a collection of four bodies in different stages of decomposition that were dug out of the bogs, each telling a unique story.
To learn more about medieval Ireland, you can head to the top floor of the museum, where you can also discover the Viking Ireland exhibit. The Egyptian collection features mummies and funerary items, while the Prehistoric Ireland exposition follows human settlements from 7,000 BC to the Bronze Age.
Location & Time
Address: 35A Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 YK38, Ireland
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday and Monday from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Why Visit
If you’re at all interested in history and anthropology, the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology features a unique and detailed collection of Celtic artifacts, from prehistoric times to modern history.
National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History
Another National Museum is dedicated to the Decorative Arts and History and is located at Collins Barracks in Stoneybatter. What was formerly the world’s largest military barracks has been transformed into a stunning museum with an extensive collection of art and historic artifacts.
Here, you can explore Dublin’s history from the lens of a regular person and examine the daily lives of Irish people throughout the centuries. From silverware and ceramics to textiles and jewelry, one of the most interesting museums in Dublin city center houses a large array of historic artifacts. The focal point of the exhibition is the Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising, depicting interesting items belonging to the revolutionary leaders of the uprising.
Other recurring exhibitions feature the restored Asgard, designer items by Eileen Gray, a fashion collection from the 18th century to contemporary times, a range of weapons and uniforms, and much more. Book a tour if you want to dive deeper into the history of this incredible nation.
Location & Time
Address: Collins Barracks, Benburb St, Stoneybatter, Dublin, D07 XKV4, Ireland
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday and Monday from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Why Visit
At the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, you can learn Irish culture and history by exploring the everyday lives and habits, dating back to the 16th century to modern times.
The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum, known as the Dead Zoo, is located in Merrion Square and features an incredible collection of over two million specimens. The display houses about 10,000 of them with taxidermied animals and skeletons adorning the floors of this natural history museum.
Since its opening in 1857, the museum’s collection has practically not changed acting now like a unique time capsule. From remains of extinct Irish elk with 3.5 meter-long antlers to contemporary Irish fauna, including badgers and basking sharks, the collection will amaze any natural history enthusiast. Upstairs, you can get a glimpse at the preserves of exotic animals like elephants, giraffes, and tigers as well as carefully stored insects, shells, and bird eggs.
The building itself is worth the visit: a primary example of opulent Victorian architecture dating back to 1856. Consider booking a guided tour to learn more about how scientific understanding has been evolving in the last two centuries.
Location & Time
Address: Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2, D02 F627, Ireland
Opening Hours: closed since September 2024 and reopens in the spring of 2025.
Why Visit
The Natural History Museum is the best museum Dublin holding perfectly preserved wildlife specimens offering a vital insight into the academic thought and understanding of the 19th century.
The National Gallery of Ireland
To explore the European art scene from the Middle Ages to contemporary times, head to the National Gallery of Ireland. Located on Merrion Square, the gallery boasts a collection of over 16,000 artworks, from Caravaggio and Titian, Rembrandt and Vermeer, to Van Gogh and Monet. Founded in 1854, the gallery showcases the history of European and Irish art throughout the centuries, from the 14th century to the modern day.
Among the best museums in Dublin city center, the collection of Irish art is truly one of a kind featuring the works of Jack B Yeats, Paul Henry, and Frederic William Burton. The latter’s Hellelil and Hildebrand, the Meeting on the Turret Stairs is so sensitive and valuable that visitors can only see it twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays.
If you would like to educate yourself on the art history of the country, take a free guided tour of the museum tailored to different interests and capabilities. For example, the gallery offers tours for parents with newborns, people with various disabilities, and sign language tours.
Location & Time
Address: Merrion Square W, Dublin 2, D02 K303, Ireland
Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday from 9:15 am to 5:30 pm, Wednesday from 9:15 am to 8:30 pm, Sunday and Monday from 11 am to 5:30 pm.
Why Visit
Art lovers cannot miss the National Gallery of Ireland housing an impressive and rare collection of world-famous masterpieces by Italian and Dutch masters, Irish artists, and 20th-century Impressionists.
National Print Museum
Housed in the former Garrison Chapel, the National Print Museum is a unique spot for those fascinated by the history of the press. Here, you will discover a replica of the Gutenberg Press, an original 1916 Proclamation, and a Wharfedale Press used during the Easter Rising. All in all, the museum features an impressive collection of over 10,000 artifacts exploring the evolution of printing technology and its impact on global and local events.
Aside from the iconic presses, you can take a look at other examples of vintage printing equipment, including Linotype machines, Heidelberg cylinder presses, and hand-operated platen presses. During a guided tour, you can see for yourself how this machinery functions and even print something at the end.
Hop on a tour to discover the secrets of retro printing and listen to the stories and anecdotes from the yore.
Location & Time
Address: Haddington Rd, Dublin, D04 E0C9, Ireland
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm, Monday closed.
Why Visit
An interesting destination, the National Print Museum offers engaging storytelling describing how revolutionary printing technology has impacted communication, culture, and history.
Conclusion
All in all, Dublin is not shy on incredible free museums full of history, culture, and interesting artifacts. After exploring the best brunch places in Dublin to get some energy, make your way to local museums. If you’re into visual arts, you cannot miss the National Gallery of Ireland, IMMA, and the Hugh Lane Gallery showcasing artworks from all corners of the world. History and nature buffs should head to the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology and the Natural History Museum to learn about the fascinating evolution of the area’s fauna and history. Bookworms will fall in love with the Chester Beatty Library hiding the rarest literary works in the world.
