Living Dublin

Dublin's Museums

Admission to all the State's museums in Dublin is free. The National Museum has three locations.

Archaeology & History

Archeology and History is the subject of the main museum on Kildare Street beside Dáil Éireann. There you can see famous artifacts such as the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch, as well as historical displays on the Easter Rising and Ireland's political history. The museum has one of the finest collection of prehistoric gold artifacts in western Europe as well as an Egyptian room and a large collection of medieval ecclesiastical objects.

Decorative Arts & History

When Collins Barracks, upriver beside the Ashling Hotel and at that time the oldest military barracks still in use in Europe, finally closed its doors the museum acquired it and opened the new Museum of Decorative Arts & History there. Covering a wide brief, the Museum also charts the economic, social and military history of Ireland, often in innovative special exhibitions.

Natural History

Kids will love the "Dead Zoo", or Natural History Museum, close to the National Gallery on Merrion Square - everything from whale skeletons to dodos. The Irish Room there records the animals that have inhabited the island from the prehistoric Giant Irish Deer to recent introductions from abroad.

Dublin Civic Museum

Dublin City Libraries run The Dublin Civic Museum, which hosts a collection of material relating to the city's past. Housed in a eighteenth century Georgian Building, once the City Assembly House and later housing Dublin's first fire station, the museum has regular exhibitions which give the visitor an insight into the history of Ireland's capital. A short guided tour can be provided by the Curator of the museum on prior appointment.

© Living Dublin 2003-2005