10 Best Museums in Dublin

Ireland's capital, Dublin, is a city that offers a rich cultural experience through its museums. These preserve the vestiges of the island's past and provide a fascinating glimpse into its identity and evolution.

Among the best things to see and do in Dublin, a visit to the local museums is a must. You can explore the Irish Emigration Museum, which portrays the adventures of thousands of Irish people who left the island; the Whisky Museum, the first of its kind in the world; the Chester Beatty Library, which houses an impressive collection of Celtic manuscripts and many more museums which I'll list below.

An ideal place to discover the history of Irish emigration in an interactive way is the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum. Its rooms feature stunning multimedia exhibits that narrate the adventures of thousands of Irish people who left the island.

EPIC offers an original concept that will make you feel as if you have travelled back in time. Inside the building you will find 20 themed galleries, focusing on four key themes: migration, influence, diaspora and motivation.

The visit is an immersive experience in which you will learn about the stories, successes and challenges of the more than 10 million Irish who emigrated. You will enjoy touch screens, letters from migrants, testimonials and much more.

Plus, when you buy tickets to EPIC, you will receive a passport to stamp at each gallery and take away as a souvenir. Definitely a must-see destination to include in your itinerary, whether you are visiting Dublin in 1 day or longer.

Useful information

• Price: admission to the museum costs approximately €20. Includes skip the line access.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-5pm.
• Location: CHQ, Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin.

Housed in a historic building in the centre of Dublin, the Irish Whiskey Museum stands out as the first of its kind in the world, making it a favourite destination for tourists. The museum tells the story of this iconic Irish drink, from its origins to its revival.

Interactive exhibits guide you through the process of distilling, producing and ageing whisky. You can also enjoy a tasting experience with at least three varieties of whisky, ideal for warming up if you're in Dublin in winter.

A highlight of the museum is the opportunity to be accompanied by an expert during the tour, who will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. This guided tour of the Irish Whisky Museum gives you a complete insight into Irish whisky.

Useful information

• Price: the price of a guided tour of the museum starts at €26 per person.
• Opening hours: The Irish Whisky Museum is open from approximately 10am to 6pm.
• Location: 119 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

With a deep-rooted brewing culture, Dublin is home to one of its finest examples in the Guinness Storehouse. This 200 year old former brewery and distillery is now also a major museum showcasing the history of the iconic Guinness beer.

The interior of the building has a series of audio-visual displays through which you can explore the making of Guinness stout. You'll see everything from the selection of ingredients to the fermentation process.

Other things you'll see in the exhibition rooms of this beer museum include the following:

• Some artefacts: old preserving vats, the pipes and machines.
• The 9,000 yearlease, signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759.
• The exhibition of advertising posters dating back to 1929, with famous slogans such as "Guinness is good for you" or "My Goodness, my Guinness".

In addition, the museum has a souvenir shop and on the top floor, the Gravity Bar, which offers a 360° view of the city. All of these areas are accessible when purchasing tickets to the Guinness Storehouse.

Useful information

• Price: Tickets to the Guinness Storehouse are priced at approximately £30 per person.
• Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday (10:00 to 19:00). Friday and Saturday (10am-8pm). Last admission is two hours before closing time.
• Location: St. James's Gate, Dublin 8, Dublin.

Known as the Chester Beatty Library, this iconic Dublin city landmark is actually a major museum. It houses important cultural and religious treasures from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. All of these were donated by the collector Sir Alfred Chester Beatty.

The museum is made up of two galleries, each occupying a full floor of the building. In the first gallery, you'll see displays of art, prints, miniatures and many other pieces, such as collections of Chinese jade books, Mongolian Imperial Court miniatures, Japanese vessels and more.

Meanwhile, the first floor gallery is dedicated to world religions, such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Judaism. There you'll find papyri from 1100 BC, a 9th century Koran, copies of the Old Testament, among other things.

This museum is located in the city centre, right inside Dublin Castle, one of the must-see castles if you go to Dublin. It is also incorporated in the route of the best tourist buses, so accessing it won't be a problem.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9.45am to 5.30pm, with the exception of Wednesdays, when closing times are extended to 8pm. Sundays from 12 noon to 5.30pm.
• Location: Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, D02 AD92.

Trinity College is Ireland's longest established university, founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. Apart from remaining an important academic campus, it also houses one of the most popular tourist destinations: the library museum with the famous Book of Kells and other religious manuscripts.

The main attraction of this museum is undoubtedly the Book of Kells, which dates back to around 800. This national treasure was handwritten by the Celtic monks of Kells and shows, through detailed drawings, what ancient monastic life was like in Ireland.

In addition to this medieval work of historical and cultural importance, the museum also has other exhibits. This is the case of some illuminated manuscripts in which you will see the Gospels. There are also some explanations about their origin.

This is certainly a must-see destination that you can incorporate in your itinerary of 2 days in Dublin or more. You can visit on your own or join a guided experience, such as a private tour of the Book of Kells and the Old Town.

Useful information

• Price: Access to the Library Museum starts from £13 per person.
• Opening hours: Between April and September the museum is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 5pm, and Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm. However, if you are in Dublin in October until March, the museum will be open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.
• Location: College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Irish folklore has a special place in the Leprechaun Museum. Opened in 2010, this museum tells the story of the popular leprechaun, a friendly leprechaun in a green suit who, centuries ago, left the depths of the sea to live on the Emerald Isle.

This museum is like a magical world on a grand scale that will make you feel like a little man. The rooms are structured by chapters, where you will see an amazing wishing well, giant furniture, lush forests, among other fantastic scenarios.

You will discover many stories of this mythical Irish character, which will allow you to get closer to the local culture in a fun way. And, after this interesting museum, you can take advantage of its city centre location to join a guided tour and see some of Dublin's best sights.

Useful information

• Price: Daytime admission is around £18 per person, while evening admission is around £20 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. If you plan to visit at night, then the opening hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 19:00 to 20:00.
• Location: Twilfit House, Jervis Street, Dublin 1.

The National Museum of Archaeology in Dublin first opened its doors in 1890. It is a place of great historical and cultural importance, and its rooms contain an extraordinary display of the evolution of Irish civilisation from the Mesolithic period to medieval Ireland.

The museum has seven galleries spread throughout the building. On the ground floor, you will see some prehistoric artefacts and objects: Neolithic period tombs, tools and weapons made of stone, steel and bronze, reconstructed small farmsteads, among other finds from around 7000 BC.

You will also see objects made of gold, glass vessels and pottery from the Bronze Age, among other things. And on the upper floor, you will find an exhibition with amazing recreations from 795 AD, related to the life of the Vikings who came to the island.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday to Monday 1pm-5pm.
• Location: 35A Kildare St, Dublin 2, D02 YK38.

The National Museum of Decorative Arts in Dublin is housed in the former Collins Barracks military barracks, built in 1702. The rooms of this imposing neoclassical building display priceless objects that tell their own story of the cultural, economic and military history of the Irish island.

The museum offers well-organised and well-labelled thematic exhibits, making it easy to browse. Throughout the galleries you will see objects from different periods of Irish history: wooden artefacts made by Irish craftsmen, antique furniture, silver collections, scientific instruments, etc.

There are also a number of permanent exhibits on display including:

The 'How we used to dress' exhibition , with clothing from 18th and 20th century Ireland.
The Soldiers and Chiefs exhibition, which shows what Irish military life was like from 1550 to the 21st century, but from the soldiers' perspective.

Throughout the year, the museum offers special activities such as origami and painting workshops, which are ideal if you're in Dublin with children. Also, cultural evenings, guided tours with sign language interpreter, among other things.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday to Monday from 1pm to 5pm.
• Location: Collins Barracks, Benburb St, Dublin, D07 XKV4.

Another of the best museums in the Irish capital is the Wax Museum, housed in a former Lafayette building that once served as an armoury. The site offers an exhibition area of approximately 13,000 square metres, arranged thematically.

The museum's rooms are filled with life-size figures, hand-crafted from wax. Irish historical figures, cartoons, singers, sportsmen, writers and much more. You will also find some fun interactive attractions such as the video studio, mixing studio and more.

Some of the rooms in the museum are as follows:

• The Irish History Room, with exhibits ranging from the Bronze Age to the present day.
• The Writers' Room, where you will meet the most famous Irish writers such as Oscar Wilde, William Yeats, among others.
• The Great Hall, with characters such as Agent 007, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson, the members of the Irish band U2, among many others.
• The Fantasy World, where you'll see Peter Pan, the Simpsons and Father Christmas sleeping in a comfy bed, waiting for the Christmas season to begin in Dublin.

Useful information

• Price: Admission is around €18 per person. Children under the age of 12 pay around €13.
• Opening hours: The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00.
• Location: Lafayette Building, 22-25: Lafayette Building, 22-25 Westmoreland St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art, also known as IMMA, has been housed in Ireland's oldest classical building, the Royal Kilmainham Hospital, since 1991. Its extensive collection consists of over 4,500 works by Irish and international artists.

The permanent and temporary collections are displayed throughout a series of rooms that once housed Irish soldiers. You will see interesting displays of both modern and contemporary art: paintings, sculptures, photographs and audio-visual works.

The museum not only offers art collections from the 1940s to the present day. It also has beautiful grounds that are worth a visit if the timing of your 3 days or more in Dublin itinerary allows. You will discover a medieval graveyard, garden and meadow.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 11.30am-5.30pm, Saturday 10am-5.30pm and Sunday 12pm-5.30pm. Closed on Mondays.
• Location: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8.