Museums to Visit When in Dublin, Ireland

Dublin has a rich history and heritage together with plenty of famous figures who made the capital of Ireland what it is today. The best places to see and learn more about the city’s historical heritage and culture is in its museums and galleries.

Some of these museums also display great works of European artist while others can be rather entertaining. There are over a hundred museums to be found in Dublin and here are a few examples that one shouldn’t miss when visiting Ireland’s capital.

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Kilmainham Gaol once served as a jail for over 300 years that held everyone from members of the Irish Republican movement to murderers and more.

Today, this former jail has been turned into a museum that also serves as an educational facility as it provides tours of its hallowed cells, chapels, and grounds. The living monument that still stands is an excellent reminder of Ireland’s past. It is a fascinating place to visit as it holds a magnificent piece of the history of Ireland.

For all those whiskey connoisseurs out there or those who love the culture of Dublin, the Irish Whiskey Museum is the place to go. This museum is very modern and offers distillery tours and brewery spots. It features the history of Ireland’s relationship with whiskey, new brands and what the future of Irish whiskey holds.

The Little Museum of Dublin is entertaining and educational at the same time as it is quirky and exciting for all ages. It is known as the gem of the Fair City. Here you will be able to view several rooms full of various exhibitions that tell different stories of the 20th century.

The Vikings were once inhabitants of Dublin during the Medieval times and this can be seen at the Dublinia museum. The museum covers wars, disease, crime, and more events that happened during the medieval era in a fascinating way. It holds interactive displays and offers tours.

Here you will come across displays and artefacts of some of the worlds very best literary writers, including illustrious authors and Nobel Prize winners. Dublin Writers Museum holds lunchtime theatre and readings in a very cosy space. Writers like Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett, and more are all being honoured in the Dublin Writers Museum.

This stadium, which also holds the GAA Museum, is the largest sporting organization in Ireland. Here you will find a grand stadium and museum that details the importance of sports nationwide.

Croke Park Stadium and Gaelic Athletic Association Museum shows what an essential piece of culture sports contributes to cities. The museum is authentically Irish and educates visitors on Gaelic sports like hurling and Gaelic football.

For a fun, light-hearted experience one should not miss the opportunity to visit the National Leprechaun Museum. Leprechauns are a part of the folklore of Ireland and this museum was created to bring this tradition to the public.

One should expect that this museum is more fun than educational as it is a museum with a funny twist. Here you will enter a magical world and be transported to the depths of the Celtic culture to discover all the secrets of goblins and fairies. It is the perfect museum to visit if you are a young crowd touring or if you have little kids with you.

The National Gallery of Ireland was founded in the mid-19th century, and it displays fantastic art pieces. There are plenty of galleries to explore within this museum that holds plenty of arts and sculptures, including European and Irish Masterpieces. Expect to find works of Vermeer, Caravaggio, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet while immersing yourself for free in the world of art.

One of the most popular museums that can be found in every European capital is a Natural History Museum and the one in Dublin is undoubtedly the one with the most impressive zoological exhibits.

These exhibits can be found in the same complex as the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. The museum has been operating since 1856 and continues to be a big hit for visitors. Here you can see exhibitions that include Irish fauna, underwater displays, and exhibitions on the steps of evolution.

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham was once a retirement home and infirmary for military veterans that operated for almost 250 years. Today this elegant 17th-century building holds the Irish Museum of Modern Art. This museum boasts over 400 000 visitors yearly and displays permanent and temporary collections from various prominent contemporary artists. Furthermore, it includes burial grounds, Christian monuments from the early years and a Viking and medieval settlement.

The Irish Emigration Museum is where you can learn about the history of the Irish diaspora and emigration to other countries. With millions of Irish people leaving their homes in search of better opportunities, it is not strange that many people around the world claim to have Irish heritage. Here you will come across an interactive and fully immersive museum experience and maybe find your Irish roots.

These are just a few examples of fascinating museums that can be found in Dublin. All through the city, you will also be able to find various historical attractions that cannot be fitted into a museum, like for example the Glasnevin Cemetery and the Irish Famine Exhibition at St Stephens Green Shopping Centre. Whether you are walking through the streets of Dublin or taking a tour in a museum, you are bound to find some intriguing history and culture.  Also, if you want to know less known facts about Dublin, read our article.