Must-See Art Galleries in Dublin

Dublin is a city known for its extraordinary artistic heritage. From its writers to its architecture, the city has a prestigious cultural inheritance. The visual arts are no exception, as Dublin plays host to stunning old masters and boundary-pushing contemporary artists alike. These are the 7 must see galleries in Dublin.

National Gallery of Ireland

Any list of Dublin’s finest galleries naturally has to begin with this behemoth. Artists in its collection range from many of Ireland’s greatest artists – Jack B. Yeats, Daniel Maclise and James Barry – to titans of the Italian Renaissance like Caravaggio and Titian. Located in the stunning Georgian complex on Merrion Street, this is the home of high culture in old Dublin. The times may change, but the National Gallery remains one of the country’s most prestigious museums.

Opening hours:

Monday: 11am – 5.30pm

Tuesday – Saturday: 9.45am – 5.30pm

Sunday: 11.30am – 5.30pm

Address:

National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2

See website here. 

Science Gallery

Though a part of Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, there is absolutely nothing traditional about the Science Gallery. Holding no permanent collection, the Science Gallery seeks to integrate artistic expression and scientific exploration through one time only exhibitions, built around a single theme. 

The result is one of Europe’s most innovative and thought provoking exhibition spaces. Past exhibitions have centred on an extraordinarily diverse range of themes, from invisibility to plastic.

Opening hours:

11am – 7pm

Address:

Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin

Pearse Street, Dublin 2

See website here

Hugh Lane Gallery

Located in the grandeur of Charlemont House, the Hugh Lane Gallery holds many of Ireland’s most prestigious late 19th century and avant-garde pieces. Known in particular for its French collection – Les Parapluies by Auguste Renoir and Portrait of Eva Gonzales by Édouard Manet being the jewels in the gallery’s crown – the Hugh Lane Gallery also hosts an exact replica of Francis Bacon’s studio. 

Relocated from London, Bacon’s studio provides a fascinating insight into the work space of one of the 20th century’s great artists, and an invaluable scholarly resource.

Opening hours:

Closed Mondays

Tuesday to Thursday 9.45am – 6pm

Friday 9.45am – 5pm

Saturday 10am – 5pm

Sunday 11am – 5pm

Address:

Charlemont House, Parnell Square, Dublin 1

See website here.

The Little Museum of Dublin

At the opposite end of the spectrum from the grandeur of the National Gallery, this carefully curated smaller museum functions both as an exhibition space for local artists and as a historical record for the city as a whole. Weaving the work of Dublin artists like James Malton in with tightly directed narratives about life in the Irish capital, the Little Museum is a fascinating must see.

Opening hours:

Every day, 10am – 5pm

Address:

15 Saint Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

See website here.

Irish Museum of Modern Art

Standing in the 17th century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Irish Museum of Modern Art first opened in 1991. Since then, the Irish MoMA has been the premier venue for art produced since the Second World War. From Roy Lichtenstein’s pop art masterpieces, to the conceptual art of Lawrence Weiner, the museum’s collection showcases the cultural currents which continue to influence artists today. 

Opening hours:

Closed Mondays

Tuesday-Friday: 11:30am – 5:30pm

Saturday: 10am – 5:30pm

Sunday: 12pm – 5:30pm

Bank Holiday Monday: 12pm – 5:30pm

Address:

Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8

See website here. 

Royal Hibernian Academy Gallery

The brutalist façade should prepare you for the stark, modern exhibition space within, but even that can’t prepare you for the extraordinary range of modern art found in the RHA’s collection. Hosting both a major art college and Ireland’s largest open submission art show, the RHA showcases the beating pulse of contemporary Irish art.

Opening hours:

Monday – Saturday: 11am – 5pm

Sunday: 12pm – 5pm

Address:

 15 Ely Place, Dublin 2

Visit their website here.

Olivier Cornet Gallery

A gallery that represents an astonishing range of media – from paintings, to photography, to ceramics – the Olivier Cornet offers a truly holistic artistic experience. Curating artists from around Europe, from Annika Berglund’s ceramics to Hugh Cummins’ hardwood sculptures, you are sure to discover a striking and truly original artist in the Olivier Cornet Gallery.

Opening hours:

Closed Mondays

Tuesday to Friday: 11am – 6pm (till 8pm on Thursdays)

Saturday & Sunday: 12 noon – 5pm

Address:

3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1 

See their website here.

Your Base For Art Galleries in Dublin

When you’re gallery hopping around the city, it’s important that you can retreat to a cosy hotel that won’t require you to travel great distances to see these amazing pieces of art! A prime spot to rest and recharge is Maldron Hotel Parnell Square, a three-minute walk from the historic O’Connell Street. 

A four-star hotel that is ideal for groups of friends, families, and couples who are looking to explore the city, its location is perfect for a city break or a weekend getaway! 

People also read...

Start planning your trip!

Book your perfect break at Maldron Hotel Parnell Square

Book a room

 
minus 1 night-plus 1 night+