National Gallery of Ireland Museum

Address: The National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, Ireland

Website: https://www.nationalgallery.ie

Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:30pm, closed Mondays

Admission: Free (general collection); some temporary exhibitions ticketed

The National Gallery of Ireland is the state art museum in Dublin, founded in 1854 and located on Merrion Square. It holds the national collection of Irish and European painting and sculpture.

Galleries present Irish art alongside European works spanning several centuries, with rotating temporary exhibitions and public programmes. The gallery’s permanent displays cover a broad range of genres from religious painting and portraiture to landscapes and modern works.

Established in the mid-19th century through government and private initiative, the gallery expanded its premises and collection over subsequent decades to accommodate donations and national acquisitions. The institution has developed both its display space and public services to serve national and international audiences.

The museum occupies a central Dublin location on Merrion Square in the city centre, within walking distance of other cultural institutions and the Georgian district.

• Admission: Permanent collection access is generally free, though special exhibitions may carry an admission fee.
• Founding year: Founded in 1854, the gallery is Dublin’s national collection for Irish and international art.

The National Gallery of Ireland is in central Dublin on Merrion Square, a short walk from major transport links. It’s about a 3-5 minute walk from the St Stephen’s Green Luas stop (Green Line); numerous Dublin Bus routes also stop on Merrion Row/Clare Street nearby, and it’s a 10-15 minute walk from central rail stations and Trinity College.

• Take advantage of the free admission to the National Gallery of Ireland's permanent collection and use quieter weekday mornings or late afternoons to explore at your own pace.
• Prebook tickets for any temporary or special exhibitions (these are ticketed and can sell out), and check the gallery website for timed events and late openings.
• Combine a gallery visit with a stroll around Merrion Square and nearby museums-the gallery's central location makes it easy to plan a short cultural circuit.