Top 10 Museums in Dublin to visit for free

Discover the best museums without an entry fee

Dublin is a city that has a lot to offer: ancient history, arts, music, a lively pub culture and of course charismatic people. No wonder, that you could spend days or even weeks in all the museums found in Ireland’s capital. And many of them are actually free of admission! So, if you’re on a budget or just looking for some of the best museums and galleries in the country, we’ve got you covered! Here are 10 museums in Dublin you can visit for free:

Because the permanent collection as well as some of the temporary exhibitions are free, you can revisit your favorite paintings as often as you like! The art gallery is open until 5.30 pm on most days but offers a long gallery night until 8.30 pm on Thursdays.

National Library (Stop 28)

Moving from painting to writing, the National Library of Ireland brings you closer to Irish literature and offers a reading room with a domed roof, which is nothing short of impressive – just as its collection of printed books consisting of around one million items! During your visit you will also be able to see changing exhibitions about Irish history and Irish authors, for example about the Life and Works of William Butler Yeats, which is running until January 2024. Deleted: The Main Library Building is on 7/8 Kildare Street, while the Bank of Ireland Cultural and Heritage Centre (Westmoreland Street) as well as the National Photographic Archive (Meeting House Square) also belong to the library and are free of charge as well.

MoLi (Stop 30)

The main character of the Museum of Literature Ireland is certainly James Joyce, author of Dubliners, Finnegans Wake and of course Ulysses. Here you’ll find a map of the Irish capital with all the landmarks described in his novels, find out about the author’s life and see a first edition copy of his most famous publication. Next to Joyce’s works, the museum presents Irish poetry, novels by contemporary authors and puts Irish writers like W.B. Yeats or Samuel Beckett into the spotlight. It also has a beautiful garden!

National Museum of Archaeology (Stop 28/29/31)

Ireland has a rich history going back for centuries and the National Museum of Archeology explains it all – from prehistoric traditions to Viking settlers, to wars and medieval culture. Through the fascinating archeological items and iconic treasures on display, you will be able to witness the Celtic origins of the country we know and love today.

The National Museum of Archeology belongs to the four sites of the National Museum of Ireland which are all free of admission.

Chester Beatty is open almost every day until 5.30 pm and on Wednesdays until 8 pm. Admission is free, and you can also visit free guided tours in the museum.

City Hall (Stop 2)

Even though it’s not a museum or a gallery, the City Hall had to be added to this list! Opened in 1779, the building mostly impresses with its beautiful entrance hall in which the domed roof is supported by twelve columns and the floor is decorated with a mosaic depicting the Coat of Arms of Dublin. A unique venue, which can be hired for weddings and other events, and which is free of admission.

National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (Stop 28/29)

One of the most popular free attractions in Dublin is the Natural History Museum – locals also call it the “Dead Zoo” – presenting a zoological collection of the Irish Fauna, past and present, as well as mammals from around the world. Over 160 years old and therefore one of the oldest public museums in the country, the Victorian building has around 10,000 specimens on display and another 2 million in storage, often for the scientific collection.

Open almost every day of the year until 5 pm, the Natural Museum is free of charge.

Decorative Arts & History Museum (Stop 14)

As part of the National Museum of Ireland, the Museum of Decorative Arts & History is also free of charge. Located in the Collins Barracks north of the river Liffey, a former military barracks, the museum showcases collections and decorative arts relating to military history and historical Irish events, such as the Easter risings. So, if you want to combine arts and history in one visit, this museum is the right one for you! 

The Decorative Arts & History Museum is open seven days a week until 5 pm.

Irish Museum of Modern Art (Stop 9)

An impressive collection of more than 3.500 artworks by Irish as well as international artists can be visited in the IMMA, located in the building of the old Royal Hospital Kilmainham. With a focus on contemporary art from the 1940s onwards, new paintings, photographs and installments are added each year. 

The IMMA is open until 5.30 pmfrom Tuesday to Sunday. Free guided tours are available each open day and general admission to the museum is free, however, you should book a ticket online before visiting.

Hugh Lane Gallery (Stop 17)

Last, but not least, the Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square, in the north of Dublin, displays Irish and international art from the 19th century to today. Here, you can also see the relocated and conserved London studio of Francis Bacon, one of the twentieth century’s greatest artists, and experience his working process. 

Open Tuesday to Sunday until 5pm or 6 pm respectively, the gallery can be visited for free.

Find the locations of all free museums on our map. An easy way to visit all attractions is to hop on one of our sightseeing buses, which will take you on a tour all around the inner city of Dublin and to its most famous landmarks. Just hop off whenever you want to visit one of the attractions! 

Set out for a day full of adventure, arts and new things to learn with the free museums and galleries in Dublin – book your bus ticket now!