If you are looking for Dublin museums, you will find an extraordinary range of places to explore, from Ireland's national museums and historic buildings to specialist museums covering emigration, literature, art, military history and the Irish Famine.
For visitors interested in Irish history, the Irish Famine Exhibition in Dublin explores the Great Famine of 1845–1852, including starvation, disease, evictions and emigration.
Many of the city's most important museums are located in or close to Dublin city centre, making it possible to visit several museums during a short stay. Some are completely free, while others require advance booking.
Whether you are interested in Irish history, art, archaeology, literature, emigration or the story of Dublin itself, there is a museum to suit you.
This guide covers 20 museums and museum attractions in Dublin, together with information on what you can see, where they are located and which ones may be particularly interesting to visitors.
The best museums in Dublin
1. National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street
The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology on Kildare Street is one of the most important museums in Dublin for anyone interested in Irish history.
Its collections cover Ireland from prehistoric times through the Viking and medieval periods. Visitors can see ancient gold objects, weapons, jewellery, religious artefacts and archaeological discoveries.
The museum is particularly useful for understanding Ireland before the modern period and is located close to Trinity College, the National Library and the National Gallery.
Admission: Free.
Location: Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
2. National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barracks
Collins Barracks National Museum of Ireland
Collins Barracks is one of the largest museums in Dublin and occupies a historic former military barracks.
The museum's collections cover Irish military history, decorative arts, fashion, furniture and social history. It is also particularly relevant to visitors interested in Ireland's revolutionary period.
The museum is a little outside the traditional city-centre tourist area, but it is easily reached by public transport and can be combined with a visit to the nearby area of Smithfield.
Admission: Free.
Location: Benburb Street, Dublin 7.
3. Kilmainham Gaol Museum
Kilmainham Gaol main Hall
Kilmainham Gaol is one of Dublin's most important historic attractions.
The former prison opened in 1796 and became closely associated with some of the most significant events in Irish history. Many political prisoners were held there, including leaders associated with the 1916 Easter Rising.
The visit includes a guided tour of the prison followed by access to the museum.
Important: Tickets need to be booked in advance and availability can be limited, particularly during the busy summer months.
Location: Kilmainham, Dublin 8.
4. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum tells the story of Irish people who left Ireland and the influence of the Irish diaspora around the world.
The museum uses interactive exhibitions to explore why people emigrated and the contributions Irish emigrants and their descendants made internationally. It is located in Dublin's Docklands in the CHQ Building.
For visitors with Irish ancestry, particularly those tracing family connections to Ireland, EPIC can be an especially relevant museum to visit.
Location: CHQ Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1.
5. Irish Famine Exhibition
The Irish Famine Exhibition in Dublin explores the Great Famine of 1845–1852, one of the most significant events in Irish history. The exhibition covers starvation, disease, evictions and mass emigration, with displays featuring 19th-century photographs, newspaper accounts, original artefacts and personal stories.
Location: Dublin city centre.
[Visit the Irish Famine Exhibition]
6. The Little Museum of Dublin
The Little Museum of Dublin
The Little Museum of Dublin takes a more intimate approach to the city's history.
Located in a Georgian townhouse overlooking St Stephen's Green, the museum tells the story of Dublin largely through objects donated by Dubliners.
The museum covers many aspects of twentieth-century Dublin, including politics, everyday life, culture and the development of the modern city.
It is particularly convenient for visitors because it is close to Grafton Street, Trinity College and several other Dublin attractions.
Location: 15 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
7. GPO Museum
GPO Museum
The GPO Museum is located inside Dublin's famous General Post Office on O'Connell Street.
The museum focuses particularly on the 1916 Easter Rising and its place in modern Irish history. The GPO itself was one of the principal buildings occupied by the rebels during the Rising.
The museum uses interactive displays, artefacts and audiovisual material to explain the events of 1916 and their consequences.
Its central location makes it easy to include on a walking itinerary around Dublin.
Location: O'Connell Street, Dublin 1.
8. Dublinia
Dublinia explores Dublin's Viking and medieval history.
Located beside Christ Church Cathedral, the museum uses reconstructed environments and interactive displays to introduce visitors to life in Viking Dublin and medieval Dublin.
It is particularly suitable for families and visitors who want a more interactive introduction to the city's early history.
Location: Christchurch Place, Dublin 8.
9. National Gallery of Ireland
National Gallery of Ireland
Although technically an art gallery rather than a history museum, the National Gallery of Ireland belongs on any list of major museums and cultural attractions in Dublin.
The collection includes Irish and European art spanning several centuries. Visitors can see works by major European and Irish artists, including Caravaggio, Vermeer and Jack B. Yeats.
The gallery is located on Merrion Square and admission to the permanent collection is free.
Admission: Free for the permanent collection.
Location: Merrion Square West, Dublin 2.
10. Irish Museum of Modern Art – IMMA
IMMA. Irish Museum of Modern Art
IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, is housed in the historic Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
The museum's collection focuses on modern and contemporary art from Ireland and internationally.
The building itself is an important part of the experience. The Royal Hospital was established in the seventeenth century and is surrounded by historic grounds.
Admission: Free.
Location: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8.
11. MoLI – Museum of Literature Ireland
MoLI, the Museum of Literature Ireland, explores Ireland's literary heritage.
Located at Newman House on St Stephen's Green, the museum draws on collections associated with the National Library of Ireland and focuses particularly on Ireland's writers and literary tradition.
It is an interesting choice for visitors who want to explore the literary side of Dublin, a city strongly associated with writers including James Joyce, W.B. Yeats and Samuel Beckett.
Location: St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
12. National Print Museum
The National Print Museum explores the history of printing in Ireland.
The museum is located in a former military chapel at Beggars Bush and contains historic printing presses and equipment.
It provides an interesting insight into how newspapers, books, posters and other printed material were produced and how printing influenced Irish political and social history.
Admission: Free, although some tours and activities may have a charge.
13. National Library of Ireland
The National Library of Ireland is not a conventional museum, but it is an important cultural attraction in Dublin.
Its collections contain millions of books, manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, maps and other material documenting Irish history.
The library also hosts exhibitions, including displays relating to major Irish writers.
The National Library is particularly easy to combine with the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology and the National Gallery because all three are located close together in central Dublin.
Admission: Free.
14. Irish Whiskey Museum
The Irish Whiskey Museum is located in central Dublin close to Trinity College.
Visitors can learn about the history of Irish whiskey and its development through different periods.
The museum combines historical information with a guided tasting experience, making it different from Dublin's traditional national museums.
Location: College Street, Dublin 2.
15. GAA Museum at Croke Park
The GAA Museum at Croke Park explores the history of Gaelic games and the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Visitors can learn about Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and the role that Gaelic games have played in Irish culture.
The museum can also be combined with a tour of Croke Park.
Location: Croke Park, Dublin 3.
16. Museum of Natural History
Dublin's Natural History Museum, often known as the Dead Zoo, is one of the city's most unusual museums.
The museum contains an extensive collection of taxidermied animals and specimens and is housed in a historic building on Merrion Street.
However, visitors should check its current status before planning a visit because the museum is undergoing major restoration work.
17. Hugh Lane Gallery
The Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square is one of Dublin's major art institutions, with collections of Irish and international art.
It is particularly associated with the Francis Bacon Studio, which was transferred from London and reconstructed inside the gallery.
However, the gallery is currently closed for restoration, so visitors should check its official website before including it in a Dublin itinerary.
18. Chester Beatty
The Chester Beatty, located within Dublin Castle, has an unusual collection of manuscripts, books, paintings and other objects from Europe, Asia and the Islamic world.
It is one of Dublin's most distinctive museums because its collections extend far beyond Ireland.
Important for visitors in 2026: the Chester Beatty is closed to the public from 15 June until the end of December 2026.
19. 14 Henrietta Street
14 Henrietta Street provides a very different way of exploring Dublin's history.
The house began as an elegant Georgian townhouse before becoming a tenement building. Its history illustrates the dramatic changes experienced by Dublin's population and housing over several centuries.
Rather than simply displaying objects in cases, the museum uses the building itself to tell the story.
Location: Henrietta Street, Dublin 1.
20. Museum of Curiosities
For something completely different, the Museum of Curiosities contains an eclectic collection of unusual and strange objects.
It offers an alternative to Dublin's larger national museums and can be particularly appealing to visitors looking for something unusual.
Location: 35 Lower Pembroke Street, Dublin 2.
Free museums in Dublin
One of the great advantages of visiting museums in Dublin is that several major cultural institutions are free to enter.
Free museums and cultural institutions include:
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National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
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National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barracks
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National Gallery of Ireland
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Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
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National Library of Ireland
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National Print Museum
The Chester Beatty is also normally free to enter, although visitors should check its current opening status.
This means that you can spend a day exploring Dublin's museums without necessarily spending a great deal on admission.
Dublin museums for history lovers
If Irish history is your main interest, several museums stand out for different periods.
For ancient Ireland: visit the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology.
For military and revolutionary history: visit Collins Barracks and the GPO Museum.
For the 1916 Rising and Irish independence: visit Kilmainham Gaol and the GPO Museum.
For Viking and medieval Dublin: visit Dublinia.
For Irish emigration: visit EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
For the Irish Famine: visit the Irish Famine Exhibition.
For Dublin's social history: visit the Little Museum of Dublin and 14 Henrietta Street.
Together, these museums provide a broad introduction to the history of Ireland and Dublin.
Dublin museums for Irish ancestry and family history
Dublin is particularly interesting for visitors tracing Irish ancestry.
EPIC focuses on the story of Irish emigration and the Irish diaspora, while the National Library of Ireland has extensive historical collections.
The Irish Famine is also an important part of the story of Irish emigration. During and after the Great Famine, huge numbers of people left Ireland for destinations including North America, Britain and Australia.
If your ancestors left Ireland during the nineteenth century, visiting museums dealing with the Famine, emigration and Irish social history can help put family history into a wider historical context.
Dublin museums in the city centre
If you have only one day in Dublin, location is important.
Several major museums are within relatively easy walking distance of one another.
Around Kildare Street and Merrion Square, you can visit:
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National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
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National Library of Ireland
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National Gallery of Ireland
Around St Stephen's Green, you can visit:
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The Little Museum of Dublin
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MoLI
Around O'Connell Street and the north city centre, you can visit:
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GPO Museum
Further west, Collins Barracks, Kilmainham Gaol and IMMA can be combined into a history-focused visit.
In the Docklands, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum provides a different perspective on Irish history through the story of emigration.
How many museums are there in Dublin?
There is no single definitive number because the definition of a museum varies and Dublin has museums, galleries, historic houses, libraries and specialist visitor attractions.
Visit Dublin describes Dublin as having more than 40 museums, demonstrating the breadth of the city's museum scene.
The major museums range from national collections covering thousands of years of Irish history to small specialist museums concentrating on subjects such as literature, printing, whiskey, sport and emigration.
Are museums in Dublin free?
Some of Dublin's most important museums are free, including the National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, IMMA and National Library of Ireland.
Other attractions charge admission, particularly museums offering guided tours or interactive visitor experiences.
It is worth checking the individual museum's website before visiting because admission charges, opening hours and booking requirements can change.
Do you need to book Dublin museums in advance?
Not necessarily.
Many free museums allow visitors to simply walk in. However, some of Dublin's major paid attractions operate timed admission or guided tours and can become busy during the summer.
Kilmainham Gaol is particularly important to book ahead, while attractions such as EPIC and the Book of Kells also benefit from advance planning.
If you are visiting Dublin during the peak tourist season, checking availability before travelling can save time.
Which Dublin museums are best for a first visit?
The answer depends on your interests.
If you want Irish archaeology and ancient history, start with the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology.
If you want Irish political and revolutionary history, consider Kilmainham Gaol and the GPO Museum.
If you are interested in Irish emigration and family history, EPIC and the Irish Famine Exhibition provide different perspectives.
If you want Dublin's own story, the Little Museum of Dublin and 14 Henrietta Street are worth considering.
If you prefer art, the National Gallery and IMMA offer very different collections.
And if you simply want to explore several museums without spending much on admission, Dublin's free museums provide plenty of options.
Planning a museum visit in Dublin
Dublin's museums are spread across the city, so it is usually better to group museums by location rather than trying to visit too many in one day.
For example, you could combine the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology with the National Library and National Gallery.
Another day could concentrate on Kilmainham, Collins Barracks and IMMA.
If you are interested in Irish emigration, EPIC can be combined with other attractions in the Docklands.
And if you are exploring Dublin city centre, the Little Museum, MoLI, Trinity College and the GPO Museum can all be incorporated into a central Dublin itinerary.
Always check the individual museum's website for current opening hours, admission prices and temporary closures before setting out.
Explore Dublin's museums and discover Irish history
Dublin's museums offer much more than collections of old objects.
They tell the story of Ireland through archaeology, art, literature, emigration, politics, war, religion, social history and everyday life.
For visitors interested in Irish ancestry, museums can also provide a valuable connection between family history and the wider events that shaped Ireland.
From the ancient treasures of the National Museum to the story of Irish emigration at EPIC, the revolutionary history of Kilmainham Gaol and the GPO, and the devastating story of the Irish Famine, there are museums in Dublin covering almost every aspect of Ireland's past.
If you are visiting Dublin, allow time to explore at least one or two museums during your stay. You may find that they provide some of the most memorable insights into the history of Ireland.