Take a journey across continents, countries and peoples, as you discover treasures of rare quality and beauty from across the globe. This world renowned, award winning museum showcases rich and diverse exhibitions of miniature paintings, decorative arts, manuscripts, prints and drawings, from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. All pieces were donated to the Irish nation by American mining magnate and philanthropist, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968).
Described by Lonely Planet as ‘not just the best museum in Ireland but one of the best in Europe’, and the only Irish museum to ever win European Museum of the Year, the Chester Beatty’s extraordinary collections span centuries, continents and cultures and offer visitors a fascinating view of global artistic heritage.
An engaging and welcoming space, visitors from Ireland and overseas can enjoy thought-provoking exhibitions, browse in the Gift Shop, or take a rest-stop in the Silk Road Café serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
No pre-booking is required to visit Chester Beatty. Visitors can download a free audio tour in 13 languages (English, Irish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Turkish and Dutch) to self-guide through their visit. Free guided tours are available on select dates and need to be pre-booked.
- Qigong at the Rooftop Garden
Free things to doQigong at the Rooftop Garden Qigong is a traditional Chinese form of meditation, co-ordinating slow movement, deep rhythmic breathing and a calm state of mind.
- Drop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri
Free things to doDrop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri Join a free drop-in art drawing activity at Chester Beatty, Dublin with artist Roxana Manouchehri this winter.
- Turais i nGaeilge (Highlights tour in Irish) at Chester Beatty
Free things to doTurais i nGaeilge (Highlights tour in Irish) at Chester Beatty Join Chester Beatty for a free tour exploring some of the highlights and stories in their collection.
- DCC Culture Club Tour: Silk, Snuff and Stories
AutumnDCC Culture Club Tour: Silk, Snuff and Stories Join a free DCC Culture Club Tour at Chester Beatty looking at their Chinese collection with Mary O'Riordan.
- Talk: Putting the Text in a Picture Frame
AutumnTalk: Putting the Text in a Picture Frame Join Dr Stephen Carlson for a free Hybrid Talk 'Putting the Text in a Picture Frame' at Chester Beatty this November.
- Watercolour Christmas Cards with Artist Jen O'Brien
Arts and cultureWatercolour Christmas Cards with Artist Jen O'Brien Join this Adult Workshop at Chester Beatty and create your very own bundle of Christmas greetings cards!
- DCC Culture Club Tour: Costumes Parisiens and La Belle Époque
Free things to doDCC Culture Club Tour: Costumes Parisiens and La Belle Époque Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the cultural and artistic richness of La Belle Époque through the lens of one of its most celebrated fashion publications – The Journal des Dames et des Modes.
- Music @ the Museum: Christmas Concert with Cantóirí
Family funMusic @ the Museum: Christmas Concert with Cantóirí Join Chester Beatty to celebrate the Christmas season with Cantóirí, a Dublin choir with an international membership.
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.







