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.
- Japanese Film Festival Screening: Ripples of Physis
Free things to doJapanese Film Festival Screening: Ripples of Physis Opening in a centuries-old karakami decorative paper printing workshop in Kyoto, the intriguing and illuminating documentary Ripples of Physis explores recurring patterns and spirals throughout art, history, and the environment itself.
- Silk Worm Families Drop-in: Ornamental Hangings
Family funSilk Worm Families Drop-in: Ornamental Hangings Join Chester Beatty this Easter break to create a beautiful hanging scroll inspired by the suspended installation by the artist Jennifer Sturrock.
- Creative Lab for Teens: Native Birds – Drawing & Watercolour Illustration
Family funCreative Lab for Teens: Native Birds – Drawing & Watercolour Illustration Explore birds native to Ireland through creative writing, drawing, and watercolours workshop at Chester Beatty with Creative Lab for Teens.
- Creative Lab for Teens: Zine Making
Family funCreative Lab for Teens: Zine Making Join Chester Beatty for a fun and exploratory session about the history of zines as objects, the subcultures they represented and the many themes they explored as a form of alternative media.
- Silk Worm Families Drop-in: Stamps
Family funSilk Worm Families Drop-in: Stamps Join a free Silk Worm Families workshop at Chester Beatty designing and making stamps on Friday 10 April 2026.
- Mindfulness, Meditation & Sketching Tour
Health and wellbeingMindfulness, Meditation & Sketching Tour Celebrate Slow Art Day 2026 at Chester Beatty with art tutor and yoga instructor, Roxana Manouchehri.
- 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 in Irish exploring some of the highlights and stories in their collection.
- Slow Art Workshop: Colour Contemplations
Arts and cultureSlow Art Workshop: Colour Contemplations Join artist Laragh Pittman for a Slow Art workshop exploring the power of colour at Chester Beatty on Saturday 11 April 2026.
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.
