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.
- Heavenly Flowers, The Hamilton Field Book of Flowers
Family funHeavenly Flowers, The Hamilton Field Book of Flowers Books of hours are Christian prayer books used at fixed times throughout the day. These devotional books were especially popular between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries and no two are exactly alike.
- Qigong in the Dubh Linn Garden
Family funQigong in the Dubh Linn Garden Qigong is a traditional Chinese form of meditation coordinating slow flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing and a calm state of mind.
- Heavenly Flowers: Hamilton Field Book of Hours Guided Tour with Dr Jill Unkel
Free things to doHeavenly Flowers: Hamilton Field Book of Hours Guided Tour with Dr Jill Unkel Heavenly Flowers: Hamilton Field Book of Hours Guided Tour with Dr Jill Unkel at Chester Beatty this summer.
- Looking Closer: Finding Fine Detail in Persian Painting Curatorial Tour
Free things to doLooking Closer: Finding Fine Detail in Persian Painting Curatorial Tour Join Dr Moya Carey, Curator of Islamic Collections, for a focused tour of Persian manuscripts recently put on display in the Arts of the Book gallery.
- Drop-in Activity: Heavenly Paper Flowers
Family funDrop-in Activity: Heavenly Paper Flowers Join Chester Beatty for this drop-in activity inspired by the Heavenly Flowers: Hamilton Field Book of Hours exhibition and make stunning paper flowers.
- Ink Making & Painting with artist David Begley
Arts and cultureInk Making & Painting with artist David Begley Celebrate the Heavenly Flowers: The Hamilton Field Book of Hours exhibition by joining artist David Begley for a day of making and painting with botanical inks.
- In Focus Tour: Calligraphy and the Holy Qur’an
Free things to doIn Focus Tour: Calligraphy and the Holy Qur’an Join this In Focus Tour at Chester Beatty and learn about the Holy Qur’an and the importance of calligraphy in Islam.
- Sound Bath Meditation with Sarah Douglas
Health and wellbeingSound Bath Meditation with Sarah Douglas Join in at Chester Beatty with a Sound Bath Meditation session led by Sarah Douglas on Sunday 28 July 2024.
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.