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.
- 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.
- 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 spring.
- Music at the Museum: An Tara
Family funMusic at the Museum: An Tara An Tara are musicians Tommy Hayes (bodhrán) and Matthew James Noone (sarod) who explore the spaces in between the traditions of Irish and Indian Classical music.
- Bealtaine Workshop: Scents of Life, A Sensory Journey into Colour & Word
Free things to doBealtaine Workshop: Scents of Life, A Sensory Journey into Colour & Word Join artist Roxana Manouchehri for an immersive Bealtiane workshop for older adults celebrating a lust for life through our senses.
- Léiriú Scannáin: Puffin Rock agus Cairde Nua
Family funLéiriú Scannáin: Puffin Rock agus Cairde Nua Join Chester Beatty for the beautifully animated story of a young puffin Isabelle who, due to climate change, moves to Puffin Rock island.
- 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 24 May 2026.
- The Author is Present: Citation, Voice and Manuscripts of Manuscripts
Free things to doThe Author is Present: Citation, Voice and Manuscripts of Manuscripts Let's Talk About Paratext Lecture Series at Chester Beatty with Dr Kelsie Rodenbiker, Assistant Professor of New Testament, University of Copenhagen.
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.







