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 in the Dubh Linn Garden
Family funQigong in the Dubh Linn 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 summer.
- DCC Culture Club Tour: A Journey Across Silk Roads
Free things to doDCC Culture Club Tour: A Journey Across Silk Roads Embark on an exploration of the ancient Silk Roads, where commerce was only the beginning of the story.
- Music at the Museum: Music of the Middle East
Family funMusic at the Museum: Music of the Middle East The Chester Beatty is pleased to welcome Kurdish/Syrian singer and bouzouki player, Mohammad Syfkhan, for an evening of eclectic music inspired by Middle Eastern and North African traditions.
- Creative Lab for Teens: Traditional & Modern Calligraphy
Family funCreative Lab for Teens: Traditional & Modern Calligraphy Join Chester Beatty for a Creative Lab for Teens workshop and learn about traditional and modern calligraphy writing.
- Creative Lab for Teens: Creative Mapmaking
Family funCreative Lab for Teens: Creative Mapmaking Step into the medieval worldview of Abū Isḥāq Ibrāhīm al-Iṣṭakhrī’s ancient cartography to reimagine how we see our planet.
- Silk Worm Families: Water Stories
Family funSilk Worm Families: Water Stories At the seaside, swimming in a pool, or travelling along a river, most of us enjoy being by water. Join a free Silk Worm Families workshop at Chester Beatty this August.
- Silk Worm Families: Scroll Stories
Family funSilk Worm Families: Scroll Stories Mark National Heritage Week by crafting your own illuminated scroll that captures the essence of your summer adventures in this Silk Worm Families workshop at Chester Beatty.
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.
