The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions. It houses the nation’s collection of European and Irish art from about 1300 to the present day, and an extensive library and archive.
Entry to the permanent collection, and many temporary exhibitions, is free for all. Open seven days a week, the Gallery is conveniently located in Dublin City centre, a short stroll from Trinity College and Merrion Square.
Free guided tours are available at weekends. Family packs and drawing and creative writing kits are available to borrow for free. Facilities include a shop, café, and wheelchair access to all levels.
Some temporary exhibitions need to be booked in advance and have an admission charge, but there are discounts and special offers available.
Take a look at the Gallery website in advance of your visit for full details.
- Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone. The Art of Friendship
Family funMainie Jellett and Evie Hone. The Art of Friendship The second major exhibition of 2025 is dedicated to the pioneering Irish modernists Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone, and will bring together 90 of their works of art.
- An Artist's Presence
Family funAn Artist's Presence An Artist’s Presence explores how artists, consciously or unconsciously, have placed themselves in their work through drawings and paintings from the Gallery’s permanent collection.
- Painting Workshop: En Plein Air
Arts and culturePainting Workshop: En Plein Air Join the National Gallery of Ireland for the experience of painting outdoors this summer! Guided by artist Dave West, participants will explore the essentials of open-air painting.
- Sketching Tour of 'An Artist's Presence'
Arts and cultureSketching Tour of 'An Artist's Presence' Explore the National Gallery of Ireland's exhibition, An Artist's Presence, on this in-depth sketching tour.
- Slow Art Tour of 'An Artist's Presence'
Free things to doSlow Art Tour of 'An Artist's Presence' Enjoy some time out and join the National Gallery of Ireland for a free guided tour at a slower pace.
- Public Tour: Mainie Jellett & Evie Hone. The Art of Friendship
Arts and culturePublic Tour: Mainie Jellett & Evie Hone. The Art of Friendship Join the National Gallery of Ireland for a guided tour exploring some of the key works in their exhibition Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone. The Art of Friendship.
- Open Art Studio: Jellett and Hone
Family funOpen Art Studio: Jellett and Hone The Education Studio is open for creative exploration from 10.30am - 4.30pm, inspired by our exhibition, Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone. The Art of Friendship.
- Outdoor Painting Workshop
Arts and cultureOutdoor Painting Workshop Join the National Gallery of Ireland for the experience of painting outdoors this summer! Guided by artist Dave West, participants will explore the essentials of open-air painting.
Call into Sweny's Pharmacy in Lincoln Place immortalised in James Joyce’s Ulysses, still selling the famous lemon soap as bought by Leopold Bloom in chapter five of Ulysses.
