Collins Barracks in Dublin City, named after famed Michael Collins, could be said to be the National Museum of Ireland's largest artefact, having had a unique history all of its own in another life. It housed both British Armed Forces and Irish army garrisons over three centuries. Built in 1702, the complex's main buildings are Neoclassical in style. Collins Barracks has been completely renovated and restored to become the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, charting Ireland's economic, social, political and military progress through the ages.
Exhibits:
Irish Wars 1917 to 1923 and the 1916 Rising; Soldiers & Chiefs - Irish at war from 1550 to present day;
Photography of the revolutionary era in Ireland; 1000 years of Irish coin and currency; Irish country furniture and four centuries of furnishing;
The Way We Were - antique clothing and crafts; Sacred Art of Ireland 1600 to 1750; Irish silver exhibition; Eileen Gray exhibition;
A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art - Albert Bender Collection; 21st century Irish Craft; Ib Jorgensen Fashion Retrospective; the Asgard, a restored sailboat with pivotal role in the 1914 Howth gun running story; and more.
Artefacts on display range from silver, ceramic and glassware pieces to weaponry, furniture, examples of folk life and costume. All of these are displayed with imagination in innovative and contemporary galleries, which entice you to go further, look harder and examine more closely.
- LGBTQIA+ Tours of Collins Barracks
Family funLGBTQIA+ Tours of Collins Barracks This new guided LGBTQIA+ tour views the exhibitions through alternative lenses, bringing some hidden histories and perspectives to the fore.
- November Tours at Collins Barracks
AutumnNovember Tours at Collins Barracks Warm up your Irish history in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks this November with our range of free guided tours!
- November Family Drop-ins at the Dead Zoo Lab
AutumnNovember Family Drop-ins at the Dead Zoo Lab Drop into the Discovery Zone in the Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks this November. Bring the family along and join a short activity to learn about our favourite objects in the handling collections.
- Changing Ireland Guided Tours
AutumnChanging Ireland Guided Tours Situated in our over 300-year-old Military Barracks, the new Changing Ireland Galleries provide unprecedented public access to our 20th and 21st century history collections.
- Quiet Hour: Sensory Friendly Time at the Museum
Family funQuiet Hour: Sensory Friendly Time at the Museum Take some time to explore Collins Barracks during a dedicated Quiet Hour. We are offering a designated quiet hour to provide a calmer environment for visitors. We are dedicated towards being Autism friendly.
- Footprints in the Snow with ISL
Family funFootprints in the Snow with ISL Drop-in to the Dead Zoo Lab for a quick craft and a chance to get up close with our handling collection, all with ISL.
- Snowflakes and Songs: A Festive Family Open Day at the Museum
Family funSnowflakes and Songs: A Festive Family Open Day at the Museum Step back from the hustle and bustle of Christmas prep and celebrate the magic of the season at our free festive family day!
- Christmas Carolling with the Glória LGBT+ Choir
Family funChristmas Carolling with the Glória LGBT+ Choir Join us for a heartwarming performance of Christmas carols by the Glória LGBT+ Choir at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.
