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.
- The Ballsbridge Beetle
Family funThe Ballsbridge Beetle Seventy-five years ago, the first Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 assembled outside of Germany rolled off the assembly line on Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin.
- The Dead Zoo in Blue: Seeing Collections Through a New Lens
Free things to doThe Dead Zoo in Blue: Seeing Collections Through a New Lens Join us for an 'In Conversation' event at Collins Barracks where the Museum's Natural History collection is viewed through different lenses.
- July Tours at Collins Barracks
Family funJuly Tours at Collins Barracks This July, we're offering a range of free guided tours of the Museum's collections every week. Join us on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July in celebration of the National Day of Commemoration...
- National Day of Commemoration Weekend Tours
Family funNational Day of Commemoration Weekend Tours To mark the National Day of Commemoration, join us at Collins Barracks for a weekend of tours exploring Ireland's turbulent decade of conflict 1913-1923, and learn about the historic truce to end the Irish War of Independence 104 years ago.
- All Ireland GAA Senior Championship, History of Sport in Ireland Tours
Family funAll Ireland GAA Senior Championship, History of Sport in Ireland Tours Up for the match? Warm up for this year's Inter-County Senior Hurling and Football Championship Finals at Collins Barracks with a tour!
- The Army No.1 Band Performance at Collins Barracks
Family funThe Army No.1 Band Performance at Collins Barracks Join us on Wednesday 23rd July 2025, as the Army No. 1 Band performs a Free Lunchtime Recital at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin.
- Clarke's Colourful Creations, Relaxed Sensory Friendly Workshop
Family funClarke's Colourful Creations, Relaxed Sensory Friendly Workshop Visit the Learning Resource Room at Collins Barracks for this sensory friendly workshop: Clark’s Colourful Creations. Explore light & colour through activities designed to engage your child’s senses.
- Hands-on History: Come Back to Erin
Family funHands-on History: Come Back to Erin Join National Museum of Ireland educators for an interactive Hands-on History session exploring the history of travel and holiday-making in Ireland.
