National Gallery of Ireland 🇮🇪

Located in the centre of Dublin with entrances on Merrion Square and Clare Street, the National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish and European art. Founded in 1854 and opened in 1864, the gallery’s origins stem from the 1853 Great Industrial Exhibition, where public enthusiasm inspired a permanent public collection. Today, you can explore about 14,000 artworks, including around 2,500 oil paintings, 5,000 drawings, and 5,000 prints, alongside sculpture and furniture.

You will discover an extensive collection of Irish art, featuring the Yeats Museum with sketchbooks donated by Anne Yeats and works by Jack B. Yeats. The gallery is also notable for its Italian Baroque and Dutch masters.

Masterpieces on display include Caravaggio's famous lost painting, The Taking of Christ, alongside works by Vermeer, Velázquez, Rembrandt, Picasso, and Monet. As you wander through, you can admire architectural additions like the 1903 Milltown Wing, the 1968 Beit Wing, and the 2002 Millennium Wing with its grand atrium and Portland stone façade. With free admission, it is a rewarding destination for art lovers visiting Dublin.

What to see at National Gallery of Ireland

• Caravaggio's masterwork, The Taking of Christ
• Dedicated Yeats Museum featuring works and sketchbooks by Jack B. Yeats
• Masterpieces by Dutch and Italian Baroque artists including Vermeer and Guercino
• Impressionist and modern works by Monet, Picasso, and Signac
• The grand Millennium Wing featuring a Portland stone façade and soaring atrium

Visiting tips

If you are visiting in January, do not miss the special annual display of 31 J. M. W. Turner watercolours from the Vaughan bequest.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

National Gallery of Ireland is easy to reach on Dublin’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Dublin Castle and Spire of Dublin. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Dublin travel guide.