From the National Gallery of Ireland through to more quirky and less mainstream art galleries, Dublin is awash with wonderful art collections in all parts of the city. Join us as we check out the top 7 art galleries of Dublin and find out what they each have to offer, how to get there and much more!
Our top 7 Galleries:
Chester Beatty Library
Location: Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.
Founded by American Alfred Chester Beatty - Beatty’s collections began when he was a small child, his early collections consisted of minerals, snuff bottles and stamps.
Today the Chester Beatty library consists of a treasure trove of paintings, miniature paintings and decorative arts from East Asia, Islam and Western civilisations.
Upcoming events:
Public demonstration with Graphic Studio guest artist, Lar Nyberg on the 15th of January 2009.
Silk Worm Club for budding young artists in the 6 to 11 age group on the 17th of January 2009. Kids will learn to make their own miniprint.
A series of lectures and workshops based around Chinese New Year 2009
(Year of the Ox) - dates 23rd to the 31st of January.
Important info:
Open from 1st of October 2008 to the 30th of April 2009 - Tuesday to Friday.
Every Saturday from 11am to 5pm
Every Sunday from 1pm to 5pm
Closed on the 24th, 25th, 26th December, the 1st of January and Good Friday.
Admission is free.
Facilities include a restaurant, gift and book shop. There’s also disabled access to the gallery.
Nearest Luas - Jervis and St. Stephens Green.
Nearest Dart - Tara Street.
Buses - 13, 16, 19, 123 (from O’Connell Street)
Dublin City Gallery - The Hugh Lane
Location: Charlemont House, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1.
Housing modern and contemporary art and masterpieces by Manet, Monet, Renoir and Degas.
Current exhibitions include 7 paintings by Dublin born Sean Scully (abstract art), and the Gallery Collection which includes works by Vuillard, William Orpen, John Lavery, Rodin and the usual impressionists masters.
For kids: Sunday Sketching age 7+ (from 3.00 to 4.00p.m.)
Saturday art workshops (fee payable and booking essential)
Summer camps and workshops.
Important info:
Open from Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 6pm
Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm
Closed on Mondays
Closed 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th of December.
Facilities include a café and book shop. There’s also disabled access.
Buses - 3, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 19. 46A, 123 (all pass close to the Gallery)
Dart - 10 min from Connolly Station and Tara Street Station.
Luas - Abbey Street (Red Line)
IMMA
Location: Royal Hospital, Military Road, Kilmainham. Dublin 8.
Housing modern and contemporary art.
Currently showing an exhibition of 90 works by 8 contemporary artists from different countries- looking at the traditional art form of shadows. Included are rare figures and silhouettes, films, photographs, texts and manuscripts.
Also at this present time, Irish artist William Mc Keown is exhibiting about 50 of his abstract paintings, along with watercolours on paper and coloured pencil drawings of flowers and plants.
Upcoming in 2009 is an exhibition of 39 works by British Artist Hughie O’Donoghue from March to May. Irish artist James Coleman will exhibit at the IMMA, the Project Arts Centre and the Royal Hibernian Academy all at the same time.
Important info:
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm
Wednesdays 10.30am to 5.30pm
Sundays and Bank Holidays 12pm to 5.30pm
Closed: 24th, 25th, 26th and 29th December.
Closed for renovations from 12th January to the 2nd of February 2009.
Facilities - Café itsa@imma and Royal Kilmainham bookshop on site.
Walking - 30 to 40 minutes from city centre.
Train - 5 minute walk from Heuston Station.
Luas - Red Line to Heuston, 5 minute walk to Museum (Military Road entrance)
Car - 10 minute drive from city centre (free parking).
Bus - 26 from Wellington Quay.
51 and 79 from Aston Quay.
90 Feeder from Connolly and Tara Street Stations
(all of the above stopping at Heuston and a 5 minute walk via Military Road)
123 from O’Connell Street/Dame Street.
51B, 78A from Aston Quay
(these buses to James Street and a 5 minute walk via steps to Bow Lane onto Irwin Street and Military Road)
National Gallery of Ireland
Location: Merrion Square West and Clare Street, Dublin 2.
Dating back to 1864 and today houses 2,500 paintings and approximately 10,000 other pieces which include watercolours, drawings, prints and sculptures. Collections span from the 14th century to the 20th century, with works by Mantegna, Titian, Vouet, Poussin, Vermeer, El Greco, Gainsborough and our own Jack B. Yeats.
Current exhibits include Northern Stars and Southern Lights - an exhibition of Finnish Art from 1870 to 1920.
Hugh Douglas Hamilton - an exhibition of 62 of the artists works.
Upcoming exhibitions: A Light in the Darkness - Turners Watercolours and Silhouettes and Miniatures features 31 watercolours shown alongside 17th, 18th and 19th century miniatures and silhouettes. January 2009.
Vermeer, Fabritius and De Hooch - 3 masterpieces from the Delft School runs from February to May 2009.
Important info:
Open: Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Thursday from 9.30am to 8.30pm.
Sunday from 12pm to 5.30pm
Closed 24th to 26th of December and Good Friday.
Admission free - but fee payable for some exhibits.
Facilities - Gallery Shop, Gallery Restaurant and Café.
Dart - To Pearse Station (5 minutes from Gallery)
Bus - 4A, 5, 7, 7A to Merrion Square North and Clare Street.
10 to Merrion Row and Pembroke Street.
13A to Merrion Square South.
44C, 48A to Merrion Square West.
Luas - Green Line to St. Stephens Green.
Car - meter parking around Merrion Square.
For the 3 remaining galleries have a look at the 2nd part of the article: Top 7 Galleries in Dublin - PART 2.
If you need to book accommodation for your stay in Dublin our advice is to arrange it in advance. Dublin is always fairly busy. We have a good selection of Dublin hotels to choose from, all of which are approved.
