National Gallery of Ireland

The National Gallery of Ireland is a must see for any visiting Dublin art lovers. Situated in Merrion Square near the National Museum at Kildare Street, the gallery is an underrated attraction that is not to be missed. The Gallery boasts a collection of more than 2, 500 paintings as well as over 10, 000 other artistic works including watercolours, drawings, prints and sculptures.

Founded in 1854 by an Act of Parliament, and opened to the public in 1864, the Gallery houses the nation’s collection of Irish and European fine art, spanning the period circa 1400s to 1950s.The National Gallery is unique thanks to its collection of exhibitions which documents the story of Irish art from the seventeenth century to the present day with key works by Nathaniel Hone, John Lavery, William Leech, Roderic O’Conor, Paul Henry, Sean Keating, Jack B. Yeats and Louis le Brocquy. The Gallery is also home to a number of Europe’s most renowned masterpieces including works by Fra Angelico, Rembrandt, Poussin, Goya, Picasso, Bonnard, Van Gogh and a recently discovered Caravaggio.

Free tours of the permanent collection take place every Saturday at 12.30pm, and every Sunday at 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Guided tours of the collection may be booked for private groups, schools and university groups, special interest groups and individuals. A minimum of 2 weeks’ notice and a small fee is required.

Fun Fact

Caravaggio’s ‘The Taking of Christ’, a painting recorded in contemporary biographies on the artist but long believed to be lost or destroyed, was discovered in a Jesuit house of studies in Dublin. The picture remains in the gallery on indefinite loan from the Jesuit fathers.

Contact Details:

Address: Merrion Square West & Clare Street, Dublin 2

Tel: +353(0)16325133

Getting There:

Hop off the CityScape Tour at: Stop 19 Merrion Square West(see Route Map)