Museum

National Gallery of Ireland

The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin has a free permanent collection, buggy access to every gallery and a year-round drawing space for children.

Typical visit
Ages
Booking
Price
The permanent collection is free to visit; some temporary exhibitions charge.
Opening hours
Monday and Sunday 11.00–17.30; Tuesday–Saturday 9.15–17.30, with Thursdays open until 20.30.
Last entry
Entry to the galleries stops 15 minutes before closing.
Closed days
Closed 24–26 December and Good Friday; open 11.00–17.30 on 1 January.
Buggies
All galleries and facilities are buggy accessible.
Coming with kids
Borrow a free Family Pack with drawing materials from the information desks.
Café
The Gallery Café is on Level 0 of the Millennium Wing, easiest reached via the Clare Street entrance.
Getting there
Pearse DART Station is a five-minute walk from the Gallery.
OUR FAMILY ASSESSMENT

Family Intelligence

The permanent collection needs no booking, and neither do many of the temporary exhibitions. The catch is that some temporary exhibitions carry a charge and some need a ticket, so free entry does not cover everything on the walls at any given time. Carers accompanying someone in their care go free to paid exhibitions, provided they bring valid ID.

For children, the Atrium Creative Space is open year-round as a drop-in with drawing materials provided. There is an audio tour made for kids and families that plays on your own smartphone and headphones, so bring both. The gallery also runs a regular programme of free guided tours with no booking required, and its Through a Lens self-guided tours online include a Family Favourites route and a Babies & Toddlers route with paintings to look at and talk about with smaller children.

All galleries and facilities are wheelchair accessible, and a limited number of wheelchairs can be borrowed on request. Drivers will find metered parking on Merrion Square.

Family FAQ

How much does National Gallery of Ireland cost?

The permanent collection is free to visit; some temporary exhibitions charge.

What are the opening hours of National Gallery of Ireland?

Monday and Sunday 11.00–17.30; Tuesday–Saturday 9.15–17.30, with Thursdays open until 20.30.

Can you bring a stroller to National Gallery of Ireland?

All galleries and facilities are buggy accessible.

Why kids will love it

Children get more than a quiet walk past paintings here: a drop-in drawing space, free Family Packs, a kids’ audio tour and a Babies & Toddlers route give families of different ages a way in, and the permanent collection costs nothing to see.

Plan your visit

Also compare: National Gallery of Ireland tickets on Tiqets (affiliate link)

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