Free museums in Dublin
Quick answer
2 museums in Dublin offer always-free standard admission, including National Gallery of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland. Check each museum's rules and official website before visiting.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Always free (2)
National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin was founded in 1854 and houses Ireland's national collection of Western European and Irish art from the 14th century to the 20th century. Admission is entirely free. The permanent collection of approximately 16,500 works spans Italian Renaissance, Dutch and Flemish Golden Age, Spanish Baroque, French Impressionism, and an unparalleled survey of Irish art.
✓ Free admission to permanent collection; special exhibitions may require a ticket
Always freeNational Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland was established in 1877 and now operates four sites across Dublin and County Mayo. The principal site — the Archaeology branch on Kildare Street — holds the national collection of Irish antiquities, which is internationally recognised as one of the most important collections of early medieval art in the world.
✓ Free admission
Which museums are free in Dublin?
National Gallery of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland — 2 museums in Dublin with always-free standard admission. Special exhibitions may charge separately.
Are special exhibitions also free at Dublin's free museums?
Usually not — always-free admission covers the permanent collection, while blockbuster temporary exhibitions typically require paid, often timed, tickets. Check the official site linked from each guide.