Museums are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the history and culture of each place you visit, and Dublin is full of fantastic options; from gardens, parks, and galleries, to those that include a local pint of Guinness or Whiskey at the end of your tour!

A small capitol with a huge reputation, Dublin offers all of the crowd favorites you would expect from a museum scene; there’s a national gallery, museum of natural history and plenty of historical museums as well.

There are, however also plenty of spots that celebrate Ireland’s rich cultural history, architecture, and the outdoors.

Whether you’re a tourist or a local, and whether or not you’re planning a short stop-over, or 3 day itinerary, you can always count on the following museums for a fun and fascinating day out.

The Best Museums in Dublin

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Here are the best museums in Dublin, from the museum of natural history to those that include a local pint of Guinness or Whiskey at the end of your tour!

Here are the best museums in Dublin, from the museum of natural history to those that include a local pint of Guinness or Whiskey at the end of your tour!

The National Museum of Ireland – Natural History

Natural History Museums are quite common throughout Europe, and that’s because they are exciting for adults and children alike. What makes Dublin special are the impressive zoological exhibits; animals are displayed in their 19th-century grandeur in this throwback museum.

The giant Irish deer skeletons found at the entrance of the Museum are some of the most famous and distinctive animals on display here. One of the skeletons has an antler span of 3.5 metres.

You’ll find it in same complex as the National Museum of Ireland, and can browse exhibitions which focus on Irish fauna, a view into the underwater world and an exhibition on the steps of evolution. It’s always a fascinating experience and well worth a look.

Dublin Castle

Since its foundation in 1204 Dublin Castle has been at the heart of the history and evolution of the city.  Today, spanning an area of over 44,000 square meters (11 acres), the site contains 2 museums, 2 cafés, an international conference centre, 2 gardens, Government Buildings and the State Apartments which are the most important state rooms in the country.

The grounds of the site are free to explore, as is the Chester Beatty Library and the Revenue Museum. Access to the State Apartments is by guided tour only and tickets may be purchased from the Apartments in the Upper Castle Yard.

Since its foundation in 1204 Dublin Castle has been at the heart of the history and evolution of the city.

Since its foundation in 1204 Dublin Castle has been at the heart of the history and evolution of the city.

Irish Whiskey Museum

The Irish Whiskey Museum is situated at the main entrance of Trinity College in Dublin, and allows you to take a journey back through time. It’s one of the most iconic buildings in the city, and uncovers the fantastic story of Irish whiskey, from its origins, to its rise to glory and its dramatic fall.

The whiskey museum tour is an interactive and modern experience – guides are entertaining and provide wonderful commentary, and at the end of the tour you will enjoy a little sample of Irish whiskey, becoming a true master of whiskey tasting.

The museum also has a unique collection of Irish whiskey memorabilia that dates back to the 1800s mixed with a modern twist. There’s a modern bar which serves Irish whiskey, Irish Coffee and whiskey cocktails, and beautiful views of Trinity College, from above.

Old Jameson Distillery

The Old Jameson Distillery is housed in what used to be the original distilling premises for the world-famous whiskey. Nowadays it’s a museum which displays some of the original distilling equipment, and offers guided tours of how whiskey is distilled.

Expert guides tell the story of John Jameson in a recreated distillery scene, and there are free tastings at the end!

Guinness Storehouse

Guinness is synonymous with Ireland, and one of the most popular things to do in Dublin is to make a trip to the Guinness Storehouse.

Located in the heart of the legendary St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, this is the home of Guinness; the production site which has been operating since 1759 (Arthur Guinness signed a lease for 9,000 years). Once the fermentation plant of the brewery, it is now a seven-storey visitor experience dedicated to the brewing process, history of Guinness in the media, and how to pour the perfect pint.

Don’t miss the Gravity Bar. The panoramic views of Dublin city are all the better with a complimentary pint in hand!

National Gallery of Ireland

The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Dublin. It dates back to the mid-19th Century and has many wings with spectacular art and sculptures which you can explore for free.

There is a grand collection of European art spanning the 14th to the 20th-century covering all major schools. It’s an especially great place to pass the time during bad weather.

The Little Museum of Dublin

The Little Museum of Dublin is a people’s museum, in that over 400 artefacts that have been generously donated by many locals to give a well-rounded reflection of Dublin’s progress over the last century.

The museum is located in an 18th-century Georgian town house owned by Dublin City Council, and there is art, photography, advertising, letters & ephemera on display. It offers a fantastic insight into the city and it’s people, and is well worth the €5 entrance fee.

Irish Museum of Modern Art

The Irish Museum of Modern Art is a little out of the city, but it’s well worth organizing the trip. Housed in an imposing building from 1684, there are permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of varied art which are free to view.

“Both the building and the grounds are styled like that of Les Invalides in Paris and provide a stately backdrop to the contemporary installations within.”

Dublin Writers Museum

With letters, books and artefacts covering 300 years of Dublin’s acclaimed literary heritage, the Dublin Writers Museum was opened to house a history and celebration of literary Dublin. And the Irish literary tradition is one of the most illustrious in the world, famous for four Nobel Prize winners and for many other writers of international renown.

There is a wonderful collection of Irish literary history, along with artifacts from famous writers, portraits & timelines. There is a beautiful library which is packed full of rare books.

Irish Jewish Museum

The Irish Jewish Museum is an independently funded museum which showcases the history and culture of Irish Jews.

It houses remnants of an old synagogue, plus memorabilia and testimonials from Jewish communities through the ages. The museum is also free but accepts donations with gratitude.

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Here are the best museums in Dublin, from the museum of natural history to those that include a local pint of Guinness or Whiskey at the end of your tour!

Here are the best museums in Dublin, from the museum of natural history to those that include a local pint of Guinness or Whiskey at the end of your tour!

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; a website dedicated to opening your eyes to the wild & natural world.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Photo credits: Featured photo by Giuseppe Milo. Pinterest Images by Nico Kaiser & Giuseppe Milo. Dublin castle by psyberartist. Guinness Storehouse by Mattia Mionetto. Guinness pints by Kacper Gunia. Irish Museum of Modern Art by William Murphy & Nick Miller.