Most Must See Museums in Dublin

Ireland is a nation of storytellers with an illustrious story of its own to tell. What better way to learn about the country and its capital than to visit the best museums that Dublin has to offer?  The following is our pick of the museums in Dublin you need to see during your stay…  

Wax museums provide the unique opportunity to rub shoulders with celebrities and famous figures, but Dublin’s version offers much more.

Discover exhibits dedicated to important scientific discoveries and the history of Ireland, as well as life size statues of music legends like Phil Lynott and Elvis Presley and iconic Irish writers such as James Joyce and Oscar Wilde.

Daytime tickets cost €16.50 per person but if you’re visiting as a family you can get 2 adults and 2 children in for just €45.

The Irish people are a well-travelled bunch with roots spread across the globe. Epic Museum tells the story of Irish emigration and its impact on the world.

Irish culture has spread far and wide and Epic Museum’s immersive exhibitions showcase how the 10 million people who left brought a little piece of Ireland with them. Tickets range from €16.50 for an adult to €40 for a family. 

Hailed as “Dublin’s best museum experience” by the Irish Times, the Little Museum of Dublin is one of the most popular attractions in the Irish capital.

Open 7 days a week, top class tour guides tell the story of Ireland, from independence right up to U2. Tour prices start from just €8 and you can find out what tours are happening on their website.

Ireland is famous for many things, green landscapes, music, and literature to name but a few – and right near the top of that list is Irish whiskey.

World renowned and revered, Jameson is considered one of the best whiskeys in the world. Take a trip to the Jameson Distillery to discover the 200 year history of how Jameson became Ireland’s most famous whiskey.

Opened in 2019, the Museum of Literature is a welcome addition to the museum scene in Dublin. With so many famous writers coming from the island, it’s only right that there’s a museum dedicated to their work.

MoLI runs different exhibitions on new and established writers with the aim of helping visitors learn about the country’s greatest storytellers – and realise their own creative potential.

With a collection of over 2 million artefacts, the Natural History Museum, aka ‘the dead zoo’ in the National Museum of Ireland is the perfect place to learn about the world’s zoological and geological history.

Fascinating exhibitions showcase 10,000 different specimens from around the globe. Entry is completely free too, making it a cheap and cheerful way to spend an afternoon in Dublin.

Ireland has produced some of the most iconic and influential musicians in the world. Music buffs will love this museum, especially fans of U2 and Thin Lizzy, with a room dedicated to U2 and a display of Phil Lynott’s iconic bass that graced the cover of Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous album.

We had the pleasure of being shown around by tour guide Brian, whose knowledge of Irish rock and roll makes this visit a must for any music fan. Find out more information on their website.

Visiting a prison on your holidays isn’t something we’d usually recommend, but since Kilmainham Gaol ceased existing as such in 1924, visiting this museum should be a priority during your trip to Dublin.

Kilmainham Gaol is steeped in history. Many leaders of the Easter Rising and Irish revolution were imprisoned here, some were even executed within its walls.

It’s one of the most popular museums in Dublin so make sure to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

No list of the best Dublin museums would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. It has consistently been voted the most popular destination for visitors to the city, with many locals taking part in the experience as well.

Follow the story of how Guinness became Ireland’s most famous export and its impact on the city that brewed it. Learn how to pour the perfect pint and enjoy a pint of the black stuff with a 360° view of the capital in the Gravity Bar.

There is so much more to see and do in the capital on top of these great museums in Dublin. Head to Try Somewhere New to discover more things to do in the city.

Flights to Dublin

- Seán Walsh