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Current: Explore the top temporary exhibitions on display at the National Museum of Ireland

Explore the top temporary exhibitions on display at the National Museum of Ireland

From medieval artefacts and bumble bees to hurling helmets and stained-glass, the National Museum has an exciting and diverse range of temporary exhibitions for you to enjoy this summer.

Free Admission

1. Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe

Discover how science, art, archaeology and the study of script help reveal the links between Ireland and Europe

2. Glendalough: Power, Prayer and Pilgrimage

Glendalough: Power, Prayer and Pilgrimage features artifacts never see before that provide incredible insight into the lives of both humble and powerful pilgrims who traveled to this holy site.

3. The Murmur of Bees

Did you know there are more than 100 different bee species in Ireland, but only one that makes honey? Or that bees were so important throughout Irish history, they even have their own patron saint? Explore the captivating influence of Irish bees on our culture and environment.

4. SWARM

SWARM is an exciting and engaging art installation created by 450 primary school children and their teachers from 25 primary schools in counties Mayo, Sligo and Galway.

5. Capturing Community: Celebrating Creativity, Connecting Cultures

This photographic exhibition documents the atmosphere, activities, and the people present at a community open day for families that was held in Collins Barracks last summer.

6. Harry Clarke’s-Stained Glass

Visit our new temporary exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, showcasing six stunning stained-glass panels by Harry Clarke, including some of his earliest works.

7. GAA: People, Objects & Stories

Discover objects dating from the 15th century to the present day, illustrating the influence of the GAA through the lens of social history, design and popular culture.

8. Beyond the Surface

This exhibition showcases innovative jewellery by students of Jewellery and Objects at the National College of Art and Design. Their designs were inspired by objects from the Museum’s Decorative Arts and Ethnographic collections.

9. A New Form of Beauty

In celebration of the Bealtaine Festival's 30th anniversary, this exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of Dublin's youth culture across three pivotal decades, featuring images from the 1960s through to the 1990s.

10. Ballsbridge Beetle

To mark the 75th anniversary of the first Volkswagen Beetle assembled outside Germany, the iconic 'Ballsbridge Beetle'—originally built in Dublin—will be exhibited at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. Normally housed in Germany's Zeithaus museum, the car remains largely unchanged and will be on display on Saturday, 2 August.