Decorative Arts & History
Opening May 10
Collins Barracks,
Dublin 7
Latest Highlights
We look forward to welcoming you back from Monday, 10 May. Before your visit, please read our latest COVID-19 visitor information.
A new online exhibition revisiting a currach building project with Michael Conneely on Inis Oírr in 1968
Not ready to visit us just yet? Why not enjoy a virtual visit instead with this selection of online resources, tours and exhibitions.
Get some great gift ideas and explore products inspired by our Collections and exhibitions.
Current Exhibitions
Take time to explore our variety of exhibitions
Irish Wars 1919 to 1923
Decorative Arts & History
Exhibition / Permanent Exhibition
Irish Wars 1919 – 1923 forms part of the permanent exhibition ‘Soldiers and Chiefs’, but it has been substantially reimagined as part of the Museum’s Decade of Centenaries Commemorations
Alison Lowry: (A)Dressing Our Hidden Truths
Decorative Arts & History
Exhibition / December 2021
An artistic response to the legacy of mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries by Alison Lowry
A Dubliner’s Collection of Asian Art: The Albert Bender Exhibition
Decorative Arts & History
Exhibition / Permanent exhibition
Learn about the Museum's Asian art collection and its donor, Irish-American, Albert Bender
Ib Jorgensen: A Fashion Retrospective
Decorative Arts & History
Exhibition / Ongoing
From the 1950s to the 1990s, Danish born Ib Jorgensen was one of Ireland’s leading fashion designers
Asgard: From Gun-Running to Recent Conservation
Decorative Arts & History
Exhibition / Ongoing
Discover the historic Asgard yacht
Crown beoir
Country Life
Exhibition / Exhibition/Online gallery
A Courtyard Gallery exhibition
Cycling the Country
Country Life
Exhibition / Permanent exhibition
Exploring the importance of the bicycle in rural life in the Ireland
A Forgotten Polish Hero of the Great Irish Famine
Country Life
Exhibition / Until June 2021
Paul Strzelecki’s Struggle to Save Thousands
Polish Folk Art - Beliefs, Colour and Symbols
Country Life
Exhibition / Temporary exhibition
An exhibition of Polish folk art curated by Bardzo Ladnie Foundation
Wooden Architecture Świdermajer Style
Country Life
Exhibition / Temporary exhibition
An exhibition about the unique wooden villas of Otwock - a small town in the heart of Poland
Irish Fauna
Natural History
Exhibition / Permanent exhibition
Discover examples of Ireland's insects, mammals, birds, sea life and predators.
Mammals of the World
Natural History
Exhibition / Permanent exhibition
Discover skeletons and stuffed specimens of non-Irish animal species, from elephants to whales
Glendalough: Power, Prayer and Pilgrimage
Archaeology
Exhibition / Now open
Making places with objects
Ceramics and Glass from Ancient Cyprus
Archaeology
Exhibition / Permanent Exhibition
Learn about Roman and Bronze Age Cyprus with excavated clay figurines
Viking Ireland
Archaeology
Exhibition / Permanent Exhibition
Explore the Vikings and how they changed Ireland between 800 and 1150 AD.
Kingship and Sacrifice
Archaeology
Exhibition / Permanent Exhibition
An exhibition of Iron Age bog bodies and their sacrificial regalia.
Medieval Ireland 1150-1550
Archaeology
Exhibition / Closed until further notice
Discover Medieval Ireland, its farmers and nobles, churches, books, and art
Online Events
Discover something new with our online events
An Introduction to Collins Barracks
Decorative Arts & History
Event / 10 May 2021
An online introductory tour to learn about the history of Collins Barracks
National Drawing Day 2021
Decorative Arts & History
Event / 15 May 2021
Discover the history behind the practice of drawing from the Museum collections with Museum educator Aisling Dunne.
Biodiversity for Citizen Scientists
Country Life
Event / 19 May 2021
An insight into what it means to be a citizen scientist and how we can all contribute.
Biodiversity for Community Spaces
Country Life
Event / 22 May 2021
Join ecologist Janice Fuller, who will share some ideas for protecting and enhancing nature and wildlife in our towns, villages and urban spaces.
WATCH BACK: Cool Fossils & Hot (Climate) Facts!
Natural History
Event / 31 May 2021
A special Primary Schools event this Earth Day with the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History and the Rediscovery Centre.
Drawing Day: Colouring Sheets of St. Patrick’s Relics
Archaeology
Event / 15 May 2021
Celebrate National Drawing Day 2021 by colouring and decorating your own Bell Shrine
Climate Change: what it means for our built and archaeological heritage
Archaeology
Event / 20 May 2021
First in a series of four lectures on the topic of Climate Change in Archaeology
Bealtaine Online Workshop: Viking Needle Binding
Archaeology
Event / 28 May 2021
Join in this special workshop for Bealtaine, and learn about Viking needle binding