This Valentines weekend, make a date with the past at the National Museum, Collins Barracks and immerse yourself in love stories throughout Irish history.

Discover ways in which people expressed affection in our Love, Then and Now tour with Museum guide Clare, and pick up a Rainbow Trail to uncover hidden histories of LGBTQIA+ figures and love stories through time.

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Tours

Love, Then and Now invites visitors to explore how affection, connection, and creativity have been expressed across generations through objects in the National Museum’s collection. From tiny tokens to bold artworks, you’ll uncover sweet, quirky, and charming stories woven throughout the National Museum’s collection.

Saturday, 14 February 2026
14:00    Love, Then and Now: Stories from the National Museum's Collection

Sunday, 15 February 2026
14:00    Love, Then and Now: Stories from the National Museum's Collection

Tours will begin in Reception at Collins Barracks. Booking is not required. However, places are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Children must be supervised at all times while on the premises.

Check out our virtual Valentine's tour too, below:
Virtual Trail / Love, Then and Now: Stories from the National Museums Collection

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Museum Trails

Engage with a self-guided trail highlighting 8 artefacts associated with LGBTQIA+ history in the National Museum's collection.  Explore artefacts on display in the Museum galleries which have a connection with LGBTQIA+ histories, including LGBTQIA+ men and women who were involved in the 1916 Easter Rising and more recently, activists involved in the campaigns for equality in law.

You can find this trail in our Museum Reception area, or access it virtually here.

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Also this weekend...

Lunar New Year: A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art tour

Explore A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art: The Albert Bender Exhibition on this bilingual (Mandarin and English) tour. We will look at the remarkable story of Albert Bender and the outstanding examples of Asian art he left to the National Museum.

Sunday, 15 February 2026
15:30    Lunar New Year: A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art - Bilingual Mandarin/English tour

Booking not required, however spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Children must be supervised at all times while on the premises. 

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For more information on our tour offerings, contact bookings@museum.ie or call 01 648 6453.