Top 7 art galleries in Dublin that capture the city’s soul
Honestly, art galleries used to intimidate me. The people I’ve seen in the couple of times I’ve visited looked like serious art buffs, while I was mostly just there to kill time and look at an exhibition that I found interesting online.
But when I went in recently, I realised that wasn’t the case at all. Art galleries in Dublin hold more than just art-related knowledge. Most importantly, they tell history, which I’m extremely interested in.
During my tour, I encountered art in various forms and gained a great deal of knowledge about Irish history and current events. If you’re planning an art tour around the city, here are the best galleries I’ve visited.
1. National Gallery of Ireland
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Website: https://www.nationalgallery.ie/
Contact: +353 1 661 5133
Address: Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, Ireland
Operating Hours:
- Mon: 11am to 5.30pm
- Tue to Wed: 9:15am to 5:30pm
- Thu: 9:15am to 8:30pm
- Fri to Sat: 9:15am to 5.30pm
- Sun: 11am to 5:30pm
The National Gallery of Ireland’s entrance is free of charge. During my visit, I saw its extensive Irish and international art collections.
I joined their free public tour, which told the story of Irish history through art. I marvelled at the pieces made by homegrown Irish talents alongside legends like Caravaggio and Vermeer.
The gallery’s bright, thoughtfully laid-out rooms made navigating easy, so I naturally moved from one exhibition to another. In addition to their public tours, they also offer private guided tours, starting at €100.
2. Hugh Lane Gallery
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Website: https://hughlane.ie/
Contact: +353 (0)1 222 5564
Address: Charlemont House, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1, D01 F2X9, Ireland
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Wed: 9:45am to 6:00pm
- Thu: 9:45am to 8:30pm
- Fri: 9:45am to 5:00pm
- Sat: 10:00am to 5:00pm
- Sun: 11:00am to 5:00pm
I found the displays in the Hugh Lane Gallery thought-provoking. I knew I’d mostly see modern and contemporary Irish art, but the pieces were more striking than I thought.
When I entered Francis Bacon’s studio, I was amazed at how chaotic and inspiring it was. Everything was disorganised but also in its right place. There, I understood that it was a look inside a genius artist’s mind.
The soft light impressionist paintings, in contrast with Sean Scully’s abstract works, were also a delight to see. With such diverse art styles, this gallery provided visitors like me with a broad introduction to art.
3. Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
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Website: https://imma.ie/
Contact: +353 1 6129900
Address: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31, Ireland
Operating Hours:
- Tue, Thu, Fri, and Sat: 10:00am to 5:30pm
- Wed: 11:30am to 5:30pm
- Sun and bank holidays: 12:00pm to 5:30pm
The Irish Museum of Modern Art showcases modern and contemporary art in their gardens and outdoor exhibits. With such an extensive collection, I was glad I booked their free tour and learned a great deal.
As we made our way through the exhibits, I gazed at striking modern and classic art. One minute, I was studying a modern abstract piece; the next, I was being pulled back in time with a centuries-old painting.
They also have displays for kids and families to help little ones enhance their creativity. They rotate exhibitions throughout the year, which I loved.
4. The Doorway Gallery
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Website: https://www.thedoorwaygallery.com/
Contact: +353(0) 1 764 5895
Address: 24 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2, D02 XP30
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Situated in Dublin’s city centre, The Doorway Gallery is a charming and cosy place to see contemporary art. When I wandered in, I was immediately greeted by its vibrant collection of local and international artists.
Some of the artists whose work is shown include Bob Lynn, Michael Flaherty, and Shane Johnson. The gallery also hosts solo shows, like exhibitions dedicated to a single artist, as part of its ethos of promoting the artist’s work.
On the Visit Dublin site, it’s suggested that a visit might take 1 to 1.5 hours.
5. Olivier Cornet Gallery
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Website: https://www.oliviercornetgallery.com/
Contact: +353 (0)87 288 7261
Address: 3 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, D01 NV63, Ireland
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm (till 8:00 pm on Thursdays)
- Sat and Sun: 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
I saw pieces in the Olivier Cornet Gallery that made me stop and think. The gallery is described as one of Ireland’s “most dynamic contemporary art galleries”.
It represents both Irish-based and international visual artists working across a variety of media, including painting and sculpture. There is also a browsing gallery area featuring over 250 artworks by their represented and invited artists, available for purchase.
6. SO Fine Art Editions
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Website: https://www.sofinearteditions.com/
Contact: +353 (0)87 2549884
Address: 2nd Floor, Powerscourt Centre, 59 South William Street, Dublin 2, D02 HF95, Ireland
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri: 10:00am to 5.30pm
- Sat: 11:00am to 5:00pm
SO Fine Art Editions is a haven for modern art lovers. With their collection of contemporary art, spanning from photography to sculpture, I was delighted to see beauty in different forms.
The gallery emphasises supporting both emerging and established artists. They specialise in original fine art prints (etchings, lithographs, and more), as well as paintings and photography—featuring both Irish and international artists.
The setting in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre provides a central and accessible location in Dublin’s city centre, close to major shopping and cultural zones.
7. Temple Bar Gallery + Studios
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Website: https://www.templebargallery.com/
Contact: +353 (0)1 671 0073
Address: 5 – 9 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 AC84, Ireland
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Sat: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Sun: 12 pm to 4:00 pm
Temple Bar Gallery + Studios has a busy atmosphere. With 30 artists working behind the scenes, it’s no wonder that there is a constant buzz in the air.
The gallery was originally housed in a disused shirt factory. In a major 1994 refurbishment, the building was reconfigured to include the gallery and studios.
The gallery hosts around five exhibitions per year, with a focus on solo shows and introducing international artists to Irish audiences. It also hosts public programs, including talks, workshops, and screenings.