A colourful encounter at the National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland is a beloved heritage and cultural site for both locals and tourists. I still remember my most recent visit, revelling at the beauty of the Sarah Purser exhibit.
The gallery is home to a wide selection of Irish paintings, a tradition that dates back to 1854. Since its opening to the public 10 years ago, it has been a beloved spectacle and tourist attraction in Dublin City.
If you’re looking to go for a quick visit to the National Gallery, then I’ve got the guide for you. I’ll be sharing everything you need to know when visiting the National Gallery. I’ll even throw in a few tips to make your visit that much more interesting.
What is the National Gallery of Ireland Known for?
The National Gallery of Ireland is renowned for its extensive collection of Irish paintings, spanning from antiquities to contemporary works. It is also known to host a few paintings from their European neighbours.
Best Time to Go to the National Gallery of Ireland
The best time to visit the National Gallery of Ireland is on Thursday. This is when the gallery is open to its latest time slot of 8:30 PM. There are also a lot fewer people at the gallery on Thursday, as it is a weekday.
Things to Know about the National Gallery of Ireland
Address: The National Gallery of Ireland is located at Merrion Square W, Dublin 2, just in front of Merrion Square Park. It is close to other popular tourist sites such as the National Museum of Ireland at Kildare and Merrion Street.
Operating Hours: The National Gallery of Ireland’s operating hours vary daily. Here is a table showcasing the gallery’s different operating hours.
| THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND OPERATING HOURS | |
| Date | Hours |
| Monday | 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:15 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:15 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9:15 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:15 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:15 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
Parking: There is no parking available at the National Gallery of Ireland, except for designated disabled parking spaces. However, metered parking spaces are available on Merrion Square.
Contact Information: You can contact the gallery via their mobile number at +353 1 661 5133 or through their email address at [email protected].
Accessibility at the National Gallery of Ireland
Free Entry: There are two temporary exhibits each year that have admission fees. Carers are given free access to these exhibits when accompanying those in their care, provided they have the necessary documents and identification.
Disabled Parking: The National Gallery of Ireland provides four designated disabled parking spaces located outside the Merrion Square entrance.
Accessible Gallery: The entire gallery is wheelchair- and buggy-accessible. Wheelchairs are also available to borrow upon request at the gallery.
Assistance Dogs: Assistance dogs are permitted entry into the gallery, provided they are accompanied by proper documentation.
Accessible Toilets: There are accessible bathrooms located at the Millennium Wing on Level 1 and Level -1, and in the Beit Wing on Level -1.
How to Get to the National Gallery of Ireland
Car: You can easily access the National Gallery of Ireland by heading to Merrion Square West. It is reachable via Merrion Street Upper or Merrion Street Lower. There is no parking available at the gallery, so you will need to park in the metered parking area at Merrion Square.
Dublin Bus: There are quite a few Dublin Bus routes that traverse near the National Gallery of Ireland. Here is a list of the routes and the appropriate bus stop.
| Dublin Bus Route | Bus Stop | Operating Hours |
| Route 15A | Merrion Square West | Monday to Friday:6:25 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:5:20 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:8:15 AM – 11:15 PM |
| Route 15B | Merrion Square West | Monday to Saturday:6:00 AM – 11:20 PM Sunday:8:15 AM – 11:15 PM |
| Route 26 | Merrion Square West | Monday to Friday:5:45 AM – 11:25 PM Saturday:6:15 AM – 11:25 PM Sunday:7:00 AM – 11:25 PM |
| Route 44 | Merrion Square West | Monday to Friday:6:45 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday:7:30 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday:9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Route 44D | Merrion Square West | Monday to Friday:6:35 AM – 5:28 PM |
Bike: There is no bike parking at the National Gallery, but you can easily get there via Merrion Street Upper or Merrion Square West. However, you can park your bikes at Merrion Square.
There are two different Dublin Bikes stations beside the National Gallery. One is located at Clare Street, and another is at Merrion Square West.
Luas Tram System: The closest Luas stop to the gallery is the Dawson Street stop, located on the Green Line. This is around a 6-minute walk from the gallery.
DART Commuter Rail: The closest DART station is Pearse Station, a 5-minute walk from the gallery.
Taxi: You can easily ride a taxi to the gallery, as it’s quite well-known among locals. This may be an expensive option, depending on your location.
How Much is a Ticket to the National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland is free to visit and doesn’t require booking before heading to the gallery.
Types of Tours in the National Gallery of Ireland
There are four different types of tours available to the public at the National Gallery of Ireland. These are split between guided and self-guided tours.
Self-Guided Tour (Permanent Collection)
| Self-Guided Tour (Permanent Collection) | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The Self-Guided Tour of the permanent collections is free and open to the public. However, if you are a group, you will need to book a specific timeslot to explore the museum. You can book here for Clare Street and here for Merrion Square.
For those going on their own or with a partner, you won’t need to book your visit as these bookings are mainly tailored to group visits.
Self-Guided Tour (Ticketed Exhibition)
| Self-Guided Tour (Ticketed Exhibition) | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
Self-guided tours are also available for the ticketed exhibitions at the National Gallery. These exhibits require paid tickets and are booked when they become available for a specific timeslot.
The ticketed exhibition can also be availed of when you’re already at the gallery. However, this option is only available to those entering these exhibits solo or with an additional person. You can book here for the ticketed exhibition.
Private Guided Tours
| Private Guided Tours | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
Private guided tours are available for both the temporary and permanent collections. These tours are booked two weeks in advance and can only host up to 15 people. The price will vary depending on the tour.
These private guided tours will cost €100 if you’re looking to view the permanent collection. As for the temporary exhibits, their cost will vary. You can enquire via their email at [email protected].
Free Guided Tours
| Free Guided Tours | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The National Gallery of Ireland offers free guided tours throughout the year. These guided tours are free to the public, and you simply need to be at the gallery at the specific time to join them.
These tours will cover a specific section of the gallery, and not the entire gallery. Be sure to visit here to see all the upcoming events, so you can easily plan which specific exhibit you’re willing to tour.
Where to Stay near the National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland is located near Dublin City Centre. As such, there are several hostels and hotels nearby where you can stay. Here are a few hotels and hostels nearby that we recommend.
The Dawson Hostel
Media Credit: The Dawson Hostel Instagram
Website: https://thedawsonhostel.ie
Address: 35 Dawson St, Dublin 2, D02 CR29, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 263 5010
Price Range: Starts at €23
The Dawson Hostel is situated in the heart of Dublin City Centre and is ideal for backpackers and tourists seeking affordable accommodation. We love it simply because it’s close to several different tourist spots and is quite accessible.
Some of the most notable amenities at The Dawon Hostel include a guest kitchen available to all guests, a comfortable and spacious common room, and an all-access TV lounge for guests.
It is a short walk away from the National Gallery of Ireland’s Clare Lane entrance, around 9 minutes of travel time through Molesworth Street and the R138.
Marlin Hotel
Media Credit: Marlin Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.marlin.com/dublin/
Address: 11 Bow Lane E, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, D02 AY81, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 522 2000
Price Range: Starts at €144
The Marlin Hotel is a contemporary hotel in Dublin City, offering access to some of the city’s most famous sites. Located in Dublin City Centre, the Marlin offers cosy accommodation to those willing to stay at their wonderful hotel.
We love the Marlin for their spacious co-working space area, which is open to all guests on the ground floor. It has a muted yet colourful decor in both the lobby and hotel rooms.
It is located at Bow Lane, near St. Stephen’s Green. It’s a short walk away to the gallery, around 16 minutes. Alternatively, you can ride the Luas to the Dawson Street stop, which will take around 14 minutes from the St. Stephen’s Green stop.
Brooks Hotel
Media Credit: Brooks Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.brookshotel.ie
Address: 62 Drury St, Dublin 2, D02 TV06, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 670 4000
Price Range: Starts at €209
The Brooks Hotel is situated near Grafton Street and is a beloved 4-star hotel that offers both affordability and luxury. We love them simply because of their location and the wonderfully kind and helpful staff.
Some of the amenities that you’ll be looking forward to when staying at the Brooks Hotel are the coffee machines and in-house cinema that’s perfect for lounging.
Abbey Court Hostel
Media Credit: Abbey Court Hostel Instagram
Website: https://www.abbey-court.com
Address: 29 Bachelors Walk, North City, Dublin, D01 AX90, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 878 0700
Price Range: Starts at €19
Abbey Court Hostel is a beloved hostel for both locals and tourists alike, thanks to its affordable yet high-quality accommodations. We love Abbey Court simply because it’s a wonderful place to stay and a great spot to meet new friends when in a new city.
Notable amenities include its modern cinema room, complimentary breakfast for guests, and a comfortable hammock room.
It is a one-bus-ride away from the gallery. You simply need to ride the Route 26 bus from the Westmoreland Street stop to the Clare Street stop, and you should be at the gallery in around 13 minutes.
Hilton Garden Inn
Media Credit: Hilton Garden Inn Instagram
Website: https://www.hilton.com
Address: Custom House Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, D01 V9X5, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 854 1500
Price Range: Starts at €157
The Hilton Garden Inn is a familiar sight to travellers across the world. It has a wide selection of properties and hotels located in various nations, and Ireland is no exception.
It offers several notable benefits to guests. These include an on-site restaurant, complimentary Wi-Fi for current guests, and digital check-in for Hilton Honours members.