VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at IMMA Dublin

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), located in Dublin’s Royal Hospital Kilmainham, is Ireland’s leading institution for modern and contemporary art, set on 48 acres of historic grounds.

What Visitors Can Expect at IMMA

Historic Setting and Architecture: Housed in the 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, modeled on Les Invalides in Paris, IMMA combines classic architecture with modern art. The elegant building, founded in 1684 by James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, features a central cobblestone courtyard and long corridors with interconnected rooms, offering a striking contrast to the contemporary artworks displayed within. The former stables, now artists’ studios, occasionally open for public visits, adding to the cultural experience.
Art Collection and Exhibitions: IMMA is home to the National Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art, with over 3,500 works by Irish and international artists, focusing on pieces from the 1940s onward. Notable artists include Louis le Brocquy, Dorothy Cross, Sean Scully, Marina Abramović, Louise Bourgeois, and Roy Lichtenstein. The museum hosts dynamic temporary exhibitions, often showcasing emerging artists across mediums like painting, sculpture, photography, installations, and digital art. Free introductory videos are available on IMMA’s YouTube channel or in-gallery screens, and audio recordings of talks are accessible on Soundcloud.
Gardens and Grounds: The 48-acre campus includes formal gardens, meadows, and a sculpture trail featuring outdoor installations from the collection. The well-maintained gardens, originally used for medicinal plants, offer manicured walks, trimmed hedges, and a maze-like layout, ideal for relaxation or picnics. The grounds are free to explore, with downloadable guides to identify plant life.
Visitor Amenities: Admission to IMMA’s permanent collection and most exhibitions is free, though some special exhibitions may require tickets. The on-site café, Fruition (formerly Kemp Sisters Café and The Flying Dog), offers indoor and outdoor seating with homemade cakes, scones, salads, hot meals, and gluten-free options. The IMMA Shop, located on the first floor, sells art books, prints, and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi is available in the main building (Virgin network), and there are lockers, baby-changing facilities, and adapted toilets.
IMMA is fully accessible, with lifts, wheelchair access, accessible restrooms, and free entry for carers. The grounds and galleries are navigable for visitors with reduced mobility, and assistance/guide dogs are welcome. Paid parking is available on-site, and the museum is an 8-minute walk from Heuston Station (Luas Red Line) or accessible via Dublin Bus routes 13, 40, 79, 79a, 123, or 145.
Engagement and Tours: The Visitor Engagement Team, identifiable by blue lanyards, provides knowledgeable insights into exhibitions and contemporary art. Free guided tours, lasting 30 minutes, are offered Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2:30 PM, introducing current exhibitions (no booking required, max 20 people). Group tours for schools or special interest groups must be booked two weeks in advance via Chris Jones (chris.jones@imma.ie). Studio10 offers free weekly sessions for adults, including tours, discussions, and art-making, with no booking required. Visitors can download exhibition guides from IMMA’s website.
Family-Friendly Features: IMMA provides family workshops, activity packs, and an art trail for children, guiding them through outdoor sculptures and installations. The campus is welcoming for families, though some note the gardens lack abundant flowers.
Visitor Feedback: Visitors praise IMMA’s free admission, thoughtful displays, and tranquil grounds, describing it as an “oasis of peace and inspiration.” The café’s fresh food and the staff’s friendliness are highlights, though some find the collection smaller than other major modern art museums or certain exhibits challenging to interpret. Others note the building’s history as more compelling than some displays, with occasional criticism of curation or organization.

Visitor Logistics:

Hours: Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–5:30 PM (last admission 5:15 PM), with extended hours on Wednesdays until 8:00 PM. Closed Mondays, except Bank Holidays, and December 24–26. Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 (Eircode: D08 FW31). A 15-minute walk from Kilmainham Gaol, Guinness Storehouse, or Phoenix Park, and easily combined with nearby attractions.
A typical visit lasts 2–3 hours, covering galleries, grounds, and the café. Guided tours or workshops may extend the visit.
Transport: Accessible via Luas (Heuston Station, 8-minute walk), Dublin Bus, or hop-on hop-off tours (DoDublin, City Sightseeing, Big Bus). Paid parking is available on-site.

What’s New for 2025

IMMA’s 2025 programme, announced on January 30, 2025, introduces several exciting developments, emphasizing the permanent collection, new exhibitions, and immersive events. Here are the highlights:
IMMA Collection: Art as Agency: A major three-year exhibition showcasing over 100 artists from the 1960s to the present, featuring key works from IMMA’s 3,500-piece National Collection, including recent acquisitions. This semi-permanent display uses thematic, chronological, geographical, and media-based approaches to explore how artworks connect across time and contexts, encouraging reflection on art’s role in shaping understanding and action. Described as a “rich durational experience,” it aims to deepen public engagement with Ireland’s modern and contemporary art.
Staying with the Trouble: An exhibition inspired by Donna Haraway’s work, featuring over 40 Irish and Ireland-based artists exploring urgent contemporary themes through diverse practices. This show, running alongside the EARTH RISING festival, emphasizes topical issues and artistic innovation.
Cecilia Vicuсa Exhibition: A solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Cecilia Vicuсa, inspired by her 2006 visit to Ireland, where she and James O’Hern honored archaeological sites with rituals of gratitude. The show features a site-specific quipu (an ancient Andean knotted cord system) created with local makers, referencing Aran sweater designs symbolizing nature, the sea, and Irish island life. Vicuсa’s work blends visual art, poetry, sound, and performance, offering a dynamic exploration of Irish heritage and indigenous traditions.
Textile-Focused Exhibitions: IMMA’s 2025 programme highlights artists working with textiles, including two with Irish connections, presenting their first solo exhibitions in Ireland. These shows will explore innovative uses of textiles in contemporary art.
EARTH RISING Festival (September 12–14, 2025): This vibrant festival of art, ecology, and ideas returns with the theme “Making Kin,” encouraging connections with each other and the natural world. Expect thought-provoking installations, interactive workshops, and talks merging creativity with climate action, complementing the Staying with the Trouble exhibition.
Dwell Here Residency: A new residency programme launching in 2025, supporting over 20 artists and researchers to engage with IMMA’s collection and grounds.
Living Canvas at IMMA: A partnership with IPUT Real Estate continues, showcasing contemporary art films and moving image works by Irish and international artists on Europe’s largest digital art screen in IMMA’s grounds. This two-year programme will feature new commissions in 2025, enhancing the outdoor experience.
Summer at IMMA and IMMA Nights: The Summer at IMMA programme will offer free events for all ages, including performances, screenings, talks, workshops, and tours, activating the 48-acre grounds. IMMA Nights, running Thursday and Friday evenings from May to September, will provide evening access to art and events, creating a vibrant cultural atmosphere.
Engagement and Learning Initiatives: IMMA’s 2025 Engagement & Learning programme will introduce new workshops, family activities, and Studio10 sessions, expanding opportunities for creative exploration. These initiatives aim to make contemporary art accessible and interactive for diverse audiences.

Visitor Expectations for 2025

In 2025, visitors to IMMA can expect a rich, multifaceted experience blending historic architecture, world-class modern art, and expansive grounds. The free admission, knowledgeable staff, and engaging programmes make it accessible and welcoming for art enthusiasts, families, and tourists.
The IMMA Collection: Art as Agency exhibition offers a deep dive into Ireland’s modern art legacy, while new shows like Staying with the Trouble and Cecilia Vicuсa’s textile-focused work promise innovative and thought-provoking displays.
The EARTH RISING festival and Summer at IMMA events will activate the grounds, creating immersive cultural experiences. Visitors should check the “What’s On” section of imma.ie for event schedules, as some activities may disrupt regular tours. The café and shop enhance the visit, though some find the café pricey. Combining IMMA with nearby attractions like Kilmainham Gaol or Phoenix Park makes for a full day of exploration. For the latest details, contact IMMA at info@imma.ie or +353 1 612 9900, or visit imma.ie.