VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at the National Museum Collins Barracks, Dublin

The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, located at Collins Barracks in Dublin’s Arbour Hill area, is a premier cultural institution housed in a historic former military barracks built in 1702. Renamed after Michael Collins in 1922, this neo-classical complex, once the world’s oldest continuously occupied barracks, has been a museum since 1997, showcasing Ireland’s decorative arts and military history. With free admission and a Travellers’ Choice Award, it welcomed over 222,000 visitors in 2024, offering a diverse, accessible experience.

The museum features two core collections across multiple floors in the West and East Blocks of the 18-acre site:

Decorative Arts: Includes Irish silver (first floor), period furniture and scientific instruments (second floor), and traditional furniture/woodcraft (third floor). Highlights are the Eileen Gray exhibition, showcasing the 20th-century designer’s modernist work, and the Irish Silver Exhibition, displaying centuries-old craftsmanship. The What’s in Store? visible storage in the East Block reveals artifacts like ceramics, glassware, and jewelry, typically inaccessible to the public.
Military History: The Soldiers and Chiefs exhibition traces Ireland’s military history from 1550 to the 21st century, covering the 1798 Rebellion, 1916 Easter Rising, War of Independence, and UN missions. Notable artifacts include Michael Collins’s coat (worn during his 1922 assassination), England’s king William III’s gauntlets from the Battle of the Boyne, and a pocketbook of Wolfe Tone, imprisoned at the barracks. The car park is closed from from Friday, August 15 to Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Temporary Exhibitions: The GAA: People, Objects & Stories exhibition (until 2026) explores the Gaelic Athletic Association’s cultural impact, featuring 15th-century hurling balls and Michael Collins’s hurl. Spoon Garden (until 2026) displays silver spoons in a wooden block, inspired by Covid-19 vegetable gardens. The Harry Clarke Stained Glass exhibition showcases the artist’s work.
Visitors explore a 100×100-yard parade ground before entering a modern foyer with automatic doors and lifts, ensuring accessibility. The collections blend history, art, and culture, with interactive monitors providing artifact details. The Eileen Gray and GAA exhibitions are highlights, though some find the military history displays disjointed or emotionally heavy due to graphic photos. A visit typically lasts 2–3 hours, with the free admission encouraging leisurely exploration. The Asgard yacht hall, showcasing a historic vessel, is a must-see.

Tours and Events:

The museum offers free guided tours, workshops, and talks year-round, bookable via www.museum.ie. The 2025 spring programme includes school tours (book 2 weeks in advance) with pre-tour packs for teachers. Public tours in May 2025 explore collections like the GAA exhibition. Notable events include:
Azure Dementia-Inclusive Tours: Tailored for dementia patients, enhancing accessibility.
ISL-Interpreted Tours: Regular tours for Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, with one in 2025 exploring LGBTQIA+ history.
Felt with Jorgensen Flair: A children’s felt-making workshop at Collins Barracks, fostering creativity.
Tours are engaging, with affable staff expanding on exhibits with Irish hospitality. The ISL and dementia-inclusive tours reflect a commitment to inclusivity. Events like live traditional music performances during TradFest (January 21–26, 2025) in the galleries, featuring artists like Sinéad McKenna and Sharyn Ward, add vibrancy, with a free Music Trail highlighting instruments like the Egan harp and Leo Rowsome’s uilleann pipes.

Visitor Facilities:

Accessibility and Logistics: Benburb St, Dublin 7, D07 XKV4, near Phoenix Park and Heuston Station, a 15-minute walk from Dublin city center. Accessible via Luas Red Line (Museum stop, outside the entrance), Dublin Bus (routes 25, 66, 67 to Church Street), or rail (Heuston Station, 5-minute walk).
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sunday–Monday: 1:00 PM–5:00 PM. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. The car park is closed from from Friday, August 15 to Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Admission: Free for all visitors. Guided tours and workshops are free but require booking via www.museum.ie or +353 1 677 7444. The DoDublin Days Out Card includes Collins Barracks with five other attractions for added value.
The museum includes a gift shop with books and souvenirs, a café serving light fare, and accessible amenities:
Fully wheelchair-accessible with four lifts, ramps, wide doors, and seven blue badge parking spaces (pay-and-display). Wheelchairs and mobile stools are available at reception. Baby-changing facilities are in all toilets, and pushchairs are permitted. Limited cloakroom services restrict items larger than backpacks; large bags must be stored.
Café and Shop: The café is praised for its pleasant setting, though prices are moderate. The shop offers unique items, including potential 2025 merchandise inspired by Michael Collins’s viral blue wolf-head slippers (not on display but considered for gift items).
The spacious, granite-faced barracks create an imposing yet welcoming atmosphere. The café and shop are convenient stops, and accessibility features ensure inclusivity, though some visitors note limited luggage storage as a minor inconvenience.
The museum’s location in the Historic Area Rejuvenation Project (HARP) zone, with Norse-influenced street names like Oxmantown Road, adds historical depth. Its proximity to Jameson Distillery Bow Saint (10-minute walk) and Roe & Co Distillery makes it ideal for a cultural itinerary. However, Benburb Street’s historical association with prostitution (noted until the 1990s) may surprise some visitors, though the area is now revitalized.

With 3,922 Tripadvisor reviews and a Travellers’ Choice Award, the museum is lauded for its free entry, diverse collections, and historic setting. The Eileen Gray, GAA, and Soldiers and Chiefs exhibitions are highlights, with artifacts like Michael Collins’s coat and the Fonthill Vase (1300 AD Chinese porcelain) drawing crowds. Staff hospitality and accessibility features enhance the experience, and the café/gift shop add convenience.

Some find the military history displays disjointed or graphic, and the decorative arts collection eclectic, with Asian art and coins feeling disconnected. The car park closure from from Friday, August 15 to Wednesday, September 3 limits access. The lack of interactive elements and dated presentation methods disappoint some, and the site’s size can overwhelm without a clear route.

What’s New::

To celebrate 75 years of Volkswagen in Ireland, the iconic “Ballsbridge Beetle” will be displayed at Collins Barracks on selected dates in summer 2025, alongside related artifacts.
The museum recently acquired Rory Gallagher’s 1961 and 1958 Fender Stratocasters for the National Collection, to be displayed in 2025 (dates unconfirmed). These iconic guitars, tied to the legendary Irish musician, enhance the museum’s music-related exhibits.
The car park is closed from from Friday, August 15 to Wednesday, September 3, 3035.

Visitor Expectations and Tips

The National Museum at Collins Barracks is a Dublin gem, offering free entry, diverse collections, and a historic neo-classical setting. The Eileen Gray, GAA, and Soldiers and Chiefs exhibitions, plus 2025 additions like the Volkswagen Beetle and Rory Gallagher’s guitars, cater to varied interests. Its accessibility, friendly staff, and proximity to attractions like Jameson Distillery Bow Saint (10-minute walk) and Phoenix Park make it ideal for a cultural day out.
The site’s size can overwhelm without a planned route, and Benburb Street’s historical red-light district context may surprise some, though the area is now safe. The café’s moderate prices and limited cloakroom services are minor drawbacks.
Tips: Plan a 2–3-hour visit, starting with the Eileen Gray and GAA exhibitions. Book free tours or TradFest events at www.museum.ie. Use the Luas Red Line (Museum stop) or Heuston Station for easy access. Bring only small bags due to limited storage. Visit Tuesday–Saturday mornings for fewer crowds, and check www.museum.ie for new exhibition details. Combine with nearby Roe & Co Distillery or Arbour Hill Cemetery for a full itinerary. For accessibility or school tours, contact +353 1 677 7444 or info@museum.ie. Use the DoDublin Days Out Card for added value.

National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History at Collins Barracks offers a rich exploration of Ireland’s cultural and military heritage, with free admission and standout exhibitions like Eileen Gray and GAA: People, Objects & Stories. Housed in the historic Collins Barracks near Dublin’s River Liffey, it’s a must-visit, easily paired with nearby attractions. For updates and bookings, visit www.museum.ie or call +353 1 677 7444.