VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at the National Museum Kildare Street Dublin

The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, located on Kildare Street in Dublin, is a premier cultural institution showcasing Ireland’s rich archaeological heritage in a stunning Victorian Palladian building.

What Visitors Can Expect

Historic Building: Opened in 1890, the museum is housed in a magnificent Victorian Palladian-style building designed by Thomas Newenham Deane and his son, Thomas Manly Deane. The grand rotunda, with its domed roof, marble columns quarried from counties like Cork and Galway, and intricate zodiac mosaic floor, is a highlight. The central space, surrounded by an ornate balcony, creates an awe-inspiring setting for the collections.
Collections and Exhibitions: The museum is the national repository for over twom archaeological artefacts, displayed across seven galleries, spanning from 7000 BC to the 20th century:
Ór – Ireland’s Gold: Features Europe’s finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts, including over 50 gold lunulas and the Broighter Collar from the Iron Age.
Kingship and Sacrifice: Showcases Iron Age bog bodies, such as Old Croghan Man, alongside Ralaghan Man and other bog finds, offering insights into ancient rituals.
The Treasury: Highlights Celtic and medieval art, including iconic treasures like the Ardagh Chalice, Tara Brooch, Saint Patrick’s Bell, and Derrynaflan Hoard, showcasing early Irish craftsmanship.
Viking Ireland: Displays artefacts from Viking settlements, including weapons and silver hoards from the Battle of Clontarf (1014).
Medieval Ireland: Covers 1150–1550, with ecclesiastical and secular objects.
Prehistoric Ireland: Explores life from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.
Ancient Egypt and Ceramics & Glass from Ancient Cyprus: Includes an Egyptian mummy (Tentdinebu) and Cypriot artefacts, broadening the museum’s scope.
Clontarf 1014: Examines the Battle of Clontarf with Viking and Irish weapons and silver hoards.

Visitor Logistics:

Admission is free, though online booking is required for crowd management. The museum shop in the lobby offers gifts, books, jewellery, and replicas (e.g., Viking hats, coffee table books), appealing to both kids and adults. The café serves traditional Irish fare like soup, soda bread, apple tarts, and chocolate biscuit cake, ideal for a quick stop. Free Wi-Fi (Virgin network) is available, and there are accessible toilets, lockers, and baby-changing facilities.
The ground floor is wheelchair-accessible, but the second floor is not. Wheelchairs are available at the reception desk, and blue badge parking is nearby on Dawson Street, Saint Stephen’s Green, and Merrion Square West. Public paid parking is available off Dawson Street or at Setanta Place, with on-street pay-and-display parking a 10-minute walk away at Merrion Square. Assistance and guide dogs are permitted.
Engagement and Tours: Knowledgeable staff at the reception desk assist with queries. Guided tours (available sporadically, check the events calendar) and lectures highlight key exhibits, though regular guided tours are not guaranteed. The museum offers a year-round programme of workshops, talks, and family activities, with downloadable activity sheets for kids. The layout can be confusing, but a printed museum map helps visitors navigate. A virtual tour is available online for pre-visit planning.
Family-Friendly Features: The museum provides activity sheets for children, and exhibitions like the bog bodies and gold artefacts captivate young visitors. The free admission and nearby attractions (e.g., Merrion Square, National Gallery of Ireland, Museum of Literature Ireland) make it ideal for a family day out.
Hours: Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sunday–Monday, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM. (check www.museum.ie for updates). Kildare Street, Dublin 2, near Leinster House and the National Library. Accessible via Luas (Dawson Street stop), Dublin Bus (routes passing Kildare Street), or a short walk from Pearse Station.
A typical visit lasts 1.5–3 hours, depending on interest.A quick walk-through takes about an hour, while a thorough exploration of exhibits and the café may extend to 3 hours.
Visitor Feedback: Visitors praise the free entry, clean facilities, and extensive collections, particularly the bog bodies and gold artefacts, which are “more thorough and fascinating than expected” due to bogs’ preservation qualities. The building’s architecture is a standout, though some find the layout confusing and note the lack of regular guided tours. The café is appreciated for its homey Irish food, but some visitors suggest more signage for navigation.

What’s New for 2025

The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology continues to evolve, with several new developments and exhibitions planned for 2025, reflecting its commitment to accessibility, education, and cultural engagement. Based on available information, here are the highlights:
Words on the Wave: Ireland and Saint Gallen in Early Medieval Europe: This temporary exhibition showcases manuscripts and metalwork from the early medieval period for the first time together. A centerpiece is the Lough Kinale bookshrine, displayed post-conservation, highlighting Ireland’s artistic and cultural connections with Saint Gallen, Switzerland. The exhibition explores the rich history and interwoven artistry of early medieval Ireland, offering a fresh perspective on manuscripts like the Faddan More Psalter. Located at Kildare Street, it opened on May 30 and is a must-see for history and art enthusiasts.
Enhanced School and Community Programmes: The museum’s spring 2025 programme introduces new guided tours, workshops, and resources for primary and post-primary schools, focusing on interactive learning about Ireland’s archaeological heritage. These include classroom and at-home resources inspired by the collections, aimed at engaging students with artefacts like the Ardagh Chalice and bog bodies.
Accessibility Improvements: Regular Irish Sign Language (ISL) tours are now offered for Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, enhancing inclusivity. These join existing accessibility features like wheelchair availability and blue badge parking.
Continued Integration with Project 2040: As part of a 15-year vision (2018–2032), the museum is working on long-term plans to connect its Kildare Street site with the Natural History Museum on Merrion Street, via a physical link. While not fully realized in 2025, visitors will notice early signs of this integration, such as updated signage or joint programming. The €85m capital investment announced in 2018 supports these efforts.
Regional Context: The closure of the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (“Dead Zoo”) for a major refurbishment in 2025 shifts focus to Kildare Street. Some Natural History specimens, like Spoticus the Giraffe and Blaschka glass models, will be displayed at a new “Dead Zoo Lab” at Collins Barracks from spring 2025, encouraging combined visits with Kildare Street.
In 2025, visitors to the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology can expect a captivating journey through Ireland’s ancient past, from 7000 BC to the medieval period, housed in a breathtaking Victorian building. The free admission, iconic artefacts like the Ardagh Chalice and bog bodies, and the new Words on the Wave exhibition will appeal to what Tourism Ireland marketing department calls the “culturally curious”, families, and casual visitors alike. The museum’s compact size allows for a focused visit, though navigation may require a map. The café and shop enhance the experience, and nearby attractions like Merrion Square or the National Gallery make for a full cultural day in Dublin. Check the events calendar on www.museum.ie for tour schedules, workshops, or updates on the Words on the Wave exhibition. For inquiries, contact bookings@museum.ie or +353 1 677 7444.