# National Gallery of Ireland — Dublin, Ireland

> The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin was founded in 1854 and houses Ireland's national collection of Western European and Irish art from the 14th century to the 20th century. Admission is entirely free. The permanent collection of approximately 16,500 works spans Italian Renaissance, Dutch and Flemish Golden Age, Spanish Baroque, French Impressionism, and an unparalleled survey of Irish art.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Monday–Saturday: 9:15 AM – 5:30 PM; Thursday until 8:30 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Admission: ✓ Free admission to permanent collection; special exhibitions may require a ticket
- Address: Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, D02 K303, Ireland
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://www.nationalgallery.ie/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- The Taking of Christ — Caravaggio · 1602
- The Liffey Swim — Jack B. Yeats · 1923
- Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid — Johannes Vermeer · c. 1670
- The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife — Daniel Maclise · 1854

## FAQ
**How was the Caravaggio rediscovered?**
The Taking of Christ (1602) hung for decades as a 'copy after Honthorst' in the dining room of the Leeson Street Jesuit community in Dublin. In 1990, art historian Sergio Benedetti identified it as the lost original Caravaggio — recognised through X-ray analysis, technical examination, and comparison with a 17th-century Roman inventory. It was subsequently loaned to the National Gallery, where it has been since 1993.

**What is special about Jack B. Yeats?**
Jack B. Yeats (1871–1957) is widely considered Ireland's greatest painter. His later works use bold, impasto brushwork and luminous colour to evoke landscapes, horses, circus scenes, and the Irish west. The National Gallery holds the largest collection of his work.

**How long should I spend at National Gallery of Ireland?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.

**What is National Gallery of Ireland best known for?**
The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin was founded in 1854 and houses Ireland's national collection of Western European and Irish art from the 14th century to the 20th century. Admission is entirely free. The permanent collection of approximately 16,500 works spans Italian Renaissance, Dutch and Flemish Golden Age, Spanish Baroque, French Impressionism, and an unparalleled survey of Irish art. Key highlights include Caravaggio's The Taking of Christ — rediscovered in a Dublin dining room in 1990, Jack B. Yeats — the world's largest collection of this major Irish modernist, Vermeer, Velázquez, Poussin, and Dutch Golden Age masters.

**How do I get tickets for National Gallery of Ireland?**
✓ Free admission to permanent collection; special exhibitions may require a ticket Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nationalgallery.ie/

**Where is the Yeats collection?**
Jack B. Yeats paintings are displayed in the dedicated Irish art galleries — the world's largest collection of his work, spanning his early illustrative style to the bold late paintings.

**Is the Natural History Museum next door?**
Yes — the Natural History Museum (the "Dead Zoo") is adjacent on Merrion Street. Both are free. Combine on a rainy Dublin afternoon.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-gallery-of-ireland/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.