George Bernard Shaw loved this place so much that he left it one-third of his royalties in perpetuity after he died. He saw it as paying a debt, so important was the gallery to his education. It is still a place to wander, wonder, and just be in thrall to so much beautiful art. Highlights of the permanent collection include paintings by Caravaggio, Gainsborough, Rubens, Goya, Rembrandt, Monet, and Picasso. The Irish national portrait collection is housed in one wing, while another area is devoted to the career of Jack B. Yeats (brother of W. B. Yeats), an Irish painter of some note. A 6-year, €30-million renovation finished in 2017 reopened two wings and added a glass-covered courtyard. (Check out the gravity-defying, 7m/22-ft. freeform sculpture by Cork artist Joseph Walsh, which stands sentinel over the new, light-filled space.) Major exhibitions change regularly, and the subjects are often more imaginative than just the usual run of retrospectives and national landscapes. In keeping with the “art for all” ethos that so enamored Bernard Shaw, entry to the permanent collection and many of the temporary shows is free.
Dublin
Travel Guide
Dublin› Attraction
National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Sq. West, Dublin 2
Our Rating
Hours
Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat 9:15am–5:30pm; Thurs 9:15am–8:30pm; Sun 11am–5:30pm; public holidays 10am–5:30pm
Transportation
DART: Pearse. Luas: St. Stephen's Green, Grafton St. Bus: 4, 7, 8, 39a, 46a.
Phone
01/661-5133
Prices
Free admission
Web site
National Gallery of Ireland

Map
Merrion Sq. West, Dublin 2 DublinNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.