Free Museums in Dún Laoghaire

"The National Gallery of Ireland was established in 1864 and today houses an extensive collection of Irish, Italian Baroque and Dutch Masters paintings. Visitors at the National Gallery of Ireland. Photo: Tourism Ireland."

"A magnificent Caravaggio and a breathtaking collection of works by Jack B Yeats – William Butler Yeats' younger brother – are the main reasons to visit the National Gallery, but certainly not the only ones."

"For the lovers of art, the National Gallery of Ireland is a must visit place. European art at its best has been displayed here. There are also a number of American paintings on these prestigious walls."

"Stroll the campus greens and pretend to be a student at one of Europe’s most prestigious universities, Trinity College. Many top thinkers and creators can call this university their alma mater (ahem, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett . . .). If you’re in the relative college age range and look comfortable enough, other tourists are bound to ask you for directions – now’s the time to practice that Irish accent!"

"Make your way back down Grafton Street to College Green, turn left and follow Dame Street to Dublin Castle. Again, the bus tour might have left you a bit underwhelmed here, so enter through the castle gates and be astonished. A walk around the area should take you half an hour, leaving you a bit of time to enjoy a coffee (both the café near the castle entrance and the Silk Road Café come recommended)."

"As the stronghold of British power in Ireland for more than 700 years, Dublin Castle has played a central - and often adversarial - role in the history of the nation. A mix of buildings from..."

"Situated within the imposing 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, IMMA is an impressive setting for modern art, one with a cobblestoned courtyard, gardens, and pretty benches overlooking the grounds. The collection itself consists of more than 3,500 pieces, with about 250 works on display at any given time. Although IMMA is a bit outside the city center—about a 30-minute walk from Dame Street—you can combine it with a visit to the Kilmainham Gaol, which is 15 minutes away by foot."

"There are a number of great free museums in Dublin which include the National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Hall, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Also keep an eye out for discount cards, coupons, and special deals to save money on tickets, tours, and meals."

"This is one of the most visited museums in Dublin with more than 400,000 visitors in one year. Here you can also take part in some permanent exhibitions as well as temporary collections. It takes in early Christian monuments, ancient burial grounds and many more."

"The Hugh Lane Gallery is one of Dublin's other great, free attractions that features the collectors collection which he bequeathed to the State along with over 2000 works of contemporary and modern art. The main attraction is the painter Francis Bacon's studio which was relocated in its entirety from London and gives an incredible insight into the cluttered, haphazard nature of the artist's method. The building itself, located on North Parnell Square is beautiful and airy - the perfect place to peruse slowly."

"For a taste of Irish history with your artwork, cycle down to Parnell Square and pay a visit to the Hugh Lane Gallery. The Lane Legacy collection, named after the gallery's founder, explores a time of huge culture in Ireland, showcasing works from a selection of Irish artists. Be sure to pay a visit to the Stained Glass Room, just beside the reception, when you visit too - it's not to be missed!"

"The Hugh Lane Gallery has an excellent collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures, as well as short-term exhibitions. But one thing really draws people to this gallery: the Francis Bacon Studio. When the artist died in London, his entire studio was transported back to his hometown of Dublin."

"Our first stop on our journey to find the best activities for kids in Dublin is Imaginosity. Billed as Dublin Children's Museum, this a child-centred space where kids and their parents can engage in creative play. The exhibits are educationally designed to inspire learning through play, and it's a massive hit with kids up to about 10 years old."

"Imaginosity is Ireland’s only interactive children’s museum. Its exhibitions and events are aimed at nine years and under but family members of any age can come along. There’s art, technology, construction, threatre, science, even a roof garden."

"Suitable for children up to 9 years of age this museum has been designed to stimulate children’s natural curiosity and ability to explore. Visit the website for directions, public transport options, opening hours and prices."

"Closing our list of the best museums in Dublin is the Zoological Museum. It is housed on the grounds of Trinity College and is home to over 25,000 specimens from around the globe."

"This museum is located in St. Enda’s Park in Dublin and offers insight into the home of the Irish patriot, Patrick Pearse."

"This atmospheric Indonesian restaurant is one of my favourite places for a romantic dinner. Make sure to ask for a table upstairs in their ‘Bali room’, adorned with Balinese decorations, where guests sit comfortably around low tables. The chameleon specialises in rijst-tafel (rice-table), where staff light hot plates on your table and several small dishes are brought to you at the same time."

"what’s more romantic than getting dressed up and strolling around dublin’s temple bar?. run by husband and wife team carol and kevin, chameleon restaurant serves up contemporary indonesian cuisine with warm irish hospitality. guests can fully trust the staff recommendations in this restaurant – they know their stuff!"

"In the heart of Temple Bar lies Umi Falafel, your hub for delectable Middle Eastern food. Offerings include a vast amount of vegan options. In fact, most of the menu is vegan, so you won’t be disappointed."

"Umi Falafel is a restaurant specialising in Falafel, Middles Eastern Mezze and fresh salads. The restaurant is located on Dame Street beside Dublin Castle in the centre of Dublin."

"This casual, unpretentious restaurant serves up Lebanese cuisine, and except for a couple of dishes that include cheese, the majority of Umi Falafel’s menu is vegan. Here you’ll find freshly prepared, home-made falafel in sandwiches and salads, along with sides like vegan spinach filo pastries, stuffed vine leaves and lentil soup. With a number of branches throughout Dublin, Umi Falafel can be found in Ireland’s oldest shopping mall, George’s Street Arcade."

"It's impossible to visit Dublin and not investigate the new incarnation of Bewley’s, reopened after years of restoration. This fine old coffee house was a firm favourite for close on a century, and its recent reappearance is a cheering sight. Come here for coffee, savouries, sweet treats (including the signature Bewley’s cherry buns, and ‘Mary cake’, a rich confection of apricot and chocolate) – and to admire the glorious Harry Clarke stained-glass windows which illuminate the café."

"Bewley’s Café on busy Grafton Street is more of a Dublin institution than a simple restaurant. You will probably smell the freshly baked bread and hot-out-of-over muffins before you step through the door into the landmark café. The recently restored Bewley’s even offers tours of the interior."

"78- 79 Grafton Street, Dublin 2Mon – Fri from 7:30am, Sat 8am, Sun 9am. Bewley’s Grafton Street is one of Dublin’s most iconic and celebrated landmarks. As well as a selection of their freshly baked pastries and breads, they also serve a selection of delicious hot breakfasts."

"People have queued for hours for a taste of their unique sundaes and decadent desserts. They're located in Dun Laoghaire and Donabate and also have plans to franchise this year. Some of our favourite menu items are the Bueno Waffle Cone, The Melting Snowman and Scrum-fiteroles."

"Scrumdiddly’s in Donabate and Dun Laoghaire are officially opened for click and collect. Just visit their website, choose your own flavours and delicious toppings and check out. Try not to get too overwhelmed though; there are over 2,400 combinations to choose from."

"Scrumdiddly is an Irish favourite, and people are even talking about it as the best ice cream parlour in the country. The ice cream parlour is the home of the Scrummy Tub. You can fill it, top it, stick it and drip it."

"With five front units open seven days a week and over 25 stalls springing to life at the weekends, Howth Market is one of the focal points of this quaint seaside town and attracts locals just as much as those from further afield. Conveniently located beside the DART station, this market is perfect for browsing on a sunny day before heading along the cliff walk or onto the pier. Though the market sells a great mix of wares, from woodwork to antique jewellery, the food is the highlight."

"There are so many reasons to visit this picturesque northside village on the weekend. But the market is a good enough reason in its own right. You're likely to find an array of organic produce, freshly baked goods, jewellery, clothing, antiques and loads more when checking out this market."