An Art Lover’s Guide to Dublin

One of the must-visit art spots in Dublin, this contemporary gallery has a huge collection of pieces both on display and in their expansive archives, set within the 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham building, which you’ll pass by on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus just outside the city center. There are usually a few exhibitions in the mix, but IMMA is also one of the hottest hangouts for Dubliners, with a full schedule of summer activities like live music, yoga classes, and sound baths, all of which are free.

Sure, there are some incredible art galleries in Dublin, but some of the best artworks are to be found on the city walls and down alleyways. Take a walk around Smithfield or along Camden Street and you’ll find plenty of large-scale murals, like the giant “Don’t Be Afraid” piece by Maser or the psychedelic portrait of a boy on a horse by Subset. If you want to properly explore the Dublin art scene, take a street art walking tour, led by expert guides who know all the best spots.

Home to many of Dublin's artistic treasures, the Hugh Lane Gallery is primarily a contemporary art space, but also has Impressionist paintings and a great selection of Harry Clarke stained glass. A highlight is Francis Bacon’s studio, which was brought over from London and reassembled with painstaking precision, with each dirty paintbrush and dusty Champagne bottle positioned exactly as it was found. Visit on a Sunday lunchtime, and you can check out the live concerts held in the gallery. The café downstairs is excellent, too.

If you want to get right into the heart of Dublin's vibrant art community, a trip to Atelier Now is a must. This creative studio is the main gallery for the renowned street artist Maser, but there are always different artists-in-residence as well. Here, you'll also find wellness events like yoga and running clubs, alongside exhibitions and live music, as well as the odd festival, too. It’s a fairly recent addition to the city, but it’s quickly established itself as a hidden gem in the Dublin art scene.

You might think a trip to Trinity College’s Long Room is more of a must-visit for book lovers. But the all new Book of Kells Experience combines immersive, multimedia audiovisual exhibitions that tell the story of this sacred text, in a purpose built studio that brings the whole tale alive. And in the Long Room library itself, there’s an art installation built into the main space of the barrel-vaulted ceiling—a giant rotating depiction of planet Earth called Gaia.

Insider tip: Avoid the crowds with a timed-access guided tour and learn more about this illuminated manuscript.

When you’re exploring Dublin's art districts, the neighborhood of Temple Bar may not spring to mind. But look beyond the tourist pubs and souvenir shops and you’ll find a huge array of street art, some of which has been there for decades. Take a stroll along the open-air Icon Walk and you’ll even find pieces dedicated to true Irish icons, with explanatory information boards alongside. There are sections dedicated to music and movies, poets and novelists, and even the unique sense of Irish humor.

Set inside an impressive building on Dublin’s unofficial museum mile, the National Gallery of Ireland is where you’ll find the most comprehensive collection of art in the city. There’s a permanent collection featuring pieces from Caravaggio, Picasso, and the Irish artist Jack B. Yeats, as well as a wing dedicated to the Impressionists. If you’re really an art enthusiast, an insider tip is to visit on a Thursday morning or Sunday afternoon, when they unveil the delicate watercolor “Hellelil and Hildebrand, the Meeting on the Turret Stairs” for just an hour at a time, to protect the painting from daylight.

This photography gallery on Meeting House Square may be small, but its rotating series of exhibitions sure packs a punch. There are usually a couple of different artists displaying their work upstairs, with both stills and video installations, and if you catch the start of a new exhibition there’s usually a launch party to celebrate. They also run regular photography workshops, covering everything from darkroom skills to smartphone photography. On Saturdays, there’s a street food market on the square outside.

A combination of art gallery, workshop space, and studios, the Royal Hibernian Academy of Art (RHA) is a hub for Dublin artists. While there are exhibitions year-round, the biggest event on the calendar is the RHA Annual Exhibition, the largest and longest-running open-submission art exhibition in Ireland. It’s usually held all summer long, and is a great way to scope out the best new talent on the Irish art scene. After you visit, check out Margadh RHA, a café by day and wine bar by night, and a favorite among Dublin foodies.