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Free things to do in Dublin

9 places in Dublin with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Free things to do in Dublin

  1. See

    Green on Red Gallery

    Commercial gallery exhibiting Irish and international modern art.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-6PMFree

  2. See

    Hugh Lane Gallery

    Sir Hugh Lane (1875-1915) was one of the first collectors of modern art. He died in the sinking of Lusitania and this public gallery reflects his Will, which involved about as much negotiation, fudge and compromise as the Treaty for Irish independence. The permanent exhibitions are mostly contemporary Irish artists, plus Francis Bacon's studio, relocated from London in 2001. Charlemont House was built in 1763 and in 1929 its gardens were built over to create the gallery, which is wheelchair accessible.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-5PMFree

  3. See

    Irish Museum of Modern Art

    IMMA

    Modern and contemporary art, housed in the Royal Hospital of 1684. See also the elegant courtyard and formal gardens.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5:30PM, Sun noon-5:30PMFree

  4. See

    National Botanic Gardens

    Extensive gardens favouring alkaline-loving species. The great Palm House was where Wittgenstein often came to warm his lugubrious backside. A gateway leads into Glasnevin Cemetery adjacent. The gardens also manage the arboretum at Kilmacurragh near Wicklow Town.

    Mar-Oct Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-6PM; Nov-Feb Mon-Fri 9AM-4:30PM, Sat Sun 10AM-4:30PMFree

  5. See

    National Gallery of Ireland

    Impressive national collection of Irish and European Art. In January the gallery displays its watercolours by JMW Turner; the original donor specified that they had to be kept out of the light for the rest of the year.

    Tue Wed Fri Sat 9:15AM-5:30PM, Thu 9:15AM-8:30PM, Sun Mon 11AM-5:30PMFree

  6. See

    National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology

    Amazing display of Ireland's artefacts from prehistory through the Viking era to independence. The standout is the Treasury (with the 12th century Ardagh Chalice and 9th century Tara Brooch), and the prehistoric jewellery: gold and silver beautifully worked and carved.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun Mon 1-5PMFree

  7. See

    National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History

    The building is remarkable, a Georgian barracks around a parade square. Displays decorative arts and artefacts over 400 years, from rustic houses through Georgian elegance to "Proclaiming a Republic", the events of Easter 1916 when the interior decor of the Post Office took a sad turn for the worse.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun Mon 1-5PMFree

  8. See

    National Museum of Ireland - Natural History

    The "Dead Zoo" contains a comprehensive zoological collection presented in a manner unchanged since its establishment in Victorian times.

    closed for refurbishment as of April 2026, but some of the collections are on display in the Dead Zoo Lab at their Collins Barracks siteFree

  9. See

    Pearse Museum

    Patrick Pearse (1879-1916) saw Irish culture and language as essential for national independence. His one and only case as a barrister was his unsuccessful defence of a Donegal tradesman for using an "illegible" sign, and the verdict effectively made Irish signage illegal. He set up a language school in 1908, which moved here in 1910. He was also a leading Republican, reading the proclamation of independence on the GPO steps in the Easter Rising of 1916. He was court-martialled and shot nine days later.

    Daily Feb-Oct 9:30AM-5:30PM, Nov-Jan 9:30AM-4PMFree

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Dublin (CC BY-SA 4.0).