National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology

National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology

National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
4.5
10:00 - 17:00
Monday
13:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
10:00 - 17:00
Thursday
10:00 - 17:00
Friday
10:00 - 17:00
Saturday
10:00 - 17:00
Sunday
13:00 - 17:00
About
The National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology is the national repository for all archaeological objects found in Ireland and home to over two million artefacts. Permanent Exhibitions: Our exhibitions include the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in western Europe, outstanding examples of metalwork from the Celtic Iron Age and the Museum’s world-renowned collection of medieval ecclesiastical objects and jewellery. The Treasury: Ór - Ireland's Gold, Prehistoric Ireland, Kingship and Sacrifice, Viking Ireland, Medieval Ireland, Ancient Egypt, Ceramics and Glass from Ancient Cyprus, Life and Death in the Roman World. There is also a number of Temporary Exhibitions taking place.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Neighbourhood: South City Centre
How to get there
  • St. Stephen's Green • 6 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
  • FrequentFlier742178
    Leigh-on Sea, United Kingdom30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the best museums I’ve ever been to!!
    Wow, these exhibitions are top notch- the whole place is so well laid out, detailed explanations, easy to follow routes, clean toilets, friendly staff. The exhibits are just incredible, so well displayed, fascinating and unique. Well worth a visit
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 14 March 2024
  • shabaron
    Rockville, Maryland155 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing museum that’s free
    We were jet lagged when we visited this museum, but we still enjoyed it. The building itself is gorgeous. They have artifacts from many time periods, including the Vikings. There are even bodies that have been unearthed that are on display. Highly recommended.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 26 March 2024
  • Explorer778015
    Harrogate, United Kingdom41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing finds of Ireland's past
    It's not huge but what is there is fabulous. Most of it has been dug out of the ever decreasing bogs and go back centuries. The main centre is full of gold treasures which are just amazing. There is a large Viking section and some Egyptian artefacts they secured at some point. The bit I hadn't expected but were fascinating were the Bog Bodies. This is a trigger warning. They are avoidable because to reach them you have to descend through a spiral blocking accidental glimpses from outside and restricting light to the remains. Amazing to see what was preserved but recognise this is not for everyone.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 April 2024
  • Αγγελικη Θ
    24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Let's go museum!
    One of the most interesting museums in Dublin and even free! Incredible treasures of archaeological interest gathered in a beautiful building and superbly sorted. Prehistory and ancient times through the daily life of the Irish. Viking treasure will thrill you! Museum that is attractive for every age!
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 May 2024
  • Paul B
    Chirnside Park, Australia1,135 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just Amazing for the Gold
    It is mind blowing what has been discovered throughout Ireland from a historical perspective. The gold artefacts are just amazing. The canoe found in the peat bogs is stunning. Even human remains are preserved. It can take a while to look around but it is close to the Gallery so should be on the list. And it's Free.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 May 2024
  • Extremely normal person
    Houston, Texas71 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An excellent museum and a great introduction to Ireland
    This museum was recommended to us by a friend who had grown up in Dublin, and it really delivered. Admission to the museum is free, the building is clean, the explanations of the artifacts are clear and interesting, and the collection is really extensive and impressive. Irish archeology is so much more thorough and fascinating than one might expect, owing in part to the ability of bogs to preserve things that would have been lost forever in other places. This museum covers both the prehistory and early history of Ireland. The artifacts are amazing, many worked in exquisite detail. Bogs preserved even the long dead. Our party started our Irish trip with this museum, and, in retrospect, it was the ideal orientation to Ireland. My children (14, 11, 7yo) were among our number, and they also enjoyed the museum. My teenager especially liked the bogs, but thought that the preserved people were disturbing.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 June 2024
  • CoastGuardSteve
    Paducah, Kentucky364 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    FREE and a must see!
    The National Museum was a great walkthrough. To start with, it’s free, but it has some amazing artifacts through the museum. It took us around 90 minutes to see everything. It’s amazing to me that the artifacts could have survived as long as they did before they were found and put under glass. Great explanation of bogs and how they were formed plus all the things that came out of it.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 2 July 2024
  • karoleigh
    North Carolina4,084 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Free museum with great history
    We visited this museum years ago and decided to see it again on this trip because we liked it so much the last time we saw it. Visitors can see Irish history and also Viking history there that spans throughout the ages. It is sectioned off well to separate the various eras in history. Some of the stuff that was found and placed in the museum surprised me. Visitors can learn a lot about history of Ireland while visiting this museum.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 July 2024
  • Renee C
    Eugene, Oregon182 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wish we had more time
    My husband is a lover of both museums and archeology. He thought this was great. He especially enjoyed the Irish war and Egyptian displays upstairs. We were there about 2 hours but he would have liked at least 30 minutes more. I on the other hand don't like museums so was glad it was free and that there was a bench where I could read my book.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 September 2024
  • Ellen F
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent, free, great way to start one's experience in Dublin and Ireland
    An underrated gem in Dublin, it is free and amazing. Really well laid out. Incredible exhibits and explanations. I did it 2 days in a row. Do go early as the school kids arrive near mid-day and it is a mad house. See the bog people of Ireland!! And the Vikings!! and early Christianity!! Marvelous
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 26 September 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles5,863 reviews
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Leandro Rizzardi
Sao Paulo, SP75 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
I went to the Archeology Museum on the same day I went to the National Gallery, as they are both very close to each other. And both are free! So, just arrive and enter.

I have to say that this was one of my favorite museums on my entire trip to Dublin. I'm someone who really likes to observe historical objects and think about everything that happened to what's in front of me, the people who were also in front of it... it's incredible!

Inside, there are a few rooms, and this is not a very large museum, so it is easy to find your way around. In the center, there are some objects on display, telling a little about the history of Ireland and the people who lived there. In the surrounding area, there are other small exhibitions, two of which are worth highlighting: that of the bodies of people that were preserved for hundreds of years naturally and that of the Vikings.

For sensitive reasons, the preserved bodies are left down a small ramp, behind a column, so that only those who really want to see them can see them. I found it fascinating! They are trunks, heads and other body parts of those who lived even before Christ. Craziness!

The Vikings part is also very interesting, bringing the weapons, clothes and accessories of a people who are so mentioned in world popular culture.

If you have a little time left on your itinerary, I highly recommend stopping by the Archeology Museum. I think it's just not worth it if you're looking for something more exciting.
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Written 9 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marie p
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Couples
This was one of the last museums we visited across our 2 month long visit to Europe, during this trip we went to many museums and had many different tour guides but my husband and I, and our friends all agreed that we got the best tour here in the Dublin museum, Elenor, one of the museum staff, was so engaging and knew so much that we ended up not only going on one tour with her, but went on the second offering also, both of which were free of charge! She had a way of keeping us engaged, she was incredibly patient with not only our questions but with our slower walking pace (we’re both on walking sticks), she also just putting everything across in simple and understandable language, a skill not many tour guides have. She also managed to keep not only us oldies interested but had the kids on the tour hanging on to her every word. I learned more about Irish history in these 2 1 hour hours than I had from reading several books and attending several paid guided tours in Dublin. Could not recommend her enough and definitely request and ask if she is there if you visit the Dublin museum.
Written 23 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alex B. V.
Salamanca, Spain862 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 • Family
The Museum contains relics of the historical evolution of the country.
Admission is free although there are posters requesting a voluntary collaboration of 5€ per visitor.
In an hour and a half or two you can see all the rooms of the museum.
Automatically translated
Written 3 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Serhiy
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
We arrived first thing on a Friday morning, pouring rain and umbrellas blown to bits by the wind so we were soaked. But we cancelled our outdoor activities because of the rain and decided wisely to tour this FREE museum. I would recommend the guided tour, our guide is a trained and degreed archaeologist who has worked in Ireland for 17 years and she is incredibly knowledgeable.

I was very pleased with the tour, but could have easily spent the whole day instead of a quick 45 minutes for the tour.

I have to say, the museum artefacts and their presentation and history are just simply fantastic. There are many displays of artefacts that are from recent finds in Ireland - I went for the Broighter Boat but also saw amazing torques and brooches and reliquaries that are works of fine artistry from early Irish history.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Landlock47
Indiana521 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
The exhibits were interesting but the building's interior architecture blew me away. The interior is stunning. I find it a bit odd that the Museum doesn't open its doors until 1 o'clock in the afternoon. On a good weather day, standing outside waiting isn't a problem but it wasn't one of those days. It was pouring rain and everyone was soaked. Wish they had a reception area where people could be out of the elements, if need be.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EverS.
Austria475 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Couples
Prepare for an organized and captivating adventure filled with surprises around every corner.

Plan to spend about two hours exploring all the exhibits. Keep in mind that photography is allowed in some areas but restricted in others.

Don't forget to check out the shopping area at the end for souvenirs. Best of all, admission is free—though leaving a tip is appreciated!
Written 21 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mrs B
London, United Kingdom46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
We fortunately visited Dublin during National Heritage week and the museum was offering a range of free tours. We attended one of the 'highlights' tour and really enjoyed it! Our guide (I think her name was Eleanor) was so informative and really happy to answer any questions from the group. After the tour, we were able to explore the museum ourselves and go back to some of the exhibits highlighted within the tour. The exhibits are beautiful and displayed respectfully. We would absolutely recommend if you have a chance to visit!
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Quill2005
Ocala, FL266 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
There's definitely a lot to see her on Irish history from an archeological perspective, which means all of the items here are very very old. The gold exhibition was also of interest. Entrance fee is free and it's located near the other main museums of Dublin.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisamarie L
Madison, WI958 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Solo
I was wandering around Dublin and saw signs to this and was pretty intrigued and I'm so glad I headed over. It's in a lovely area (not far from St. Anne's Church/Anne Street) and it's free!

Unfortunately I was a bit jet lagged, and also got there later in the day so I couldn't really soak it all in, but there's a lot of great stuff about prehistoric Ireland, the Viking era and the medieval period, including some cool artifacts. I really enjoyed walking around and learning about the interesting history and archeology of the island and how the culture shifted over time. I only had about an hour, but that wasn't enough time.
Written 20 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paula T
Chelsea, Canada46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
We did the free 1-hour tour of 9 major items in the archaeological collection. They spanned 5,000 years of Irish history. The items were really well explained and put in context. The Treasury items were amazing (friends went back just to see more). The “Bog Men” are a bit horrendous for small kids. Other items were very well displayed. The museum is big and cavernous, with lots of reverberating background noise that made it hard to hear the guide (might have been better with earpieces).

Do the tour early so you can go back to see items of interest afterwards (we did the 3:30 tour so it was too late to backtrack before closing.

Museum building is amazing too: painted enamel Victorian doorways, amazing mosaic floors, etc.
Written 3 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND - ARCHAEOLOGY: All You MUST Know Before You Go (2025)

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