History Museums in Dublin

THE 10 BEST Dublin History Museums

History Museums in Dublin

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What travellers are saying

  • hyggedanske
    Washington DC, DC1 contribution
    We were delighted to discover this museum was tucked just around the corner from where we were staying. The operators of the museum were kind and knowledgeable and very welcome. The guided tour was amazing. Our guide, Emma, was welcoming, friendly, and engaging. She weaved a tale of Dublin history that kept my group enthralled throughout the tour and left us joyful and optimistic for Dublin and Ireland’s future. Highly recommend.
    Written 9 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • brmusicman
    Chicago, IL3,128 contributions
    What an interesting, fun museum!

    The focus is on Irish emigration, the Irish diaspora, and the influence of Irish culture around the world.

    The exhibits are arranged by category (e.g., arts, storytelling, sport). This was an accessible way to organize the narrative with the bonus that you could spend a lot of time in sections of most interest to you and move more quickly through others. For our group, that was especially nice -- for example, one person went really into sports while I spent a lot of time in art.

    The exhibits are also arranged in a way that allows you to pick how in-depth you want to go. It's easy to get a general overview from the main parts of each exhibit, but you also also interact with the technology to go more in-depth.

    And the use of technology is excellent. It's impressive but actually functional and useful to learning, versus just for gimmick.

    Definitely worth the price of admission and a great way to learn more about the Irish soul and character.
    Written 7 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Barbara O
    Rochester, IL36 contributions
    My husband was a bit skeptical but this museum ended up being one of his favorite places we visited. So educational. Bog bodies were absolutely fascinating.
    Written 22 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Imarin
    4 contributions
    We did the tour with Gillian. The passion she has for the place and its history, and the way she explained it is just amazing. This tour should be a must not just for every tourist in Dublin but also for any Irish person living here. It shows you such an important part of the Irish history and its people in such a personal way that it makes you feel inside of the story. Absolutely astonishing!
    Written 8 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jo T
    1 contribution
    This was the very best 50 mins spent in Dublin. Claire our tour guide was so passionate and incredibly knowledgable about the history it was just brilliant. A mix of history but fabulous story telling making this a must see, 5 ⭐️ experience . Thank you
    Written 4 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Shawn W
    Halifax, Canada9 contributions
    This Viking/Medieval Ireland museum is actually located in the leftmost section of Christ Church Cathedral. It combines aspects of a wax museum, archaeology exhibit and media presentation to give you an interactive look into what life was like back in those times. It's a big museum, covering a full 3 floors of the building. You can walk through and get the gist of it in about an hour, but if you want to read any of the information or take in the media presentations, you probably want to plan for 2. Definitely a worthwhile stop if you're into this type of thing.
    Written 18 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kelly P
    3 contributions
    Alot of interesting things to see there. Learned alot about Ireland that I did not know. It is a very informative museum in Dublin. Recommend going, I will even return on my next visit back to Ireland.
    Written 7 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • John W
    6 contributions
    Def try to make it to the once a month demonstration. The folks there really know how to explain the complexities of the machines and the trade they work in. But even if that’s not an option, the videos and and other media do just as good a job. It’s absolutely worth the trip over.
    Written 2 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Francesca T
    1 contribution
    I rarely leave reviews but I would strongly, strongly recommend that people visit this gem. The displays are beautifully crafted and speak of a knowledge and reverence of Heaney's work that truly moved me.
    Written 1 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Shawn W
    Halifax, Canada9 contributions
    There were so many species of birds, animals, and insects on display in this museum! The exhibits give you an opportunity to get an up-close look at all of the native animals of past and present Ireland. Unfortunately, the upper floor was closed for renovations when we visited, but we were pressed for time - so it worked out fine. Even the main floor took us about an hour to explore, and we could have easily taken twice as long. The displays are quite densely packed, but there's plenty of room to get around and see them all. Unfortunately, a few of the specimens are models/castings, and not the real thing, but that was primarily present in the sea life areas.
    Written 18 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • emeraldval
    Dublin, Ireland77 contributions
    Amazing trip into the saddest time in irish history. A heart touching visit. The display was easy to follow ending with a 15 minute video. Recommended
    Written 23 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • V8405Z
    Manchester, UK10 contributions
    Great exhibition on WB Years currently, well worth a look. Admission is FREE. The Library is centrally located in Kildare Street and right beside Leinster House, the seat of government. Could be combined with a visit to the National Museum of Ireland - Archeology, which is close by
    Written 7 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tulip
    World3 contributions
    We went on a lovely tour. First come first served basis. One lady behind the visitor centre desk wasn't very friendly at all. Especially when she allowed another lady jump the queue over over 12 ahead of her (who waited before it opened and didn't just rock up at 9.30). Don't work in the OPW if you have no bother to be pleasant. However our amazing tour guide Leaf was amazing and made the tour so adult and child friendly. The bus driver was lovely also. Would have liked a slightly longer time at the information part down in the basement but the upstairs rooms were beautiful. No photos inside. Lovely to see the presidents real study he uses and see that it wasn't all pristine and tidy :)
    Written 8 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rusmir
    Dublin, Ireland176 contributions
    Building dates from 18 century, it's located in Dublin city center - Dame street. It's next to the Dublin castle, so it's great to do both tours. In town hall you'll find beautiful exhibition about historical Dublin.
    Written 14 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Karenbett
    Glasgow, UK107 contributions
    Excellent museum. Coffee shop only available Thursday to Sunday but you could take a picnic. There is a lovely courtyard to sit in.

    More of an adult museum but lots of running about available in park.
    If disabled phone and they will let you in grange road entrance and parking spaces at the building. It’s immaculately clean

    Would recommend to anyone wanting to know more depth about Patrick Pearse
    Written 26 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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