View Map
Popular destinations
Donegal
Cork
Kerry
Mayo
Wexford
Waterford
Dublin
Explore more
Looking for accommodation?
Find where to stay
Popular articles
DI - Cycling the Waterford Greenway

Cycling the Waterford Greenway

VD & DI - Explore 3 stunning walks in the Dublin Mountains

3 stunning walks in the Dublin Mountains

DI - Top 10 walks and hikes for experienced walkers

Top 10 walks and hikes for experienced walkers

Popular experiences
Walking and hiking
Car-free travel
Free things to do
Things to do
Festivals and events
See all results
View Map
View Map
Discover Ireland Website
View Map
Popular destinations
Donegal
Cork
Kerry
Mayo
Wexford
Waterford
Dublin
Explore more
Looking for accommodation?
Find where to stay
Popular articles
DI - Cycling the Waterford Greenway

Cycling the Waterford Greenway

VD & DI - Explore 3 stunning walks in the Dublin Mountains

3 stunning walks in the Dublin Mountains

DI - Top 10 walks and hikes for experienced walkers

Top 10 walks and hikes for experienced walkers

Popular experiences
Walking and hiking
Car-free travel
Free things to do
Things to do
Festivals and events
See all results
View Map
View Map
Home
Destinations
Dublin
Dublin City
Chester Beatty
Chester Beatty
Chester Beatty
Chester Beatty
Dublin City, Co. Dublin
  • Free things to do
  • History and heritage
  • Arts and culture
Free to visit
Rainy days
Hidden gem
Situated in the heart of Dublin City centre, the Chester Beatty exhibitions open a window on the artistic treasures of the great cultures and religions of the world - Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

Take a journey across continents, countries and peoples, as you discover treasures of rare quality and beauty from across the globe. This world renowned, award winning museum showcases rich and diverse exhibitions of miniature paintings, decorative arts, manuscripts, prints and drawings, from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. All pieces were donated to the Irish nation by American mining magnate and philanthropist, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968).

Described by Lonely Planet as ‘not just the best museum in Ireland but one of the best in Europe’, and the only Irish museum to ever win European Museum of the Year, the Chester Beatty’s extraordinary collections span centuries, continents and cultures and offer visitors a fascinating view of global artistic heritage.

An engaging and welcoming space, visitors from Ireland and overseas can enjoy thought-provoking exhibitions, browse in the Gift Shop, or take a rest-stop in the Silk Road Café serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.

No pre-booking is required to visit Chester Beatty. Visitors can download a free audio tour in 13 languages (English, Irish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Turkish and Dutch) to self-guide through their visit. Free guided tours are available on select dates and need to be pre-booked.

Visit website
map
Upcoming events
  • Qigong at the Rooftop Garden
    Qigong at the Rooftop Garden
    WinterQigong at the Rooftop Garden

    Qigong is a traditional Chinese form of meditation, co-ordinating slow movement, deep rhythmic breathing and a calm state of mind.

    1 November - 6 December
  • Drop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri, close up view of a hand holding pencil colouring hand drawn flowers in pale pink, yellow and green stems and leaves.
    Drop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri
    WinterDrop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri

    Join a free drop-in art drawing activity at Chester Beatty, Dublin with artist Roxana Manouchehri this winter.

    2 November - 7 December
  • Turais i nGaeilge (Highlights tour in Irish)
    Turais i nGaeilge (Highlights tour in Irish) at Chester Beatty
    WinterTurais i nGaeilge (Highlights tour in Irish) at Chester Beatty

    Join Chester Beatty for a free tour exploring some of the highlights and stories in their collection.

    8 November - 6 December
  • Silk Worm Families Drop-in: Christmas Ornaments
    Silk Worm Families Drop-in: Christmas Ornaments
    WinterSilk Worm Families Drop-in: Christmas Ornaments

    Join Chester Beatty and get into the festive spirit, creating your very own Christmas ornaments at this free, drop-in event.

    6 December
  • Title page containing multiple ownership marks for this 10th-century copy of Ibn al-Nadim’s Fihrist,
    Talk: Messy Books Tell Stories
    AutumnTalk: Messy Books Tell Stories

    Join a free Hybrid Talk from Professor Matthew Keegan, 'Messy Books Tell Stories' from Chester Beatty this December.

    10 December
  • A pair of hands lifting a small wooden square frame over a large plastic container holding a dark liquid.
    Teens & Adults Drop-in Activity: Papermaking
    WinterTeens & Adults Drop-in Activity: Papermaking

    Join Chester Beatty for a quick, free hands-on experience of papermaking with artist Martina La Trobe Bateman.

    13 December - 14 December
  • A smiling woman with a small child on her shoulders holding a craft made picture.
    Silk Worm Families Drop-in: Cantonese Flower Boards
    WinterSilk Worm Families Drop-in: Cantonese Flower Boards

    Looking for a festive family activity this December? Join Cantonese in Ireland and make a mini flower board at Chester Beatty!

    20 December
Tips from locals

Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.

For all the best things to see and do in Dublin
Visit Dublin logo
Go to visitdublin.com
map
Visit Website
Contact details
+35314070750
Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, D02 AD92, Ireland
Visit duration

We recommend 2 hours here.

Experience as part of
Visit Dublin LogoVisit Dublin
For all the best things to see and do in Dublin
Visit Dublin logo
Go to visitdublin.com
Travel inspiration to your inbox?

Subscribe now to receive destination inspiration, travel tips, upcoming events and all the best things to do around Ireland.

Sign me up
Award IconMobile Excellence Award Winner
  • Wild Atlantic Way
  • Visit Dublin
  • Ireland’s Ancient East
  • Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Getting around
  • Terms of use
  • Cookie policy
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy statement
Find accommodation
Failte IrelandFailte Ireland Logo© Fáilte Ireland. All rights reserved
Find and follow Discover Ireland
  • Home
  • Popular destinations
    • Donegal
    • Cork
    • Sligo
    • Kilkenny
    • Mayo
    • Waterford
    • Galway
    • Kerry
    • Limerick
    • Dublin
    • See all destinations
    Regions
    • The Ring of Kerry
    • The Burren
    • The Boyne Valley
    • Wild Atlantic Way
    • Ireland's Ancient East
    • Ireland's Hidden Heartlands
    Trip type
    • City breaks
    • Coastal escapes
    • Lakes & rivers
    • Islands
    See all destinations
    • Attractions
      • Arts & culture
      • Houses & gardens
      • History & heritage
      • Health & wellbeing
      • Food & drink experiences
      • Nature & wildlife
      • See all things to do
    • Activities
      • Adventure & sports
      • Horse riding
      • Golf
      • Tours
      • Cycling
      • Water activities
      • Greenways
    • Inspiration
      • Romantic breaks
      • Free things to do
      • Rainy days
      • Family fun
      • Car-free travel
      • Sustainable travel
    See all things to do
  • Guides
  • Festivals & events
  • Walking & hiking
  • Accommodation
View Map
Newsletter
Popular destinations
  • Donegal
  • Cork
  • Sligo
  • Kilkenny
  • Mayo
  • Waterford
  • Galway
  • Kerry
  • Limerick
  • Dublin
Discover Ireland Website
View Map
Looking for accommodation?
Find where to stay
See all results