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.
- Turais i nGaeilge (Highlights tour in Irish) at Chester Beatty
SpringTurais 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.
- Drop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri
SpringDrop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri Join a free drop-in art drawing activity at Chester Beatty, Dublin with artist Roxana Manouchehri this January.
- Qigong in the Dubh Linn Garden
SummerQigong in the Dubh Linn Garden Qigong is a traditional Chinese form of meditation, co-ordinating slow movement, deep rhythmic breathing and a calm state of mind.
- Drop-in Drawing for Families: Mix & Match Books
SpringDrop-in Drawing for Families: Mix & Match Books Expand your artistic abilities by creating an array of captivating characters, mythical beings, and animal-inspired figures at this Drop-in Family event at Chester Beatty.
- Ireland and Empire, its Legacy on the Role of Irish Museums and Communities
SpringIreland and Empire, its Legacy on the Role of Irish Museums and Communities Join Prof Jane Ohlmeyer, Erasmus Smith’s Professor of Modern History (1762), Trinity College Dublin for an online talk on Ireland and Empire, its Legacy on the Role of Irish Museums and Communities.
- Cruinniú na nÓg Teens: Zentangle – the Art of Pattern
SummerCruinniú na nÓg Teens: Zentangle – the Art of Pattern Join Chester Beatty for a free creative and mindful activity exploring the meditative art of Zentangle.
- Cruinniú na nÓg Families Drop-in: Making Worlds
SummerCruinniú na nÓg Families Drop-in: Making Worlds Inspired by the Routes and Realms exhibition, this creative workshop invites you to become a master cartographer of your own invented world.
- In Focus Tour: Art and Soul – Jesuit Influence on the Arts of Imperial China
SummerIn Focus Tour: Art and Soul – Jesuit Influence on the Arts of Imperial China Join Joan Barnewell for a free tour of selected objects from the Chester Beatty’s Chinese collection.
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.
