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.
- Silk Worm Families Drop-in: Paper Lanterns for Diwali
WinterSilk Worm Families Drop-in: Paper Lanterns for Diwali Diyas or earthen lamps are an integral part of the festival of lights or Diwali. To celebrate light and warmth in our lives, let’s make simple candle holders with colourful paper, pencils and markers.
- Weaving the Faith: Buddhist Hangings at the Qing Court in the 18th Century
WinterWeaving the Faith: Buddhist Hangings at the Qing Court in the 18th Century To mark the completion of the conservation of an 18th-century Chinese Buddhist silk hanging, Buddhas of the Three Generations at the Chester Beatty, the museum and Trinity College Dublin will co-host a lecture by Dr Ching-Ling Wang.
- DCC Culture Club Tour: Bark, Palm and Clay- the Many Book Materials of the Chester Beatty
WinterDCC Culture Club Tour: Bark, Palm and Clay- the Many Book Materials of the Chester Beatty Join tour guide Mary O’Riordan for a fascinating tour of our exhibitions where she will highlight some of the more unusual books in the collection.
- Turais i nGaeilge (Highlights tour in Irish)
WinterTurais i nGaeilge (Highlights tour in Irish) Join us for a free tour exploring some of the highlights and stories in the collection. Meeting point is in the atrium of the museum.
- Drop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri
WinterDrop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri Drop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri Learn drawing techniques, including line drawing, shading, perspective, and decoration during these relaxed and informal sessions with artist Roxana Manouchehri.
- Conversations on Art: Dementia-inclusive Tour
WinterConversations on Art: Dementia-inclusive Tour Enjoy an afternoon of conversations on art and a tour of our beautiful collections designed for people living with dementia and their loved ones.
- Tracing Knowledge Transmission: Manuscript Notes in Arabic Literary Works at the Chester Beatty
WinterTracing Knowledge Transmission: Manuscript Notes in Arabic Literary Works at the Chester Beatty The notes added into Arabic literary manuscripts offer invaluable insights into the history of knowledge transmission in pre-modern Arabic and Islamic culture.
- Live Online Workshop for Adults: Christmas Watercolours with artist Jen O’Brien
WinterLive Online Workshop for Adults: Christmas Watercolours with artist Jen O’Brien Join us this festive season for an exciting workshop exploring the wonders of watercolours. . .
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.
