Collins Barracks in Dublin City, named after famed Michael Collins, could be said to be the National Museum of Ireland's largest artefact, having had a unique history all of its own in another life. It housed both British Armed Forces and Irish army garrisons over three centuries. Built in 1702, the complex's main buildings are Neoclassical in style. Collins Barracks has been completely renovated and restored to become the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, charting Ireland's economic, social, political and military progress through the ages.
Exhibits:
Irish Wars 1917 to 1923 and the 1916 Rising; Soldiers & Chiefs - Irish at war from 1550 to present day;
Photography of the revolutionary era in Ireland; 1000 years of Irish coin and currency; Irish country furniture and four centuries of furnishing;
The Way We Were - antique clothing and crafts; Sacred Art of Ireland 1600 to 1750; Irish silver exhibition; Eileen Gray exhibition;
A Dubliner's Collection of Asian Art - Albert Bender Collection; 21st century Irish Craft; Ib Jorgensen Fashion Retrospective; the Asgard, a restored sailboat with pivotal role in the 1914 Howth gun running story; and more.
Artefacts on display range from silver, ceramic and glassware pieces to weaponry, furniture, examples of folk life and costume. All of these are displayed with imagination in innovative and contemporary galleries, which entice you to go further, look harder and examine more closely.
- The Army No.1 Band Performance at Collins Barracks
Family funThe Army No.1 Band Performance at Collins Barracks Join us on Wednesday 23rd July 2025, as the Army No. 1 Band performs a Free Lunchtime Recital at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin.
- August Tours at Collins Barracks
Family funAugust Tours at Collins Barracks We're offering a diverse range of free guided tours this August, so come down to Collins Barracks and discover something new!
- LGBTQIA+ Tours of Collins Barracks
Family funLGBTQIA+ Tours of Collins Barracks This new guided LGBTQIA+ tour views the exhibitions through alternative lenses, bringing some hidden histories and perspectives to the fore.
- All Ireland GAA Senior Championship - History of Sport in Ireland Tours
Adventure and sportsAll Ireland GAA Senior Championship - History of Sport in Ireland Tours Explore and learn about Gaelic games, soccer, rugby, cricket and horse racing with friends and family in the National Museum's collections.
- In Conversation: Exploring Travelling Culture and Craft in Ireland
Free things to doIn Conversation: Exploring Travelling Culture and Craft in Ireland An 'In Conversation' event exploring Travelling Culture and Craft in Ireland at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.
- Collins Barracks - Heritage Week 2025
Family funCollins Barracks - Heritage Week 2025 Kick off Heritage Week 2025 at Collins Barracks with a special programme of free tours and family-friendly activity books!
- Wider Than Pictures 2025
SummerWider Than Pictures 2025 Wider Than Pictures is back for their annual summer series at National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks this summer!