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.
- December Tours at Collins Barracks
WinterDecember Tours at Collins Barracks Throughout December, join Museum Guides at Collins Barracks on a variety of engaging free tours exploring the Museum and its collection.Tours will begin in Reception at Collins Barracks. Booking is not required. However, places are limited.
- Past and Presents Family Christmas Trail
WinterPast and Presents Family Christmas Trail Join us at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks during Museum opening hours for a self-guided trail exploring artefacts on display that explore the idea of gift giving in the past.
- Holiday Highlights: Daily Tours of Collins Barracks
WinterHoliday Highlights: Daily Tours of Collins Barracks Celebrate the magic of the Christmas season, and ring in the New Year with Museum Guides at Collins Barracks to explore a variety of engaging free tours exploring the Museum and its collection.
- QUIET HOUR: Sensory Friendly Time at the Museum
WinterQUIET HOUR: Sensory Friendly Time at the Museum Visit the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks and explore our galleries during a dedicated Quiet Hour on the last Saturday of every Month.
- LGBTQIA+ Tour of Collins Barracks
WinterLGBTQIA+ Tour of Collins Barracks Explore the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks through an LGBTQIA+ lens on our brand new tour.
- Drop-in at the Dead Zoo Lab with Irish Sign Language interpretation
WinterDrop-in at the Dead Zoo Lab with Irish Sign Language interpretation Touch and inspect up close the handling collections of real and replica furs, skulls and fossils! Have a chat with a Museum Educator and don't forget to ask them your curious questions.
- Festive Family Drop-ins
WinterFestive Family Drop-ins Drop into the Discovery Zone in the Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks this December and January. Bring the family along and join a short activity to learn about our favourite objects in the handling collections.
- (Re)Writing the Past: Poetry, Objects and Creative Writing- First Fortnight Festival
Winter(Re)Writing the Past: Poetry, Objects and Creative Writing- First Fortnight Festival Explore the Changing Ireland Galleries with poet Paula Meehan whose poems are on display, and then join a creative writing workshop afterwards.
