Ireland National Gallery is recognised as one of Europe’s best small museums with a broad collection of Irish painting and it is also notable for its Dutch masters and Italian Baroque painting. It total there are about 14,000 artworks in the gallery.
As you enter the Millennium Wing (opened in 2002)you are immediately struck by the vastness and drama of space that the recent renovations have given the gallery. Clean lines and modern finishes introduce you to the building, contrasting with the older parts of the building you’ll visit later on. Its not to everyone’s taste and there is some criticism that the there were some compromises in the final design due to planning restrictions, but for us it works.
European artists include Picasso, Vermeer, Degas, Goya, Monet, Titian, Tintoretto and Caravaggio (watch out for his dramatic ‘The Taking of Christ).
There are various Irish artists as you would expect, including the Yeats Collection.
Regular changing exhibitions ensure that there is always a reason to visit! Give yourself time to explore this great collection. There are entrances at Merrion Square and Clare Street to the gallery and entry is free. Pearse Street DART station is about 5 minutes walk away and the gallery is close to St Stephen’s Green. Via Dublin Bus you can get the 4, 7, 8, 39a and 46a. there are also Dublin Bike stations nearby.
