National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology

National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology

National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
4.5
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology is the national repository for all archaeological objects found in Ireland and home to over two million artefacts. Permanent Exhibitions: Our exhibitions include the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in western Europe, outstanding examples of metalwork from the Celtic Iron Age and the Museum’s world-renowned collection of medieval ecclesiastical objects and jewellery. The Treasury: Ór - Ireland's Gold, Prehistoric Ireland, Kingship and Sacrifice, Viking Ireland, Medieval Ireland, Ancient Egypt, Ceramics and Glass from Ancient Cyprus, Life and Death in the Roman World. There is also a number of Temporary Exhibitions taking place.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area

Neighborhood: South City Centre
How to get there
  • St. Stephen's Green • 6 min walk
Reach out directly

See what travelers are saying

  • V8405Z
    Manchester, United Kingdom10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    National Museum of Ireland
    A fantastic museum right in the centre of Dublin and it’s FREE! Lots of exhibits and artefacts from Stone Age Ireland, the coming of Christianity, the Vikings and Normans and the various discoveries of priceless gold chalices and artefacts. The bog bodies also very interesting and poignant. Fabulous!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 7, 2023
  • Susana G
    Portugal11 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting if you really like the subject
    It's good if you need to kill some time, however it's very repetitive - there's a lot of the same all over the museum. So if you have to decide on priorities, I would not recommend it. However, if you're very interested in the subject, you'll surely enjoy it. Lots of information available about everything you're seeing. Also a plus that it's free!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 14, 2023
  • Laura R
    Guttenberg, New Jersey325 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well done history of Ireland
    This museum has so much history. It tells the story from the stone age to the current times of Ireland. The Tara Brooch is beautiful. The other displays are very done. You could spend several hours in this museum.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 22, 2023
  • Shawn W
    Halifax, Canada44 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    More than we would have expected
    Of the free museums we visited, this was probably our favorite. There's a ton of exhibits from various time periods and cultures. The building itself is gorgeous and everything is laid out in a way that's easy to navigate without having to backtrack to see everything. There are a few sensitive areas where photos are not permitted, but they also contain some of the most interesting things to see, so be sure to still take a walk through them.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written November 18, 2023
  • Bozeman-Dublin
    Trim, Ireland11,334 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Superb Museum
    I loved my visit to the National Archaeology Museum, my firstbtime in a long time. I loved the treasury with the Broighter Horde being a personal favourite. In the same room is the Cross of Cong, Tara Brooch, Derrrynaflan and Ardagh Chalices. It's like all the pages of my primary school history book in one place! The bog bodies in an annex on the ground floor are also incredible. A word on the staff, a more personable, helpful group of people you'll never meet. Absolutely top notch.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written January 3, 2024
  • Amila B
    Australia23 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great artefacts
    Great range of archaeological artefacts. Particularly liked the bog body exhibition. Would have been cool to see some of the images of the actual grave site. Had lots of artefacts although some not explained thoroughly re the uses. Overall has some amazing artefacts I would spend about 1-2 hours here. Entry is free!
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written January 29, 2024
  • Hlynch
    Ballymore Eustace, Ireland3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon in Dublin
    For anyone interested in Irish history, this museum is well worth a visit. Leaving aside the exhibits (which are of great interest) the actual building architecture, mosaic flooring etc are marvelous (pure Victoriana) Exhibit highlights include the iron age gold jewellery and bog bodies, but second floor well worth a look with ancient clothing, shoes etc found in bogland perfectly preserved. Would be nice to have a cafe here again. Entrance is free (€5 donation suggested) Recommended.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written February 3, 2024
  • FrequentFlier742178
    Leigh-on Sea, United Kingdom30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the best museums I’ve ever been to!!
    Wow, these exhibitions are top notch- the whole place is so well laid out, detailed explanations, easy to follow routes, clean toilets, friendly staff. The exhibits are just incredible, so well displayed, fascinating and unique. Well worth a visit
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written March 14, 2024
  • shabaron
    Rockville, Maryland151 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing museum that’s free
    We were jet lagged when we visited this museum, but we still enjoyed it. The building itself is gorgeous. They have artifacts from many time periods, including the Vikings. There are even bodies that have been unearthed that are on display. Highly recommended.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 26, 2024
  • Explorer778015
    Harrogate, United Kingdom41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing finds of Ireland's past
    It's not huge but what is there is fabulous. Most of it has been dug out of the ever decreasing bogs and go back centuries. The main centre is full of gold treasures which are just amazing. There is a large Viking section and some Egyptian artefacts they secured at some point. The bit I hadn't expected but were fascinating were the Bog Bodies. This is a trigger warning. They are avoidable because to reach them you have to descend through a spiral blocking accidental glimpses from outside and restricting light to the remains. Amazing to see what was preserved but recognise this is not for everyone.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 15, 2024
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Leandro Rizzardi
Sao Paulo, SP75 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
I went to the Archeology Museum on the same day I went to the National Gallery, as they are both very close to each other. And both are free! So, just arrive and enter.

I have to say that this was one of my favorite museums on my entire trip to Dublin. I'm someone who really likes to observe historical objects and think about everything that happened to what's in front of me, the people who were also in front of it... it's incredible!

Inside, there are a few rooms, and this is not a very large museum, so it is easy to find your way around. In the center, there are some objects on display, telling a little about the history of Ireland and the people who lived there. In the surrounding area, there are other small exhibitions, two of which are worth highlighting: that of the bodies of people that were preserved for hundreds of years naturally and that of the Vikings.

For sensitive reasons, the preserved bodies are left down a small ramp, behind a column, so that only those who really want to see them can see them. I found it fascinating! They are trunks, heads and other body parts of those who lived even before Christ. Craziness!

The Vikings part is also very interesting, bringing the weapons, clothes and accessories of a people who are so mentioned in world popular culture.

If you have a little time left on your itinerary, I highly recommend stopping by the Archeology Museum. I think it's just not worth it if you're looking for something more exciting.
Google
Written December 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paula T
Chelsea, Canada46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
We did the free 1-hour tour of 9 major items in the archaeological collection. They spanned 5,000 years of Irish history. The items were really well explained and put in context. The Treasury items were amazing (friends went back just to see more). The “Bog Men” are a bit horrendous for small kids. Other items were very well displayed. The museum is big and cavernous, with lots of reverberating background noise that made it hard to hear the guide (might have been better with earpieces).

Do the tour early so you can go back to see items of interest afterwards (we did the 3:30 tour so it was too late to backtrack before closing.

Museum building is amazing too: painted enamel Victorian doorways, amazing mosaic floors, etc.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tony McMahon
London, UK393 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
I'm fascinated by Ireland's ancient history and you have everything from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages in this museum. It's laid out over two floors of an old Georgian building - quite an old fashioned museum in many ways. And I think you'd have to be genuinely interested in the subject. Thankfully, they don't seem to worry too much about making it "interactive" and just get on with sharing some incredibly artefacts. There are also so-called "bog bodies" here - three thousand year old preserved bodies. Not for the faint hearted.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

britfan789
Myrtle Beach, SC75 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
If you love 4,000 year-old Celtic gold jewelry and Viking artifacts along with seeing the bog men, this is the place for you. We actually visited this place twice. Amazing early Christian artifacts, as well. Highly recommend. Nice gift shop and cafe, as well.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Patrick H
McDonough, GA46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
I visited here just yesterday. A great museum with some amazing relics and displays. The bog mummies must be seen to be believed. The large collection included beautiful jewelry, art, weapons, and day to day items of the Celts, ancient Egyptians, Vikings, and more. Add in a nice cafe and a super friendly staff and this makes a visit here a must do!
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rusmir
Dublin, Ireland190 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019 • Solo
If you want to learn Ireland in a best possible way and to have a fun as well, head to the National Museum of Archaeology, and immerse yourself in extraordinary exhibitions and galleries. They have brilliant exhibition about vikings, and you will learn everything about ancient viking culture exploring artfacts old centuries or watching interesting multimedia mats. They have an amazin souvenir shop as well, so after exploring you can visit ship as well. Prices are moderate and you can get great stuff as well. Highly recommended for travellers staying 7+ days.
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

andyshaw13
Wirral, UK12 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
It’s great that the museums are still free to visit and well worth a visit if in Dublin. The Neolithic history of Ireland is well covered and there are plenty of interesting artefacts from different periods. For us the highlights were the bog bodies and the exhibit on the battle of Clontarf ... which for us (English folk) was an unknown story.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Johnny
Fort Lauderdale, FL71 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
This museum will certainly satisfy everyone's appetite for history and archeology. It is the right size to visit all the exhibits in about 3-4 hours. There is something for all family members. It has the rare Bog Mummies and it will mesmerize you or if you are squeamish it ill repel you but you certainly will be left impressed. There are many other valuable artifacts to see and experience. Overall I highly recommend it.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Quill2005
Ocala, FL266 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
There's definitely a lot to see her on Irish history from an archeological perspective, which means all of the items here are very very old. The gold exhibition was also of interest. Entrance fee is free and it's located near the other main museums of Dublin.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alan D
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Solo
Visited in December 2020, very safe and reassuring experience. Booking or registration needed which was done with no fuss. COVID protocols managed very well throughout the building, staff were very helpful, and I was delighted to see that all exhibits were open and accessible as normal.
Written December 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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