Overview
The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History occupies the striking former Collins Barracks in Dublin’s Stoneybatter neighbourhood, a short walk from Heuston Station and a stop on the Luas Red Line (Museum stop). Open year‑round with free admission, the museum blends Irish decorative arts – silver, glass, furniture and textiles – with a comprehensive military collection that traces the island’s turbulent past. Spacious galleries, interactive displays, a café and a museum shop make it a comfortable, immersive destination for design lovers, history buffs and families alike.
History & Architecture
Early origins and Viking heritage
The site that became Collins Barracks was originally known as the ‘Palace Gardens’. In 1665 James Butler, Duke of Ormond, was gifted the land, and his grandson sold it to Queen Anne in 1703 for a new military complex. The surrounding area was a Norse settlement in the 11th century, known as Ostmantowne (Oxmantown). Street names such as Viking Road and Sitric Road still echo that heritage.
Design by Thomas Burgh
Irish military engineer Thomas Burgh began construction in 1704, completing the first phase in 1710. He laid out four quadrangles – Barrack Square, New Square, Horse Square and Royal Square – built from Wicklow and Dublin stone with Welsh slate roofs and oak staircases. The original layout was intended to house 1,500 soldiers, stables and a riding school.
18th‑century extensions
In the mid‑1700s Christopher Myers added a fifth storey to Palatine Square, widened it and created a marble ballroom. The Riding School, originally planned as a chapel in 1746, features an 18‑metre wide roof span and later hosted an Eric Clapton concert for the Irish Army in the 1970s.
Military life
Soldiers lived in spartan rooms with two men per bed, a fireplace and a single iron candlestick. Officers enjoyed larger quarters and better provisions. The barracks remained in continuous military use for over 200 years – the longest‑serving army base in the world – before closing in December 1998.
Conversion to a museum
A £15 million refurbishment by the Office of Public Works transformed the site into a museum, opening in September 1997. Original staircases, infantry quarters and Clarke Square (named after 1916 rebel leader Thomas Clarke) were retained, earning a RIAI silver medal in 2002. Visitor numbers now hover around 200 000 per year.
What to See & Do
Permanent Decorative Arts Galleries
- Irish Silver – One of the world’s most extensive collections, from Georgian tea services to Victorian trophies.
- Eileen Gray – Iconic modernist pieces such as the E‑1027 table, the chrome “Gray” table and the Bibendum Chair.
- Ceramics, Glass & Furniture – 17th‑century porcelain, contemporary Irish glass, and period furniture.
- Textiles & Costume – Over 250 years of clothing, showcased in The Way We Wore exhibition.
- Fonthill Vase – A rare Chinese porcelain vase dated to c. 1300 AD, one of Europe’s earliest documented porcelain pieces.
Military History Galleries
- Soldiers & Chiefs – The Irish at War – A 1 700 m² chronological display from the 1550s to the present, featuring uniforms, weapons and personal letters.
- 1916 Proclaiming a Republic – Ten zones recreating the Easter Rising, with original copies of the Proclamation and artefacts from the Easter Week Collection.
- The Asgard Yacht – Restored in‑house; the vessel that smuggled arms for the 1914 Howth gun‑running.
Current Temporary & Interactive Exhibitions (2025‑2026)
- Dead Zoo Lab – A science‑focused installation exploring natural history specimens.
- Changing Ireland Galleries – Interactive stations examining social, ecological and cultural change over the last 150 years.
- IB Jørgensen – Fashion Retrospective – Celebrating the Danish‑born Irish designer’s work from the 1950s‑1990s.
- Harry Clarke Stained‑Glass – A temporary showcase of the celebrated Irish stained‑glass artist.
- A Dubliner’s Collection of Asian Art – The Albert Bender exhibition of early 20th‑century Asian pieces.
Family & Learning Programs
The museum runs regular workshops, talks and guided tours for all ages, including hands‑on craft sessions for children and specialist tours for school groups. Free guidebooks are available on‑site when you show your museum pass.
Practical Information
- Location: Collins Barracks, Benburb St, Dublin 7 (D07 XKV4).
- Opening hours:
- Monday & Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Check the museum website for any seasonal changes.)
- Admission: Free (no ticket required, but a free guidebook is issued on‑site).
- Transport:
- LUAS Red Line: Museum stop (right outside the entrance).
- Dublin Bus: Routes 37, 39A, 66, 67, 25, 25A serve nearby stops on Benburb St.
- Rail: Heuston Station is a 5‑minute walk.
- Cycling: DublinBikes stations are within a few minutes; bike racks are provided at the entrance.
- Parking: No on‑site car park; public car parks are available on the north side of the River Liffey (e.g., Smithfield Car Park).
- Facilities: On‑site café on Clarke Square, museum shop, free Wi‑Fi, accessible restrooms, wheelchair‑friendly lifts and ramps.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible; staff can provide assistance on request.
- Pets: Dogs are not permitted inside the museum galleries.
- Visitor tips:
- Arrive on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.
- Bring a printed or digital copy of the free guidebook (available at the reception).
- Allocate at least 2 hours to explore both the decorative arts and military sections.
- The museum’s courtyard is a pleasant spot for a quick coffee break.
Nearby Attractions
- Arbour Hill Cemetery – The burial site of 14 leaders of the 1916 Rising, just a short walk north of the barracks. (arbour-hill)
- Phoenix Park – One of Europe’s largest urban parks, offering walking trails and the Dublin Zoo, a 10‑minute bus ride away.
- Guinness Storehouse – A short Luas ride to the iconic brewery experience.
Plan a visit to experience the seamless blend of Irish design brilliance and the island’s rich military heritage, all set within a beautifully conserved historic barracks.