About Irish Architectural Archive
At 45 Merrion Square West, the Irish Architectural Archive is a hidden gem among Merrion Square's best galleries, preserving Ireland's built heritage through drawings, photos, and models. Housed in two interlinked Georgian houses, it showcases exquisite exhibitions of architectural sketches from cathedrals to cottages, free to the public. For those delving into Dublin's elegant squares and beyond, this archive reveals the blueprints behind our neoclassical masterpieces.
What to Expect
Delicate pen-and-ink drawings of Merrion Square's own facades, watercolours of lost country houses, and modern models fill light-filled rooms. Rotating shows like 'Big Houses of Ireland' or 'Dublin Churches' blend history with artistry. The library holds 2 million items for researchers; casual visitors enjoy free displays and talks. Smell the aged paper; hear curators' tales of rediscovered gems. It's intimate, scholarly, yet accessible.
Insider Tips
Visit during 'Architecture Week' for tours; book library access ahead. Stroll to No. 50 next door (James Joyce's dental practice). Pair with park picnic. Top for 'galleries Merrion Square Dublin' niche seekers. Free, quiet Tuesdays best. Cafe nearby on Merrion Row for debrief. Essential for architecture buffs tracing Georgian Dublin's story.