About the Little Museum of Dublin
A quick hop from Portobello's canal-side charm, the Little Museum of Dublin on St Stephen's Green is a quirky treasure trove of donated Dublin memorabilia. Hailed by the Irish Times as 'Dublin's best museum experience', it's like rummaging through your eccentric aunt's attic , but with 5,000 objects chronicling the city's 20th-century life. From a Funderland rollercoaster carriage to U2's first promo photo, it buzzes with stories that make you chuckle and nod knowingly. Perfect for Portobello visitors seeking authentic Dublin vibes without the big-national-museum crowds.
Opened in 2011 in a restored 1910 Georgian townhouse, exhibits rotate guided tours led by passionate locals. Smell the faint polish on Phil Lynott's guitar; feel the goosebumps hearing Christy Moore anecdotes. It's intimate, capping visitors at 40 per tour for that cosy feel amid the creak of wooden floors and soft Georgian light.
What to Expect
Guided tours (book ahead!) dive into themes like 'Rebel City' with 1916 Easter Rising artefacts or 'Dublin Pop Life' with Thin Lizzy gold discs. Self-guided audio options too. The rooftop terrace overlooks the Green , picnic here on sunny days. Fully accessible, with kid-friendly trails spotting hidden gems like a signed Joycean letter.
Insider Tips
Snag the 11am tour for fewer crowds; locals swear by it. €15 entry includes tour , value mid-range. Afterwards, wander back to Portobello for a pint at The Bernard Shaw, its graffiti walls echoing the museum's street spirit. Winter evenings? Cosy up with mulled wine events. For best museums in Portobello Dublin searches, this edges in as a must , blending nostalgia with insider tales that'll have you regaling mates back home. Pro tip: ask about the hidden Sinatra letter!