About the National Gallery of Ireland
Crowning Merrion Square, a brisk walk from Portobello Harbour, the National Gallery houses Ireland's finest art collection in a palatial neoclassical pile. From Caravaggio's brooding The Taking of Christ to Jack Yeats' swirling Aran Islanders, 17,000 works span Renaissance to modern. The Millennium Wing's light-flooded spaces contrast the grand rotunda's marble hush , ideal for losing hours amid oil scents and echoing footsteps.
Founded 1854, free entry (charges for specials) makes it accessible; ongoing expansions keep it fresh.
What to Expect
Irish wing: Orpen portraits, stained glass. Europeans: Vermeer, Titian. Audio tours; family trails. Café overlooks Square gardens.
Insider Tips
Fri late nights for music/art. Free, elite value. Portobello art fans start here. Best museums in Portobello Dublin lists adore it. Tip: Yeats room for poetic immersion, then Cake Café nearby.