History Museums in Ireland
Museums telling the story of German and European history – from cultural history to the recent past.
County Dublin (49)
National Library of Ireland
Kilmainham Gaol
Guinness Storehouse
James Joyce Tower and Museum
Dublinia
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
National Print Museum
National Maritime Museum of Ireland
Irish Jewish Museum
Little Museum of Dublin
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History
National Wax Museum Plus
14 Henrietta Street
Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Pearse Museum
Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio
Airfield Estate
Áras an Uachtaráin
Ardgillan Castle
Book of Kells Experience
Casino Marino
Casino Model Railway Museum
Christ Church Cathedral
Custom House Visitor Centre
Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre
Drimnagh Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin City Hall – The Story of the Capital
Dublin Fire Brigade Museum
Freemasons’ Hall Museum
Garda Museum
GPO Museum
Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience
Irish Whiskey Museum
Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship
Malahide Castle and Gardens
Marsh's Library
Mary Aikenhead Heritage Centre
Newbridge House and Farm
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown Castle
Rathfarnham Castle
Skerries Mills
St Audoen’s Church and Visitor Centre
St Patrick's Cathedral
Teeling Whiskey Distillery
The Round Tower, Clondalkin
Experience Glasnevin
GAA Museum
County Cork (31)
The Butter Museum
Cork City Gaol
Cork Public Museum
Allihies Copper Mine Museum
Bantry House and Garden
Barryscourt Castle
Blarney Castle
Camden Fort Meagher
Cape Clear Island Museum
Charles Fort
Cobh Heritage Centre
Cobh Museum
Doneraile Court and Estate
Elizabeth Fort
Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Independence Museum Kilmurry
Kinsale Museum
Lusitania Museum & Old Head Signal Tower
Michael Collins Centre
Michael Collins House
Midleton Distillery Experience
Military Museum, Collins Barracks
Mizen Head Signal Station & Visitor Centre
Nano Nagle Place
Old Cork Waterworks Experience
Skibbereen Heritage Centre
Spike Island
Titanic Experience Cobh
West Cork Heritage Centre Bandon
Youghal Clock Gate Tower
Youghal Lace Museum
County Tipperary (15)
Cahir Castle
Cashel Folk Village
Cashel Heritage Centre
Famine Warhouse 1848
Fethard Horse Country Experience
Lár na Páirce Museum
Nenagh Heritage Centre
Ormond Castle
Rock of Cashel
Roscrea Castle and Damer House
Swiss Cottage
The Main Guard
Thomas MacDonagh Museum
Tides of Time Visitor Centre
Tipperary Museum of Hidden History
County Galway (13)
Portumna Castle and Gardens
Galway City Museum
Connemara Heritage & History Centre
Teach Synge
Athenry Castle
Aughnanure Castle
Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland
Glengowla Mines
Hall of the Red Earl
Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara
Kiltartan Gregory Museum
Kylemore Abbey
Lackagh Museum and Heritage Centre
County Kerry (13)
Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
Ardfert Cathedral
Blennerville Windmill & Visitor Centre
Gallarus Oratory Visitor Centre
Ionad an Bhlascaoid – The Blasket Centre
Kerry Bog Village Museum
Killarney House and Gardens
Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne
Ross Castle
The Old Barracks Heritage Centre
The Skellig Experience
Valentia Island Heritage Centre
Tarbert Bridewell Courthouse & Jail Museum
County Clare (10)
Clare Museum
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience
Dysert O’Dea Castle and Archaeology Centre
Ennis Friary
Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience
Loop Head Lighthouse
Scattery Island Visitor Centre
Shannon Aviation Museum
Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre
County Limerick (10)
King John's Castle
Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum
The People's Museum of Limerick
Adare Heritage Centre
Castleconnell Heritage Centre
Desmond Castle and Banqueting Hall
Irish Palatine Heritage Centre
Limerick Museum
Lough Gur Visitor Centre and Lakeshore Park
Thomond Park Museum
County Waterford (10)
County Wexford (10)
County Donegal (9)
County Kildare (6)
County Mayo (6)
County Roscommon (6)
County Wicklow (5)
County Kilkenny (4)
County Longford (4)
County Meath (4)
County Westmeath (4)
County Carlow (3)
County Laois (3)
County Leitrim (3)
County Louth (3)
County Monaghan (2)
County Cavan (1)
County Offaly (1)
County Sligo (1)
History Museums in Ireland: Overview & Tips
Our guide lists 226 history museums in Ireland, spread across 26 counties and 138 towns and cities. Most of them are in County Dublin (49), County Cork (31), and County Tipperary (15).
At the city level, Dublin (40), Cork (7), and Waterford (6) lead the way – ideal if you want to see several history museums in a single day.
52 museums are free to visit. For the others with a published price, a regular adult ticket costs €8 at the median, and the middle half charge between €5 and €12.
67 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, 103 offer dedicated programs for families, and 90 have a café or restaurant. These figures come from our ongoing research – museums whose details we haven’t verified yet aren’t included in the counts.
Top 10 history museums in Ireland
The best-known history museums in Ireland
National Library of IrelandHistory · Dublin
Kilmainham GaolMemorial · Dublin
Kilkenny CastleCastles & Palaces · Kilkenny
King John's CastleCastles & Palaces · Limerick
Guinness StorehouseHistory · Dublin
James Joyce Tower and MuseumPeople · Dún Laoghaire
Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional FarmsCastles & Palaces · Killarney
Reginald's TowerHistory · Waterford
Russborough HouseCastles & Palaces · Blessington
DubliniaHistory · Dublin
History museums in Ireland with free admission
- National Library of IrelandHistory · Dublin
- James Joyce Tower and MuseumPeople · Dún Laoghaire
Galway City MuseumRegional · Galway
National Print MuseumTechnology · Dublin
National Museum of Ireland – ArchaeologyArchaeology · Dublin
National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & HistoryHistory · Dublin
Donegal County MuseumRegional · Letterkenny
Pearse MuseumPeople · Dublin
Clare MuseumHistory · Ennis
Cork Public MuseumHistory · Cork
History museums in Ireland with programs for families
- Kilkenny CastleCastles & Palaces · Kilkenny
- King John's CastleCastles & Palaces · Limerick
- Guinness StorehouseHistory · Dublin
- Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional FarmsCastles & Palaces · Killarney
- Russborough HouseCastles & Palaces · Blessington
- DubliniaHistory · Dublin
EPIC The Irish Emigration MuseumHistory · Dublin- Galway City MuseumRegional · Galway
- National Print MuseumTechnology · Dublin
Rothe House & GardenHistory · Kilkenny
Wheelchair-accessible history museums in Ireland
- Guinness StorehouseHistory · Dublin
- EPIC The Irish Emigration MuseumHistory · Dublin
- Galway City MuseumRegional · Galway
Little Museum of DublinHistory · Dublin- National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & HistoryHistory · Dublin
The Butter MuseumSpecial · Cork
14 Henrietta StreetHistory · Dublin- Donegal County MuseumRegional · Letterkenny
Dunbrody Famine Ship ExperienceHistory · New Ross
Irish Agricultural MuseumHistory · Wexford
History museums in Ireland with the highest published visitor numbers
By county
Cities with the most museums
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How many history museums are there in Ireland?
Our directory currently lists 226 history museums in Ireland across 138 towns and cities.
What are the best-known history museums in Ireland?
Some of the best known are National Library of Ireland, Kilmainham Gaol, Kilkenny Castle, King John's Castle, and Guinness Storehouse.
Which history museums in Ireland offer free admission?
52 museums are free to visit – for example National Library of Ireland, James Joyce Tower and Museum, Galway City Museum, and National Print Museum.
Which history museums in Ireland are open on Mondays?
Many museums are closed on Mondays, but according to their regular hours 135 are open, such as National Library of Ireland, Kilmainham Gaol, and Kilkenny Castle.
Which history museums in Ireland are wheelchair accessible?
67 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, including Guinness Storehouse, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, and Galway City Museum. Others are partially accessible – you’ll find the details on each museum’s page.
How much does it cost to visit history museums in Ireland?
A regular adult ticket costs €8 at the median, with prices ranging from €3 to €28. Children, students and families usually pay less.
Other categories: Art & Design · Natural History · Science & Technology · Archaeology & Antiquity · Memorials · Castles, Palaces & Monasteries · Open-Air Museums · City & Regional Museums · World Cultures & Ethnology · People & Literature · Special-Interest Museums