Photo Museum Ireland

About the museum

Photo Museum Ireland began in 1978 as the Gallery of Photography, founded by John Osman on Wellington Quay in Dublin. In 1980 it mounted Out of the Shadows, the first major survey of Irish art photography to receive public funding. In 1996 it moved to a purpose-built home in Meeting House Square in Temple Bar, designed by O’Donnell & Tuomey Architects with the Box Brownie camera as inspiration, and the LightRoom workshop space was added in 2009.

Over the following decades the gallery showed major international names, published books and built up artist services, including a darkroom, printing facilities and a scanning suite. In the early 2020s it set up the Photo Museum Ireland Collection, which now holds more than 450 works by contemporary Irish artists and is working with artists and estates to digitise and catalogue career-defining bodies of work. In 2022 the organisation changed its name from Gallery of Photography Ireland to Photo Museum Ireland, and in the same year it launched In Our Own Image, a survey of photography in Ireland from 1839 to the present.

The museum is recognised by the Arts Council as the strategic organisation for photography in Ireland. In November 2025 it became the first photography organisation in Ireland to receive full accreditation under the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland. Admission to the exhibitions is free.

Highlights

• Free exhibitions of Irish and international contemporary photography
• Photo Museum Ireland Collection of contemporary Irish photography
• Specialist photography bookshop on the ground floor
• Free audio guides through the Bloomberg Connects app
• Purpose-built Box Brownie-inspired building in Meeting House Square

Founded

1978

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum and exhibitions is free. Guided tours are free of charge but must be booked. Members save 10% in the bookshop and on courses.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The building has no steps at the entrance. Wheelchair users are advised to enter from Essex Street East or Sycamore Street because there are steps from Eustace Street. A lift connects all floors, and the exhibition spaces are fully wheelchair accessible. There are toilets on the first floor and a wheelchair-accessible toilet in the basement, reached by lift with the help of a staff member. Folding chairs with armrests can be borrowed at reception. Service, assistant and emotional support animals are welcome. Large-print exhibition guides, NaviLens codes, audio descriptions of selected collection works and a free audio guide are available, and dementia-friendly tours and a sensory guide are offered.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby-changing facilities are in the accessible toilet in the basement (staff access needed). A youth panel and education programmes for schools and young people are offered.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Meeting House Square between Dame Street and the Liffey quays. Entrances are from Eustace Street, Essex Street East and Sycamore Street.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Specialist photography bookshop and reception on the ground floor. Free visitor Wi-Fi is available in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

The exhibition space seats 40 people, the third-floor LightRoom seats 6 to 12, and the ground-floor bookshop and Meeting House Square can also be used. One event is hosted at a time.

Plan your visit