Dublin is a city overflowing with stories—Vikings, poets, rebels, artists, inventors, monks, musicians, scientists, and a lot of characters who fall somewhere in between. And while many visitors follow the standard museum trail (Kilmainham, the EPIC Museum, etc.), we at Connect the Dots Tours know there’s much more to explore—especially around Stauntons on the Green Hotel, where some of Dublin’s most charming and lesser-known treasures hide in plain sight.
So today, we’re focusing entirely on the best museums you can visit between St. Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square, Trinity College, and the Liberties.
Whether you’re into art, history, science, writers, whiskey, or weirdness, Dublin’s south side has you covered.
1. The Little Museum of Dublin
Location: St. Stephen’s Green
Why you should go: It’s the museum Dubliners recommend.
Cost : €18.
This delightful Georgian townhouse museum tells the story of the city through donated artefacts, photographs, memorabilia, and quirky items that truly capture Dublin’s personality. The guided tours are legendary—funny, fast, and filled with stories you’d never find in a textbook.
Highlights include:
- A whole room dedicated to U2
- The Women’s History of Ireland exhibit
- Photos, letters, and objects donated by everyday Dubliners
It’s small, personable, and exactly what a city museum should be.
2. The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Location: Kildare Street
Why you should go: Probably the best Museum in Ireland.
Cost: Free.
This is one of Ireland’s great museums and the crown jewel of the south side. The museum houses the famous bog bodies—real human remains from the Iron Age, preserved for thousands of years in peat bogs. They’re haunting, fascinating, and unforgettable.
Other treasures include:
- Viking artefacts
- Medieval gold
- The Tara Brooch
- The Ardagh Chalice
- Prehistoric tools and weapons
Even if you’ve been before, there’s always something new to discover.
3. The National Gallery of Ireland
Location: Merrion Square
Why you should go: Free art, stunning architecture, and world-class collections.
Cost: Free.
This is Dublin’s great art museum, and while its big names (Caravaggio, Vermeer, Jack B. Yeats) get a lot of attention, the expanded galleries and hidden corridors are full of quiet gems.
Don’t miss:
- The Caravaggio “Taking of Christ”—once lost for centuries
- The Jack B. Yeats room, full of Irish colour and emotion
- The Portrait Gallery
- Free daily tours
And again: free admission. A gift to locals and visitors alike.
4. The Chester Beatty
Location: Dublin Castle
Why you should go: A global collection that feels intimate and peaceful.
Cost : Free.
This is one of Dublin’s most underrated museums and arguably one of the best small museums in Europe. Founded by collector Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, it includes:
- Ancient manuscripts
- Sacred texts
- Egyptian papyri
- East Asian art
- Persian miniatures
- Rare books from around the world
The building also houses a rooftop garden and a gorgeous courtyard café.
If you want a museum that feels calming, beautifully curated, and culturally rich—this is the gem.
5. MoLI – Museum of Literature Ireland
Location: St. Stephen’s Green
Why you should go: A celebration of literature in a beautifully restored UCD building.
Cost : €14.50.
MoLI (pronounced Molly) is Dublin’s modern love letter to its writers—Joyce, Yeats, Wilde, Beckett, O’Brien, and countless contemporary voices.
Expect:
- Interactive exhibits
- Soundscapes
- Joyce’s handwritten pages
- Beautiful contemporary art installations
- A tranquil garden café
If you like cafés in museums, MoLI’s is one of Dublin’s best.
6. The Science Gallery (Temporarily Closed… But Keep an Eye on It!)
Location: Trinity College
Why you should go: A celebration of literature in a beautifully restored UCD building.
Cost: Free
While currently undergoing redevelopment, the Science Gallery Dublin has historically been a powerhouse of interactive exhibitions about neuroscience, robotics, climate, and human identity. It’s a “watch this space” venue worth keeping on your radar.
7. The Irish Whiskey Museum
Location: Grafton Street / College Green
Why you should go: A fun, modern museum that’s great for groups.
Cost: €23 for the Classic Guided Tour
Though whiskey lovers often head north to the Jameson Distillery, the Irish Whiskey Museum is right on the south side and offers:
- Engaging, theatrical tours
- Tastings
- A café and bar overlooking College Green
It’s not a stuffy heritage museum—this is a lively experience, perfect for first-time whiskey explorers.
8. Marsh’s Library – A South Side Hidden Gem
Location: Beside St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Why you should go: Step back 300 years into a perfectly preserved library.
Cost: €7.
Marsh’s is one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets—a 1707 library unchanged since it opened.
Inside you’ll find:
- Oak bookcases
- Iron cages (yes, cages) once used to prevent book theft
- Rare manuscripts
- A serene, almost surreal atmosphere
It’s a time capsule for book lovers, and still a functioning research library.
9. The Irish Jewish Museum (Just South of the Canal)
Location: Portobello
Why you should go: A moving look at an often-overlooked part of Irish history.
Cost : €10.
The Irish Jewish Museum is housed in a former synagogue in the heart of Portobello, once Dublin’s Jewish quarter. Exhibits detail the migration, culture, and community that shaped this part of the city.
A fascinating and intimate stop, especially for heritage-focused visitors.
10. The RHA – Royal Hibernian Academy
Location: Ely Place
Why you should go: One of Dublin’s best art spaces for contemporary work.
Cost: Free.
Unlike the National Gallery, the RHA focuses primarily on Irish contemporary art—painting, sculpture, photography, installation pieces. The annual exhibitions are vibrant, modern, and always changing.
It’s also free, bright, and beautifully laid out.
11. The Book of Kells & Old Library (Trinity College)
Location: Trinity College
Why you should go: It’s iconic—and it is on the standard list—but it must be mentioned
Cost: From €21.50.
Yes, it’s popular. Yes, it can be busy. But the Book of Kells is a masterpiece of medieval artistry, and the Old Library’s Long Room is breathtaking.
Pro tip:
Book the earliest slot of the day to enjoy it with fewer crowds.
Honourable Mentions (Still South Side & Worth a Look
- The Irish Architectural Archive (Merrion Square) – free, quiet, and fascinating for design lovers
- The National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (“The Dead Zoo”) – partially closed for renovation but reopening over time
- The Huguenot Cemetery (not exactly a museum, but a beautiful historical curiosity)
- The W.B. Yeats Exhibition, National Library of Ireland – immersive, thoughtful, and free
- The Printing House at Trinity College – Often missed by visitors who head straight for the Book of Kells, the Printing House is an architectural beauty, and its interior exhibitions offer insight into how early Dublin books were produced.
- The Revenue Museum (South of the Courtyards at Dublin Castle) – Yes, a museum about taxes sounds like it would be dull—but the Revenue Museum is full of fascinating stories about smuggling, counterfeit money, and seized contraband. It’s better than you’d think!
- The Museum of Modern Art – A modern art powerhouse with sprawling gardens. Located in the 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the contrast of striking contemporary art inside baroque corridors is fabulous
- The Garda Museum (Dublin Castle) – A niche museum with stories from Ireland’s national police force.
- The Iveagh Trust Museum Flat – Dublin tenement life presented with authenticity and care
A Perfect Museum Day on the South Side
If you want a curated route, here’s our Connect the Dots recommended itinerary:
Morning
Start at MoLI → coffee in the garden → stroll through Stephen’s Green.
Late Morning
Visit the National Museum of Archaeology (bog bodies!).
Lunch
Over to Grafton Street, or grab a bite in the National Gallery café.
Afternoon
The National Gallery → then walk to the Chester Beatty for a calm, inspiring finish.
Optional Evening Add-On
A whiskey tasting at the Irish Whiskey Museum.
Final Thoughts
The south side of Dublin is an explorer’s dream—museums tucked into Georgian houses, art galleries hidden beside parks, libraries frozen in time, and world-class cultural gems around every corner.
Whether you’re seeking a blockbuster exhibition or a quirky hidden treasure, the south side has something to spark your curiosity.
If you want a personalized cultural itinerary, a guided museum walk, or recommendations based on your interests, Connect the Dots Tours is always ready to help you discover Dublin in the most delightful way.
Happy museum-hopping!