Have you ever visited Collins Barracks in Dublin — or to give it its proper title, the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History? We sent a mum along with her family to do a family review for us. Here’s what she (and we) love about this Dublin museum, and why it’s worth a visit with the family.
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Perfect For All The Family
I was excited when MyKidsTime asked if I would review the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks. We chose to visit on Father’s Day, and what a great day to pick!
My six-year-old was excited for a nice day out, and we brought my parents along too. They were both keen to visit — especially my dad, as his father and grandfather had served in the armed forces, so this museum meant a lot to him.
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Easy To Get To
We parked at the Red Cow and took the Red Luas line to the “Museum” stop. From there, it’s just a flight of steps up and you’re there.
It’s an impressive first sight, and much bigger than we expected. Walking through into the main yard was a highlight for my daughter — she ran through the archway and marvelled at how it towered above her.
Signage around the site is good, so we headed straight to reception to start our visit.
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Friendly And Welcoming
Inside, the space is light and airy, and the staff were smiling, friendly, and happy to answer our questions. On the day we visited there were no activity sheets for children, but we were told there’s an area on the first floor set aside for kids. In the end, we got so absorbed in the exhibits that we never actually found it!
There was simply so much to see that we got a little turned around — the maps didn’t help much, though that may just have been us.
Loads To See And Do
Four floors of displays and exhibitions mean there’s plenty to choose from. Many of the displays are interactive as well as informative, so my daughter got her own level of enjoyment out of the visit too.
One thing to note: a lot of the displays are sensitive to flash photography, so you’re asked to avoid taking photos in some rooms.
We arrived not long after opening and took a break a good while later — and we’d still only seen half of the first floor and the arms area at that stage. There really is a lot to get through.
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Taking A Break
We stopped at the onsite café, Brambles. It was clean and offered a good selection of sweet and savoury, hot and cold options, and the quality was very good — my dad said it was one of the best cups of coffee he’d had in a long time, which was a nice touch on Father’s Day. Do keep in mind that café prices can add up for a family, though entry to the museum itself doesn’t cost anything.
If you’d rather save the cost, you could bring a packed lunch and enjoy it in the grounds if the weather is kind.
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Time To See Even More!
Once we’d had our break, we headed back in and saw more beautiful and interesting displays.
Your visit will take shape depending on whether you head left or right from the entrance — there’s no wrong choice. Every visit is a little different, as there’s so much to see and so many ways to explore what the museum has to offer.
I was really taken with the clock that lets you see the workings from inside the building — it’s a feature you’ll also notice prominently from outside.
The staff who move around the building are enthusiastic and, in many cases, genuinely passionate when they talk about the exhibitions.
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We’ll Be Back
We had to leave in the end due to time, but I think we only scratched the surface of what’s on offer. We never even made it to the Asgard yacht, which is housed in a separate building on the grounds.
All in all, I can’t recommend a visit enough. There really is something for everyone here, and we all agreed we’d love to go back — and we plan to.
Our Recommendations & Final Verdict
Favourites for the day:
- My daughter, 6: The fashion clothing exhibition and the little writing nook. 5/5
- My mother, 71: The Eileen Gray exhibition and the Albert Bender exhibition. 10/10
- My father, 70: All the furniture displays, and one of the best cups of coffee he’s had in a long time. 99/100
- My personal favourite was watching my dad find details of my great-grandfather from 1916 — it made the whole day complete.
The museum has lifts serving all floors, which we found helpful, though toilets were only available on the ground floor during our visit — worth bearing in mind if you’re planning your day with young children.
Opening hours and admission details can change, so it’s worth checking the museum’s Calendar of Events before you go — it’s also a great way to see what free, family-friendly events are coming up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks free to visit?
Entry to the museum itself is free, though you may want to budget for the onsite café if you plan to eat there.
How do you get to Collins Barracks by public transport?
The Red Luas line stops right at “Museum,” just a short walk up a flight of steps from the entrance to the barracks.
Is the museum suitable for young children?
Yes — there are interactive displays throughout, plenty of space to explore, and a children’s area is available on the first floor, though do ask staff for directions as the building can be easy to get turned around in.
Is the museum accessible for buggies or those with mobility needs?
Lifts serve all floors, but based on our visit, toilets were only available on the ground floor. It’s worth checking current accessibility details directly with the museum before you go.
How long should we plan for a visit?
Longer than you’d expect. With four floors of exhibits, a half-day visit only scratches the surface — you may want to plan a return trip.
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Loved this review? Browse more of our family day-out reviews for ideas on where to take the kids next, or save this one to come back to when you’re planning your next Dublin outing.
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