The museum complex is named after Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary leader and commander-in-chief.
Originally built between 1701 and 1704, the site was the oldest barracks in the British Empire.
The central Clarke Gallery houses the largest collection of stained glass works by Harry Clarke in the world.
The building was designed by Thomas Burgh, the Surveyor General of Ireland, who also designed the Old Library at Trinity College.
The 'Soldiers & Chiefs' exhibition features items recovered from the trenches of the First World War.
The museum holds an Asgard yacht used in the 1914 Howth gun-running incident, suspended from the ceiling in a specialized hall.
The site functioned as an army barracks for nearly 300 years before transitioning into a museum facility.
The National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History is housed in the former Collins Barracks, a sprawling 18th-century military complex. It serves as the primary repository for the national collection of Irish decorative arts, military history, and folk life. The site features an expansive collection of silver, ceramics, glassware, and furniture alongside significant military artifacts. Its architectural design represents the oldest military barracks in continuous use globally until its conversion into a museum in 1997. The museum preserves the Clarke Collection of stained glass and extensive ephemera related to Irish revolutionary history. Permanent exhibits include 'Soldiers & Chiefs,' which spans centuries of Irish military service at home and abroad. It also hosts 'Out of Storage,' an innovative display showcasing objects rarely seen in conventional gallery settings. The site occupies a significant footprint in Stoneybatter, utilizing the original parade square as a central public courtyard.
The expansive, symmetrical central parade square looking back toward the neoclassical architecture of the main barracks buildings.
Prioritize the 'Soldiers & Chiefs' exhibition if you have limited time, as it is the most expansive wing.
Check the museum's digital portal before visiting, as some galleries rotate their contents to display items from the off-site archives.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the site covers a large footprint with stone-paved courtyards.
Trying to see every single item in the vast collection; focus on specific eras or themes to prevent fatigue.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
No flash photography in specific sensitive archive areas; maintain a quiet demeanor in gallery spaces.
