The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, which houses the museum, was commissioned in 1680 by the Duke of Ormonde to serve as a retirement home for soldiers.
A Viking-age cemetery was discovered on the museum's grounds during construction work in the 1990s.
The museum's collection includes significant works by artists such as Lucian Freud, Marina Abramović, and Louis le Brocquy.
The building was designed by Sir William Robinson, who also served as the Surveyor General of Ireland.
The formal gardens were restored based on the original 17th-century layout.
IMMA manages the National Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art on behalf of the state.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is housed within the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, a 17th-century structure modeled after Les Invalides in Paris. It serves as Ireland's national institution for contemporary and modern art. The museum holds a collection of over 3,500 artworks, spanning from the 1940s to the present. The site includes expansive formal gardens and a medieval burial ground. IMMA frequently hosts temporary exhibitions in its renovated galleries while maintaining historical features of the former hospital. The architecture features a distinctive inner courtyard and classical colonnades.
The 17th-century inner courtyard, which showcases the contrast between classicist architecture and modern art installations.
Prioritize time for the formal gardens, which are less crowded than the main galleries.
Check the official website for current temporary exhibition rotations before arrival.
The museum site is large; wear comfortable shoes for walking between galleries and the grounds.
Attempting to see every gallery in one visit, as the rotation of pieces and the sheer size of the complex can be overwhelming.
Closed on Mondays.
