Take a journey across continents, countries and peoples, as you discover treasures of rare quality and beauty from across the globe. This world renowned, award winning museum showcases rich and diverse exhibitions of miniature paintings, decorative arts, manuscripts, prints and drawings, from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. All pieces were donated to the Irish nation by American mining magnate and philanthropist, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968).
Described by Lonely Planet as ‘not just the best museum in Ireland but one of the best in Europe’, and the only Irish museum to ever win European Museum of the Year, the Chester Beatty’s extraordinary collections span centuries, continents and cultures and offer visitors a fascinating view of global artistic heritage.
An engaging and welcoming space, visitors from Ireland and overseas can enjoy thought-provoking exhibitions, browse in the Gift Shop, or take a rest-stop in the Silk Road Café serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
No pre-booking is required to visit Chester Beatty. Visitors can download a free audio tour in 13 languages (English, Irish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Turkish and Dutch) to self-guide through their visit. Free guided tours are available on select dates and need to be pre-booked.
- Qigong at the Rooftop Garden
Family funQigong at the Rooftop Garden A traditional Chinese form of meditation, co-ordinating slow movement, deep rhythmic breathing and a calm state of mind.
- Bealtaine Audio-Drescriptive Tour
Free things to doBealtaine Audio-Drescriptive Tour This Bealtaine Festival, please join Chester Beatty for an audio-descriptive tour of selected objects in the Arts of the Book gallery.
- Drawing with Dip Nibs
Arts and cultureDrawing with Dip Nibs This National Drawing Day, explore the timeless techniques of the great European masters such as Goya and Rembrandt under the guidance of artist Roxana Manouchehri.
- Drop-in Drawing for Families: Touchy Feely Drawing
Family funDrop-in Drawing for Families: Touchy Feely Drawing Join Chester Beatty for this free, family drop-in workshop that emphasises the tactile aspects of drawing.
- Brooklyn Home for the Hamilton Field Hours
Free things to doBrooklyn Home for the Hamilton Field Hours This lecture explores life and home of the former owner of the Chester Beatty’s Hamilton Field Hours, the fascinating yet little known figure of Hamilton Easter Field, the American artist, collector, patron, and critic.
- The Danish Girl
Free things to doThe Danish Girl To mark Dublin Pride 2024, Chester Beatty are screening Lili Elbe's film The Danish Girl starring Eddie Redmayne this June.
- DCC Culture Club Tour: Slow Art
Free things to doDCC Culture Club Tour: Slow Art Join the DCC Culture Club for a mindful exploration of five objects in the Chester Beatty’s Sacred Traditions gallery.
- Cruinniú na nÓg Drop-in: Eco-Friendly Animals
Family funCruinniú na nÓg Drop-in: Eco-Friendly Animals Get ready for an exciting adventure into the world of eco-friendly creativity with Chester Beatty's cardboard crafting session!
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.