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.
- Drop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri
Free things to doDrop-in Drawing with Roxana Manouchehri Join a free drop-in art drawing activity at Chester Beatty, Dublin with artist Roxana Manouchehri this January.
- DCC Culture Club Talk: Splendour of the Mughal Court
Free things to doDCC Culture Club Talk: Splendour of the Mughal Court Join a DCC Culture Club Talk by Joan Barnewell on the Splendour of the Mughal Court at Chester Beatty.
- Zodiac Netsuke: Animals of the Japanese Zodiac in Miniature Exhibition
Family funZodiac Netsuke: Animals of the Japanese Zodiac in Miniature Exhibition Which zodiac are you? Dive into the world of Japanese netsuke in the shape of the twelve zodiac animals at Chester Beatty as part of Dublin Lunar New Year 2025.
- Silk Worm Families: Slender Snakes
Family funSilk Worm Families: Slender Snakes 2025 is the Year of the Snake – a wise, elegant and charming creature who will guide us through the year.
- Drop-in Activity: Zodiac Animals in Miniature
Family funDrop-in Activity: Zodiac Animals in Miniature Join a free drop-in activity at Chester Beatty; Zodiac Animals in Miniature part of the Dublin Lunar New Year.
- Lunar New Year Papercutting Workshop for Adults
Arts and cultureLunar New Year Papercutting Workshop for Adults Join an Adult Workshop at Chester Beatty; Lunar New Year Papercutting as part of Dublin Lunar New Year.
- Music at the Museum: Musical Performance on Koto & Shakuhachi
Family funMusic at the Museum: Musical Performance on Koto & Shakuhachi To welcome the Lunar New Year of the Snake, join Chester Beatty for an evening of live music featuring the koto and the shakuhachi (the Japanese zither and bamboo flute).
- The Last Dance
Arts and cultureThe Last Dance Chester Beatty are holding a free film screening of The Last Dance as part of Dublin Lunar New Year on Saturday 1 February 2025.
Enjoy a yoga or Qigong class on the lovely rooftop.