The summer season is upon us and as the schools break up teachers, students and parents alike will be looking for a way to entertain themselves. It’s not every day that you can simply lounge around in the sun in Dublin, given that rainy days are all too familiar here. However, a great way to entertain yourselves and soak up some culture at the same time is to check out some of the great exhibitions in Dublin. There’s something for everyone and many of them are free!
1. Irish Famine Exhibition
📍 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, D02 HX65
⌛ June 1 – September 30, 2022
💸Free
Everybody knows about the Irish Famine which devastated the country, killing around one million people on the island. However, this new exhibition in Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre really digs deep into the causes and consequences of the famine. So, whether you’re really clued up on Irish history or know very little about this catastrophic era, everybody can take something from this incredibly informative exhibition.
2. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
📍Unit 9B, Artane Place, 66 – 67 Kilmore Rd, Beaumont, Dublin, D05 K0W4
⌛ Tickets available from now
💸From €12.30
Ever wished you could climb through the canvas into a swirling Van Gogh masterpiece? Well now you can, as an awe-inspiring immersive Van Gogh exhibition is now open in Dublin. Here you can see the famous Dutch painter’s artwork brought to life using cutting-edge projection mapping, virtual reality and a 360-degree digital show.
The immersive art exhibition explores Van Gogh’s life and tracks how he became one of the world’s most famous artists. 2 million people around the world have already seen this innovative exhibition and now you can too! Get your tickets to Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience here.
3. Revolutionary Routes: Ireland and the Black Atlantic
📍 The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin 1
⌛ May 25 – October 30, 2022
💸From €9
Ireland has a strong history of anti-slavery and solidarity with oppressed groups both within the country and abroad, and this new exhibition at The Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC) explores this proud tradition. There you can learn about the likes of 18th Century Irish revolutionaries Edward and Catherine Despard who were an interracial couple alongside people like anti-slavery activist Lady Kathleen Simon. It’s truly an eye-opening exhibition and you can buy tickets for EPIC here.
4. Meeting in Isfahan
📍 Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, D02 AD92
⌛ 4 February – 28 August, 2022
💸Free
This insightful art exhibition in the Chester Beatty focuses on the city of Isfahan, which in 1598 became the capital of Iran. This ancient city was a hub of education, artistry, philosophy and spirituality and if you think it sounds interesting then just wait until you see the breathtaking paintings, drawings, books and maps they have on display. Better yet, it’s completely free!
5. Giacometti: From Life
📍 Merrion Square W, Dublin 2, D02 K303
⌛ 4 February – 28 August, 2022
💸€5
April 9 – September 4, 2022
Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti had many models, from Japanese philosopher and expert on Existentialism Isaku Yanaihara to famous feminist Simone de Beauvoir. You can now see many of his bronze and plaster sculptures alongside his captivating paintings and prints at The National Gallery of Ireland and you can even see them for free between 11 am – 2 pm on Mondays. At any other time, it costs €5 but it’s definitely worth the money!
6. The Narrow Gate of the Here-and-Now
📍 Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
⌛ December 8 – July 31, 2022
💸Free
Happy birthday, IMMA! The brilliant Irish Museum of Modern Art is celebrating its 30th birthday with an art exhibition including artwork from over 200 artists. The first chapter is ‘Queer Embodiment’ and there are three more chapters: ‘The Anthropocene’, ‘Social Fabric’ and ‘Protest and Conflict’. It’s completely free to browse this stunning and thought-provoking exhibition.
7. Celebrating Ulysses
📍 Merrion Square W, Dublin 2, D02 K303
⌛ May 21 – August 21, 2022
💸Free
If you, like me, are a huge fan of James Joyce then you’ll know it was recently Bloomsday, which is the day on which Ulysses was set (16 June 1904). This year Ulysses also celebrated its centenary, so it’s the optimum time to visit the Celebrating Ulysses exhibition at the National Gallery Of Ireland. Seriously, don’t miss this art exhibition because it presents 34 works by Günter Schöllkopf, illustrating the characters and events of Ulysses and it’s completely free!
8. Hughie O’Donoghue: Original Sins
📍 Merrion Square W, Dublin 2, D02 K303
⌛ June 17 – October 31, 2022
💸Free
Artist Hughie O’Donoghue was born in Manchester, England, but he spent much of his childhood in County Mayo where his mother was born. There he learned the history of Ireland and heard traditional Irish stories and it seems fair to say that his upbringing inspired the artwork currently on display at the National Gallery Of Ireland.
The art exhibition shows six huge paintings featuring important historical figures such as Aoife MacMurrough and William the Conqueror alongside the likes of Emily Davidson and Michael Collins. These truly incredible paintings take the visitor on a journey and provoke questions about identity on a personal and national level.
So there you have it, there are plenty of wonderful and intriguing exhibitions in Dublin right now for you to check out. Each exhibit has a visual element, in particular the immersive Van Gogh exhibition, which will make you see the life and artwork of the Dutch painter in a totally different light.