Location

Location

We are located at 15 St. Stephen’s Green, at the corner of Dawson Street, in the centre of the city.

We are a two-minute walk from the top of Grafton Street, a DoDublin bus stop is directly across the road and we are a five-minute walk from the Book of Kells.

Visit the Little Museum

This award-winning museum tells the story of Dublin. Housed in a beautiful Georgian building, our collection was created by public donation. Entry to the museum is by guided tour only, and most tours sell out. To avoid disappointment book your tickets now.

Described as “Dublin’s best museum experience” by The Irish Times, we are the number one museum in Ireland on TripAdvisor. A brilliant new addition to the cultural map of Ireland, our famous guided tours reveal the history of a city that has undergone remarkable changes in the last 100 years, from the visit of Queen Victoria to the global success of U2.

To buy your tickets, just click here.

If you are interested in lending or donating an item of interest to the Little Museum, detailed information on our collections policy, conservation policy and sample legal documentation can be accessed through the Policies section of our site.

what you’ll find

when you come inside

Click on the locations within the Museum to find out more about our Collections
The Golden Age of Dublin

Ground Floor

The Golden Age of Dublin

This is where your visit begins. The ground floor of the museum houses our reception and a new bookshop that is full of great reading and fun souvenirs.

This floor is also home our exhibition on the Golden Age of Dublin.

In the 1790s a young English draughtsman called James Malton decided to create a group portrait of Dublin. His timing was impeccable, as the second city of the British Empire was then among the most splendid in Europe. But Dublin went into a long decline after the Act of Union in 1800.

This exhibition explores the life and work of a brilliant artist. It is also a miniature biography of Dublin at the height of its golden age.

The Little Shop of Dublin

Ground Floor

The Little Shop of Dublin

Discover the Little Shop of Dublin, where you will find some of the most delightful souvenirs in Ireland, together with wonderful reading material, toys, posters, movies and sundry ways to distract children.

Our permanent collection

First Floor

Our permanent collection

Our permanent collection tells the story of the city in the 20th Century. This is where your guided tour begins and ends. 

Our goal is to tell the story of the Irish capital. A gift to the city from itself, the entire collection was donated by the people of Dublin.

On our famous guided tour you will celebrate the history, hospitality and humour of this great city.

The Editor's Room

Second Floor

The Editor’s Room

The Editor’s Room is a re-creation of The Irish Times when it was run by Robert “Bertie” Smyllie, one of its most legendary editors.

Smyllie was editor of The Irish Times from 1934 to 1954. The exhibition includes his old typewriter, which was given to the paper by Maeve Binchy, and the front page of the paper marking VE Day on May 8th, 1945.

In order to get past the censors, who frowned on partisanship in the war, Smyllie ensured the photographs on that front page were marked out in a V shape, a subliminal sign denoting support for the British war effort.

Smyllie’s old desk is also there, as is his desk lamp. The first front page of the paper from the first edition published on March 29th, 1859, is also on display.

The exhibition was curated by Irish Times journalist Peter Murtagh, who described the newspaper during Smyllie’s time as an “extraordinary place”.

U2: Made in Dublin

Second Floor

U2: Made in Dublin

Ireland’s greatest rock band is the subject of an exhibition in the Little Museum.

U2: Made in Dublin charts the story of the band over the last 40 years. This fan-curated show features musical rarities, signed albums and some great photography.

Artefacts on display include a Trabant car, an oversize Gibson Explorer, a life-size sculpture of MacPhisto and even a pack of U2 condoms. If you’re a fan of Rock’s Hottest Ticket, you will enjoy this exhibition.

find out more about our collection find out more
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the museum open today?

Yes! We are open every day from 9am to 5pm. Last tour is at 4.00pm.

Should I book ahead?

Yes. The museum is small and our tours sell out quickly. To guarantee admission, book your ticket now by clicking here.

Can I go on a guided tour?

Yes. Your ticket includes a place on one of our famous guided tours.

Do I have to go on a guided tour?

Standard admission is by guided tour. If you do not want a guided tour, please buy an all-day ticket. This ticket guarantees admission to the museum at the time of your choosing. Or else become a member of the museum.

How much does it cost to visit?

Standard admission on our guided tours is €15. Senior citizens and students pay €13. Families (two adults and up to three children) pay €35. For tickets, click here.

May I book a private tour?

Yes! Click here for our famous guided tour, then select the date and time of your visit. If a private tour is available at that time, you will have the option to book it. To book a private After Hours tour, click here and follow the same procedure.

Where is the museum?

We are located at 15 St. Stephen’s Green, at the corner of Dawson Street, in the centre of the city.

We are a two-minute walk from the top of Grafton Street, a DoDublin bus stop is directly across the road and we are a five-minute walk from the Book of Kells.

 

 

Do you have a place to eat?

No, but there is a wonderful café called Tang on the corner of Dawson Street. If you show your museum ticket, you’ll get a 10% discount.

Is the museum suitable for children?

Yes! Children love the Little Museum. Click here for more information.

Can I change my tour time or date?

No. Unfortunately we cannot change tour times or dates after you buy your ticket. If you don’t know when you will arrive, we recommend that you buy an all-day ticket for €20. This ticket guarantees a place on every tour for the day of your visit. Just click here.

What if I’m running late?

If you are going to be late for your tour, please ring reception on 01 661 1000 and we will do our best to accommodate you on a later tour.

I have a DoDublin bus ticket, how do I get free admission to the museum?

Please ask your bus driver to print your free ticket to the museum. Unfortunately we cannot let you into the museum without that ticket.

Can I book in advance with my DoDublin bus ticket?

No. Unfortunately, it is not possible to book in advance using the free DoDublin bus ticket. However, we will do our best to accommodate you as quickly as possible.

Do I have to book the Big Little Treasure Hunt for a particular time slot?

No. Just arrive with your group at any time that suits you on the date you have chosen.

Do we meet in the museum to start the Big Little Treasure Hunt?

Yes. Come to reception in the museum to pick up your treasure map – and start the timer if you want to finish the treasure hunt in record time!

I have a free ticket. Do I need to book?

No. If you have a free ticket, it is not necessary to book a place in the museum. We will do our best to accommodate you on the next available tour.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Not at the moment. We’re working on it.

Is the Green Mile walking tour an outdoor experience?

Yes. Our walking tours explore Saint Stephen’s Green, across the road from the museum. Each tour starts in the museum reception. Please remember to expect a lot of Irish weather! Dress appropriately.

How can I get to the museum?

Over 30 buses stop within a five-minute walk of the museum. Otherwise take the LUAS tram, which stops on the Green. We are four minutes from the Dawson Street and Stephen’s Green stops.

Is there parking?

Yes. There is on-street parking on St Stephen’s Green and a public car park in the Fitzwilliam Hotel on the west side of the Green.

Is there a place to leave my bag?

Unfortunately, because of the coronavirus restrictions, we don’t have a cloakroom at present.

Are there discounts for large groups?

Yes! Call the team on (01) 661 1000 to arrange your visit today.

Can I hold a private event at the museum?

Yes, the museum makes a perfect venue for events. For more information, please visit our venue hire page.

I want to donate something to the museum.

Please email a photograph of the artefact to our director, trevor@littlemuseum.ie. Please do not bring the item into the museum unless we ask you to do so.

Anything else?

Yes. The museum is a registered charity. We depend on the support of people like yourself to survive. If you want to support our work, visit us today, or make a donation here.