Irish Museum of Modern Art

A nice relaxing place to have a look around. The bookshop is particularly great, it has everything an art lover could ever want! The gardens here are stunning all year round, a beautiful serene space in the middle of the city.

I love this museum. It’s set in the historical Kilmainham Hospital. There are lovely grounds to walk around on a fine day and events often take place in the courtyard. Keep an eye on their website and social media pages for what’s on and what exhibitions are on. Running until February 2016 — there is a wonderful exhibition called What We Call Love featuring work from the likes of Dali, Picasso, Warhol and more. There’s a brand new shop in the museum where you can buy prints books and souvenirs of the exhibitions and your visit there.

Initially did not plan to visit it but had a spare hour waiting to enter the jail (10 min walk across a garden). Very nice old building and modern exhibition rooms. We enjoyed the exhibition we visited and at the end, I was disappointed not to have more time to enjoy the exhibits.

I love the outdoor gardens and the building itself. I could spends hours waking around the gardens and one would never get bored.
If you like modern art then this place is certainly worth checking out.

I enjoyed the grounds of this old hospital building but wasn’t a fan of the art in the museum itself. It was mostly the type of modern art I consider pretty junky.
I know that’s something one can only determine for oneself so if you generally like modern art give it a try. You will at least enjoy the outdoor spaces and it’s free.
This is quite near the Heuston train station.

It’s been so long since I’ve been here, I’d forgotten how freaking amazing it is.
The building is spectacular — such a nice walk up, and I love the fact that so much contemporary and modern stuff is held in such an old, austere building.
The gardens outside are the real showstopper — grand, wild, kept, winding, and everything in between. Yesterday they had various activities happening in each one — bails of hay for people to sit on, artist talks, craft activities etc.
There is also The Hare — a vege /​raw food hut that serves the most beautifully presented food I’ve seen in quite some time. I didn’t get to taste it yesterday, but I definitely will!
The one star I dropped is actually because the art itself (currently) didn’t feel that varied, to as high standard as I would hope for such a facility.
Either way, that will change, as will my star rating, undoubtedly to a five. Great place to wile away a few hours.

Are you kidding me? The building and its surroundings are gorgeous. But the exhibits were a little heavy on modern and a little light on art. Literally an exhibit of «bullsh-​t», or more appropriately cow dung, proving for once and for all, that modern art can come out of a cows ass. The other exhibit was blaring bass over speakers and flashing neon lights — like a club with bad music and no hot girls. The rest was under construction. Free was not good enough. Save your time and avoid this.

I like modern art and this place has little competition around. The series of rooms along the corridors of what was an old military hospital provides a great space for exhibitions and more importantly, IMMA brings to Ireland great exhibitions from all over the world much to our delight.
Just a little disappointed to see so little of the space utilised. The grounds are amazing too, don’t miss the gardens which were re-​planted in the 80s if I’m correct and provide a great place to stroll and a great view.

A wonderful modern art museum in beautiful historic surroundings. Take time to explore the grounds, which include an 18^th century walled garden, artists studios and a magnificent view of the city. The exhibitions change regularly and showcase both Irish and International artists. A bit far from the city centre but that makes it feel like more of an adventure. The Hueston Luas stop is only a 5 minute walk away.
The main building is closed for renovations. It reopens October 12^th with an exhibition of Eileen Gray’s work. Cannot wait.

Closed until Fall 2013: (Only 2 exhibits open, but we couldn’t find either. There was no one around to help us.
The garden and grounds were pretty and it was a nice day so we took out time walking around. It would’ve been great if we could’ve seen some art: (

Nice gardens! I didn’t go in the museum but highly recommend a wander around the grounds.

I went here with a friend who has a BA in fine arts we share a mutual lack of understanding for modern arts. It can be nice and all but seriously circles on a canvas is not original and it does no t require talent.
Anyway we went, we laughed, we mocked and then the most marvelous thing happens; They had a special exhibition (ALSO FREE because it was Sunday) on with the works of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. I felt like a little girl who just got a pony for her 6^th birthday! And it was great and everything I wanted it to be. I have been a huge fan of them both for years and it was an honor to see their work up close and in real life!
I’ll be back to check out more special exhibitions

I wouldn’t recommend this museum unless you’re genuinely interested in modern art. I’m not very fond of it, but I’ve enjoyed other museums of this kind in the past (like the Tate Modern in London, the MoMA in NY or even the smaller GoMA in Glasgow). First I found it a bit unfriendly for tourists not familiar with the area. There weren’t any indications on the street and the surrounding area is not particularly nice. We entered the museum using the main entrance, I think, and due to the lack of signs, we thought that only the café and bookshop were located in the square. We followed some signs pointing to the «New Galleries» and ended up walking around the gardens until we realised our mistake and came back to the actual galleries. It was a rather cold morning, but the gardens are lovely and strolling around them when it’s sunny and warm must be very pleasant.
I can’t really judge the collection, as my knowledge of modern art is practically inexistent, but I finished the visit with the feeling that there is something missing here.

This place is really near my apartment, so feeling adventurous on a lovely lazy afternoon off, full of ice-​cream, we wandered in, and were pretty much immediately slapping our foreheads going d’oh! why havent we gone here before now?
As we were late in the evening, around 5ish, the museum itself was closing/​closed, so we wandered around the grounds instead, which were blissfully quiet, and so relaxing.
Given the amount of open space, and the lovely weather, we were in awe of how quiet it was, and will definitely be returning with a great book and a picnic… :)

I am still a huge fan of this spot, I do have a penchant for modern art so it makes sense.
Yesterday I went to see the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit. Here is a quick tip, exhibitions like this as in temporary and from famed artists cost you money to view. Boo! Well then get there on Fridays as that is when its free.
It was rather full and I rushed through the somewhat small exhibit so if you can, get there early.

Un musee dans un superbe cadre

One of the main assets of the IMMA is the setting. There’s something awe-​inspring about the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, an outstanding example of 17^th-​century building in Ireland. And it’s even more outstanding to see the exhibtions of many interesting international artists contrasted to the classic surroundings inside and outside; especially the formal gardens are really delightfull in summer — if allowing, most inside exhibtions have corresponding exhibits around the building. Plus, the admission is free.
However, the IMMA is not the Tate Modern. It’s space is limited, and the confinements of a 17^th-​century building limits the possibility to exhibit large artworks inside that are not weather-​proof. So maybe it’s a good idea to inform yourself in advance of what’s on display. The official website is

The IMMA is housed in a beautiful old building and manages a perfect mix of preserving its historical value while showcasing modern art. And with the red LUAS line it’s easy enough to get here now, it’s about 5 minutes walk away from Heuston Station.
The grounds are beautiful and there is very few places, which are a nicer option for a walk when the sun is shining. There are temporary exhibitions of up-​and-​coming artists as well as ongoing long-​term projects. Echoing David– this is a place you just have to see! And it’s completely free, so there really is no excuse to not visit the IMMA.

Fantastic Gallery, IMMA is one of our most impressive art galleries yet one of the least visited because of its location outside the city centre.
I cannot recommend a bus trip up here any more, the museum is housed in an exquisite building and always has something new to offer the viewer. The museum is directed towards both young and old with many interactive spots for keeping the kids happy while you take an interest in the Art… that said however most children find the art itself to be very interesting and it can be an enlightening experience finding out what they think of this work or that… sometimes they can have the better opinion on what a work means. sometimes the best!
I love it up here… it sort of takes you away from the mix of the city centre and gives you time to breath and think.
Just GO!

Founded in 1684 and restored over 300 years later this museum, housed in the old Royal Hospital, was opened in 1991 and features a collection of over 4500 contemporary Irish and international works of art.
Some of the artists who’s work can be seen here include Damien Hurst and Gilbert and George.
But there is not only art here. There are some lovely formal gardens and courtyard where lots of films have been shot and filmed here. You can even have a guided tour and find out all about the museum, the films made here, as well as the paintings and artists themselves.
There is of course a café and bookshop on site too!

A modern art museum in an old military hospital? Good thinking, Ireland! If you aren’t one for modern art, you will certainly appreciate the museum’s beautiful grounds, which back up to the Liffey.
But don’t discount the museum’s collections and special exhibits which feature a wide variety of works by international artists. The unique hospital space makes for creative exhibition design, and I recall being just blown away by how they used the space for an excellent exhibition on Laurie Anderson in 2005. Great museum relatively neglected by tourists. And it’s an awesome place to watch moody Irish men brood about in black jeans.

Der Eintritt ist frei und die Ausstellungen sind wirklich einen Besuch wert. In Düsseldorf ist man für das Kunsterlebnis sicher 20 Euro los. Finde ich toll. So bringt man moderne Kunst an ein Publikum, welches sonst vielleicht vorbeigegangen wäre.
(Siehe Foto unten)
Das Museum liegt übrigens genau zwischen der Guinness-​Brauerei und dem Kilmainham Gaol, dem ehemaligen Gefängnis. Man kann also drei interessante Besichtigungspunkte und einen schönen Parkspaziergang miteinander verknüpfen.

Das IMMA, wie es kurz in Dublin heißt, war das letzte Museum, welches ich in Dublin besichtigt hatte.
Vorher habe ich mich durch die düsteren Ausstellungen aller anderen Schatzkammern gequält.
Nach der gewaltigen Schinkensammlung der National Gallery konnte mich der Radlweg raus nach Kilmainham wieder einigermaßen entspannen.
Angekommen im so um 1680 erbauten ehemaligen Royal Hospital, früher ein Heim für Kriegsveteranen, erwartete mich dann endlich mal was zeitgemäßes.
In langen Krankenhausgängen und div. Nebenzimmern hängen und stehen die Exponate.
Komischerweise lauern nicht an jeder Ecke gelangweilt aufmerksame Gestalten in schlecht sitzenden angestaubten Museumswärteruniformen, die einen daran hindern, mit dem Finger auf die Schätze zu zeigen.
Auch mal ganz angenehm.
Seit 1990 werden dort die Sammlungen noch lebender Künstler ausgestellt.
Ständig wechselnde Ausstellungen sorgen dafür, dass man zur Erholung durchaus mehrmal im Jahr rausfahren kann.
Das IMMA liegt auf einer Anhöhe, inmitten eines Gartens im Stil des 18.Jh., und bieten von hier oben eine wunderbare Aussicht über den Fluß und Richtung Innenstadt.
Sehr zu empfehlen auch das Grass Roots Café im weitläufigen Untergeschoss.
Wer übrigens kein Fahrrad dabei hat, erreicht das IMMA auch in einigen Gehminuten vom Bahnhof Heuston Station
Öffungszeiten:
Museum Opening Hours
Tuesday — Saturday: 10.00am — 5.30pm
except Wednesday: 10.30am — 5.30pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays: 12noon — 5.30pm