National Gallery of Ireland

"Following a large-scale refurbishment, the National Gallery has re-emerged as an impressive establishment that more than holds its own on the world’s stage. The National Portrait Gallery, with depictions of beloved Irish personalities like poet Seamus Heaney, author Maeve Binchy, and former president Mary Robinson, is part of the collection. And although the power players are all here—Caravaggio, Monet, Goya—there’s also a solid selection of works by Irish artists, including a Yeats room featuring pieces by painter Jack B. Yeats, brother of the poet. One piece that always draws a crowd is "Hellelil and Hildebrand, the Meeting on the Turret Stairs," a delicate Frederic William Burton watercolor that's only on-view two hours a week. You'll want to spend a solid few hours exploring all of the rooms in depth. Serious art aficionados will be just as impressed as newbies." - Nicola Brady

"So, what’s this place about? Following a large-scale refurbishment, the National Gallery has re-emerged as an impressive establishment that more than holds its own on the world’s stage. There’s a staggering quantity of art that sprawls out among the museum's grand wings and intimate rooms. The National Portrait Gallery, with depictions of beloved Irish personalities like poet Seamus Heaney, author Maeve Binchy, and former president Mary Robinson, is part of the collection. That sounds cool. How’s the space? With 19th-century architectural details and dramatic stone staircases, the building itself is a stunning backdrop to the art. The renovation yielded a narrow new courtyard, which currently features a sculpture by Joseph Walsh and a large-scale illustrative installation by Joe Caslin. The art’s the main thing, of course. How is it? The power players are all here—Caravaggio, Monet, Goya—but there’s also a solid selection of works by Irish artists, including a Yeats room featuring pieces by Jack B. Yeats (brother of the poet) and a gallery that's home to an archive of the painter's sketchbooks, journals, and letters. One piece that always draws a crowd is "Hellelil and Hildebrand, the Meeting on the Turret Stairs," a delicate Frederic William Burton watercolor that's only on-view two hours a week. Are there tours? Free tours, which run regularly on weekends, tend to focus on a particular theme. Tour guides are knowledgeable and passionate. I’m interested. At the end of the day, what—or who—is this place best for? You'll want to spend a solid few hours exploring all of the rooms in depth. Serious art aficionados will be just as impressed as newbies." - Nicola Brady