Irish Museum of Modern Art

Modern art museum · Kilmainham

Irish Museum of Modern Art

Modern art museum · Kilmainham

Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31, Ireland

Highlights

Modern & contemporary art in historic Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31, Ireland Get directions

imma.ie

@immaireland

@onthegrid

On the Grid : Irish Museum of Modern Art

"IMMA is the best place in Ireland to experience contemporary art. Housed in the old 17th century Royal Hospital, the building is drenched in history. With beautiful sprawling grounds, amazing, carefully kept gardens and numerous sculptures there is a lot to see before you even make it inside. The exhibitions are always carefully curated and thought-provoking and it is easy to lose a whole day to the various spaces. A great bookshop and cafe round out the museum’s arsenal. Quite literally, one of the best places in the country." - It's Okay

https://onthegrid.city/dublin/southside/irish-museum-of-modern-art

View Postcard for Irish Museum of Modern Art

@cntraveler

19 Best Things to Do in Dublin, From Bookstores to Breweries | Condé Nast Traveler

"It's Ireland's home for modern and contemporary work, with a collection of over 4,500 pieces dating from the 1940s onward; special exhibitions span many media, the formal gardens and historic grounds are worth exploring, and the courtyard regularly hosts public events like film screenings, performance art, food trucks, and live music." - Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-dublin

View Postcard for Irish Museum of Modern Art

@afar

"Old Architecture for New Art The Irish Museum of Modern Art is located in Kilmainham, just a short trip out of Dublin's City Center on the Luas. Housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the building and its grounds are vast. The grounds are littered with contemporary public sculpture from Lawrence Weiner to Richard Long, and an equally impressive (though still relatively small) collection from Abramović to Gillick. While much of the building remains under construction the museum is a must for any art enthusiasts visiting Dublin! By Caitlin Anne"

The Best Things to Do in Dublin

View Postcard for Irish Museum of Modern Art

@afar

The Perfect Weekend in Dublin

View Postcard for Irish Museum of Modern Art

@cntraveler

10 Best Museums in Dublin | Condé Nast Traveler

"Situated within the imposing 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, IMMA is an impressive setting for modern art, one with a cobblestoned courtyard, gardens, and pretty benches overlooking the grounds. The collection itself consists of more than 3,500 pieces, with about 250 works on display at any given time. Although IMMA is a bit outside the city center—about a 30-minute walk from Dame Street—you can combine it with a visit to the Kilmainham Gaol, which is 15 minutes away by foot." - Nicola Brady

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-dublin

View Postcard for Irish Museum of Modern Art

Angeles Make Up

Google

What a beautiful place! I went to assist the Earth Rising festival at the Museum and I discovered these gorgeous gardens, they are really well maintained, clean, a real pleasure to the senses. I recommend go when it's quiet and you will feel you're not in the middle of a city, but in a castle far away.. gorgeous, I will go again soon.

Shelley C

Google

I am not a big fan of modern art, but I absolutely loved this place. Yes, I rolled my eyes at the piles of dirt and bricks. I was confused as to whether the technical issue piece was art or an actual broken piece. However, in amongst that were some striking pieces. The building is surrounded by gardens and green spaces, which are also worth a look. The building itself is architecturally interesting and worth a walk around. Staff were welcoming and helpful. There is free wifi, a nice souvenir shop and a cafe. Best of all, entry was totally free. There are toilets, and these were clean. The building is fully wheelchair accessible. There are disabled toilets.

Andrea Semetas

Google

Easy access and parking at the museum. Wonderful family day out, so much to see - free exhibitions, lovely space. Cute little gift shop and yum coffee where you can have cake or brunch. We didn't have weather for the surrounding gardens and we definitely will be back. Five Stars - worth a visit. Thank you IMMA.

Óscar Avila

Google

A museum with very interesting art. When we arrived they were teaching traditional Irish dance classes in pairs, very nice. There is a cafeteria and a restaurant that has very tasty food and delicious drinks. Inside the galleries you can find very curious and interesting modern works of art. Highly recommended to go with your family, friends or alone. I'm sure you'll find new friends there.

Jay P

Google

Nice but small museum, a bit part of it was closed i think. Very nice building, potential to make it even nicer considering the space they have for it. But it’s free so all good in the end ! Happy we checked it out.

Google

There is free entry and parking on the site. Several good exhibitions are on display. You can also learn about the history of the building and the soldiers who used to live there. The garden is lovely and perfect for a short walk. Even if you don’t like modern art, the garden itself is a must-visit. The staff were great too :)

oksana osiniene

Google

An absolute must-visit for art lovers and curious minds alike. IMMA offers a unique mix of modern and contemporary art housed inside a beautifully restored 17th-century building — the former Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The contrast between the historic architecture and bold, ever-changing exhibitions is fascinating. The museum is free to enter, and the staff are welcoming and happy to answer questions. Exhibits vary from large-scale installations to more intimate video or photography-based works, often with an international focus. Make sure to check their website ahead of time for current shows or events. Helpful tips for visitors: • Don’t miss the Formal Gardens behind the building — they’re stunning and surprisingly quiet, perfect for a reflective walk. • There’s a lovely café on-site with indoor and outdoor seating. Great for a coffee break. • Easily accessible by public transport or a 20–25 minute walk from the city centre. • Ideal for solo visits, couples, or families with older kids interested in art. • Allow at least 1–2 hours to explore everything at a relaxed pace. A true hidden gem in Dublin that combines culture, history, and calm — I’ll definitely return.

elaine

Google

Really love the Modern Art Museum! 🎨 Housed in the 17th-century Royal Art Academy, it’s full of charm. I like to pop in from time to time to check out the exhibitions 🌿. Downstairs there’s a lovely tasty restaurant, super🍽️.

Devin S.

Yelp

Holy hell everything about this place is gorgeous. Maybe I'm just enchanted with Ireland in general. The grounds. The greens. The building. The art. The signs. It's gorgeousness. If you want to feel transported to another time, simple walk through the IMMA courtyards. We chose to go inside, and it was worth it. We made a point to visit the IMMA before going to Kilmainham Gaol. The art, the set up, the cafe, the displays, the people, everyone and thing was so beautiful. My husband and I spent literal hours wandering about and dreaming of becoming Irish citizens. Please Ireland, please take us, we so desperately wanted to stay forever. The art itself is every medium you can imagine - paintings, sculptures, photography, short films, and various other forms. If you are in dublin, it's worth the short trip to Kilmainham to visit IMMA. Even if it's just for the photo ops in the their courtyard.

TJ N.

Yelp

I loved my visit to this museum: from the approaching road, tot he spectacular, well manicured gardens, to the thoughtful and provoking exhibitions. Enjoyed seeing Jo Baer so fresh in their small gallery, and the exhibition 'Self-Determination: A Global Perspective' which gave us the opportunity to see art from cultures we do not always see. We sat and watched films, interacted with large scale balloon sculptures, peeked into sculptures.... everything a museum visit should be!

Tyler G.

Yelp

The building was kind of cool. The exhibits were very bland and not many of them. Not to my liking. Quite disappointed. Granted I am from LA and really enjoy LACMA. It was free, but honestly not worth the time in my opinion.

Brian S.

Yelp

Very cool and free museum in Dublin.The building that houses the museum is called the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, and it is one of Dublin's finest buildings. This means that it's worth paying a visit to the campus, even if modern art isn't your thing. The surrounding garden and the courtyard make for a nice walk and some cool photo ops as well. The museum itself is really cool. I'm by no means a modern art expert, but I was able to appreciate many of the works here. There is a mixture of paintings, sculptures, short films and various other art forms, so there's something for everyone. There is also a nice and decently priced café, rounding off a nice visit.

Annie L.

Yelp

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.

Nicole D.

Yelp

Such a beautiful museum. Every couple of months I always take a day to myself and go check out whatever new exhibition is on, grab a coffee and go for a stroll around the beautiful garden and listen to some music. The what we call love exhibition has definitely been my favourite one ive been to in imma sad to see it finish but it was great. The layout of it was wonderful and very easy to navigate and not miss anything. Some really thought provoking pieces and one that I really loved was the moving guns. Excellent exhibition and a wonderful museum.

Emily C.

Yelp

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.

Tony F.

Yelp

We couldn't get in to the prison across the street, cuz they were all sold out... :( WHO WANTS TO GO TO PRISON WHEN YOU CAN GO SEE ART??? Duh. The walk up to the museum is breathtaking. Sculpted hedges and trees line the pathway between a huge open field and a very old graveyard... whoa. Beautiful, nonetheless. Upon completing the pilgrimage, the open courtyard is of an architectural design era that I've only experienced in films taking place in the British Isles or, at minimum, New England. Groovy. I should also mention that it was also a bit confusing to figure out how to enter the museum, but eventually... Great museum. We saw so many fascinating pieces of art. There was a "religious/spiritual" art exhibit when we attended, and after some prejudged trepidation, we saw some REALLY INTERESTING pieces that certainly walked the tightrope around what you'd normally expect from dedicational art. Also blown away by the amazing, decaying skin and topographical gesso work of (drumroll, please) Freud's son, Lucian. Astonishing sadness and age is highlighted by his attention to the less attractive elements of our ever sagging, stretching, flaky, pocked skin. I learned stuff. Thanks.

Beka M.

Yelp

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.

Fred C.

Yelp

I'm fortunate enough to live close to the I.M.M.A So at any given chance (weather permitting) I love to take a stroll around the grounds. The gardens are a spectacle not to be missed and so close to town make it a must see.Would highly recommend

R L.

Yelp

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.

Melanie W.

Yelp

A wonderful modern art museum in beautiful historic surroundings. Take time to explore the grounds, which include an 18th 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 12th with an exhibition of Eileen Gray's work. Cannot wait.

Sharon C.

Yelp

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... :)

Victoria C.

Yelp

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 6th 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

Dani B.

Yelp

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.

Staci R.

Yelp

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 : (

Melanie M.

Yelp

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 cafe and bookshop on site too!

Michelle R.

Yelp

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.

François A.

Yelp

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.

Qype User (kingof…)

Yelp

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 17th-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 17th-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 http://www.imma.ie/en/index.htm

Stéphane P.

Yelp

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.

Qype User (TopLad…)

Yelp

If you like modern art, then please do visit te Irish Museum of Modern Art. The museum first opened its doors in 1991, it replaced the old building of Royal hospital in Kilmainam, whcih is west of Dublin City. Inside the museum you will see coolections and ppresentations of Modern comtempary art. They have guided tours, coffee shop, bookshop and a conference and banqueting facilities too. The museum itself is free to enter. I really liked visiting here, as I found the outside of the museum beautiful and the guided tour was great. The art in the museum is excellent too

Qype User (Jacque…)

Yelp

The Irish museum of modern art is a wonderful place, the exhibits are full of that quirky oddness unique to modern art. walking around the museum i always begin to feel like im walking further and further into someones mind. I find that some of the art can be comical and have on some occasions had to leave the place just to laugh at the silly things they call art... the bad ones are what makes me like the place so much though! Downstairs is a lovely cafe that can border on the expensive side but as the museum is free it blances itself out. Behind the museum there are beautiful gardens ideal for a strole around.

Austen T.

Yelp

While I'm not a huge fan of modern art, I found the Irish Museum of Modern Art to be quite nice. It was particularly refreshing as I found most of Dublin's museums to to a tad on the underwhelming side of things. The layout of the museum is quite cool. It inhabits an old hospital building which gives it a very unique feeling. If you're in Dublin for awhile and looking for a good museum to visit, I would suggest this one. While it is a bit out of the way, it's located quite close to Kilmainham Gaol, so you could do what I did and see them both in one trip.

Celeste T.

Yelp

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

Edwina Elizabeth O.

Yelp

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.

Rosa G.

Yelp

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.

Qype User (oonagh…)

Yelp

For a national modern museum in a capital city i am often surprised by the lacking in IMMA. I think it may lack strength in curatorship. But in comparison to visiting modern museums of art abroad, I find IMMA a bit weak. At times its as if there are only drips and drabs and not much in the way of a series of strong shows with strong artists. The odd time there is a brilliant exhibition, however the level of curatorship vary's severly. I think the Irish Museum of Modern Art should have a lot more going on to intrigue and entertain the public at all levels.

Pitt M.

Yelp

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.

Qype User (critic…)

Yelp

A really interesting and thought-provoking museum. The juxtaposition between the modern art and the historical buildings which house it only adds to the experience. As with any other collection of modern art, some of these works will leave you cold, some will leave you baffled, and some will never leave you. If you like modern art, I can't recommend this place highly enough.