National Gallery of Ireland

European Old Masters and famed Irish painters

As fine art museums go, Ireland's National Gallery is not the tops in Europe, but it does have a few important works by major old masters that make it a must for art lovers.

The highlights include Caravaggio's tumultuous 1602 Arrest of Christ, Paolo Uccello's oddball 1440 Virgin and Child, and Vermeer's richly lit 1665 Woman Writing a Letter.

The collections are fleshed out with works by Titian, van Dyck, Goya, Vel·zquez, Gainsborough, El Greco, and Degas.

Tips

• Planning your time at the National Gallery of Ireland: Even with the bulk of the gallery closed for refurbishment in 2011/2012, the collection of masterpieces set aside in the wing that is still open will take at least 45 minutes.
• Tours: Take a tour that includes a stop at the National Gallery with our partners at Viator.com:
  • Dublin City Hop-on Hop-off Tour (no site entry)
• Dublin Pass: While admission to the National Gallery is free for all, holders of the Dublin Pass do also get a free gift at the information desk.