Name: Irish Museum Of Modern Art
Rating: 5.0

Irish Museum Of Modern Art

Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31, Ireland

1-99 Years

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Description

The Irish Museum of Modern Art, also known as IMMA, is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. It is located in Kilmainham, Dublin.

IMMA is Ireland’s National Institution for Contemporary Art. Our programme includes exhibitions and projects by leading Irish and international artists, as well as a rich engagement and learning programme of talks, workshops and tours providing audiences of all ages the opportunity to explore contemporary art and unlock their creativity.

Admission to IMMA is free, and entrance to most of our exhibitions is also free. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

Extensive Formal Gardens: Wander through acres of beautifully maintained grounds, including the historic formal gardens and the Meadow.
Contemporary Art Collection: Discover an ever-changing rotation of modern works from the IMMA Collection.
Family Workshops: Periodic creative sessions designed to engage younger visitors with art through hands-on activities.
Historic Architecture: Explore the 17th-century Royal Hospital building, which provides a stunning backdrop for modern installations.

Top Highlights

The Royal Hospital Courtyard: The heart of the building, providing a peaceful, enclosed space that is perfect for children to explore safely while parents take in the architecture.
Rotating Contemporary Exhibitions: IMMA constantly updates its gallery spaces; you will often find immersive large-scale installations that captivate children's imaginations.
The Formal Gardens: A must-visit feature; these grounds offer a mix of manicured hedges and wilder meadow areas where families can enjoy a picnic.
Permanent Collection Displays: These often feature landmark pieces of Irish and international art, offering a great starting point for family discussions about what art "means."
Architectural Details: The site itself is a piece of history; children often enjoy spotting the historic windows and high ceilings of this former military hospital.

Facilities

Toilets: Accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities are available in the main building.
Food & Drink: The museum houses Fruition, an underground café located in the historic vaults, alongside a coffee truck in the courtyard.
Buggy Parking: The museum is spacious and generally accommodating for pushchairs.

Pro-Tips

Visit the Gardens First: If the weather is fine, start with the gardens to let the children run off energy before heading into the quiet gallery spaces.
Check the Calendar: Look at the official website’s "What’s On" section before your visit, as specific family workshops are often scheduled on weekends.
Transport Hack: Take the Luas Red Line to Heuston Station; the museum is just a short, pleasant walk from there, making it an easy trip from the city centre.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? While the galleries require quiet behavior, the 48 acres of outdoor grounds are excellent for toddlers to explore freely, making it a worthwhile trip for a picnic and a walk.
How long does a visit take? A typical visit lasts between 2 and 3 hours, allowing enough time to explore the main gallery exhibitions and enjoy the outdoor gardens.
Where is the best place to park? Ample paid parking is available on-site at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, with access via the East Gate on Military Road.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The sheer amount of space in the gardens is a massive hit with families.
Visitors appreciate that the museum provides a calm, quiet alternative to busier Dublin tourist attractions.
The standard of the exhibitions is consistently praised as high-quality and thought-provoking.

What Visitors Don't Like

The location is slightly removed from the immediate city centre, which can be a long walk for smaller children.
Occasionally, some of the more abstract exhibits are noted as being difficult for very young children to engage with fully.

What to see

Detailed Inventory: Museum Collections

IMMA Collection: A vast archive of over 3,500 artworks.
National Collection of Contemporary Drawing: A significant subset focusing on modern sketching and line work.
The Royal Hospital Chapel: A beautifully preserved 17th-century space often used for artistic dialogue.
Modernist Sculpture Garden: A selection of outdoor pieces placed throughout the formal grounds.
Mid-20th Century Irish Paintings: A core exhibit showcasing the evolution of Irish identity through art.
Contemporary Video Installations: Often featured in the ground-floor gallery vaults.
Photography Archives: Seasonal rotations of modern photographic prints.
Site-Specific Outdoor Commissions: Large-scale outdoor installations designed to integrate with the 48-acre campus.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Beyond the indoor gallery spaces, the IMMA site offers a wealth of outdoor experiences and nearby historical landmarks.
Kilmainham Gaol: A major historical landmark located a short walk away, offering a deep dive into Irish history that is perfect for older children and teens.
Studio Street: Take a stroll to see the museum's artist studios, where you can occasionally catch a glimpse of resident artists at work.
Living Canvas: Europe’s largest digital outdoor art screen is situated on the front lawn, featuring a rotating programme of contemporary films and moving-image works.
Formal Garden Walks: The 48-acre campus features diverse walking trails that are stroller-friendly and ideal for a family nature walk.

New for 2026: Summer at IMMA

The 2026 programme brings a vibrant, festival-style atmosphere to the museum grounds throughout the summer months.
Summer at IMMA Programme: A dynamic series of free events running from June to August, including live performances, outdoor film screenings, and music in the courtyard.
Living Canvas 2026: A refreshed digital art programme on the front lawn, featuring new film commissions by international artists.
Future Perfect Showcase: Curated by IMMA, this graduate showcase highlights the next generation of Irish artistic talent with fresh, experimental installations.
Art & Wellbeing Workshops: New creative sessions in the Matheson Creativity Hub, ranging from "Drawing with Thread" to mindfulness-focused art workshops.
Dublin by Dusk: IMMA’s participation in this city-wide initiative brings special late-evening events, including musical performances and sunset documentary screenings.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday: 10:00am – 5:30pm.
Wednesday: 11:30am – 5:30pm.
Sunday & Bank Holidays: 12:00pm – 5:30pm.
Monday: Closed.

Address: Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31, Ireland

Post Code: Dublin 8

Council: Dublin

County: Dublin

By Bus: You can reach IMMA by taking a bus (145 or C-Spine buses C1,2,3,4) to Heuston Station and then walking 8 minutes to IMMA via the Military Road gate Or by taking a bus (13, 73, G-Spine G1,2) to St. James’s Hospital which is also an 8 minute walk via steps to Bow Lane onto Irwin St. and then Military Rd.
By Train: IMMA is an 8 minute walk from Heuston Station, one of two major train stations in the city. Connolly Station is the other major station, which is connected to Heuston Station by the Red Luas line. Consult Irish Rail to plan your journey by train.
By road: Military Road (inbound) closed from John’s Road West junction from 13:00; Kilmainham Lane/Bow Lane West junction closed during the day; Bow Lane West junction with James St closed except for local access; Kilmainham Lane will be one-way outbound only.
By Bike: If you are cycling to IMMA you will find bicycle parking at the rear of the building, just before the entrance to the car park. Follow signs for the car park. There are also a number of Dublin Bikes stations near IMMA, including one right at the entrance on Military Road (outside Supervalu) and another on Kilmainham Lane.
On Foot: IMMA is approximately a 30 to 40 minute walk from the city centre, and an 8 mins walk from transport hub Heuston Station. We are located in Dublin 8, within a 15-20 mins walking distance of a number of other visitor attractions.
Parking: There is ample on-site parking which is just €3 for the first three hours. Parking machines take both coins and chip and pin cards.