The Glucksman is a stunning contemporary art museum that stands out as one of the best things to do with kids in Cork. Located in the historic, green grounds of University College Cork, this attraction provides a brilliant window into modern visual culture. Functioning as a family-friendly museum, it allows children to engage with rotating gallery spaces, express their creativity, and join hands-on art workshops.

Prices start from free general admission for all visitors. While there is a suggested donation of €5 (approximately £4.20) to support the galleries, entering to view the seasonal exhibits costs absolutely nothing. It serves as a fantastic, budget-friendly stop for families seeking a creative day out.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that blends striking modern architecture, seasonal art workshops, and leafy university parklands, this is the perfect destination. The gallery layout is bright and spacious, making it highly scannable and easy to explore with young children. It provides an excellent, screen-free environment where kids can learn from professional artists, discover diverse media, and build their own creative confidence.

Key Features

• Sensory-Friendly Mornings: Dedicated museum spaces run at a quieter, relaxed pace to support children with specific sensory needs.
• Interactive Art Workshops: Fully structured weekend classes where children use physical materials to respond directly to current galleries.
• Educational Day Out: A top-tier university museum setting designed to make complex contemporary art accessible to school-age kids.

What Makes The Glucksman Unique?

• The Award-Winning Architecture: The museum floats beautifully on pillars amidst the limestone trees of the lower university grounds. The limestone and timber structure offers kids a thrilling visual introduction to eco-conscious design.
• Family Sundays: A weekly afternoon tradition running throughout the exhibition seasons. Led by professional art facilitators, these sessions let parents and kids complete free creative projects side by side.
• First Steps Toddler Sessions: Dedicated early-years workshops that specifically link art and nature for toddlers aged 1 to 3. This provides a brilliant tactile introduction to gallery spaces.
• The Glucksman Kids Club: A dedicated premium membership scheme that treats children as the art collectors of the future. Young members get custom art journals, enamel badges, and priority booking options.
• Summer Art Camps: High-energy, week-long seasonal studio programmes designed for kids aged 5 to 7 and older groups. These give children a deep dive into painting, printmaking, and structural design.

Inside the Collection: What to See

• The UCC Art Collection: A prestigious permanent repository of modern Irish and international masterpieces. The museum frequently rotates selected works to keep the walls fresh for repeat family visits.
• Contemporary Painting Displays: Moving exhibitions that showcase bold canvases by celebrated local and global artists. Children can see up-close examples of texture, thick brushwork, and vibrant colour scales.
• The Foyer Art Projects: Changing installations displayed directly in the open-plan entrance hall. These pieces challenge kids to think about how art interacts with communal public buildings.
• Graphic and Marker Sketches: Intricate line drawings that demonstrate how contemporary creators plot out large-scale concepts. Kids can study simple graphite techniques they can replicate at home.
• Modern Sculptural Work: Monumental indoor and outdoor physical objects made from unexpected media like steel, bronze, wood, and stone. Children can walk around these three-dimensional pieces to observe shapes and balance.