Museum · Dublin
National Gallery of Ireland: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official National Gallery website. Official links are under Sources.
National Gallery is free to enter.
- Open today 09:15–17:30.
- Also free: Hilma af Klint exhibition free for under-18s; Carers accompanying a disabled visitor get free exhibition entry.
- Free Wednesday slots must be booked in advance; capacity is 27 people per 15-minute slot.
Calendar
Free days at National Gallery
- WED28OCTWednesday, 28 October 2026 · in 4 days · 09:15–11:30
- WED4NOVWednesday, 4 November 2026 · in 11 days · 09:15–11:30
- WED11NOVWednesday, 11 November 2026 · in 3 weeks · 09:15–11:30
- WED18NOVWednesday, 18 November 2026 · in 4 weeks · 09:15–11:30
- WED25NOVWednesday, 25 November 2026 · in 5 weeks · 09:15–11:30
- WED2DECWednesday, 2 December 2026 · in 6 weeks · 09:15–11:30
15 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Hilma af Klint exhibition free for under-18s: Timed tickets (15-minute slots, 27 people per slot); book the €0 ticket online.
- Hilma af Klint exhibition free every Wednesday 9:15-11:30 (booking required): Free Wednesday slots must be booked in advance; capacity is 27 people per 15-minute slot.
- Paid exhibitions free for Friends and Patrons members: Book the free member ticket through your account.
- Carers accompanying a disabled visitor get free exhibition entry: Carers must book their free ticket in advance.
- The permanent collection needs no ticket; just walk in via Merrion Square or Clare Street.
- For Hilma af Klint, the cheapest options are the free Wednesday-morning slots and €5 slots (early-bird Tue/Thu/Fri 9:15-9:45 and Thursday 17:00-19:15) - all must be booked.
- While the Hugh Lane Gallery is closed, a free selection of its paintings (incl. Impressionists) hangs here in Rooms 47-48.
- Thursdays run late to 20:30.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freePermanent collection is free for everyone, no booking needed | everyone | Ticketed temporary exhibitions (currently Hilma af Klint) are extra. Free exhibitions include Highlights from Hugh Lane Gallery (Rooms 47-48) and Jan Steen: Sacred and Profane (from 21 Nov 2026). | No |
| Free forHilma af Klint exhibition free for under-18s | under-18s | Applies to the paid Hilma af Klint: Artist and Visionary exhibition (Rooms 6-10). | Yes |
| Free hoursHilma af Klint exhibition free every Wednesday 9:15-11:30 (booking required) · 09:15–11:30 | everyone | — | Yes |
| Free with passPaid exhibitions free for Friends and Patrons members | members | Membership is paid. OPW Heritage Card, IMA Card and art teachers do not get free exhibition entry. | Yes |
| Free forCarers accompanying a disabled visitor get free exhibition entry | carers of visitors with disabilities | — | Yes |
Official prices
National Gallery ticket prices
| Hilma af Klint: Artist and Visionary, adult weekday ticket (15 Oct 2026 - 7 Feb 2027) — First major Irish show of the Swedish abstract pioneer; 10% off weekday tickets booked online, €5 early-bird and Thursday-evening slots. | €16 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: National Gallery
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 11:00–17:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:15–17:30 |
| Wed | 09:15–17:30 |
| Thu | 09:15–20:30 |
| Fri | 09:15–17:30 |
| Sat | 09:15–17:30 |
| Sun | 11:00–17:30 |
Mon 11:00-17:30; Tue-Wed 9:15-17:30; Thu 9:15-20:30; Fri-Sat 9:15-17:30; Sun 11:00-17:30. Galleries start closing at 16:50 (19:50 Thu), upper floors first; entry stops 15 minutes before closing. 1 January: 11:00-17:30.
Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, Ireland
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
National Gallery: common questions
Is National Gallery free?
Yes — National Gallery is free to enter. Also free: Hilma af Klint exhibition free for under-18s; Carers accompanying a disabled visitor get free exhibition entry.
When is National Gallery free?
Hilma af Klint exhibition free every Wednesday 9:15-11:30 (booking required). The next free date is Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
Who gets free entry to National Gallery?
Under-18s — applies to the paid Hilma af Klint: Artist and Visionary exhibition (Rooms 6-10).. Carers of visitors with disabilities.
Do I need to book for free entry to National Gallery?
Timed tickets (15-minute slots, 27 people per slot); book the €0 ticket online.
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What visitors say about National Gallery
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Sources
Where this comes from
- nationalgallery.ie/visit-us/opening-hours · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
- nationalgallery.ie/exhibition-tickets-faqs · checked Saturday, 24 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.