National Art Collection Guided Tour

Highlights

• Explore Ireland's national art collection on a guided tour in Dublin
• Discover the Irish, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch collections
• Enjoy a small group tour with a maximum of 6 people for a personal experience
• Learn from Fáilte Ireland accredited guides

Description

Join a small-group journey through Ireland's national art collection. Each tour will have a maximum of six people, this is as far from a group tour as it's possible to get. Over 90 minutes, we will move through centuries of extraordinary art, exploring four of the collection's great strengths: The Irish Collection: art as a nation's mirror, reflecting Ireland's long journey to the country you encounter today. From Maclise's monumental sweep of Irish history to the heartbreaking tenderness of Burton's The Meeting on the Turret Stairs; the dark, jewelled fantasy of Harry Clarke's stained glass to the raw emotional intensity of Jack B. Yeats and the allegorical power of Seán Keating. No other collection tells Irelands story quite like this one. The Italian Masters: including one of the greatest rediscoveries in art history, a Caravaggio found hanging forgotten in a Dublin Jesuit house as recently as 1990. Caravaggio is one of the most important and influential artists of the Baroque period, his work dates from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and his dramatic use of light and shadow, realism, movement, and emotional intensity became characteristic of Baroque art. The Spanish School: a collection particularly rich in the Spanish Golden Age, including one of its most remarkable hidden treasures: Murillo's complete six-painting series depicting the parable of the Prodigal Son. The Dutch Masters: a collection of works from the golden age of Dutch painting. In 17th century Holland, unprecedented trade wealth created something the art world had never quite seen before, a prosperous middle class hungry for paintings that reflected their own lives and identity. The result was an explosion of intimate, luminous masterpieces. Works by Jan Steen, Gabriel Metsu, and one of only 34 confirmed Vermeers in the world. The tour concludes leaving you with time for a coffee or to browse the gallery shop, where you may find a piece of Ireland's artistic story to bring home and keep forever. HIGHLIGHTS Private or small group, maximum 6 people Fáilte Ireland accredited guide Irish, Italian, Spanish and Dutch collections Universal themes connecting every visitor personally to the art Genuine conversation, not a lecture, not a whistle-stop Concludes with time for a coffee or to browse the gallery shop. INCLUDED 90-minute guided tour Entry to the permanent collection (free) NOT INCLUDED Ticketed special exhibitions IMPORTANT INFORMATION Meeting point: Main entrance, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2 Minimum 2 participants Per person: €75 Private group (up to 6): €400 No art knowledge required Comfortable footwear recommended Fully accessible

Includes

90-minute guided tour of the permanent collection, learn about key works and highlights.

Excludes

Ticketed special exhibitions

Important Information

• Meeting point: Main entrance, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2 Maximum 6 people Minimum 2 participants Per person: €75 Private group (up to 6): €400 No art knowledge required Comfortable footwear recommended Fully accessible

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund