Chester Beatty

Chester Beatty Renowned museum of East Asian, Middle Eastern and European art, books and manuscripts located in Dublin. Closed to the public until 2027. Registered Charity No.
(375)

Explore digital galleries at chesterbeatty.ie! All collection images © Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library With FREE admission and described by the Lonely Planet as 'not just the best museum in Dublin, but one of the best in Europe', the Chester Beatty is a must-see on any Dublin visitor's itinerary. As the only museum in Ireland to win 'European Museum of the Year' and rated consistently in th

e top 5 of TripAdvisor’s list of ‘Top things to do in Dublin', the museum's rich collections from countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe open a window on the artistic treasures of the great cultures and religions of the world. CHY 5879

08/09/2026

Helsinki Youth has been hosting their peer from Dublin over the weekend. On Monday we had outdoorsy games. ”If you lose it’s all about the friends you made along the way. But if you win…” 🤣

In Bridging The Gap project the youth from different backgrounds have been exploring sustainable development goals and increasing their competencies as responsible citizens, creative problem-solvers and daring communicators. In youth exchange they learn about cultural differences and similarities while building Pan-European identities and friendships. Making memories to last a lifetime. ❤️

.ireland

Join us for Qigong by the sea in the lovely surroundings of Blackrock Park. This ancient Chinese outdoors practice, invi...
08/09/2026

Join us for Qigong by the sea in the lovely surroundings of Blackrock Park. This ancient Chinese outdoors practice, invites you to breathe, move and unwind in one of south Dublin’s most beloved coastal parks. Perfect for complete beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, qigong is a wonderfully gentle way to reduce stress, improve balance and reconnect with yourself.

🎟️FREE, no booking required. Limited to 30 participants.

In collaboration with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown City Council Parks Department; this qigong is taking place in Blackrock Park. 📍Meeting point by the bandstand.

*‘Leave no Trace’ Policy, plus tips and tricks:
- Please bring a reusable water bottle and take all your belongings with you when the activity has finished.
- Please be mindful not to step on any plants or flower beds.
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Please apply sunscreen and bring an umbrella or raincoat as appropriate for the weather.

Project update: We are delighted to report positive feedback from our youth participants at and Helsinki Youth Services...
07/09/2026

Project update: We are delighted to report positive feedback from our youth participants at and Helsinki Youth Services. Through collaborative workshops, they are exploring sustainable city concepts, developing key skills in creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. This initiative is part of our ongoing mobility youth exchange with support from .ie and .

Inspired by Seamus Heaney’s Death of a Naturalist and the poetic gardens of Ferdowsi’s Shahnama from the Chester Beatty ...
06/09/2026

Inspired by Seamus Heaney’s Death of a Naturalist and the poetic gardens of Ferdowsi’s Shahnama from the Chester Beatty collection, this gentle Mindfulness Day workshop invites participants to slow down and observe Irish and Persian plants through sight, touch and smell. Using watercolour and collage, each participant will create their own botanical illustration, paired with a personal reflection or a favourite line of Heaney’s poetry.

Limited to 15 participants. 🎟️FREE, materials provided, booking essential here: https://chesterbeatty.ie/whats-on/chester-beatty-botanical-memories-slow-looking-quiet-drawing/

In collaboration with the National Library of Ireland; this workshop is taking place at the Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again exhibition centre.

Did you know museum education could look like this? New friends, big smiles, and an unforgettable trip!Bradóg Youth Serv...
05/09/2026

Did you know museum education could look like this? New friends, big smiles, and an unforgettable trip!

Bradóg Youth Service has landed in Helsinki 🇫🇮 😎 These fantastic young people are on exchange in Helsinki right now, developing their skills and enjoying new experiences as part of a project called Bridging the Gap. For this project the Chester Beatty has partnered with Bradóg, which supports young people in Dublin's northwest inner city, and Apaja – Lauttasaari Youth Centre, who do similar work in Helsinki, to see how museums and heritage institutions can help young people to reach their full potential. Sometimes that means leaving the museum behind!

This truly collaborative project is made possible by Léargas Ireland, the EU and Erasmus+. Your support for learning and exchange means our young people get to experience moments like this - thank you!

Back to school, back to office, back to beautiful stationery. ✏️Our new pencil cases bring three stunning historic desig...
05/09/2026

Back to school, back to office, back to beautiful stationery. ✏️
Our new pencil cases bring three stunning historic designs to your desk: a rich peacock design from the Sangorski & Sutcliffe binding for a 1910 edition of Háfiz̤ of Shíráz, a delicate mimosa motif drawn from a 1910 binding of Shelley's The Sensitive Plant and Early Poems, and a jewel-toned pattern inspired by a silk woven Jewish wedding canopy from the 1860s.

Each case is printed on acid-free, sustainably sourced paper, and roomy enough for pens, pencils, and all your desk essentials.

A little art history for your pencil pot. 🎨📚

Available now in the Chester Beatty online shop.
https://shop.chesterbeatty.ie/

Can you spot what's extra special about this fragment of papyrus? 📜Dating to the 3rd century CE, this fragment contains ...
04/09/2026

Can you spot what's extra special about this fragment of papyrus? 📜

Dating to the 3rd century CE, this fragment contains text from the Gospel of John and is part of an early copy of the Christian New Testament. Written in Greek, it was made in Egypt, possibly at the Pachomian monastery of Pbow near modern-day Luxor. All of this makes it remarkable - but there's more.

Just on the edge of the fragment, you'll find a symbol known as a staurogram - the Greek letters 'tau' and 'rho' superimposed on each other. Of pre-Christian origin, it developed new meaning in early Christian texts. With the arms of the tau spread out and rho tilting like a head above, it is used in abbreviations of the words 'cross' (stauros) and 'crucify' (stauroo) - meaning these small symbols may be among the world's oldest surviving visual depictions of Jesus' crucifixion.

Enjoy looking deeper? Become a Chester Beatty member to access special deep-dive talks and be among the first to preview new exhibitions 👀



Images: verso of CBL BP XIX, John 19:25-28 and 19.30-32, part of 58 surviving ink on papryus folios (majority housed in the Bodmer Library in Geneva as P. Bodmer II).

Can you spot what's extra special about this fragment of papyrus? 📜Dating to the 3rd century CE, this fragment contains ...
04/09/2026

Can you spot what's extra special about this fragment of papyrus? 📜

Dating to the 3rd century CE, this fragment contains text from the Gospel of John and is part of an early copy of the Christian New Testament. Written in Greek, it was made in Egypt, possibly at the Pachomian monastery of Pbow near modern-day Luxor. All of this makes it remarkable - but there's more.

Just on the edge of the fragment, you'll find a symbol known as a staurogram - the Greek letters 'tau' and 'rho' superimposed on each other. Of pre-Christian origin, it developed new meaning in early Christian texts. With the arms of the tau spread out and rho tilting like a head above, it is used in abbreviations of the words for 'cross' and 'crucify' - meaning these small symbols may be among the world's oldest surviving visual depictions of Jesus' crucifixion.

Enjoy looking deeper? Become a Chester Beatty member to access special deep-dive talks and be among the first to preview new exhibitions 👀



Images: verso of CBL BP XIX, John 19:25-28 and 19.30-32, part of 58 surviving ink on papryus folios (majority housed in the Bodmer Library in Geneva as P. Bodmer II).

Exciting journeys ahead! 🌍✈️ We’re sending our warmest wishes to the inspiring young people from as they set off to Hel...
03/09/2026

Exciting journeys ahead! 🌍✈️ We’re sending our warmest wishes to the inspiring young people from as they set off to Helsinki for our very first youth exchange. In partnership with and Helsinki Youth Services, this unique experience brings together young minds from Ireland and Finland to connect, collaborate, and explore new perspectives.

Together, they’ll dive into the Sustainable Development Goals and discover how museums and cultural heritage can empower and inspire positive change. We can’t wait to see the friendships, ideas, and memories that will grow from this adventure!

Follow along as we bridge cultures and build a brighter future. 💫

Chester Beatty Léargas Erasmus+ Suomen Kulttuuriperintökasvatuksen seura

And our cover star is... from the early 17th century ✨This is the September image from 'Twelve Months of the Solar Yea...
01/09/2026

And our cover star is... from the early 17th century ✨

This is the September image from 'Twelve Months of the Solar Year', a series of prints depicting the labours associated the months of the year - in this case, wine-making. This busy scene shows people treading grapes, adding wine to casks, carrying, storing - all intensive physical work. The monumental figure on the left holds grapes and a pruning knife, while the scales of appear in the sky above.

Images: 23:f.10r from CBL Wep 4160, Twelve Months of the Solar Year (Me**es XII. Anni Solaris), engraved by Jan II Collaert after designs by Joos de Momper the Younger (1564–1635). Bound album with paper cover, dedicated to Phillippe Galle (1537–1612), printed and published by Ioannes Galle, Antwerp, Belgium, c. 1600-1610.

Address

Dublin Castle
Dublin
D02AD92

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:45am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:45am - 8pm
Thursday 9:45am - 5:30pm
Friday 9:45am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9:45am - 5:30pm
Sunday 12pm - 5:30pm

Telephone

+35314070750

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Chester Beatty posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Chester Beatty:

Shortcuts

Share

Category