A Guide To The Brilliant Little Museum Of Dublin

A visit to The Little Museum Of Dublin is arguably one of the best things to do in Dublin.

And, while it doesn’t receive as much attention online as some of the many Dublin museums, the The Little Museum Of Dublin really is excellent.

Home to a wealth of history (and many a weird and wonderful artifact from times past), The Little Museum Of Dublin keeps you entertained from the moment you walk through its doors.

In the guide below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the tour, along with what to visit a short walk away.

Some quick need-to-knows about The Little Museum Of Dublin

Although a visit to The Little Museum Of Dublin is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

Note: if you book a tour through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. Location

The Little Museum of Dublin is found on St Stephen’s Green, just a couple of minutes from Grafton Street. There’s on-street parking nearby, but this tends to only be free at weekends. You could park in Stephen’s Green shopping centre (here on maps).

2. Opening hours

The Little Museum Of Dublin is open from 9:00 to 17:00, seven days a week.

3. Admission

First of all, remember it’s LITTLE, so you’re best to book a ticket to be sure of admission.

4. Part of the Dublin Pass

Exploring Dublin over 1 or 2 days? If you buy a Dublin Pass for €70 you can save from €23.50 to €62.50 on Dublin’s top attractions, like the EPIC Museum, the Guinness Storehouse, 14 Henrietta Street, the Jameson Distillery Bow St. and more (info here).

About the Little Museum of Dublin

Quirky is the buzzword for the Little Museum of Dublin. It’s a must for anyone interested in the history of Dublin and its people.

There are a series of tours run by the Museum, most famously the 29-minute tour, which packs a lot of information into the short timeframe.

The guides are good craic and knowledgeable, and there’s nothing dry or dull about their tours.

The style is eclectic, with a series of rooms spread over three floors covering different eras of Dublin history.

A walking tour of St Stephen’s Green takes place every day at 14:30, where you can learn about some of the great writers of Dublin and the history of the area.

What’s notable about the museum is that it’s popular with the locals as well as visitors to the Capital, so if you’re in Dublin, try to get the time to visit this treasure trove.

Things to see and do at The Little Museum of Dublin

One of the reasons that a visit to The Little Museum Of Dublin is hard to beat is due to the sheer volume of things there is to see and do.

From quirky exhibits and beautiful visual display to the building itself, there’s plenty to explore.

1. The many quirky exhibitions

Artefacts, knick-knacks, and memorabilia of all kinds fill the rooms of the Little Museum of Dublin, supplying a fabulous insight into how our Ireland has been shaped over the past century or so.

You can take a self-guided tour, but the guided tours are great fun so if you can, take one of these. Quirky treasures fill every nook and cranny – such as a display of Virgin Mary statues, and U2 has a prominent place with a room all to themselves.

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to look around. It’s all set out in decades, so if you’re looking for something in particular, it’s easy to find.

2. The Big Little Treasure Hunt

The Big Little Treasure Hunt takes place around St Stephen’s Green. Participants are given a map and find answers to clues as they make their way around.

The treasure map is eye-catching; the tasks are interesting and fun, and not too simple. A leisurely pace will take an hour or so, and you’ll learn lots about Dublin City and its people as well.

The prize for completing the treasure hunt is free admission into The Little Museum of Dublin and The Museum of Literature (MoLI), which usually are €10 for admission.

3. The Green Mile Walking Tour

You can take the Green Mile Walking Tour every day at 14:30 with local historian and author Donal Fallon. Donal’s passion and knowledge about Dublin’s history as he walks and talks can be the highlight of your trip.

He knows anything there is to know about Ireland’s great scholars and writers and will throw in a bit extra about the country at large as well.

The tour starts across the road from the Little Museum of Dublin, and the Tour cost (€15 for adults and €13 for students) includes admission to the Museum.

Things to do nearby

One of the beauties of The Little Museum Of Dublin is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Dublin.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the museum.

1. St Stephen’s Green (1-minute walk)

St Stephen’s Green and its glorious park is a favourite place for Dubliners and tourists alike. Famous for its connection to James Joyce’s book Ulysses and a gathering place for the rebels of the 1916 Rising, you can still see bullet holes in the Fusiliers Arch. Check out the fantastic shopping centre – its architecture alone will entrance you.

2. Trinity College (8-minute walk)

The foundations of Trinity College were laid in 1592, and as you walk around the quadrangle, you can sense every moment of its history. You can view the Book of Kells and then marvel at the Long Room, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

3. Food and pubs (plenty close by)

From jaw-droppingly gorgeous restaurants with amazing food to casual dining in the shopping centre, Stephen’s Green is spoilt for choice in the food department. See our guide to the best restaurants in Dublin and our guide to the finest pubs in Dublin for more.