The National Gallery

Situated on the West side of Merrion Square, the National Gallery of Ireland is a purpose-built gallery that opened to the public in 1864. It houses many excellent exhibits thanks to the patronage of people like the playwright George Bernard Shaw, who left a third of his estate to the gallery. Level 1 is dedicated to Irish painting with the highlight being the work of Jack Yeats, brother of the writer William Butler. Level 2 has representations of the major schools of European painting including the Taking of Christ by Caravaggio as well as the works of Juan Gris, Rubens and Vermeer. While it may pale in comparison to some of Europe’s truly great art museums, the National Gallery of Ireland houses an impressive collection and is certainly well worth a visit.