It is in the centre of Dublin located in the grounds of Dublin Castle and listed in the Lonely Planet as "not just the best museum in Ireland, but one of the best in Europe". Next to Dublin Castle, this library/museum houses an extraordinary, vast collection of ancient manuscripts and texts. and the best part- it's free !! Chester Beatty, the wealthy American mining magnate, who bequeathed his collection to Ireland when he died in 1968, left them treasures that you can see for free with no waiting in line. This is a lovely place to take a book and relax on a bench or have coffee on the grass with a friend. The museum is completely free and runs great events throughout the year. The museum houses the collections of mining magnate, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty with a strong focus on the Orient showing his interest in Islamic, East Asian and Western Collections. They are always showing interesting exhibitions. Their beautiful Silk Road café with its middle-eastern dishes is also worth checking out. read more

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This is a low key museum with a collection of Asian manuscripts, prints and more. It also has rotating traveling exhibitions. We were not smart enough to understand the theme of the current one. (Seriously) It was a pleasant visit, but whoever is claiming this is one of the best museums in Europe it has wrong. Best part was the Silk Road cafe in the museum. An unexpected lunch in a nice setting. read more

This is a free library museum. It has a few cool books, manuscripts, and process explanations. In general, though, this museum is very boring. I was disappointed that the rooftop wasn't open when we were there. read more

This was a very worthwhile library to visit that surprised us. Located within a few minutes walk from Dublin Castle it was easy to reach but wasn't very crowded at all. In front of the library was an expansive lawn and garden with lots of seating areas to relax. Inside the museum was a small gift shop, cafe and two floors of exhibits. Admission was free. A video played on the ground floor that was a very good introduction to Chester Beatty, formerly from the US, and how his collection grew and his eventual donation of it to Ireland. Lockers were required to be used for any backpacks or large bags. Just remember your selected combination. Our favorite was the Art of the Books with many richly detailed examples on display in particular those from the Middle East. The calligraphy was amazing. The second floor contained books and other artifacts under the Sacred Traditions gallery. His collection was so varied and represented historical ages from around the world. Quite impressive and a gem to visit. read more

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A free museum in Dublin. Located in the courtyard behind Dublin Castle. The 0 floor is the gift shop, cafe and toilets. Floors 1 and 2 are the main museum exhibits and floor 3 is the rooftop gardens where you can relax and capture a nice view of Dublin Castle and the courtyard. There are lots of great historical exhibits here and is a must visit if you like museums and history. There are lots of ancient Asian artifacts/writings and Christian artifacts/writings. Plan on spending a 1-2 hours here. read more

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One of the world's best museums, and admission is free! We had read about the Chester Beatty's collection of ancient manuscripts and books. Wonderful collection. It's a shame more cannot be on display at the same time. Highlights of our visit included seeing third century Biblical papyri, jade books made for Chinese emperors, early books, Japanese samurai swords, and so much more! Time budget: minimum 2 hours Staff: Friendly staff. We met Alvin, and thoroughly enjoyed our chat with him. Bathroom cleanliness: above average Misc: café on site and take a minute to visit the gift shop (some interesting items for sale) read more

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Location: Located within the Dublin Castle complex. This small two floor museum holding the private treasures of Chester Beatty and his second wife. What an amazing collection of rare antique books from the Bible, Islamic, and Chinese. Lovely art from all over Asia and beyond. Just breathtaking the exquisite pieces of art. The gift shop has some unique items and the prices are reasonable. I purchased a book or origami paper that I have never seen before. The cafe has delicious tempting looking baked goods. The bottled water was a bit expensive. Staff: So many of the employees are very nice and if you chat with them, they will provide even more details of the museum and additional pieces not on display. Bathroom: On the main floor past the cafe. Average cleanliness. Pros: No entry free, but if you want to give a donation they will gladly accept. Cons: The museum is small and Chester Beatty collection is HUGE. The library rotates through the collection. If you are looking for a specific artifact like I was, I missed the artifact by 3 months but I still enjoyed what was on display. read more

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I loved visiting this library! I tried to go on Friday but it was Good Friday and they were closed, so I went the day after Easter and they were open. It was a lovely experience! There is so much to see and learn about. The books and the art is beautiful. We had a great time learning about everything and took a good amount of time to see anything. It's also completely free which was surprising because it has so much to offer. If you're in Dublin you absolutely have to go here! read more

Chester Beatty Library - Letter from the 2nd century AD - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

Wonderful vegetarian options. The stuffed peppers were incredibly flavorful and complex. The vegan cupcakes were excellent as well. read more

Chester Beatty Library - Vegan desserts. - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

The Chester Beatty Museum is a must, must stop for anyone visiting Ireland. It is located right behind Dublin Castle and we would consider it's importance to be right up there after the Rock of Cashel. American born, copper mining baron Chester Beatty did an absolutely brilliant job of collecting a treasure trove of early religious writings - Judiac, Christian and Islamic. And has an equally impressive collection of art work, from China, Japan, Iran, Egypt, France, India and much, much, more. It is amazing at what he was able to collect during a short period of his life. But sadly, they do not allow photography, flash or no-flash in the museum. Please stop here when you are visiting Dublin Castle; you will thank me later. Enjoy! read more

Chester Beatty Library - Exterior - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

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This is definitely worth visiting because it's right behind Dublin castle and it's free. The Chester House has an entire exhibit on Irish history. The Chester Library has a beautiful collection of books. read more

Chester Beatty Library - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

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We came across this free museum after our visit to Dublin Castle and loved it! The museum consists of the private collection of Chester Beatty, and just inside the entrance/security area is a quick video about Beatty's life and his travels. The two floors of exhibits contain ancient religious artifacts, including an awesome exhibit all about the history of bookbinding. When our group visited in December 2022, there was an interesting exhibit containing manuscripts from ancient Egypt. The building also has a rooftop garden, a café, and lockers for larger bags and backpacks. read more

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A great museum with wonderful random artifacts, lots of wonderful manuscripts and books from Sir Alfred Chester Beatty's collection and not a far walk from Dublin castle. There is a beautifully manicured and well maintained courtyard garden next door. It's wonderful for a stroll, a respite or just to take in some nature. read more

Chester Beatty Library - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

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A very cool museum with tons of artifacts from across the world! Varying from East Asia to Europe, the art and other artifacts (including many scrolls) are among the finest I've seen anywhere in the world. It's also free, so it's a great way to spend a few house if you are in the area! Important note -- don't come here to see Irish history specifically. This is very much a global museum, but an excellent one nonetheless! read more

If you're visiting Dublin Castle and are looking for other things nearby to see, then this is your place. If you enjoy looking at ancient artifacts, then this is totally your place. And if you like getting into places for free, then this is definitely your place. The Chester Beatty Library scores 3 for 3. The library showcases a great collection of ancient manuscripts and other artifacts spanning multiple cultures and representing different religions. When the wife and I were looking at an 18th century dragon robe worn by a Chinese emperor, a docent came by and explained all the intricacies of the robe, down to the gold-covered silk thread used in the stitching. You won't get all that information from the placard! Entry is free, though the suggested donation is 5 euros. While you're here, check out the rooftop garden and enjoy a moment of solace before continuing on your way. read more

Cyndy's Bottom Line: A spectacular collection of antiquities - books, Illuminated manuscripts, Islamic and Asian art collections and so much more.... *A must see in Dublin. *No entry fee, donations are welcomed. *Well organized read more

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A free museum that is worth every minute of your time. Chester Beatty was a manuscript collector. This museum puts his collection in the very best mode for the average visitor to enjoy. This collection is of such great quality depth and breadth that is difficult to absorb it all in a short tourist visit. This museum is a must-see visit while in Dublin, there are very few other rivals. read more

I absolutely loved my visit to the Chester Beatty Library. Chester Beatty is situated right behind Dublin Castle. Unless you are looking for it, you might not find it. It is a museum filled with eclectic items collected by an Irish American. I loved the exhibit on the third floor about different world religions. Both the items and the accompanying texts were interesting and powerful. After looking through the galleries, I was about to leave when I noticed that there was a staircase to a rooftop garden. It was a gloomy and drizzly day, so there was no one else out there. Despite the weather, it was still really nice in the garden because it was so serene. Best of all, admission is free! Be sure to not miss this! read more

Chester Beatty Library - Rooftop garden on a rainy day - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

One of the best Museums in Dublin. Oh no not another boring museum, but wait! The Chester Beatty is well worth a look even for the added bonus of being in the surrounds of Dublin Castle, you'd hardly believe it's in the centre of Dublin. Its also not a stuffy old museum, housed in a refurbished building. All the exhibits are well presented and put in context with lots of historical notes. Its hard to say what the museum specialises in but generally the bulk of the articles and exhibits are of Middle Eastern, Asian and European origin. There is a lot here as well, so it's worth spending some time here. Having said that there are a number of different temporary exhibitions. The Current one is Haydn: A Bicentenary Celebration, running until the 2nd of August 2009 The museum runs a number of events, lectures and music recitals throughout the year. They also have public guided tours on Wednesdays at 1pm and Sundays at 3 and 4pm. The coffee shop and gift shop are pretty great too. Nothing boring about that. And it's free! read more

Chester Beatty Library - from website - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

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No two ways about it, Chester Beatty was a badass. Coming from a wealthy family and studying mining engineering at Colombia, he could have had it easy and become a wealthy asshole in New York. Instead, he moved to Colorado, took a crappy job at a mine, worked his way up and up and by his mid-30's he was a millionaire. All the while, he traveled the world with his family, collecting a huge array of not only books, but also papyri, Chinese snuff bottles, ceremonial dress, writing tools and instruments, and more. The books come from all sorts of civilizations and cultures and are really fascinating. Beatty was interested in religious texts as well, and collected an extensive collection of bibles and Qur'ans. I think one of the most amazing aspects of the collection is how vast it is; Beatty collected thousands of objects and, at the end of his life just gave them all the Ireland (imagine how pissed his kids were about not being able to get their hands on this priceless collection!). The museum is the only good thing about visiting Dublin Castle, as far as I'm concerned and is an overlooked and underrated museum. AND IT'S FREE!! read more

Chester Beatty Library - from www.cbl.ie - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

A great place to visit and a definitely must-see when you are in Dublin ! Very close to the Dublin Castle, this Library is actually a whole collection of books and various treasures related to literature (manuscripts, paintings, drawings). All these treasuries have been collected by Sir Chester Beatty, hence the name of the Library. The place is spread over two floors, there is a coffee shop on the ground floor and a very nice bookstore. You will have to store your bags in lockers (free of charges) before going to the exhibition rooms. The staff is nice, polite and welcoming. All items are really amazing: you will travel around the world and over time (various civilizations, cultures and periods). I am still very impressed by the tremendous work done by Sir Chester Beatty to gather such an impressive collection. It was a real pleasure to discover and to travel so much in a single place like this (I'm French and from Paris, so I have seen a lot of museums ...) As most of the places to visit in Dublin, the Library closes at 5.00 pm, so make sure to plan your visit (it takes 1 to 2 hours to see the whole collection). Also don't miss the guided tours at 1pm on Wednesday, and 3pm + 4pm on Sunday (it's free!) read more

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There are lots of great book and antique art collections in the world but the preservation techniques used by this museum is amazing. Chester Beatty's public collection is so incredible to see. I loved them history of the world's most popular religions and the artwork that goes with it. Amazing! read more

Chester Beatty Library - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

Sir Alfred Chester Beatty was an American mining magnate. He was quite the bibliophile and caught the collecting bug quite early in life so he used his personal fortune to acquire many books. His collection is one of the biggest private book collections in the world. By the 1920's his book collection had grown so much that he employed his own librarian to look after his books. Towards the end of his life when asked how he had collected such a magnificent library, he responded that "It had all been a great adventure". Upon his death he bequeathed his collection to a trust for the benefit for the public. Originally on Shrewsbury Road, it moved in 2000 to its present location in Dublin Castle's Clock Tower Building. Note the FREE ADMISSION. Considering that almost all the other notable Dublin attractions cost at least €10 this is an impressive sight and a must-do for people, no matter the budget. Due to the smaller scope the museum has less exhibitions than National Museum - Archaeology but that doesn't mean the exhibit is just as impressive. The two main exhibits are divided up by floors. - Arts of the Book (1st floor). The focus here is on the many forms a "book" can take - aka his secular collections. The books here span all around the world and from various time periods. You can learn a little about the various cultures that produced such marvelous work. Like the 2nd floor it is divided into three major collections: the East (and Southeast Asian) Collection, the Islamic Collection and the Western collection. - Sacred Traditions (2nd floor). This space is dedicated to sacred texts around the world. It is essentially a summary of the world's major religions and can be used as your "World Religions 101" class if you've never had it in school. It is divided into 3 sections: Christianity in the left, Islam in the center and Eastern religions on your right. Each section has artifacts that cover all the major sects of a religion. If you want to take a break from all the exhibits there's a rooftop garden on the top floor. As with all museums there's a small gift shop on the first floor along with a small cafe featuring Middle Eastern cuisine if you want something different from traditional Irish food. This is a must-visit attraction due to the organization and scope of Beatty's collection as well as the free admission. If possible, combine this visit with Dublin Castle due to proximity (https://www.yelp.com/biz/dublin-castle-dublin?hrid=k_t8XsWo_V0VDknuVhhtkg) and if you want to get a full day's worth of sightseeing, combine the two with Trinity College/Book of Kells and either Christchurch or St. Patrick's Cathedral. read more

This place is great! It's located right by the Dublin Castle and free! They have lockers you can put your backpack in and the people at the front desk will give you a token so you don't have to pay to use the lockers. My favorite is definitely the "Sacred Traditions" hall. Screw the Book of Kells, just come here. read more

The Chester Beatty Library sounds like a snooze fest, but it's actually really interesting. Don't let the name fool you: it's not a library but a museum. Overall, there are three floors to explore. When you come in, there's an audio visual presentation that introduces you to the man Chester Beatty. Born in New York, he moved to Dublin in his adult years and set up a charitable trust for the city. He was made an honourary citizen of Ireland and on his death, he was given a state funeral. The man was loved by the Irish because of his generosity. Chester Beatty gave all his art and valuable manuscripts to the city of Dublin. The first and second floors of the museum showcase his collection. There are numerous beautiful manuscripts on display from all parts of the world. Ancient religious books gleam from their glass cases. There are Chinese vases from old dynasties and silk Japanese kimonos too. The museum has all sorts of exotic curios and is definitely worth your time. It's also free. read more

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Super awesome place to check out a bunch of eccentric collections from a dead rich guy... make that miner-magnate-millionaire. Naw, seriously, it's fantastic. It's free, the displays are thorough, well-organized and well-curated, and always informative. I love the decor inside, too: the fountain just outside the cafe is gorgeous. And the cafe itself, though I've only had hot drinks there, is good fun. Get the homemade mint tea and have fun playing with the spoons - they will hang sideways off your cup. I have a beef with Beatty, though. Y'see, in that permanent Religions of the World exhibit, there are very many sects and tribes and belief sets represented. And Judaism, a not-insignificant religion of the world, gets ONE text, relegated to a squeensy back corner. To boot, it's a decently insignificant text in the scope of all things Hebraic. Mr. B has long since shuffled off our mortal coil, so I understand the library couldn't just go out and acquire itself a retired Torah. They've at least put up an apologetic placard saying something along the lines of "Beatty couldn't get his hands on much Judaica"... but it still makes me feel like the Jews were the last ones chosen for the playground kickball team. Anyhow, the temporary exhibitions are always really cool, and you can learn a lot about dozens of other world religions. Take some time after your visit to wander the labyrinth lawn and the adjoining Dublin Castle grounds. It's worth the (nonexistent) entrance fee a thousand times over. read more

Swag. Chester Beatty had it, and thanks to this musuem, we can all get to look at it. I have to take a minute to rave about their exhibition of the Shanameh. This Persian legend is celebrating its 1,000th birthday, so the library has chosen a number of the key stories and characters from the epic as well as some of the art that they've inspired. The Shanameh is an exciting, chaotic, sometimes sad work, and this exhibit was well worth the time. The permanent exhibition on the top floor of the library is home to religious texts from around the planet. I'd recommend checking out the beautifully decorated copies of the Koran, or the scrap of Bible from 150AD. After you've given yourself eye-strain at the exhibits, there's a coffee shop on the ground floor to refresh yourself. read more

I'm a book whore. There, I said it. I love books. I love their history, I love their smell, I love the fact that the written word (and the medium that delivers it) both varies across cultures and yet seems to eventually head toward a common ground. This FREE museum captures what it is to love books. In the video about Chester himself there is a comment that he seemed to just buy up all kinds of books without having any kind of grand plan, at least at first. That's my kind of guy. The temporary exhibitions help shed light on various long forgotten cultures and belief systems like Mani (the lost religion of light), and the permanent "Sacred Traditions" hall reminds us that, at heart, all religions are the same-love each other and create beauty. There are lockers for your gear, and a lovely outdoor rooftop garden that, alas, is somewhat spoiled because the noise from the HVAC system kind of ruins the mood. But otherwise this is a great place to lose 3-4 hours of your life in and surround yourself with knowledge of the ancients. Bottom Line: Papyrus to A4, it's all here... read more

If you're into art and books at all, you will love Chester Beatty Library. It's free to visit - It has tonnes of different ancient books and art from all civilizations - It's definitely worth checking out. You can also avail of free public tours on Wednesdays or Sundays. It's located right behind Dublin Castle, so you'll need to look out for it. You can even sign up for their newsletter, which is posted to you! read more

My favorite attraction in Dublin. At Trinity College you pay 10 euro and wait in line to see one book (the Book of Kells), but at the Chester Beatty it's free and full of ancient religious and cultural documents and artifacts. There's pretty crazy stuff like parts of the gospels written in Greek on papyrus from 200 AD. The best part might be the diversity of countries and religions represented, all over Asia and the Middle East. I found the writeups and captions extremely educational as well. It really brought the pieces to life. The fact that it's not too crowded is an added bonus. Honestly It's a one of a kind collection and it's free, so just go! You won't regret it. read more

The Chester Beatty Library is such a lovely way to spend an afternoon. It offers permanent exhibits that will take you away with 'mood lighting' that actually adds to the experience. Check out the "Sacred Traditions" exhibit or if you're interested in style history, the prints of old Paris fashions are sweet! Here's what makes this 'museum' even more appealing: The cafe offers all sorts of tasty treats in a setting where natural light envelops the dining space. The gift shop has so many sweet affordable treasures to take home or pass on as gifts - there's even an assortment of boxed greeting cards that are very attractive. The rooftop garden - if it's open - is unexpected and inviting. And, if it's raining, you can sit on a bench and take in the view from inside the museum. It's very quiet up there. The outside grassy grounds are so beautiful to walk about or to lay down a blanket on an exceptionally nice day. And, you're steps away from Dublin Castle as well as Chez Max for a pre- or post-museum visit - two other gems that Dublin offers which makes this an awesome 'trio of treasures' bundled up in one destination! Check out the library and you may agree that it's the best museum setting in Dublin. Best of all - it's FREE! read more

I wish I had more time to thoroughly browse this museum. We stumbled accidentally over here from touring the Dublin Castle (its located just adjacent) and I had no idea that these treasures would be here. Amazing ancient Asian texts. Followers of any of the major world religions will find inspiring art and texts from long ago. To fully appreciate this, you will need to give this the time it deserves. Make sure to allocate at least an afternoon to see the detailed works here. Amazing and ear-marked for a re-visit next time. read more

Free to visit and houses a large collection of ancient cultural and religious texts, scrolls and prints from many areas of the world. Visit if you are particularly interested in history, religion and art. Free public tours are available on Wednesdays and Sundays. It's right behind the main Dublin Castle buildings and next to the Dubh Linn Garden so convenient to pop in if you are in the area exploring these. Take a trip up to the rooftop garden if the weather is nice. read more

Chester Beatty Library - Libraries Near Me - Dublin, D

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Magnificent! My family had to drag me away. So much to see and learn. Don't miss this opportunity to see unique treasures if historical significance. Loved it!! read more

It's not automatically on your itinerary when visiting the city, but it should be!! I enjoyed this small and quirky library/museum more than some of the larger national museums/galleries. It's just a fascinating collection of artifacts. Especially the collection of religious books, which is a permanent exhibition in the library. Because it's not as busy as it's larger counterparts generally, you can have a really relaxed look around the different rooms, appreciate the elaborate furniture and changing exhibits. A sleek and interesting addition to the city and a must ! read more

It was a pretty cool museum, definitely worth visiting if you have an hour to kill. There are a large number of artifacts from different world religions that provide a nice sense of context and convey the beauty of spirituality. I was surprised it wasn't more popular, considering it's free to visit. Not sure why there are huge crowds at the Book of Kells and this place was virtually empty. Maybe it was just timing, but I think this was a more impressive exhibit on the whole. read more

This is such a hidden gem in Dublin City and its free to the public. The tour guide suggested this place because he could tell that I'm into Asian art because I mentioned I was Chinese?! Possible racial profiling here? Lol. Nevertheless, I'm glad he did because it was a nice library & museum. I like the collection of Chinese and Japanese art and manuscripts from the 18th / 19th centuries. read more

Fabulous collection of ancient manuscripts. Actual papyri from the 2nd & 3rd century AD. So much intestine books & artifacts. The cafe is perfect for coffee & a snack. The gardens in front are beautiful for pictures. Not to be missed. read more

Excellent museum with a rather eclectic variety of displays. We headed to the religious collection, because Mr. Beatty collected some of the very oldest New Testament manuscripts in the world. If you study text criticism it's a bit breathtaking to stand in front of the writing of the Apostle Paul, copied onto papyrus about 200- 250 AD. Truly incredible. There's a lot of other things in the museum, but that was our purpose in visiting. read more

Small manageable library to see dated manuscripts from the Bible, Koran, Chinese dynasties. Admission is free (suggested donations is €5). No photography allowed. Free lockers to store big bags. My phone battery was running low and I was able to charge behind the wooden bench next to the lockers. read more