Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)

Overview

IMMA is Ireland's leading institution for modern and contemporary art, housed in the stunning Royal Hospital Kilmainham — a 17th-century building modelled on Les Invalides in Paris and one of the finest surviving classical buildings in Ireland.

Highlights

• Contemporary Exhibitions: Rotating shows featuring Irish and international artists, from installation to video art.
• Formal Gardens: Beautifully restored 17th-century formal gardens with box hedging, gravel walks, and a meadow.
• Architecture: The 1684 building itself — an arcaded courtyard, a baroque chapel, and a great hall.

History

The Royal Hospital was built in 1684 as a retirement home for soldiers — predating London's Chelsea Hospital. It served various military and institutional purposes before being converted to IMMA in 1991.

Visitor Tips

• Free admission to all exhibitions and grounds.
• Walk 15 minutes from Heuston Station or take the Luas to Heuston.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.