Georgian entrance to the Little Museum of Dublin

©AnneMarie McCarthy/Lonely Planet

Little Museum of Dublin

Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green


This award-winning museum tells the story of Dublin over the last century via memorabilia, photographs and artefacts donated by the general public. The impressive collection, spread over the rooms of a handsome Georgian house, includes a lectern used by JFK on his 1963 visit to Ireland and an original copy of the fateful letter given to the Irish envoys to the treaty negotiations of 1921, whose contradictory instructions were at the heart of the split that resulted in the Civil War.

There's a whole room on the 2nd floor devoted to the history of U2, as well as the personal archive of Alfred 'Alfie' Byrne (1882–1956), mayor of Dublin a record 10 times and known as the 'Shaking Hand of Dublin'. Visit is by guided tour, which goes on the hour every hour. The museum also runs the Green Mile walking tour of St Stephen's Green.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green attractions

1. Mansion House

0.06 MILES

Built in 1710 by Joshua Dawson – after whom the street is named – this has been the official residence of Dublin's mayor since 1715, and was the site of…

2. Royal Irish Academy

0.08 MILES

Ireland's preeminent society of letters has an 18th-century library that is home to several important documents, including a collection of ancient…

3. St Stephen's Green

0.09 MILES

St Stephen's Green’s 27 acres is the most popular park in Dublin city centre. Come for a leisurely stroll in elegant landscaped gardens, stay for the…

4. Fusiliers' Arch

0.09 MILES

The main entrance to St Stephen's Green is beneath Fusiliers’ Arch, at the top of Grafton St. Modelled to look like a smaller version of the Arch of Titus…

5. Garden for the Blind

0.1 MILES

The centre of St Stephen's Green has a sensory garden for the blind, with signs in Braille and aromatic shrubs and plants that can be handled.

6. Kerlin Gallery

0.11 MILES

Up a flight of stairs behind a nondescript door on a dingy little lane is a minimalist art space that is the exclusive preserve of the very best of…

7. Famine Victims Memorial

0.11 MILES

At the northeastern entrance to St Stephen's Green is a poignant memorial to the victims of the Famine (1845–51) featuring three figures and a dog…

8. WB Yeats Statue

0.11 MILES

You won't recognise him, but this abstract 1967 sculpture by Henry Moore is actually meant to be poet WB Yeats – the clue is in the distinctive cape shape…