I'm kind of a bum when travelling: I like to do all the free things, because they're free. You should spend money on the plane ticket, and that is all. Also, free things are the things the locals do, and so give you more of a feel for the place.

Anyway, the Hugh Lane is awesome, and admission to the gallery is completely free. Some great modern art. It also, amusingly, houses the (reconstructed) studio of Francis Bacon, with all its contents in disarray.

Here's a list of other FREE things/places in Dublin to see:

www.ruba.com/guide/Jessica_Colley/Top_FREE_Things_To_Do_in_Dublin

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Elegant well-restored Georgian building with Arts & Crafts murals and giant coat of arms in Rotunda, with some really good restaurants close by. Don't forget the official measurement outside on the wall.

Cork Hill, Dame Street, Dublin 2

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A five minute stroll from the top of O'Connel Street is the recently renovated and extended Hugh Lane, the official Dublin City Municipal Art Gallery. Its bright, naturally lit spaces make it one of the most pleasant places to spend an afternoon in Dublin, especially if it's raining. The highlight is an exact recreation of the chaotic studio of Francis Bacon, which you view through the room's windows and door. There is a wide variety of painting, photographic and stained glass and sculptural work on display, both modern and classical, a well stocked art book shop, and chic (if slightly pricy) cafe. Best of all, it's totally free.

Parnell Square North.

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The Chester Beatty Library is a wonderful collection of old manuscripts and artefacts of Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and a few of its offshoots.

The importance of the items and the background on them is very impressive, and the museum hosts a very elegant and complete display of the works (beautiful garden enclosed within the old Dublin Castle as well).

The Chester Beatty Library.
Dublin Castle,
Dublin 2,
Ireland
Tel: (+353 1) 407 0750
Fax: (+353 1) 407 0760
Email: info@cbl.ie
www.cbl.ie/

The Chester Beatty Library and Galleries are situated in the gardens of Dublin Castle in the heart of the city centre. They are a two minute's walk from Dame Street via the Palace Street Gate of the Castle and close to Christchurch Cathedral (enter via the Ship Street Gate of the Castle). Nearest DART Station: Tara Street.

Bus Routes
13, 16, 19 & 123 (from O'Connell St)

Open

October - April: Tuesday - Friday 10.00am-5.00pm
May - September: Monday - Friday 10.00am-5.00pm
Saturday, 11.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday, 1.00pm - 5.00pm
(Closed 1 January, Good Friday, 24, 25 and 26 December, Monday public holidays)

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Ireland's National Gallery (not to be confused with the nearby National Museum sites!), tucked away near the Dail (Parliament) buildings, is home to a collection that's quite simply staggering.

There are over fifty rooms which take you through the ages of Irish art, from 17th century painters to the extraordinary work of Jack B Yeats - WB's brother. There's plenty of Italian Renaissance painting and Dutch masters to keep you going as well, and some great modern Irish portraiture. Add a fantastically-stocked shop and two great cafes to the mix and well, you've got the makings of a whole day's worth of wonder, and occasional repose.

National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West
Dublin 2

www.nationalgallery.ie/

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Dublin has several good art galleries. My favourite were the Douglas Hyde Gallery at Trinity College, the Gallery of Photography at Temple bar and the National Gallery's Millennium Wing near Merrion Square.

Douglas Hyde Gallery: Trinity College, Dublin; tel: tel +353 1 896 1116; www.douglashydegallery.com
Gallery of Photography: Meeting House Square, Temple Bar; tel: +353 1 671 4654; www.irish-photography.com
National Gallery: Merrion Square West & Clare Street; tel: +353 1 661 5133; www.nationalgallery.ie

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Four is devoted to the development of an uninhibited artistic exploration of ideas, discourses and new trends in contemporary art and its practices. It sees its function as promoting, supporting and bringing contemporary art, curators and the artists who take part in its evolution to the public's attention.

11 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, near the Tara Street Dart station;
tel: 00 353 (0) 86 365 1256;
www.fourdublin.com

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I am a frequent business visitor to Dublin and have always been disappointed by the homogenised nightlife. There is a high gloss about the club habitués of Dublin yet these shiny people confuse sophistication with formality. The clubs and bars have no concept of edginess. However, on this most recent visit, I discovered Dublin’s best kept secret, Fresh and Clean. This an eccentric and at times unnerving experience where live art meets jazz meets champagne. This is an incredibly exciting club concept, which could change Dublin’s nightscape. Admission is 80 euros. Check it out.

Varying locations in city centre;
tel: +44 77901 853 216

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If you have any interest in contemporary art you have to visit the Douglas Hyde gallery when you're in Dublin. It's not commercial and has without a doubt the best exhibitions (and lecture series) of any art institution in the city. It's a strange deep box space which must be difficult to install work in, but often makes for interesting shows. It's right in Trinity college, so will probably be on your tourist trail.

Trinity College, Nassau Street entrance

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Probably Dublin's finest museum in this writer’s humble opinion. It’s housed in the magnificent Royal Hospital in Kilmainham and boasts regular touring exhibitions, from Andy Warhol and Anthony Gormley to Yoko Ono and Joseph Beuys and all points in between.

The galleries are airy and spacious, sensitive to installation requirements and free of any overt pretentiousness. In other words, you don't have to have a deep understanding of art to enjoy the place. There is a good (if pricey) coffee shop on site.

The grounds surrounding the gallery are suitable for leisurely walking; the main avenue leads you directly to Kilmainham Gaol (about 10 minutes walk). War Memorial Gardens are nearby and the National Museum is one Luas hop away from nearby Heuston Station. Essentially, it forms the heart of the emerging museum district, and the Guinness brewery is close to hand also.

West of the city centre, 10 minutes walk from Heuston Station (Luas and Intercity services). Tour buses from the city centre include a visit on their routes, and regular bus services from city centre (nos. 68, 69, 78A, 79); www.modernart.ie/

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The best (maybe only) local in the centre of Dublin. Basic - even down-at-heel - it succeeds in being both pretentious and unpretentious at the same time. Pullulates with penurious artists, wannabe Joyces and alcoholic has-beens diluting their woes in stout. Staff are firm but fair and sometimes friendly. You can have any grub you want as long as it's a ham and cheese toastie or a variant thereof.

The walls are chock full of the patrons' art - a democratic explosion of crap and colour that does much to brighten the dim interior. You never know, you may even pick up a future Hib-Art gem for next to nothing. Quirky. Incomparable. Essential.

15 South William Street, Dublin 2; tel: 677 9320

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Best day trip out of town. The Irish refer to it as their Stonehenge, but it is older, doncha know. Perfect for a misty Celtic day. Be sure to volunteer to be one of the few who gets to go inside and see the recreation of the solstice. If you only have one day to get out to the country, this is it.

Bus Éireann (www.buseireann.ie) run day trips that include a Celtic cemetery, a pub lunch in Slane, and admission and tour of Newgrange.

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Not only for the great collection of works by Jack B Yeats and family, but also for its Caravaggio and El Greco. Marvel at the architecture of the new Millenium wing.

Merrion Square West; Tel: +353-1-661 5133; www.nationalgallery.ie/

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The entire chaotic contents of Francis Bacon's South Kensington studio painstakingly reconstructed. Bacon's last unfinished portrait is part of the gallery's excellent permanent collection.

Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North; Tel: 00 353 1 222 5550; Open Tue-Sun; www.hughlane.ie/

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One of Dublin's greatest surprises, tucked away behind Dublin castle. An amazing collection of ancient manuscripts, including some of the earliest texts of the Bible as well as Islamic, Chinese, Japanese and Indian art. A deserving past winner of the European Museum of the Year Award, even the most difficult to please can while away hours on its explorations of world religions. The Middle-Eastern influenced canteen is one of Dublin's best-kept secrets for a good-value lunch.

Tel: (+353 1) 407 0750; www.cbl.ie/

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No visit to Dublin can pass without a visit to this contemporary and modern art gallery. The exhibitions are always stunning, exciting and the selection of art is refreshingly innovative. There’s an excellent range of both Irish and international art on show. Admission is free. The exhibition catalogues are worth purchasing.

25 Ely Place - tucked away off the east and north corners of St Stephens Green; www.royalhibernianacademy.com/

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