National Library of Ireland
National Library of Ireland
National Library of Ireland
4.5
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Visit the National Library of Ireland (NLI), where Ireland’s story is an open book. Enjoy the NLI’s lively programme of events and exhibitions, consult its collections, get help tracing your family tree. Particular highlights at the main library buildings on Kildare Street are the award-winning Yeats exhibition. The NLI’s National Photographic Archive, where regular exhibitions explore Irish life through remarkable photographs, is situated in Temple Bar. All locations are FREE to visit and within a short walking distance of the Grafton Street shopping area and St. Stephens Green.
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Address
Neighbourhood: South City Centre
How to get there
- St. Stephen's Green • 7 min walk
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- V8405ZManchester, United Kingdom10 contributionsNational Library, Dublin - WB Yeats exhibitionGreat exhibition on WB Years currently, well worth a look. Admission is FREE. The Library is centrally located in Kildare Street and right beside Leinster House, the seat of government. Could be combined with a visit to the National Museum of Ireland - Archeology, which is close byThank you for your 5 star review and great comments about our Yeats exhibition.Written 11 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 7 October 2023
- Madan Gopal MBengaluru, India8,460 contributionsA repository of knowledge.Located in a heritage building, the National Library of Ireland at Dublin is a repository of more than 12 million items. Established in 1877, this is one of the oldest libraries in the world. This is a reference library with a large quantity of books, manuscripts, journals, maps, newspapers and photographs. The ambience in the place is conducive to learning and accumulation of knowledge. Though we could not visit reading rooms and other rooms, we had the opportunity to see a wonderful special exhibition in W B Yeats. The imposing structure with aesthetic design, this National Library is a must visit for every book lover anywhere from the world.Thank you for your 5 star review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit so much.Written 15 January 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 January 2024
- BradleninLondon, United Kingdom135 contributionsFantastic FREE exhibition on WB Yeats!!Fascinating building, full of treasures of Irish literature, but at the moment it is worth beating a path tro the NLI's door just to visit the FREE exhibition on WB Yeats - beautifully curated and planned out, with a great number of original manuscripts and First Editions, the best thing about it is the presntation of his poems, his politics, his lovers, his mysticism and his theatriclity, which all get dedicated areas and presentations. To understand this complex man you have to take a deep dive into all these aspects, and with this superbly mounted installation, you can do just that in about an hour and a half. Mind, you'll want to go back for more!!Thank you for your 5 star review. We are delighted that you enjoyed the exhibition so much.Written 4 March 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 29 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
575 reviews
Excellent
314
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185
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51
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8
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Stefan
Province of Leinster, Ireland1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Friends
I visited this establishment on the 3rd of November, as part of my college curriculum, and while the majority of the staff were well versed in there duties and adequately professional, the receptionist however (a short older lady with pink shoes) was extremely rude to the other visitors. Calling them names in a taunting bully-like fashion and raising her voice while suggesting to one "act your age or get out" referring to a 30yo woman who just so happened to be standing in the wrong place of a queue.
In due course after an abrupt altercation the lady left, admittedly it was extremely poor service and the surrounding crowd were duly shocked at the manner in which the member of staff was behaving.
From my perspective an unjustified arbitrary display of power, resulting in layer of awkward silence as we watched on waiting to be belittled next.
Although a sour taste was left in my mouth, the rest of my visit was smooth sailing and quite enjoyable due to other highly skilled and knowledgable staff members.
In due course after an abrupt altercation the lady left, admittedly it was extremely poor service and the surrounding crowd were duly shocked at the manner in which the member of staff was behaving.
From my perspective an unjustified arbitrary display of power, resulting in layer of awkward silence as we watched on waiting to be belittled next.
Although a sour taste was left in my mouth, the rest of my visit was smooth sailing and quite enjoyable due to other highly skilled and knowledgable staff members.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are sorry to hear that your visit to the NLI was disappointing. Please contact us at info@nli.ie and we can discuss further.
Written 14 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bradlenin
London, UK135 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Fascinating building, full of treasures of Irish literature, but at the moment it is worth beating a path tro the NLI's door just to visit the FREE exhibition on WB Yeats - beautifully curated and planned out, with a great number of original manuscripts and First Editions, the best thing about it is the presntation of his poems, his politics, his lovers, his mysticism and his theatriclity, which all get dedicated areas and presentations. To understand this complex man you have to take a deep dive into all these aspects, and with this superbly mounted installation, you can do just that in about an hour and a half. Mind, you'll want to go back for more!!
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 star review. We are delighted that you enjoyed the exhibition so much.
Written 4 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Madan Gopal M
Bengaluru, India8,460 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Located in a heritage building, the National Library of Ireland at Dublin is a repository of more than 12 million items. Established in 1877, this is one of the oldest libraries in the world. This is a reference library with a large quantity of books, manuscripts, journals, maps, newspapers and photographs. The ambience in the place is conducive to learning and accumulation of knowledge. Though we could not visit reading rooms and other rooms, we had the opportunity to see a wonderful special exhibition in W B Yeats. The imposing structure with aesthetic design, this National Library is a must visit for every book lover anywhere from the world.
Written 14 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 star review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit so much.
Written 15 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
V8405Z
Manchester, UK10 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Great exhibition on WB Years currently, well worth a look. Admission is FREE. The Library is centrally located in Kildare Street and right beside Leinster House, the seat of government. Could be combined with a visit to the National Museum of Ireland - Archeology, which is close by
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 star review and great comments about our Yeats exhibition.
Written 11 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tengiene
Balbriggan, Ireland3,867 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
The National Library of Ireland is the national library of Ireland, located in Dublin, in a building designed by Thomas Newenham Dean. The library is a reference library and, as such, does not provide loans. It contains a large amount of Irish and related material which is free to consult; this includes books, maps, manuscripts, music, newspapers, periodicals and photographs. Its collections include materials published by both private and government publishers. The library's main holdings include an archive of Irish newspapers and collections donated by individual authors or their estates.
Written 7 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina
Stralsund, Germany20 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
My review concerns only the W.B. Yield's exhibition and it was really interesting. I walked along there with the audio guide for half an hour and it was very informative. They learned a lot about the poet and I thought his manuscripts were cool. He was an impressive man and I would now like to read some of his poems. In general, I found the library very nice, only I wasn't at the reading rooms. You need a card for that, but it's also free if you're interested.
Automatically translated
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil C
Liverpool22 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
I visited on a Wednesday early afternoon in June as I was visiting Dublin for the first time, am a photographer and had seen pictures of the reading room.
I wanted to see & photograph the room myself, but was told that I couldn't. I had to be studying and only studying.
That is not good. I have been to many reading rooms in other cities - they are inclusive and accessible by all - the nli website says that their buildings can be enjoyed by all. They clearly can't.
Okay, if I make a racket, I am happy to be shushed or ejected if my behaviour is in some way offensive. I can assure you, it wouldn't be, and never has been
Come on nli, this is really not good enough.
I wanted to see & photograph the room myself, but was told that I couldn't. I had to be studying and only studying.
That is not good. I have been to many reading rooms in other cities - they are inclusive and accessible by all - the nli website says that their buildings can be enjoyed by all. They clearly can't.
Okay, if I make a racket, I am happy to be shushed or ejected if my behaviour is in some way offensive. I can assure you, it wouldn't be, and never has been
Come on nli, this is really not good enough.
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flybj450
Belfast, UK13 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
Quite simply the most mesmerising small museum in Ireland. The ambiance, architecture, food and situation are second to none. The WB Yeats area is beyond what anyone can reasonably hope for and should be a place of pilgrimage for all who appreciate the works of the Greatman.
However it is a museum i will never revisit. Nor for that will my wife, my family nor any of my friends ever take the time to visit. The reason is simply the outrageous rudeness, aggression and downright ignorance of the brute who on our October 2014 visit, masqueraded as a receptionist. In my almost 50 years of visiting museums throughout Europe, this man was in a class of his own. His tirade of abuse to my daughter and me was beyond belief. My personal thoughts are that there was the vestige of anti Northern Irish and hence anti British in his behaviour but this was denied by the Curator to whom i complained. She explained that it was clear from the video that a "Conflictional Situation" existed between this man and us, but that it was unclear what the genesis of it was nor was it clear what a "Conflictional Situation" is
I hope that you visit this museum. It really is special. Just be careful not to look up the stairs at the stained glass window. This does appear to have been what set this man into action.
You have now been both encouraged and warned so you have no excuse
However it is a museum i will never revisit. Nor for that will my wife, my family nor any of my friends ever take the time to visit. The reason is simply the outrageous rudeness, aggression and downright ignorance of the brute who on our October 2014 visit, masqueraded as a receptionist. In my almost 50 years of visiting museums throughout Europe, this man was in a class of his own. His tirade of abuse to my daughter and me was beyond belief. My personal thoughts are that there was the vestige of anti Northern Irish and hence anti British in his behaviour but this was denied by the Curator to whom i complained. She explained that it was clear from the video that a "Conflictional Situation" existed between this man and us, but that it was unclear what the genesis of it was nor was it clear what a "Conflictional Situation" is
I hope that you visit this museum. It really is special. Just be careful not to look up the stairs at the stained glass window. This does appear to have been what set this man into action.
You have now been both encouraged and warned so you have no excuse
Written 16 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MsIreland2
Dublin, Ireland193 contributions
Sept 2019
Looking through the archives was very enjoyable. I really did not think we would spend much time here but we started to look through the old files. I was amazed at the old archives available. Definitely going to go back and do more research. Down stairs, there was a fantastic display on William Butler Yeats. Well worth dropping into. Upstairs is a fascinating reading room. Really useful if you want to do genealogy research.
Written 27 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyTravelerFromNYC
New York City22 contributions
Jul 2019
Even if you are a minor fan (or have limited knowledge) of Ireland’s great literary figures, you will find this exhibition about William Butler Yeats fascinating. The design of this exhibition in and of itself is impressive, but the back story of Yeats’ life (through texts and video), artifacts, and a media display of passages of his poems narrated by famous individuals, is thoroughly engaging and enlightening. With all the major historic sites and other attractions that Dublin has to offer, this exhibit truly added to the richness of our Dublin experience.
Written 22 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can anyone let me know the opening hours of the Yeats exhibition during the Christmas week (Dec 22 - 29) this year? I couldn't find it on the website. Thanks.
Written 28 October 2019
Tuesday to Thursday, not open Christmas Day or 26th December.
Written 28 October 2019
Seek parents of Matthew McElwain Culbert, born County Antrim Mar 16 1787 applied to migrate to USA in 1807
Arrived Columbia, Boone County, MO
Written 17 September 2017
While there at this free institution, take time to stop at the coffee shop for some make-it-yourself crumpet dessert with strawberries and cream then add a spot of tea!
Written 17 September 2017
I visited Dublin once before a few years ago (actually it was in 2009!) Would like to return to do family genealogy research and need to know if I must make an appointment to have someone help me to locate records. Does anyone have a recommendation on reasonable place to stay near the library. Was thinking it would be nice to stay in B & B if reasonable. Thinking I will go in late Sept. - early October for a week in Dublin and then travel a little to the west to view Dingle. .
Thank you!
Written 22 August 2015
There are genealogists on duty some days during the week and you can probably e-mail to check which day.
Re accommodation you can check airbnb where people advertise accommodation in their own homes at a reasonable price. There is a map on site where you can see how close it is to the library. Do check if there are buses or the Dart (light rail) close by.
Have the location of you ancestors before you visit e.g. their address or if from rural Ireland the townland and barony from where they came. Check out Census Ireland also as the more effort you have put in to doing the research the more benefit a visit will be.
Written 24 August 2015
I live in South Africa, my maiden name was CLEAR and would like to know more about my father's family who were from Ireland. My great grandfather, Edmond Clear married Margaret Purcell , both were from John's Well, Kilkenny. They had two children: William John Clear and Bridget Clear.
Written 2 August 2015
Hi Hilary,
My 2xgreat grandmother was Margaret Clear, born c 1833 from Kilkenny. She had two brothers: William and Edmund, both of whom came out to South Africa in 1846. William gave consent at her marriage, as she was a minor.Edmund married Margaret Purcell.
Do you have any more information on their parents in Kilkenny? I have found a John Clear b1811d1891 and a Bridget Buckley who seem to be their parents in Kilkenny.
Written 25 July 2020
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