Benjamin Iveagh Exhibition at Farmleigh.

Experience engaging OPW events across Dublin between Christmas and New Year

From guided walking tours to art exhibitions at numerous locations across city

John Donohoe

Published: Fri 26 Dec 2025, 12:29 PM

The OPW is hosting a number of engaging events and exhibitions across Dublin between Christmas and the New Year. From guided walking tours to art exhibitions at numerous locations across the city, there is something for everyone to enjoy with family and friends.

The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, is hosting a number of tours from 28th December until 1st January. From the delicate beauty of blooms to elegant evergreen foliage, the themed tour ‘Old Roots, New Shoots’ invites visitors to embrace the tranquil winter gardens and discover hidden seasonal highlights. Visitors can also enjoy the ‘Winter Daily Guided Tours’ that uncovers the history and development of the gardens and explores the seasonal highlights of our collections.

History enthusiasts can gain an insight into Ireland’s past at Kilmainham Gaol with two inspirational exhibitions on offer. ‘The Prisoners Lens; Secret Photography in Kilmainham Gaol, 1921’ showcases a collection of rare photographs taken by prisoners using cameras smuggled into the prison in Kilmainham Gaol during the War of Independence. Visitors can also enjoy the exhibition ‘Objects, War and Memory in Ireland past and present’.

This exhibition explores the personal stories and artefacts, connecting Ireland’s history with contemporary experiences of conflict and displacement.

Dublin Castle is displaying the exhibition ‘Artistic Islands – exploring Irish Art and Diaspora’, an exciting exhibition that identifies Ireland and its diaspora as places where creative genius was always encouraged. Visitors can experience Irish art and its global impact in new ways.

Visitors to Farmleigh, Dublin can enjoy the ‘Benjamin Iveagh: A Life in Books’ exhibition. This exhibition hosts one of the most important Irish book collections of the twentieth century. Benjamin Guinness, third earl of Iveagh, collected over 4,000 rare books and manuscripts relating to Ireland’s history, literature, craftsmanship and language, some of which are on display in this fascinating exhibition.

Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham, is hosting the exhibition ‘Liam Roe, A Life’s Work: A retrospective of an Irish Wood Sculptor’. Roe devoted his life to the craft of wood sculpture, working with native hardwoods to create human and animal forms that reflect Irish cultural memory, history, mythology, music, faith, and the natural world. Visitors can experience the wide selection of his work, many of these on public display for the first time.

For more information about our events, please see the links below or visit www.heritageireland.ie.

LISTINGS

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle: Exhibition: 'Artistic Islands” Exhibition at Dublin Castle, exploring Irish Art and Diaspora. 28th and 29th December

Farmleigh House and Gardens

Farmleigh House: Exhibition: ‘Benjamin Iveagh, A life in books’ 10am-5pm

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol: Exhibition ‘Objects, War and Memory in Ireland past and present’ reopens 28th of December

Kilmainham Gaol: Exhibition “’The Prisoners Lens: Secret photography in Kilmainham Gaol, 1921’ Exhibition. Reopens 28th of December - link

National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Co. Dublin

National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin: Themed Tour ‘Old Roots New Shoots’. 28th December – 1St January 2-3pm

National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin: Themed Tour ‘Winter Daily Guided Tours’ 28th December – 31st January 11am and 3pm - link