Situated in the gardens of Dublin Castle in the heart of the city centre Chester Beatty Library is home to the great collection of art works assembled by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty.

With free admission and described by the Lonely Planet as not just the best museum in Ireland, but one of the best in Europe, the Chester Beatty Library is a must-see on any Dublin visitor’s itinerary.  As the only museum in Ireland to win ‘European Museum of the Year’ and rated consistently in the top 5 of TripAdvisor’s list of ‘Top things to do in Dublin’, the library’s rich collections from countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe open a window on the artistic treasures of the great cultures and religions of the world.

If you are looking for something a little different for kids in Dublin this is a gorgeous day out. With specially designed activities for 3+, 5+ and 8+.  you can explore the library through  puzzles, crosswords and colouring books. You can pick up the worksheets on the second floor of the library or download the worksheets before you go.

For teens and adults there’s also a drawing activity booklet which  encourages you to sketch and draw throughout the library. Whether you are a beginner or a confident artist, this booklet will give you advice, encouragement and helpful tips that will improve your skills as you explore the collections. There are exercises for you to do, including portraits, decoration, the types of materials you can use, line, colour, outlines, shading and perspective, all inspired by the Islamic, East Asian and European Collections at the library.

Keep an eye on their event calendar too. The Creative Teen Lab is always a hit and also their workshops in hands on themes such as origami, print and kite making.  Whether young or young at heart a visit to Chester Beatty Library is sure to ignite your creative side. But book workshops early as they book out very quickly.