The National Library of Ireland, founded in 1877, is the library of record for Ireland.
We collect, protect and provide access to over 12 million items and will continue to do so for decades to come.
We provide access to the collections free of charge, at four sites and online to exhibitions and events and to our reference and research reading rooms.

The Library was first opened in 1890, and is constructed in the Victorian Palladian style. It was designed by the architects Deane & Son who designed many other notable buildings in Dublin such as the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology.

The iconic main reading room will be open to the public from 2pm until 4pm as part of the Open House Dublin Festival.

No booking is required, for all queries please email learning@nli.ie

Drop-in

Access to the main reading room and publicly accessible parts of the building such as the exhibition space, are all wheelchair accessible via lift.
We also have accessible toilets located on the ground floor.

Wheelchair accessible
Accessible Toilets
Assistance Dogs welcome
Easy Read information (designed for people with intellectual disabilities, people who can’t read well, and people whose first language is not English)
Audio guide
Braille or Large Print Signage