3 Must-See Irish House Museums

Step into three timewarps of Irish design…

We’ve rounded up some serious daytripping destinations for those who want to travel back in time. From Donegal to Dublin with a pitstop in Tipp, these Irish homes truly preserve a sense of bygone grandeur. Scroll down to see our top three house museums to visit in Ireland?

Glebe House
This Regency house is a goldmine of timeless styles. Set in a woodland garden, the interiors are lush with Islamic and Japanese art, and even some William Morris textiles. The 300-strong art collection is dominated by 20^th-century works including their very own Piscasso.

Visitor Information Admission: €3. Opening times: Varies; check website for details (see below). Glebe House, Churchill, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal; 074 913 7071.

Number Twenty Nine Fitzwilliam Street Lower, The Georgian House Museum
Step back into Georgian Dublin in this perfectly capsuled townhouse, jointly run by the ESB and National Museum of Ireland. The tour gives an insight into the lifestyle of this aesthetically much-admired era – the building is furnished basement to attic with original artefacts. Keep an eye out for examples of the Empire Style, which was largely based on ancient Egyptian designs and Neo-Gothic decorative influence.

Visitor Information Admission: €6. Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. 29 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2; 01 702 6163.

Swiss Cottage
Just look at it! This rustic, romantic cottage is straight out of a fairy tale. The panoramic mural-style wallpaper in the salon of Cahir’s 19th-century ‘cottage orn?’ was made by the famous Parisian firm Dufour and is a real highlight, along with the spiral staircase. When can we move in?

Visitor Information Admission: €4. Opening times: April to October daily, 10am-6pm. Swiss Cottage, Kilcommon, Cahir, Co. Tipperary; 052 744 1144.

1 Glebe House / 2?Number Twenty Nine / 3 Swiss Cottage

Like this? Then check out Irish dream homes you can actually sleep in.

Michelle Hanley for @Image_Interiors / @hanleymi