About Us

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham (RHK) is a true Dublin icon. Built-in 1680 by royal command, it predates its sister, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, by just two years. As Ireland’s oldest classical building, the RHK was inspired by Les Invalides in Paris. Originally designed to house 400 army pensioners, the RHK opened its doors to just 20 residents in its early days. By 1690, it was providing care for soldiers from the Battle of the Boyne. Over the centuries, the hospital has seen up to 2,500 residents at a time. In 1922, the RHK was transferred to the Irish Free State, and five years later, its last pensioner moved to Chelsea. From 1930 to 1950, it served as Garda Headquarters before falling into disrepair. Restoration began in 1980 under Taoiseach Charles Haughey, with a budget of IR£3 million. Remarkably, the four-year renovation took as long as its original construction 300 years earlier. The RHK’s gardens, once used for medicinal plants, became private grounds for the hospital’s Master, who commanded the British Army in Ireland. Today, these gardens are a tranquil space enjoyed by visitors. Since 1991, the RHK has been home to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), with stunning sculptures dotting its expansive 48-acre grounds.