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Everyone is welcome at the Irish Architectural Archive.
Access is free.
Visit
Everyone is welcome at the Irish Architectural Archive.
Access is free.
Getting here
Public Transport: The IAA is very well served by public transport. The closest bus stops are Stops 409 and 493 (Holles Street/Merrion Square), and Stops 750 and 784 (Baggot Street). The nearest Luas stops are Dawson and St Stephen’s Green on the Green Line. The nearest Dart stations are Pearse Street and Grand Canal Dock.
Car: There is metered parking on Merrion Square. The closest on-street disabled parking spot is directly opposite the building. One disabled parking spot is also available to the rear of the building. Please email info@irisharchitecturalarchive.ie or phone +353 1 663 3040 to enquire about using this space.
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Opening hours
The Reading Room is open to the public from 10am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Fridays. On Mondays, the Reading Room is open by appointment. Check the Reading Room page for more information.
The Architecture Gallery and first floor exhibition rooms are open from 10am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays.
Arriving at the IAA
The front door is reached by three stone steps from the pavement to a landing, and then one further step at the front door. Beyond the front door is a glazed lobby. From here you can gain access by ringing the intercom bell marked IAA, which is reached at a height of c. 150cm.
If you are a wheelchair user, or find steps difficult, there is a platform lift which can bring you from footpath level to basement level. You then enter the building via a door with no step and can access all floors using the internal lift which is signposted as you move through the building.
Phone +353 1 663 3040 to use the platform lift.
![Entrance to the IAA, 45 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 showing septs to front door](https://eegczy35ze6.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IAA-Day-1-PRINT-RES-2_ADJ-1387x1536.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
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Access from Stephen’s Place
Wheelchair users, or people who find steps difficult, can also access the IAA building from Stephen’s Place, which runs parallel to the rear of Merrion Square East, and is reached from Mount Street Upper or Lower. When you arrive at the IAA’s back gate, call the IAA on +353 1 663 3040 and the gate will be opened for you. You can enter the building directly from the car park through the back door.
Access to the disabled parking space is also from Stephen’s Place. It is recommended that you email info@irisharchitecturalarchive.ie or phone +353 1 663 3040 in advance to let us know if you’d like to use the disabled parking space.
Moving around the building
Visitors to 45 Merrion Square are free to move around the basement, ground and first floors of the building (subject to occasional restrictions if an event or exhibition installation is in progress). Internal signage will direct you as you move through the building.
Wheelchair users and those with mobility issues have full access throughout the IAA building via our internal lift to the back of the building. Please note that access to the first-floor reception rooms from the lift is via a doorway that is wide enough for standard wheelchairs (800mm width).
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Quiet space
The Architecture Gallery is a quiet and calm space, with low-level lighting. Large format printouts of exhibition labels are available in the Architecture Gallery. Footstools are available on request to improve sightlines for vitrines and display cases.
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Toilet facilities
Accessible toilet cubicles are situated within both the Male and Female toilets in the basement, which can be reached by stairs or lift.
Visitors are welcome to use the facilities that make them feel safest.
Donate
Large or small, every donation helps secure the future of the collection. We are very grateful for your support.
Donate
Large or small, every donation helps secure the future of the collection. We are very grateful for your support.