The National Museum of Ireland - Natural History

The National Museum of Ireland – The building is now open again following a major restoration project.  Natural History opened in 1857 as the museum of the Royal Dublin Society. It has developed as a cabinet style zoological museum with animals from all over the world. The history of collecting extends over two centuries and has resulted in a rich variety of animals, many of which are now endangered or extinct.

Exhibitions in this museum have changed little in style for over a century, adding to the charm and rarity of this national treasure. The tradition of collecting and research continues and only a fraction of the two million specimens is on display.

The Irish Room on the ground floor is dedicated to the variety of animals found in Ireland. Visitors are faced with imposing skeletons of the extinct giant deer in front of a collection of more familiar mammals, birds and fish. Don't miss the insects hidden under their covers that protect their delicate colours from fading in sunlight.  The upper floor of the building was laid out in the 19th Century in a scientific arrangement showing animals by taxonomic group. This scheme demonstrated the diversity of animal life in an evolutionary sequence.

The first floor can now be accessed from the original grand stone staircase which has been recently restored. 

New facilities include the Discovery Zone where visitors can handle taxidermy and open drawers to see what is lurking inside, and our Reading Area at first floor level which is a great place to rest and settle down with a good book

For the current calendar of events for the National Museums, visit www.museum.ie.