National Museum of Ireland - Natural History, Dublin

The National Museum of Ireland (Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann - Seandálaíocht" in Irish) is housed over 4 sites as follows:

• Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2


• Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2


• Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7


• Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Ireland's Natural History Museum, often referred to by the locals as the Dead Zoo, was built in 1856 for parts of the collection of the Royal Dublin Society.

The Museum's collection and the building have changed little since Victorian times, so it is sometimes considered as a "museum of a museum".

The ground floor of the museum, is dedicated to displays of Irish animals, including many stuffed and mounted mammals, birds, fish — and insects and other animals native to or found in Ireland. Many of the specimens of currently extant animals, such as badgers, hares, and foxes, are over a century old.

On the next floor, the Lower Gallery contains mammals from around the world, including now extinct or endangered species including a thylacine, a quagga, and a pygmy hippopotamus. The four higher galleries above display more primitive animals, from birds through reptiles and fish to invertebrates and microbes. The second ceiling suspends a Humpback whale skeleton.

The museum also holds a composite Dodo skeleton, from Mauritius. As the collection is unique in range and vintage, so the exhibits are a product of their age, with faded and worn pelts and visible marks from bullets and rough taxidermy. Larger specimens are displayed in large, wood-framed glass cases while smallers ones are kept under glass, protected from sunlight by moveable leather panels.

Opening Times

Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 2pm - 5pm
Closed Mondays, Christmas Day and Good Friday

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Ticket Prices

Admission is free.

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Disabled Facilities

There is wheelchair access to the ground floor only

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More Information

Telephone: 00 353 (0) 1 6777444
Email: marketing@museum.ie

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