After watching a very interesting programme about the Natural History Museum, I was eager to pay a visit. The museum has been closed for the last year or two and there has been a major project going on behind the scenes in relocating the animal exhibits and other artefacts to the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks, Dublin 7.

The History Museum originally opened in 1857 as the museum of the Royal Dublin Society. It has amazing solid wood and glass cabinets which have almost every animal from all over the world on display! The history of collecting these creatures extends over two centuries and has resulted in a rich variety of animals many which are now endangered or more sadly, extinct.

Exhibitions in this museum have changed little in style for over a century, adding to the charm and rarity of this national treasure. It brought back sentimental memories for me when I visited. I remember going on a school day trip to the original museum in Merrion Street, and I have missed its closure. It was really a step back in time for me to visit the new venue and see some of the original old favourites. The Giant Deer; Spoticus the enormous imposing Giraffe, the giant Polar Bear, and all the families of badgers, foxes, otters, rabbits and hares etc.. The animals are extremely lifelike and they stare at you through glass eyes in their cases, but it makes you feel they are really alive and could jump out at any second! I was enthralled by one display of a wolf. He was just exquisite. His fur with the big bushy tail, the amazing vivid green eyes, and his pointed ears, and sharp teeth made me shiver. I could almost hear him howl.

In Collins Barracks, there are some new additions which now include a huge Moose, and Zebra and Ireland’s Moon Rock. This stone was collected in 1972 as part of the final Apollo mission and is accompanied by meteorites. These space rocks include fragments of asteroids, of Mars and the Moon and visitors can touch a piece of our solar system dating back 4.5 billion years.

The exhibition area includes spaces to get to grips with the Museum’s zoological and geological collections.

There is something to suit everyone’s taste on display. The Kids will thoroughly enjoy this marvellous exhibition. Don’t miss the tropical insects hidden under their covers that protect their delicate colours from fading in the sunlight. The collections are being moved back to the original premises on Merrion Square this week, it will be great to see them home again.

Opening Hours: Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays
Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday – 2pm to 5pm