National Museum of Ireland - Natural History — Attraction in Dublin

My visit to the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History was an immersive journey into the captivating realm of the natural world. Nestled in Dublin, this museum, also known as the "Dead Zoo," is a treasure trove of biodiversity, offering visitors a glimpse into the wonders of nature through its extensive collection of specimens.

As I stepped into the museum, I was greeted by the grandeur of its Victorian-era architecture, which exuded a sense of history and nostalgia. The building itself was a testament to the museum's rich heritage, providing a fitting backdrop for the awe-inspiring exhibits that awaited inside.

The museum's collection spans a wide range of natural history disciplines, including zoology, geology, and paleontology, with each gallery offering a unique perspective on the diversity of life on Earth. From towering skeletons of prehistoric giants to delicate taxidermy specimens of exotic birds and mammals, every corner of the museum was filled with wonders to behold.

One of the highlights of my visit was the museum's iconic "Balcony of Beasts," where rows of glass cases displayed a menagerie of animals from around the world. From lions and tigers to elephants and giraffes, the lifelike dioramas offered a glimpse into the habitats and behaviors of these magnificent creatures.

Moreover, the museum's educational displays and interactive exhibits provided valuable insights into topics such as evolution, ecology, and conservation, making it an enriching experience for visitors of all ages. Whether it was learning about the geological history of Ireland or discovering the intricate adaptations of insects, there was always something new and fascinating to explore.

Overall, my visit to the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History was a truly memorable and enlightening experience. With its extensive collection, informative exhibits, and historic ambiance, this museum serves as a testament to the beauty and diversity of the natural world, inspiring wonder and curiosity in...

Bit of a mixed bag. It's free for a reason, there's not much there and charging would be farcical for a half walk through 1 decent sized room. That's it, 1 room. Sea creatures down 1 side - most are badly painted models too. Birds down the other side. A handful of fossils, a large collection of bugs and a few stuffed mammals in the middle. The best thing there is the giant deer bones.

No real history journey through the natural world; nothing about evolutionary trends through the species they do have, nothing.

It's not totally disinteresting but it could be so much more. Sadly this is more of a collection of antique models, a collection of 'stuff' would be a better description than a natural history museum. If you want a proper experience go to the one in London.

A big shout out to the 2 ladies that were trying to engage the kids and explain how the animals were stuffed, though. You did a fantastic job.

As a tourist, it was difficult to figure out where it was. Absolutely no directions on their website at all. All they say is there's no parking. We arrived to Dublin by train, couldn't find any info on what bus to take or what stop to get off on, what route to take, nothing. I emailed them to see if they could enlighten us and I basically got an email telling me to ask the bus drivers if they go past. Seriously! When asking for directions you shouldn't really reply, ask someone else. Very rude! And if you do use public transport to get there, make sure you have at least 20 quid in coins because the buses don't accept notes or cards, and FYI, you need the 145 bus...

A brilliant place to take children and give them an open to really look at animals in a way that would be impossible in the wild or a zoo.

I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl with my own dad. Its fantastic to see this Victorian collection that has gone mostly untouched and imagine its use as a foldable point of zoology studies for the ‘elite’ classes in its day.

Unlike other museums there are no interactive displays or big printed plaques of information. This gives you an opportunity to really bond with your kids and chat about the whats and the whys of some of the displays. I suggest you take the time to do some research yourself before you go on some specific animals so you can chat with your fiends and family about the amazing things animals can do. It’s fun for kids to see teeth up close, look into the eyes of a lion, see the bones of an Irish Elk and see what a whale skeleton looks like.

There are also some extinct examples here such as Dodo bones and a Tanzanian Tiger. We’ve also spent lots of time examining familiar animals like magpies and fish that are native to Ireland. Some we have seen in the wild but only get momentary glimpses of them such as otters, buzzards and pike.

Because it is old and there are no flashy forms of entertainment some people can find it a little bit of a letdown. However this place is what you make of it yourself and I feel we are so blessed to have this place in its original state. There aren’t many places like this and to see it preserved in every aspect is...