National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, National science museum in Merrion Street, Dublin, Ireland.
The National Museum of Ireland – Natural History sits on Merrion Street in Dublin and displays more than 10,000 biological specimens across multiple floors. The collection includes preserved animals from Ireland and worldwide, organized within different gallery spaces throughout the building.
The museum opened in 1857 and retains its original Victorian architecture from that era. The collections have grown steadily since the 19th century, reflecting how scientific interests in natural history developed across Ireland over time.
The collection of preserved animals reflects Ireland's natural world and helps visitors understand which species belong to the island. You can see how different creatures fit into the local environment and what wildlife shaped the country's history.
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 14:00 to 17:00, with no entrance fee. Allow time to explore the different floors at your own pace, keeping in mind that certain areas may be busier during peak visiting hours.
Two whale skeletons hang from the ceiling: one found in Bantry Bay in 1862 and another discovered stranded in Inishcrone in 1893. These impressive remains are among the oldest exhibits and show how long the institution has been collecting specimens from the sea.
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