Natural History Museum to close for major refurbishment

The Natural History Museum in Dublin is to close from September for a number of years to facilitate major refurbishment works.

The ultimate timeline for the work at The Dead Zoo – which will address long-standing issues with accessibility – will be established in coming months.

Built in 1856, Ms Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, said: “A drafty, leaky building that is not accessible to anyone with mobility impairment does not do justice to our wonderful visitors and the incredible collection we have in Natural History.”

Ms Scarff said that extensive works are required to protect and conserve the 168-year-old museum for future generations and while the museum on Merrion Street closes its door, there will be a new ‘Dead Zoo Lab’ at National Museum Ireland – Collins Barracks site from spring 2025, to make the collection accessible during the works.

In the coming weeks, conservation teams will wrap up, collate and manage the move of the precious and historic artefacts there.

The next step involves architects Fitzgerald Kavanagh and Partners starting investigative work which will inform the extensive refurbishment required.

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Chair of the National Museum of Ireland, Professor Cathal O’ Donoghue said: “We know it will be missed, it is a much loved and cherished part of our cultural and architectural history.

“Everyone working on the project wants to ensure that it is only closed for the minimum amount of time possible.”

The investigative works and design phase will determine the full programme of works, duration and total cost of the project.

The Natural History Museum was built in 1856 and is often referred to as a ‘museum in a museum’.

A magnificent Victorian artefact in its own right, it has changed very little in the last 168 years.

Fitzgerald Kavanagh and Partners specialise in conservation works of protected and old buildings, and previous projects include St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford and the oldest building on the Grangegorman campus, Lower House.