These collections include approximately 20,000 specimens. Most of our birds are preserved as study skins. A full catalogue has been completed, with all specimens of study skins, mounted skins, skeletons, eggs and nests now in our database.

Online Resources

• BirdWatch Ireland - Ireland's largest independent conservation organisation
• Birds Ireland - Irish bird information and activities

Books on Birds

• The Complete Guide to Ireland’s Birds, Eric Dempsey and Michael Gill, 2002, Gill and Macmillan, London
• The Life of Birds, David Attenborough, 1998, BBC Books, London
• Ireland’s Lost Birds, Gordon D’Arcy, 1999, Four Courts Press, Dublin
• A List of the Birds of Ireland, Robert Ruttledge, 1980, National Museum of Ireland, Dublin

Publications on our bird collections

• Humphreys, G.R. 1937. A list of Irish birds showing the species contained in the National Collection. Fifth Edition. National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.
• Kennedy, P. G.1961. List of the birds of Ireland. National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.
• More, A.G. 1890. A list of Irish birds showing the species contained in the Science and Art Museum, Dublin. Second Edition. HMSO and Science and Art Museum, Dublin.
• Nichols, A. R. 1911. Irish birds. Bulletin of the National Museum of Science and Art, Dublin, 1 (2): 1-3, pls. 2-4.
• Nichols, A. R. 1911. Birds useful to agriculture, etc. Bulletin of the National Museum of Science and Art, Dublin, 1 (3): 2-3, pls. 2-4.
• Nichols, A. R. 1912. Irish birds. Bulletin of the National Museum of Science and Art, Dublin, 2 (1): 1-2, pl. 3.
• Nichols, A.R. 1920. Catalogue of the birds in the Barrington collection, National Museum, Dublin. John Falconer, Dublin.
• Ruttledge, R.F. 1975. A list of the birds of Ireland. National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.
• Ruttledge, R.F. 1980. A list of the birds of Ireland. National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.
• Ussher, R.J. 1908. A list of Irish birds showing the species contained in the National Collection. HMSO and National Museum of Science and Art, Dublin.
• Ussher, R.J. and Nicholls, A.R. 1924. A list of Irish birds showing the species contained in the National Collection. Second Edition. National Museum of Ireland, Dublin.