Visitor Facilities

Our knowledgeable staff are on hand to assist you with any questions you may have. You'll find help and assistance, should you need it, at the Reception Desk on the ground floor at the main entrance.

Parking

• There is no parking available on the museum grounds.
• The nearest public car parks are Dawson and Setanta.
  
• Alternatively, there is on-street parking (pay by meter) around Merrion Square.
• There are public blue badge disabled parking spaces available just down the street outside the National Gallery on Merrion Square West. There are also some on the east side of Dawson Street, the North and West side of St. Stephen's Green.

Cloakroom

• Currently, there are no cloakroom facilities at Natural History.
  

Toilets

• An accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, next to the entrance.
  
• There are also toilets on the first floor, but these are not wheelchair accessible.
  

Parenting Facilities

• Baby changing facilities are available in the downstairs toilet facility, next to the Museum entrance.
  
• It is possible to take pushchairs/strollers around the ground floor of the Museum (Irish Fauna exhibition), however please note there are no lifts to the first floor (Mammals of the World exhibition).
• Pushchairs/strollers can be left at the Museum entrance at the Museum's discretion, but this is not always possible as there is limited space. Owners are responsible for pushchairs left unattended. Please contact reception desk when you arrive for more information. 
• See Families and Children for information on family-friendly events.
  

Luggage Restrictions

• As there are no cloakroom facilities at the Natural History site, it is not recommended that large backpacks, bags, or suitcases are brought to the Museum. 

Lifts and Access to the Galleries

• The ground floor exhibition (Irish Fauna), Discovery Zone, Museum gift shop, and one restroom are wheelchair accessible.
  
• Please note there are no lifts to the first floor (Mammals of the World exhibition and Reading Room) and there is no wheelchair accessibility to the first floor.
• Access to the second and third floors of the Museum are currently closed to the public. See Gallery Closures for more information.
  

Accessibility 

• The Museum caters for visitors with varying abilities. Please visit the Accessibility section for more details.

Seating

• There is seating available in the Reading Room.
  
• There is no seating available in the exhibition galleries, though mobile stools are available upon request.
• Due to limited facilities, wheelchairs are not provided at this site.
  

Lost Property

• If you are in the Museum, lost property queries can be made at the reception resk on the ground floor. 
  
• Otherwise, please contact +353 1 6777444.
  

Photography, Filming, & Drawing

• Hand-held cameras may be used in the galleries however the use of flash, video cameras, tripods and other digital equipment is not permitted.

  Photographs taken in the galleries can only be used for personal use. Commercial use of any kind is not permitted. 

• For permission in relation to filming, please contact Rights & Reproductions Office at 003531 - 6486473 or imagelibrary@museum.ie

• Sketching and drawing are welcome. Find out more about Drawing in the Museum.

Discovery Zone & Reading Room

• The Natural History Museum has two dedicated education areas: The Discovery Zone on the ground floor (fully accessible) and the Reading Room on the first floor (not wheelchair accessible).
  
• Please contact the bookings office (phone +353 1 6777444 or email bookings@museum.ie) if you are bringing a group and wish to avail of these facilities. The bookings office is open Monday - Friday,10am to 2pm. 

Eating & Drinking

• No food or drink is permitted within the Museum exhibition galleries. 
• However, as the Museum is in a central location, there are plenty of eating options nearby: Baggot St, Nassau St, and Grafton Street are only 5 - 10 minutes walk away.
• You might like to try the family-friendly Cafe at the Archaeology Museum, which 5 minutes walk away on Kildare Street or bring a picnic and enjoy your lunch in nearby Merrion Square or St Stephens Green.

Shopping

• The gift shop is located on the ground floor.
  
• To find out what's on offer and opening hours, visit shopping at the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History.
  

Group Access

• Interpretation and/or touch talks can be arranged for small groups please phone +353 1 6777444 or email bookings@museum.ie.
• Groups must book in advance for any type of visit to the Museum and can do so by emailing the Bookings Office. The Bookings Office is open Monday - Friday,10am to 2pm. 
• Groups wishing to make their own arrangements should contact us before arriving at the Museum so we can ensure you are accommodated satisfactorily.
• More information on School Group Visits
• More information on Language School Group Visits

Corporate Events

• The National Museum of Ireland’s three Dublin sites currently have no available facilities for corporate events.
• There are however excellent event facilities available at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life in Castlebar. For more information, visit Venue Hire at National Museum of Ireland - Country Life.