City of Science 2012 at the National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland’s four sites will be participating in Dublin City of Science 2012. To celebrate this international event the Museum will provide a range of innovative programmes throughout the year, highlighting the science-themed nature of our collections and programmes.
The Zoo in My Garden
PLEASE NOTE: Both performances are now booked out- returns only.
Many people remember being brought to the Natural History Museum to see the ‘Dead Zoo’. The ‘Zoo in My Garden’ performances on the , will bring some of the animals in the Museum back to life for you in a captivating theatre performance involving beautifully made puppets of animals that forage around in our back gardens. This theatre spectacle tells the story of Simon who thinks his garden is boring until a strange guest arrives and needs his help. Simon then goes on a magical journey of discovery with his feathered and furry friends and snoring sheds! This event is sure to visually stimulate everyone with its colourful puppets, captivating storyline and sound effects.
The ‘Zoo in My Garden’ is a collaboration between Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT) and the Museum's Education Department, in association with Theatre Director Denis Conway of Ouroboros Theatre (Ireland).
The puppets are being created at IADT by third year model-making students, Judith Wuschner, Billy MacDonald, Lindsey Foley, and David Lynham, under creative director Ger Clancy and they are being
assisted by second year students under creative team leader Paul McDonnell. The project is being filmed by Ruadhri Brennan, a film student at IADT, so that the process of making this theatre performance can be shared with others. Chris McLoughlin is a musician who is working on the sound and actor Simon Boyle shall play the part of the boy who discovers what a zoo his back garden really is!
Download our poster and our flyer:
Find even more details in the explore & Learn area.
Both performances are now booked out. Contact the Education Department at 01 6486316 or by email. This venue is not wheelchair accessible.
The Science behind the Scenes
Later in the year at the Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks, there will be a special event organised entitled ‘The Science behind the Scenes’. This will provide wonderful insight into how science plays such a big part in helping to preserve the many objects we have on display and in storage at the Museum. This open day, aimed at families and people of all ages, will highlight some of the techniques used by Museum Conservators to preserve objects that are hundreds of years old. To complement this open day, a series of Saturday Gallery Talks will be held in the autumn on science-based themes, dates for which will be available later in the year.
Discover Primary Science & Maths Programme workshops
Throughout the year at the Museum of Country Life, the Discover Primary Science & Maths Programme will run a range of tours and hands-on workshops for primary school children from 1st to 6th class on topics including clothing, food production and nature. All these activities run from September to April and are offered to stimulate children’s interest in science and maths. This initiative ties in with the nationally-run Discover Primary Science & Maths Programme.
For more information on the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Decorative Arts and History and Natural History contact the Bookings Office at bookings@museum.ie
For more information on the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life contact the Bookings Office at educationtph@museum.ie
Previous Events:
What We Do at the Dead Zoo - Investigating Bears, Bats and Bugs
‘What We Do at the Dead Zoo - Investigating Bears, Bats and Bugs’ was the first ever open day in the Natural History Museum which took place on Saturday 14th April 2012.
The aim was to enable audiences to find out how and why the Natural History Museum’s collections are used by many different people, from scientists to model makers.
Family audiences and adults were able meet with researchers, curators, educators and artists who use the Dead Zoo every day as a source of information and inspiration. Participating organisations included:
National Biodiversity Data Centre
O.W.L.S.
Dublin Zoo
Irish Herpetological Society
Dublin City of Science
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
Birdwatch Ireland
IADT Model Making Students
Artist Don Conroy and writer Debbie Thomas gave workshops and the museum's curatorial, documentation and education staff were there to explain "What We Do at The Dead Zoo". Spotticus
even tweeted about it!
Download our flyer:
What We Do At The Dead Zoo flyer WhatWeDo_flyer_web.pdf (0.25 MB, Adobe PDF)
Download the info sheet:
NH Open Day info sheet Open Day Info Sheet.docx (0.33 MB, Document file format)
No booking is required for this day-long event. For more information please ring 01 648 6316 or email. This venue is partially wheelchair accessible.
The Secrets of Stone - Ireland’s Geo-heritage
‘The Secrets of Stone- Ireland’s Geo-heritage’ seminar was held on Saturday 24th March at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.
This seminar's aim is to unlock the ‘Secrets of Stone’ by increasing public awareness of Ireland’s geo-heritage, explaining the diversity of actions and projects in Ireland aimed at making geo-heritage more accessible to all. Speakers included Mary Mulvihill, Patrick Wyse Jackson, Matthew Parkes and Una Patterson.
For more information please ring 01 648 6316 or email.