The Natural History Museum located on Merrion Street is currently closed to the public due to ongoing renovation works. This historic building was designed to house a remarkable collection whose origins can be traced back to the acquisition of the Leskean Cabinet by the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in 1792. This was a collection of over seven thousand minerals, a large assortment of shells, insects, anatomical preparations, an herbarium, and botanical specimens.
From its early days, the collection has been more dynamic than you might expect. It moved between buildings, was divided into subgroups, and it began to grow. Its first home was on Hawkins Street, where William Higgins was appointed to oversee the fledgling collection in 1795. The specimens were displayed and made accessible to students, with printed regulations governing admissions. And here’s where our story really begins.
In 1800, this fledgling museum opened its doors to the general public. Donations poured in, including minerals, beetles, and animals preserved in spirits. The museum expanded and, for the first time, Ireland had a gallery dedicated entirely to Irish specimens. Despite being open only two days a week and for just nine months each year, the museum attracted over 40,000 visitors annually, excluding visits by members of the RDS. It was a resounding success.
In 1851, Dr. Alexandre Carte was appointed curator of the Natural History Museum. Under his leadership, the museum entered a golden age of expansion, acquiring significant materials from both local and international sources. Carte introduced essential practices such as cataloguing the collection and meticulously reorganising and labelling the specimens on display. He also curated the Leskean insect collection (damaged when a ceiling in the Hawkins Street building collapsed), preserving this legacy for future generations.
After years of expansion and relocation of specimens in less than ideal spaces, a decision was made to create a building solely dedicated to housing the collections. On 7 March 1856, the foundation stone was ceremoniously laid, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the museum. One charming detail from that day deserves mention: a hermetically sealed glass vase was placed in a cavity within the foundation. Inside were coins of the realm, society medals, and a commemorative medal struck especially for the occasion. This time capsule still rests beneath the museum’s walls, marking the building's origins.
The museum officially opened its doors in August 1857, with the notable Dr David Livingstone leading the ceremony.
The next time you pass by, take a moment to lift your gaze and look at the façade. Over the entrance you’ll spot Neptune presiding in the central panel, flanked by dolphins. To the left, you’ll spot a curious looking serpent; to the right, a crocodile lurks. Have you ever noticed these features before?
While the Natural History Museum has affectionately been referred to as the "Dead Zoo" for over a century, it is very much alive. Its stones hold the echoes of generations of visitors, the wooden furniture has been home to over a million scientifically important specimens for a century and a half, and countless stories, experiences and family memories have taken root in the space. Changes in the building over the last 100 years have been minimal, leading the Dead Zoo to be considered a museum of a museum. And that's an important part of its charm. It’s also why we’re passionate about conserving the building while also improving it; to honour its character while ensuring it will be welcoming and accessible to all.
