By Jess Milhausen, Inventory Assistant, National Museum of Ireland

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While not all specimens originate from famous expeditions or well-known collectors, there can be fascinating stories behind how some objects find themselves as part of the National Museum of Ireland’s collection. 

There is a mystery around the acquisition process in museums and many people hold the romantic idea that most specimens are collected through great expeditions. We might have visions of scientists and explorers traveling the globe, searching for the perfect examples of flora and fauna to represent their species. While that may be the case for some specimens, many others find themselves within a museum’s walls through less dramatic, but often just as interesting, circumstances. 

Museums receive specimens from many different sources, which often include academic institutions, government entities, and even members of the public. The NMI is no different.  We have received specimens over the years from many academic institutions, both here in Ireland (such as Trinity College and University College Dublin), and abroad (for example, the University of Glasgow and Harvard University). 

Stowaway rats 

We have also received specimens from other Irish government entities. In 1935 three rats were found as stowaways on a ship docked in Dublin Port by Mr. Tannam, an employee of the Disinfection Department of Dublin Corporation. He brought them to the Museum where they were mounted (prepared as a taxidermy specimen). One was put on display in the Dead Zoo – where it resides to this day.  

Dublin Zoo raider 

In 1906 a large feral domestic cat was tormenting the animals in the Dublin Zoo. He was finally shot, but not before (according to the register) he “had done a great deal of damage among the stock”. The dead cat was then given to the Museum, where both its skin and skeleton were preserved. While it is not uncommon for animals who died while in captivity at the Dublin Zoo to be given to NMI, this circumstance was unique since the cat wasn’t actually a resident of the zoo – at least, not a welcome one. 

An encrusted bottle 

Another object with an interesting past was a bottle found by Robert Pullen while trawling off Dublin Bay. It showed the rapid growth of various bryozoans, barnacles and the cases of tube worms, so he gave it to the Museum. The Museum not only kept it, but even had it on display for a while. 

While these stories may not align with how we expect a museum to acquire specimens, they are fascinating and often bring a new sense of wonder to the history of the specimens, since they reflect the discoveries and activities of everyday life for some of the people of Ireland. Visit the NMI museums today to see more objects with intriguing pasts.