Drop into the Discovery Zone in the Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks during a dedicated quiet hour. Bring the family along and join a short activity to learn about our favourite objects in the handling collections. 

No booking required but there may be a short waiting time. Suitable for Families. Wheelchair accessible. Children must be fully supervised by a parent or adult who is in loco parentis.

During the drop-in event you can...

• Learn about  animals that lived here long ago. 

• Touch and inspect up close the handling collections of real and replica furs, footprints or fossils!  

• Have a chat with a Museum Educator and don't forget to ask them your curious questions. 

• Choose your favourite animal on display in a short self-guided creative activity sheet. 

• Inspect the Discovery Carts in the Discovery Zone. Meet and touch a mounted badger, a large ammonite fossil, and animal skulls - including a stinky pilot whale skull!

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What is a Quiet Hour?
We’re offering a designated quiet hour to create a calmer, more welcoming environment for visitors who may benefit from reduced sensory input.
 
During this hour, lighting in the galleries will be softened and audio-visual effects will be reduced where possible. Please note that, in any galleries where this is not possible, signage will be erected outside advising about any loud noises that might occur.
 
We are committed to being autism-friendly. Our staff are trained to support and promote awareness and understanding of neurodivergent visitors to help maintain a more soothing atmosphere.
 
Visitors are welcome to bring any sensory supports that help them feel more comfortable (e.g. sunglasses, headphones, sunflower lanyard, etc.).

Although we do not have designated quiet spaces, visitors can access the outdoor grounds of Collins Barracks if they need a break from sensory stimuli.

As part of our mindfulness approach, visitors are encouraged to engage with our on-site educational resources and Museum Trails, which offer a reflective and calming way to connect with the Museum's Collection.

Synge & Byrne Café will also host a designated Quiet Hour on Saturday, 11th October, from 10:00 to 11:00, with reduced noise, lighting, and music to create a calmer and more relaxing environment.
 

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What to Expect at a Drop-in Event:

• The Drop-in will take place in the Discovery Zone within the Dead Zoo Lab. The Dead Zoo Lab is located in the Riding School in the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks. You enter the Dead Zoo Lab through external doors and pass through a small reception space before entering the Riding School room.
• If it is very busy on the day, you may need to queue to enter the Dead Zoo Lab. This queue moves quickly but is located outside so please dress for the weather. There is no way to skip this queue unless you or a member of your party is unable to stand or queue for long periods. If this is the case, please contact bookings@museum.ie.
• When you enter the Dead Zoo Lab you will see some stuffed (or taxidermied) animals like a moose and a zebra. You will also see the fossil skeletons of the giant Irish deer. Behind these animals are several rows of cases.
• To get to the Discovery Zone, head to the back of the room on the right hand side.
• The Drop-in will run from 10am to 11am during which families may enter and leave the event as they please. As the event space is small you may be asked to wait for a short amount of time or explore another part of the Dead Zoo Lab and come back in a few minutes.
• At the entrance you will be greeted by a Museum Educator. They will welcome you to the drop-in and explain what is happening at the drop-in.
• In the drop-in there will be two tables. You can choose which table you would like to visit first or a Museum Educator might recommend you go to a certain table first.
• On one table there will be the fur of a lynx. The fur is real but the head has been stuffed. It is no longer alive. The Educator at the table will talk to you about lynxes and you will have the chance to feel the fur.
•  On the other table there will be a "Who's Who and Whose Poo?' game. The Educator at this table will show you pictures of 4 different animals and ask if you know what animals they are. They will also show you two footprints and two replica (not-real) poos. They will let you touch these and ask you to match the footprints and poos to the correct animals.
• If you have any questions at any time during the event, you can ask the Educators.
• When you have finished in the event you can go back to the first Educator who welcomed you. They will give you a copy of the My Favourite Animal Activity Sheet, a pencil and a spinning top, all for you to keep and bring home with you.