The Wonder Cabinet is inspired by the ‘cabinets of curiosity’ from Victorian times and a one-of-a-kind, specially designed space, for visitors to get up close to a range of real and replica specimens exploring the theme of predators and prey.

We are delighted to announce that The Wonder Cabinet has won an Institute of Creative Advertising and Design (ICAD) Gold award for graphic design.

Scroll down to see online activities inspired by The Wonder Cabinet!

Wonder Cabinet highlights include:

Spotted Hyena fossil jawbone – See up close a real fossil that was found in a cave in Ireland
Spotted Hyena skull (replica) – See its sharp teeth and distinctive powerful jawbone
Giant Irish Deer (Megaloceros giganteus) antler fossil – Giant deer went extinct in Ireland over 10,500 years ago and you can see their real fossil skeletons on display at the Museum in the Irish Room. The Wonder Cabinet has a smaller piece of a real fossil antler that is thousands of years old for you to look up close
Loggerhead Turtle – This adult turtle was found on a beach in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway. These turtles eat animals, such as the moon jellyfish, while they migrate through the Atlantic Ocean
Peregrine Falcon – This bird of prey is the fastest living thing on Earth and can reach speeds of over 250km per hour while chasing its prey. Visit the Wonder Cabinet and look through a big periscope to check out what the peregrine is chasing!
Marine Area – See up close a giant fossil shark tooth, a seal skull and a shark jaw at the Wonder Cabinet (Megalodon shark tooth, common seal skull and tiger shark jaw – all replicas)
Visitors can also see wild predators and prey that live in Ireland such as a sleeping fox, a hungry stoat, a mouse in hiding, a brown rat and a family of rabbits.

The clever design of The Wonder Cabinet means that it is also a space for educational events and workshops, with projectors, screens and microscopes. Keep an eye on the website and socail media for event updates.

The Launch of The Wonder Cabinet

The Wonder Cabinet was conceived by AP+E (architects) as part of a project to redevelop this area as a more innovative learning space with the Museum's Education team. It was designed by AP+E and constructed by Chris White from Acrewood, with graphic design work by Detail Design Studio. As part of this project new taxidermy, the fox, pigeon, peregrine falcon, mouse, brown rat and rabbits, were created by Taxidermist Jazmine Miles-Long. The hyena, stoat, Irish hare and loggerhead turtle speciemens were conserved by Conservator Lucie Mascord.

Online Activities for Families

The Wonder Cabinet at the Museum is full of interesting and unusal animals to discover! Why not try to make and curate your very own Wonder Cabinet?

What is taxidermy, and have you ever wondered if the animals on display in the Museum are real or fake?

Watch the videos below to get creative and learn more about The Wonder Cabinet and taxidermy at the Museum!

Natural History