National Museum

Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 67 7 7444
museum.ie

Nicknamed the ‘Dead Zoo’ by locals, this museum is a beautiful example of a Victorian-style ‘cabinet of curiosities’. Built in 1856, it was designed to house the Royal Dublin Society’s growing collection
of stuffed animals, and features 10,000 examples of preserved wildlife. The majority of animals reside inside dark, wooden and glass cabinets, while larger species – like the museum’s elephants and rhinos – are displayed in the open. The ground floor hosts the Irish Room, dedicated to native species. Upstairs, there are a number of preserved jungle cats – which always prove firm favourites with visitors and Dublin natives alike.