TCD’s Zoological Museum Joins List of Top Quality Museums

Jul 02, 2013

TCD’s Zoological Museum was one of 11 museums recently recognised for high standards by the Heritage Council under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland. The interim award was presented to the Zoological Museum by Sean Rainbird, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, on behalf of  the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan at a ceremony in the Irish Architectural Archive.

As part of the School of Natural Sciences, the Zoological Museum contains a collection of over 25,000 specimens and dates back over 200 years.  The museum now joins 43 other museums nationwide that have been recognised for high standards. In 2012, TCD’s Old Library received full accreditation under the programme.

The Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) sets out to improve all aspects of Ireland’s museum practice and in particular raise the standards of care for collections across Irish museums and galleries. The judges particularly praised the impressive progress across a wide range of fronts that has been made in a relatively short period of time at the Zoological Museum.

Sean Rainbird, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland; Peter Stafford, Department of Zoology, TCD; Dr Martyn Linnie, Curator, Zoological Museum, TCD; Dr Nicola Marples, Head of Department of Zoology, TCD and Michael Starrett, Chief Executive, Heritage Council

A feature of TCD’s Zoological Museum is the many examples of extinct and endangered species including Ireland’s last Great Auk which was declared extinct in 1844, the Tasmanian wolf and the Great Indian Rhinoceros.  All the main animal groups are represented in the collection which also contains a rare set of the famous Blaschka glass models of marine life dating from approximately 1870. 

Speaking on the success of TCD’s Zoological Museum Dr Martyn Linnie, Curator, said: “We are delighted to receive this award. This achievement reflects the commitment  of the Zoological Museum to the long-term care and development of its valuable and historic collection. The accomplishment follows a national and internationally assessed programme governing all aspects of collection management and structure. The award also highlights and celebrates the success of our museum over recent years and helps to make it as accessible to as many people as possible.”

For a limited period, the Zoological Museum is offering 30-minute guided tours by zoology students. Star attractions include getting your photo taken through the jaws of a shark, hearing about the tragic tale of Ireland’s Last Great Auk and meeting Prince Tom, the ‘Royal’ elephant who travelled the world with Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Alfred.

Bookings can be made at the Zoological Museum booth outside the Book of Kells Exhibition, The Old Library, Fellows Square, Trinity College.

Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm, via guided tour.

Admission: Combined entry for Zoological Museum and the Book of Kells: Adults €15, Family €30, OAP/Student €12. Entry to the Zoological Museum only: Adults €8, Family €15, OAP/Student €7.