Natural History Museums in Ireland
Natural history and marine museums with collections on animals, plants, minerals and the history of the Earth.
County Clare (3)
County Cork (2)
County Dublin (2)
County Kerry (2)
County Donegal (1)
County Galway (1)
County Kilkenny (1)
County Offaly (1)
County Waterford (1)
Natural History Museums in Ireland: Overview & Tips
Our guide lists 14 natural history museums in Ireland, spread across 9 counties and 13 towns and cities. Most of them are in County Clare (3), County Cork (2), and County Dublin (2).
At the city level, Dublin (2), Ballyfoyle (1), and Birr (1) lead the way – ideal if you want to see several natural history museums in a single day.
5 museums are free to visit. For the others with a published price, a regular adult ticket costs €7 at the median, and the middle half charge between €6 and €10.
3 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, 7 offer dedicated programs for families, and 9 have a café or restaurant. These figures come from our ongoing research – museums whose details we haven’t verified yet aren’t included in the counts.
Top 10 natural history museums in Ireland
The best-known natural history museums in Ireland
National Museum of Ireland – Natural HistoryNature · Dublin- Glenveagh CastleCastles & Palaces · Churchill
- Birr Castle DemesneTechnology · Birr
- Cliffs of Moher Visitor ExperienceNature · Liscannor
- Copper Coast Geopark Visitor CentreNature · Bunmahon
- Dunmore CaveNature · Ballyfoyle
James Mitchell Geology MuseumNature · Galway- Killarney House and GardensCastles & Palaces · Killarney
- Mizen Head Signal Station & Visitor CentreTechnology · Goleen
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown CastleHistory · Dublin
Natural history museums in Ireland with free admission
Natural history museums in Ireland with programs for families
- Glenveagh CastleCastles & Palaces · Churchill
- Birr Castle DemesneTechnology · Birr
- Cliffs of Moher Visitor ExperienceNature · Liscannor
- Copper Coast Geopark Visitor CentreNature · Bunmahon
- Killarney House and GardensCastles & Palaces · Killarney
- Mizen Head Signal Station & Visitor CentreTechnology · Goleen
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown CastleHistory · Dublin
Wheelchair-accessible natural history museums in Ireland
By county
Cities with the most museums
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How many natural history museums are there in Ireland?
Our directory currently lists 14 natural history museums in Ireland across 13 towns and cities.
What are the best-known natural history museums in Ireland?
Some of the best known are National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Glenveagh Castle, Birr Castle Demesne, Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, and Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre.
Which natural history museums in Ireland offer free admission?
5 museums are free to visit – for example National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre, James Mitchell Geology Museum, and Killarney House and Gardens.
Which natural history museums in Ireland are open on Mondays?
Many museums are closed on Mondays, but according to their regular hours 9 are open, such as Birr Castle Demesne, Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, and Dunmore Cave.
Which natural history museums in Ireland are wheelchair accessible?
3 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, including Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Ashtown Castle, and Skibbereen Heritage Centre. Others are partially accessible – you’ll find the details on each museum’s page.
How much does it cost to visit natural history museums in Ireland?
A regular adult ticket costs €7 at the median, with prices ranging from €5 to €15. Children, students and families usually pay less.
Other categories: Art & Design · History & Cultural History · Science & Technology · Archaeology & Antiquity · Memorials · Castles, Palaces & Monasteries · Open-Air Museums · City & Regional Museums · World Cultures & Ethnology · People & Literature · Special-Interest Museums