A collection of original Leonardo da Vinci drawings are to go on display at the National Gallery in Dublin this coming Wednesday. 

10 original drawings from the Royal Collection, as owned by Queen Elizabeth II, will be mounted in a way that enables viewers to get a closer look at the drawings. They are not personally owned by the sovereign but are held in her trust before being passed down to her successor.

The collections represent a mix of the various styles and subjects of interest to da Vinci. The pieces will feature images of cats, horses, lions and other animals as well as his signature anatomical drawings. 

This will be the first time that the collection will be displayed outside of the UK.

Speaking about the upcoming exhibition, Anne Hodge, curator of prints and drawings at the National Gallery described it as 'hugely exciting' before adding:

"People are going to be blown away."

President Michael D Higgins will officially launch the event and it will be open to the public from Wednesday to July 17th. Admission is free but entry is by timed ticket which can be booked at www.nationalgallery.ie