The Natural History Museum in Dublin is to shut for a major refurbishment later this year.

Affectionately known as the 'Dead Zoo' the building on Merrion Place, which was constructed in 1856, will close in September.

"A full refurbishment of the building is necessary to ensure that the building is protected, conserved, and made accessible for future generations," the Natural History Museum says.

"The refurbishment project will also address long-standing issues with accessibility, enhance the museum experience and engage visitors with the museum’s unique collection and role in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change."

File photo of the Natural History Museum in Dublin. Image: Lucas Vallecillos / Alamy

In 2020 the museum closed its upper galleries so whale skeletons suspended from the roof could be removed, along with the packing and removal of 20,000 specimens, to install an internal platform and environmental seal.

The museum says the internal platform structure is protecting the building and its contents while also enabling "initial investigative works" on the roof.

Since the museum re-opened in 2022 only the ground floor has been open to the public.

This next phase will see the complete closure of the museum from September "to enable the remaining 10,000 specimens to be carefully wrapped up and removed from the building".

Duration and cost

Museum management says the full programme of works, duration and total cost of the project "will be determined by the investigative works and design phase".

A new ‘Dead Zoo Lab’ will be created at the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks for the duration of the closure.

The refurbishment of the Natural History Museum is being designated a "flagship project" for the Department of Tourism under the National Development Plan.

Main image: A piece from the Natural History Museum in Dublin gets wrapped for storage. Image: Natural History Museum