

Family Drop-in events in the Dead Zoo Lab
About the event
Summer Family Dead Zoo Lab Drop-ins
Dead Zoo Lab at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks
Join a drop-in family event and join a short activity exploring wildlife in Ireland. No booking required.
Event Summary
Drop-in events are located in the Discovery Zone in the open gallery of the Dead Zoo Lab. Each drop-in takes place over two hours and features a short activity that last 5-10 mins with a Museum Educator. Each activity is inspired by the natural history collections in the Museum. The short activity usually involves seeing and touching real and replica handling objects such as furs, bones or fossils. At the end of the activity, you can pick up a self-guided activity sheet and pencil to choose and draw your favourite animal on display in the Dead Zoo Lab.
This summer there will be four themes all focused around the wonderful and diverse habitats we have right here at home! To find out more about each of the themes, please click on the links below:
- Let's Explore...The Bog!
- Let's Explore...The Ocean!
- Let's Explore...The Park!
- Let's Explore...The Beach!
What You’ll Experience
- Learn about some wildlife in Ireland inspired by the theme of the drop-in event.
- Touch and inspect up close the handling collections of real and replica natural history specimens (furs, fossils, bones etc...)
- Have a chat with a Museum Educator and don't forget to ask them your curious questions!
- Choose your favourite animal on display in a short self-guided creative activity sheet.
Who is this Event for?
- Families, with children ages 7+
- Museum visitors interested in learning more about Irish wildlife
- Children must be fully supervised by a parent or responsible adult.
Dates and Times
Wednesday 1 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Bog!
Thursday 2 July, 11:00 - 13:00 - Let's Explore...The Bog!
Saturday 4 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Bog!
Sunday 5 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Bog!
Wednesday 8 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Fossil Favourites with ISL
Thursday 9 July, 11:00 - 13:00 - Let's Explore...The Bog!
Saturday 11 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Bog!
Sunday 12 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Bog!
Wednesday 15 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Ocean!
Thursday 16 July, 11:00 - 13:00 - Let's Explore...The Ocean!
Saturday 18 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Ocean!
Sunday 19 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Ocean!
Sunday 26 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Beach! (Bilingual event) Ainmhithe den Trá (Imeacht Dátheangach)
Wednesday 29 July, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Park!
Thursday 30 July, 11:00 - 13:00 - Let's Explore...The Park!
Saturday 1 August. 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Park!
Sunday 2 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Park!
Wednesday 5 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Park!
Thursday 6 August, 11:00 - 13:00 - Let's Explore...The Park!
Saturday 8 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Park!
Sunday 9 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Park!
Wednesday 12 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - Let's Explore...The Beach!
Thursday 13 August, 11:00 - 13:00 - Let's Explore...The Beach!
Saturday 15 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - HERITAGE WEEK: Let's Explore...The Beach!
Sunday 16 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - HERITAGE WEEK: Let's Explore...The Beach!
Wednesday 19 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - HERITAGE WEEK: Let's Explore...The Beach!
Thursday 20 August, 11:00 - 13:00 - HERITAGE WEEK: Let's Explore...The Beach!
Saturday 22 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - HERITAGE WEEK: Let's Explore...The Beach!
Sunday 23 August, 14:00 - 16:00 - HERITAGE WEEK: Let's Explore...The Beach!
Location
The Dead Zoo Lab
Collins Barracks
National Museum of Ireland
Benburb Street, Dublin 7, D07 XKV4
Accessibility Information
This event is wheelchair accessible
Booking Information
- Free admission
- No booking required
- There may be a short wait during busy times
Related Experiences
- For more information about the Dead Zoo Lab, click the following link: The Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks
- Why not join one of our Animal Lottery family tours in the Dead Zoo Lab? Family Tours at the Dead Zoo Lab
- For more activities that you can do at home, please see our Museum at Home pages: Museum at Home
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book in advance?
No booking is required
How long does the event last?
5-10 minutes
Is the event suitable for children?
Yes, but children must be supervised at all times.
Where do I go when I arrive?
Head to the back of the Dead Zoo Lab gallery to the Discovery Zone
If you have any questions about these events please contact [email protected]
More Family
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Family Tours in the Dead Zoo Lab
Date: Wed 15 Jul + 12 more
Location: National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks

Bileog Ghníomhaíochta: An tAinmhí Is Fearr Liom
Date: Mon 22 Jun – Sat 29 Aug
Location: National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7

Summer Family Drop-ins: Let's Explore...The Park
Date: Tue 28 Jul – Sat 8 Aug
Location: National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7

Summer Family Drop-ins: Let's Explore...The Ocean
Date: Tue 14 Jul – Sun 19 Jul
Location: National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7

Summer Family Drop-ins: Let's Explore... The Beach!
Date: Tue 11 Aug – Sat 22 Aug
Location: National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7

Activity Sheet: My Favourite Animal
Date: Mon 22 Jun – Sat 29 Aug
Location: National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7

Heritage Week Drop-ins at the Dead Zoo Lab
Date: Fri 14 Aug – Sat 22 Aug
Location: National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7
