The Dáil spending watchdog is investigating the ongoing delays in reopening Ireland’s Natural History Museum, known colloquially as the ‘Dead Zoo.’ Public Accounts Committee member Aidan Farrelly has criticized the refurbishment's 'snail’s pace,' confirming he has brought the project to the attention of the committee and is seeking a detailed program for the works.
Farrelly stated that a preliminary business case for the project was approved in 2022, but as of mid-2026, progress appears minimal with a lack of clarity on timelines and costs. He expressed frustration over the verifiable progress since first raising concerns about the absence of a start date for the works a year prior.
The museum's challenges date back to 2010, when its upper galleries were closed due to safety concerns. In 2020, it was temporarily shut again for the removal of whale skeletons and over 20,000 specimens. The museum partially reopened in 2022, with only the ground floor accessible.
In January 2023, the then arts and culture minister approved the commencement of the design phase for the refurbishment. However, the Department of Arts and Culture indicated last year that the works were still in the 'pre-tender project design, planning and procurement strategy phase.'
OPW Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran confirmed that the works have not progressed beyond this phase. In response to questions, Moran noted that the building, constructed in 1856, has not undergone substantial renovation. He confirmed that in 2022, approval was granted for the preliminary business case, and in 2023, for the design phase. A design team was procured by the OPW in April 2024, and the museum closed in September 2024 for a full decant of its collection to Collins Barracks ahead of investigative works.
The redevelopment project is now at Stage 2 of the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), focusing on design development, planning permission, and detailed design. Moran acknowledged that a definitive project program cannot yet be provided, as the timeline is dependent on securing approvals, statutory compliance, detailed design completion, and the procurement process.
The OPW has spent just over €1.3 million on the project to date. The department’s sectoral plan projects a budget between €50 million and €100 million for the redevelopment, though estimated costs and timelines are still being refined.
Farrelly described the situation as 'groundhog day,' noting that his inquiries a year ago yielded similar responses. He lamented the continued lack of full access to the museum's collection during summer holidays, a period that was once a rite of passage for children.