The Natural History Museum in Dublin – also known as the Dead Zoo – is to close in September to allow for a major refurbishment that is likely to last several years.

After September 2, there will be a “full decant” of the 10,000 specimens currently on display, as well as thousands of others to allow for investigative work to take place.

This investigation will decide the scale of the refurbishment required and the length of time it will take for the museum to reopen.

While the museum on Merrion Street is closed, there will be a new Dead Zoo Lab at National Museum Ireland - Collins Barracks from spring 2025, to make the collection accessible during the works.

The museum existed in a building that was built in 1856 and has changed very little over the last 150 years, causing issues with accessibility inside and around the building in recent years.

“A draughty, leaky building that is not accessible to anyone with mobility impairment does not do justice to our wonderful visitors and the incredible collection we have in natural history,” said Lynn Scarff, the director of the National Museum of Ireland.

“It is wonderful that we are moving to the next phase of this refurbishment project.”

The refurbishment project will address the current accessibility issues, enhance the museum experience, and engage visitors with the museum’s role in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change, as well as ensuring the building is conserved for future generations.

The museum closed temporarily in 2020 to facilitate the removal of the whale skeletons suspended from the roof and the packing and removal of 20,000 specimens, and in order to install an internal platform and environmental seal.

Since the museum reopened in 2022, only the ground floor has been open to the public.

The ultimate timeline for the work on the Natural History Museum will be established in coming months.