Tweet a skeleton this Halloween at the Museum of Natural History in Dublin

The Natural History Museum in Dublin is the oldest museum in Ireland having been opened by Doctor David Livingstone (no less) in 1857. Known locally as the Dead Zoo, it has been a favorite of generations of Dubliners ever since.

Dubliners are on first name terms with many of the exhibits, including Spotticus the Giraffe. Spotticus is is now happily tweeting away to his loyal band of global fans, following his recent makeover in the Netherlands. Seemingly, caught in a time warp, this cabinet-style 'museum of a museum' has just recently been revamped and reopened to the public.

With some 10,000 items currently on display and another 2 million in storage, it houses the treasure trove of countless Victorian collectors. As you can imagine, Nigel Monaghan, curator of the Museum explains that’s an awful lot of dusting ...

Having lain about in relative obscurity for years the Natural History Museum is once again poised to be a trail blazer of scientific research and discovery (as it was at the turn of the last century) having boldly embraced new technology which has seen its visitor numbers double in recent years.

Innovative and free educational events and workshops for all ages are set to increase its profile and popularity even further. Visiting scientists and experts from all over the world have expressed a new appreciation and interest in the museums valuable collection of unique and rare items that are unlikely ever to be found again. Such as the huge skeleton of a fin whale, the second largest in the world which washed up in Bantry Bay in 1862 and the now extinct giant Irish deer whose antlers span an amazing 3.5 meters which was discovered in Monaghan and donated by the 4th Marquis of Bath in 1877.

And while we might live in a digital age that can conjure up reconstructions of extinct worlds at the touch of button, apparently it's no substitute for the real thing when it comes to scientific hard evidence. Who would have thought that a once moth eaten collection of stuffed animals, in a small museum in Dublin would be providing the world at large and generations to come with the raw data for new and exciting scientific research into our increasingly precarious and precious natural world.

For information on the Natural History Museum

Follow Spotticus the Giraffe on Twitter

For more information on the 3 other main Irish Museums

By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Escape to the countryside with a fall break in Ireland

Isn't Autumn just the perfect time for a short break away in the country?

Summer is long gone and our thoughts are turning inwards to cosying up in front of a crackling log fire with a nice hot whiskey having perhaps tramped through a thick carpet of leaves in an ancient beech wood.

Ireland has many beautiful forests, national parks and leafy lanes bordering ancient riverside walks that wind their way through quaint little Irish villages that thankfully have retained their rural charm. Old fashioned, meaty butchers sport big roasts, proper sausages and locally caught game if you are lucky. The smell of freshly baked bread and cakes (you can forget your diet on a weekend away in Ireland) wafts out of small bakeries turned coffee shops where you can sit and people-watch a different kind of lifestyle altogether.

Country markets have made a very welcome return and injected a new shot of life into otherwise quiet communities. With an eclectic mix of produce, ranging from pickles to pumpkins you can pick up some nice goodies for a picnic or indulge yourself in a lazy pub lunch. Gastro pubs are on the increase in Ireland, offering hearty gourmet food at reasonable prices. Traditional favorites like bacon and cabbage might be served up with mustard flavored mash potatoes, however the accompanying pint of Guinness which is of course non- negotiable…

Why mess with perfection !

So if you fancy ‘shortening the winter’ (code for a treat before the bad weather sets in? why not check out some of the self-catering breaks available from Ireland's Hidden Places, check website link below for details of special offers and Halloween events.

Or if you would prefer to waited on? Downton Abbey style why not stay a night or two in one of Hidden Ireland's great Irish Country Houses who have also have great seasonal offers available right now.


By Susan Byron author of www.irelands-hidden-gems.com