The Natural History Division (NHD) cares for around 2 million specimens and we provide research access to those collections, and the library and archive associated, as part of our core function.

Please be aware that we have a small team who receive hundreds of research access enquires each year, so the earlier in advance you make a request and the more specific it is, the more likely we will be able to meet your needs.

Please contact staff in advance of your visit to make an appointment and read our Research Visitor Access Guidelines below:
 

Research Visitor Access Guidelines for NMI Natural History Collections (please also see the NMI Collections Research Policy: Collections Research Policy | National Museum of Ireland and NMI Collections Publication Policy: Collections Publications Policy | National Museum of Ireland for context)

• Visitors are welcome to our behind-the-scenes spaces to research our collections, but we do ask that they behave in an appropriate manner. Behaviour that is disrespectful, discriminatory, or otherwise offensive to our staff or other visitors will not be tolerated.

• Research visits to the collections must be accompanied at all times by an authorised member of NHD staff, whose instructions must be followed for the safety of the visitor, our staff and the collections. 

• Any research activity using specimens must be discussed and approved in advance, with clear information about the techniques and equipment required.

• Any planned destructive analysis must be requested in advance, in consultation with the appropriate member of the NHD staff and with approval from the Keeper. The form for destructive sampling should be requested from the relevant curator once inital contact has been made.

• Bags, coats, food and drink are not allowed to be brought into the collections spaces. - they should be left in a secure area indicated by NMINH staff. Any necessary equipment may be brought to the place where the research is taking place in an open container that can be provided by NHD staff.

• Objects must not be brought into collections spaces without prior approval and appropriate quarantine processes being undertaken in consultation with NHD staff.

• On arrival, NHD staff will provide a safety briefing about the collections spaces being accessed. Any safety measures indicated by staff must be adhered to (e.g. use of appropriate PPE).

• Photography of objects in the collection and behind-the-scenes spaces must be discussed and approved in advance. We reserve the right to deny permission for photography that may impact on the security of our staff, sites or collections.

• Drawers, boxes or other storage containers should not be handled or opened without NHD staff oversight. 

• If handling of objects is permitted for your research activity, it should take place over an appropriate surface (e.g. table or trolley) and with NHD staff guidance on handling protocols for the object type.

• Objects must not be removed from NMI sites without appropriate loans documentation and approvals.

• Labels must never be separated from specimens.

• In the event of damage to an object or label taking place, it is imperative that it is reported immediately to minimise the risk of loss or further damage.

• Failure to follow the guidelines provided here may result in your access being curtailed and future collections access requests being rejected.