Immerse yourself in extraordinary art, natural science and history collections.
Whilst our recommended one-way flow system provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy our exhibitions at your leisure, we have also put a quick access route in place for those who prefer to go straight to the art galleries. Ask one of our Welcome Team for more details when you arrive.
Our discovery centres have all reopened with new activities to guarantee a safe and enjoyable experience for our visitors and staff. Please be aware that this is currently with significantly reduced capacity throughout the day. Please ask one of our welcome guides on arrival for more information.
What's On
Here's what you can look forward to on your visit:
Art (Blue route)
La Belle Époque
A fabulous fashion exhibition of some of the most beautiful outfits from our permanent collection, including two incredibly significant recent donations on display for the first time: a silk satin wedding dress dating from 1896 and a magnificent and historically important court dress with train from dating from 1911. All of the fashion in this exhibition is from the 1870s to the 1910s, a relatively peaceful period in Western Europe often known as La Belle Époque - “the beautiful era.”
Tissot’s Mysterious Irish Muse: New Acquisitions
Best-known for his depictions of fashionable female costume, James (Jacques) Joseph Tissot’s paintings also reflect the aspirations and insecurities of Victorian society and the emerging experience of the modern woman. This stunning exhibition celebrates a new acquisition Quiet, by Tissot. Quiet goes on display in this exhibition with paintings by Cotes, Lavery and Orpen which contrast the role of society beauties and the experience of young women who lived a more fragile existence on the periphery of conventional society.
Please note that until 29 October some of our art galleries will be closed whilst we prepare for our exciting programme of Autumn exhibitions. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. For details of upcoming exhibitions please visit our Whats On page.
History (Yellow route)
CultureLab
CultureLab is a place to take a good, hard look at the cultural stereotypes that we all know surround us in Northern Ireland. This exhibition poses questions about culture and offers a glimpse into how identities have been, and continue to be, shaped in Ireland and Northern Ireland. See the famous ‘Differences’ blackboard from the hit TV series Derry Girls, on public display for the very first time, and test your preconceptions with an interactive religion calculator quiz.
Nature (Red route)
Elements
Take a journey from actinium to zirconium – from the rocks beneath your feet to the most distant and ancient reaches of the universe. In this unique exhibition – the only one of its kind in Europe – you’ll discover what the elements look like, how they occur naturally, how we use them, and why they can be dangerous.
Fossils and Evolution
Explore spectacular fossils from a ‘graveyard’ of tiny ammonite shells to a toothsome, four-metre long fish. See skulls of dwarf elephants and giant deer. Discover why your skeleton isn’t that different from a monkey, a mouse or a mole.