Our Museums

Our Collections

Spanning four museums, our collections have everything from dinosaurs to electric trams, and Alexander McQueen to American frontiers. We develop and present inspirational collections that reflect the creativity, innovation, history, culture and people of Northern Ireland and beyond.

Collections Online

New Acquisitions

Collections Online

We have over 1 million objects in our collection, and you can now explore these online!

Under the Cherry Tree by Lavery

Art Collections

National Museums NI’s art collections include fine and applied art (decorative art) of national and international significance. We hold more than 15,000 historical and contemporary artworks. This includes painting, sculpture, works on paper, glass, ceramics, silver and metalwork, jewellery, furniture, costume, and textiles.

Troubles and Beyond helmet

History Collections

The history collections cover the span of human history on the island of Ireland and reflect its place in the world. They open a window on themes as diverse as politics and conflict to innovation and achievement. The collections illustrate how people worked, travelled, socialised and participated a spectrum of cultural traditions. Taken together, they reflect the diversity of human experience from the cradle to the grave.

Education - UM - The World & Us (648 x 656)

Natural Sciences Collections

The natural sciences collections of National Museums NI hold more than half a million specimens from Northern Ireland and beyond. Mighty whales and tiny snails, flowers and fungi, fossils and meteorites—these are just a few of the diverse specimens that we hold. Many of the finest are on display. Others form a huge reference collection for scientists and other museum users to consult.

Collections Work

Art UK

Art UK's mission is to open up the UK's publicly owned art collections for enjoyment, learning and research. You can explore a selection of our collection here, as well as purchase high-quality reproduction prints. Each purchase supports the work of National Museums NI. 

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Curatorial Staff
Picture Library
Collection FAQs