{
  "id": 18309706,
  "title": "'Dead Zoo' won't reopen until 'well into 2030s', PAC told",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/dead-zoo-wont-reopen-until-well-into-2030s-pac-told",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T13:17:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1105/1598129-natural-history-museum/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Public Accounts Committee has disclosed that the Natural History Museum, also known as the \"Dead Zoo\" in Dublin, won't reopen until the 2030s at the earliest. The museum, which closed in September 2024 for major refurbishment works, has already seen €3.6 million spent on its renovation without a final budget in place. Built in 1856, the museum is often referred to as a \"museum in a museum.\" Its Keeper of Natural History, Paolo Viscardi, has previously mentioned that the plans for the building may have been destroyed in the Customs House fire during the War of Independence. Viscardi stated last year that a significant amount of work remains to be done due to the museum's lack of any major refurbishment before.\n\nChairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, John Brady, has criticized the lack of urgency in the project, stating that under current plans, it will not be reopening until the 2030s at the earliest. This announcement has been a significant disappointment to the public. In correspondence with the committee, the Office of Public Works acknowledged that the museum's refurbishment is inherently challenging and difficult. The chairman, John Conlon, revealed that over €2 million has been spent on removing artefacts and historic cases, as well as on their transport, packaging, storage, conservation, art handling, and project management. Brady emphasized the slow progress, questioning why it has been so incredibly slow considering the facility has been closed for a long time. He also expressed concern over the level of public money already spent, which now exceeds €3.6 million, despite the absence of a final budget. Committee members will seek more details on the €3.6 million spent to date and a comprehensive breakdown of the project's timeline. Brady called for firm reassurance that this project will not become another example of the OPW's runaway spending.",
  "summary": "The Public Accounts Committee has heard that the Natural History Museum will not reopen until the 2030s, with €3.6 million spent on its refurbishment to date and no final budget in place.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dead Zoo museum in Dublin closed in September 2024 for refurbishment.",
    "€3.6 million spent on renovation without final budget.",
    "Museum reopening expected in 2030s, criticized for slow progress."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}