If you’ve got a budding palaeontologist at home, you’ll know dinosaur obsessions can strike at any age — and once they do, there’s no going back. The good news is that Ireland has some brilliant places to feed that fascination, from real fossils to roaring robotic dinos and even a dinosaur-themed ride.
There aren’t a huge number of dedicated dinosaur attractions in Ireland, but there are some genuine hidden gems tucked around the country — more than enough to keep any dino fan happy for a full day out.
Watch: Take a look at some of our favourite dinosaur days out in Ireland in the video below.
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Dinosaurs at Ulster Museum
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Among the thousands of fossils held at the Ulster Museum in Belfast, your budding palaeontologist can get up close to genuine dinosaur remains. On display is the skeleton of an Edmontosaurus, and in the Deep Time gallery you’ll find the only dinosaur bones ever discovered in Ireland — a brilliant fact to share with your kids.
Dinosaur Dash at Tayto Park
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Dinosaur Dash is a thrilling ride for young dinosaur enthusiasts, bringing them up close to Raptors, a T-Rex, Triceratops and more. Riders travel back in time in a safari jeep carriage, dash beneath the tail and head of an Apatosaurus, and sweep through twists and turns while dodging the grasp of raptors — with a bubbling swamp waiting beneath.
The Hidden Museum at NUI Galway
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Often called “Galway’s Hidden Museum”, the James Mitchell Museum is tucked up the staircase in the south-east corner of the Main Quadrangle at NUI Galway. It’s a small museum, but the south-facing wall holds specimens of large Jurassic marine reptiles such as Ichthyosaurus, along with replica Cretaceous dinosaurs from the Isle of Wight, including the skulls of Megalosaurus and Iguanodon and a complete Hypsilophodon skeleton.
While you’re on campus, it’s worth knowing NUI Galway also has its own Dead Zoo, whose collection includes four specimens once owned by naturalist Charles Darwin.
Save the Day for Later
Planning a dinosaur day out is easier with a bit of extra inspiration. Our checklist of 99 fantastic places to visit around Ireland is a handy companion for mapping out family days out beyond the dinosaur trail too.
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Dinosaur Nest at the Celtic and Prehistoric Museum, Kerry
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Did you know you can see a nest of dinosaur eggs at The Celtic and Prehistoric Museum at Slea Head on the Dingle Peninsula? Alongside Ireland’s only intact Woolly Mammoth skull — tusks still attached — the museum also holds the only complete dinosaur skeleton found here (a baby dinosaur), a cave bear skeleton, and the dinosaur egg nest itself.
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Tetrapod Prints on Valentia Island, Kerry
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Not quite dinosaurs, but close in spirit — you can see prehistoric tetrapod footprints predating the dinosaurs at the Tetrapod Trackway on Valentia Island, at the end of the Iveragh Peninsula on the Ring of Kerry.
The island holds one of only four known sets of these prehistoric footprints in the world, offering a rare glimpse of life’s transition from water onto land.
Ireland’s Jurassic Park at Kells Bay Gardens, Kerry
Step back in time at Ireland’s Jurassic Park in Kells Bay Gardens on the Ring of Kerry. Life-size dinosaur sculptures crafted from fallen trees line a dedicated dinosaur walk through the gardens’ primeval forest, giving kids a real sense of scale alongside some fun facts about what dinosaurs ate.
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Dinos at Banba Toymaster, Mary Street Dublin
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Tucked at the rear of the Banba Toymaster store on Mary Street, Dublin, you’ll find a large dinosaur guarding her eggs. Watch them “hatch” and listen out for prehistoric sounds — a fun, free surprise for kids of all ages while you’re in town.
Jurassic Newpark, Kilkenny
‘Jurassic Newpark’ at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny features life-sized, robotic dinosaurs that move and roar, including T-Rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus and Velociraptor — plus a few dinosaur eggs to spot along the way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best place to see real dinosaur fossils in Ireland?
The Ulster Museum in Belfast is the place to go for genuine fossils, including an Edmontosaurus skeleton and the only dinosaur bones ever found in Ireland.
Is there a dinosaur-themed ride in Ireland?
Yes — Dinosaur Dash is a family ride that takes visitors past Raptors, a T-Rex, Triceratops and more, all set within a safari-style jeep carriage adventure.
Where can kids see life-size dinosaur sculptures in Ireland?
Kells Bay Gardens on the Ring of Kerry has a dedicated dinosaur walk through its primeval forest, featuring life-size sculptures made from fallen trees.
Can you see dinosaur eggs in Ireland?
Yes — the Celtic and Prehistoric Museum in Kerry has a nest of dinosaur eggs on display, and Banba Toymaster in Dublin has a dinosaur guarding her eggs too.
Are there prehistoric footprints in Ireland?
Yes. Valentia Island in Kerry has a tetrapod trackway — one of only four known sets of these footprints in the world, predating the dinosaurs themselves.
Related Articles
- 20 Outstanding Places to See Dinosaurs in the UK
- Top 20 Dinosaur Books for Your Dino Mad Kid
- 12 Fun and Creative Dinosaur Craft Ideas for Kids
- Download Your FREE Dinosaur Word Search for Some Dino Fun!
- See Evidence of Evolution on Valentia Island, Kerry
Before You Go
Fancy more days-out inspiration? Browse our full collection of family day-out ideas around Ireland, or save this article to come back to next time a dinosaur mood strikes.
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