The Museum Building in Trinity College Dublin was built between 1853 and 1857 and remains a crucial part of the modern university campus today.
Celebrated for its richly ornamented façade and enchanting interior space, it was designed by Sir Thomas Deane, Benjamin Woodward, and Thomas Newenham Deane (architects of the Oxford Museum of Natural History and the Kildare Street Club).
Unsurprisingly, it’s widely cherished by the Trinity community and one of the architectural highlights for visitors to the campus.
To delve into the fascinating history of the Museum Building and other buildings across Trinity College Dublin, consider booking a Trinity Trails tour.
Trinity Trails tours are led by knowledgeable student guides, and offer a captivating exploration of Trinity’s historical landmarks, its architecture and renowned alumni.
Façade of the Museum Building
With each visit to the Museum Building, my marvel never lowers from the high expectations I held on my first entry into the welcome hall at the beginning of my first year of study at Trinity.
From my first experience of viewing the façade, coated in masterly crafted carvings in Portland Limestone of Irish flora and fauna by the O’ Shea brothers, to the astounding concealed domed ceiling which reveals itself when you pass into the main foyer, I felt enamoured to be given the chance to learn within a space so cherished by so many.
The building’s exterior boasts an elaborate display of architectural details. Carved string courses, quoins, pilasters, and capitals are crafted from Portland Stone, while the tympanum above the entrance showcasing the College crest, is made of Caen Stone.
These carvings hold within themselves context and knowledge of their own.
Representing a push for hand craftsmanship during a period after from the Industrial Revolution, the O’Shea Brothers carvings demonstrate a desire to slow down the market and encourage the training of a rich history of art and design.
Studying the history of art and architecture, I felt particularly privileged to witness the objects of my research live in action.
Although one certainly does not require any kind of formal training in order to appreciate the bounds of the Museum Building and instead have the chance to imagine the structure was crafted by magic rather than by the hands of man.
Entrance Hall
Inside the Museum Building’s entrance hall, you’ll be greeted by large polished limestone columns, arches with alternating yellow and red stone blocks, and a beautiful domed roof made of enamelled bricks in hues of blue, red, and yellow.
The entrance hall showcases a vast number of foreign decorative stones from around the world, illustrating the building’s connection to global geological history.
The most prominent feature of the Museum Building’s entrance hall is a magisterial imperial staircase made from marble and limestone, which leads up to the galleries and museums on either side of the building.
The marble here is Connemara marble, which is a designated Heritage Stone, and one of only 55 heritage stones worldwide.
Being erected shortly after the end of the Great Famine in Ireland, the building demonstrates a perseverance of spirit and a desire to celebrate the bountiful beauty of the Irish land.
Standing under the vast ceiling, I always feel a sense of pride in witnessing such a testimony to growth being built from a period of profound loss.
Gothic influence
The Museum building at Trinity College Dublin drew heavy influence from the Gothic Revivalist Movement.
The movement was brought to life most notably by architectural theorist John Ruskin, who became famous for spreading his theses on architectural design during the 19th century.
His principles are evident in the elaborate detailing and the harmonious blend of beauty and functionality.
The Ruskinian Gothic architecture of the Museum Building is evident in its intricate detailing and emphasis on natural forms.
The building’s entrance hall showcases several key elements of Gothic influence:
Pointed arches: Look for the prominent arches framing the doorways and leading into the central hall. These pointed arches are a hallmark of Gothic architecture, contrasting with the rounded arches more common in Romanesque styles.
Ribbed vaulting: While the entrance hall may not have a full-fledged vaulted ceiling, you might see hints of ribbed vaulting. This technique uses intersecting ribs to create a strong and visually interesting ceiling structure, often seen in Gothic architecture.
Stonework and carvings: Decorative stonework throughout the Museum Building has strong Gothic influence. Look for intricate carvings on columns, capitals, and other details. These carvings often depict religious figures, mythical creatures, or nature motifs, adding a layer of storytelling and symbolism.
Materiality: The use of natural materials like stone and marble is another nod to Gothic architecture. These materials create a sense of permanence and solidity, aligning with the often religious and monumental nature of Gothic buildings.
Light and shadow: Gothic architecture often played with light and shadow to create a dramatic and even mystical atmosphere. Look for variations in light levels and how they might highlight different architectural elements.
Overall, the entrance hall doesn’t strictly follow every Gothic principle, but it incorporates enough key elements to evoke the style in a way that’s both beautiful and historically significant.
Museum Building Collections
Patrick Wyse Jackson, Professor in Geology and Curator of the Geological Museum
Museum Building collections in the entrance hall
Wooden benches in a Museum Building classroom
Though the Museum Building is astounding in its own right, it also holds a number of treasures within.
From the striking ancient skeletons and fossils that greet you as you enter into the foyer to the expansive collection of paintings and photographs which adorn the walls, you are guaranteed to find something that catches your eye.
Those interested in the grim side of Irish history may be particularly intrigued by the first floor painting of Samuel Haughton; a medical doctor and clergyman of the 19th century who is noted for creating a more ethical method of hanging those prosecuted for various crimes.
Listen to Professor Patrick Wyse Jackson, Professor in Geology and Curator of Trinity’s Geological Museum, speak about the discoveries of Geologists connected to the building:
The Museum Building formerly housed the university’s geological collections in an upper floor Geological Museum. This is now located nearby at TTEC on Pearse Street. You can explore the website for this collection here.
This museum boasts an impressive collection exceeding 100,000 specimens, dating back to 1777. It showcases a wide range of geological and paleontological finds, including:
Irish fossils like Silurian and Carboniferous invertebrates
Mesozoic ostracods and Upper Palaeozoic miospores
Rock and mineral collections from Ireland and abroad
Exhibits like “The Story of the Earth” that provide a comprehensive overview of geology
The rock and mineral collections largely date from the early 1800s and were originally housed here, and these research collections comprise a vital part of the university’s academic resources.
While the Museum Building is now used largely for teaching and research purposes, as I have participated in myself, the original function saw much of the space being used as exhibition space to accommodate the findings of geologists and naturalists, along with additional smaller offices for working professors.
Today it is home to Trinity’s Geology, Geography, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering departments.
The classrooms across the building are filled with old tiered seating, crafted from dark wood, leading many students to affectionately compare them to the 1989 cult classic Dead Poets Society; lavishing in the cosy and darkly academic setting which feels like something more in a fantasy film than real life.
Though you might be tempted to let out an “Oh Captain! My Captain!” on your visit to these spaces, it may be met with a number of surprised glances from those who relish in the tranquil quiet of the Museum Building.
Explore a 360 tour of the Museum Building
We have created a 360 virtual tour of the Museum Building with annotations by Professor Patrick Wyse Jackson.
The Museum Building is not open to the public. However, visitors can learn about it first-hand from a Trinity expert on a Trinity Trails walking tour.
The Museum Building is a regular highlight on the Trinity Trails tour, where visitors have the chance to step into its breathtaking entrance hall, soak up the historic interior, and admire its stunning architecture. The tour also provides an opportunity to learn about the building’s unique Victorian gothic design and its significance in architectural heritage.
