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Delays and Concerns Over the National History Museum Renovation

The National History Museum, a cherished cultural landmark in Dublin, has been at the center of growing political and public concern due to the prolonged delays in its refurbishment project. Despite more than €1 million being spent on consultants over the past three years, the government has yet to announce a start date for the renovations, raising questions about the efficiency and transparency of the process.

Located near the Taoiseach’s offices on Merrion Street, the museum has long been a symbol of Ireland’s rich heritage. However, it has faced multiple temporary closures over the last 15 years due to the need for structural and operational improvements. In 2010, the upper galleries were closed because they were deemed unsafe. A decade later, the museum was again temporarily shut to remove whale skeletons from the roof and pack over 20,000 specimens.

After a brief reopening in 2022—limited to the ground floor—the museum was closed again in September 2023 for an extensive refurbishment aimed at fully decanting the collection. Despite these efforts, no timeline for the full reopening has been provided, prompting criticism from both officials and the public.

Slow Progress and Rising Costs

In January 2023, then-Arts and Culture Minister Catherine Martin approved the design phase of the renovation. However, as of now, the project remains in the "pre-tender-project design, planning and procurement strategy" stage. The Arts and Culture Department confirmed that €1.07 million has been spent on the project since December 2022, with the majority going toward external consultants and contractors.

Among the 30-plus companies involved, T/A Sherwood & Associates received the largest payment of €282,900 for project coordination services. Another firm, O’Kennedy Fundraising Services Limited, was paid €89,579.37. These figures highlight the significant financial investment but also raise concerns about the pace of progress.

Social Democrat TD Aidan Farrelly raised these issues in parliamentary questions, seeking clarity on the expected reopening date and any challenges facing the project. However, Minister Patrick O’Donovan could not provide a specific timeline, stating that the project is following the Infrastructure Guidelines set by the Department of Public Expenditure. He emphasized that the redevelopment involves a thorough business case process and input from specialists.

Scrutiny and Calls for Accountability

Despite the minister's assurances, Farrelly expressed frustration over the slow pace, noting that the project could become another "Metro style project"—a reference to long-running, underperforming infrastructure initiatives. He plans to refer the matter to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for further scrutiny.

The Office of Public Works (OPW), which oversees the project, has faced similar criticism in recent years. Controversies include the allocation of €336,000 for a Dáil bicycle shed, €1.4 million for a security hut at Government Buildings, and €490,000 for a 70-meter wall outside the Workplace Relations Commission headquarters. These incidents have fueled concerns about the OPW’s ability to manage large-scale projects effectively.

Farrelly stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes, saying, “We don’t want a repeat of the bicycle shed and the wall.” He called for the PAC and the project to serve as an opportunity for the OPW and the department to demonstrate improved accountability.

Ongoing Challenges and Uncertainty

The OPW has not provided a total spending figure for the NHM since its closure in 2010, citing that the project is still in the initial design phase. An OPW spokesperson mentioned that architects Fitzgerald Kavanagh & Partners were appointed to lead the integrated design team, and an extensive decant of the collection was required before any investigative works could begin.

As the debate over the museum’s future continues, the lack of clear timelines and cost transparency has left many questioning whether the project will ever be completed on time or within budget. For now, the National History Museum remains a symbol of both Ireland’s cultural legacy and the challenges of managing complex public infrastructure projects.