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Museum · Belfast, Irlanda do Norte
Ulster Museum
The museum of art, history and natural sciences of Northern Ireland, next to the Jardim Botânico, with the Egyptian mummy Takabuti, treasures of the Spanish Armada and galleries about the Troubles. Entry to the permanent collection is free; check ahead.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Ulster Museum
The Ulster Museum is located in the university quarter of Belfast, at the entrance to the Jardim Botânico. The building combines a neoclassical section from 1929 and a modernist concrete wing from the 1960s, and was refurbished in 2009. It is the largest museum in Northern Ireland, with collections of art, history and natural sciences.
The Egyptian mummy Takabuti, brought to Belfast in 1834, is one of the best-known items, along with gold jewellery and objects recovered from the wreck of the Girona, a ship of the Spanish Armada that sank off the coast of Antrim in 1588. The natural history galleries include a dinosaur skeleton and fossils, and the art galleries hold Irish and British painting, ceramics and glass.
The history galleries recount the formation of Northern Ireland and the Troubles period, from 1968 to 1998, with objects, posters and testimonies from people on different sides, presented in a balanced way. The exhibition helps visitors understand the murals and the city's recent history.
Admission to the permanent collection is usually free; check beforehand. Next door is the Jardim Botânico, with the Palm House, a Victorian iron-and-glass greenhouse dating from 1840, one of the earliest of its kind, and the Tropical Ravine, a greenhouse with a ravine of tropical plants.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 3 hours for the museum; an additional 30 minutes for the Jardim Botânico and the Palm House.
Best time
On weekdays in the morning; it's a good option for a rainy day. Check opening days, because the museum often closes on Mondays outside school holidays.
How to get there
It's on Stranmillis Road in the university quarter, about a 25-minute walk from Belfast city centre or 10 minutes by bus. Botanic station is a 10-minute walk away.
Tip
See the Troubles gallery before you do the city murals tour. Then walk through the Jardim Botânico to the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ulster Museum
Does the Ulster Museum charge admission?
Admission to the permanent collection is usually free. Check ahead.
What to see at the Ulster Museum?
The Takabuti mummy, treasures from the Spanish Armada, the dinosaur, Irish painting and the galleries about the Troubles.
What is in the Botanic Gardens?
The Palm House, a Victorian glasshouse from 1840, the Tropical Ravine and gardens open to the public.