Our Collections

Spanning four museums, our collections have everything from dinosaurs to electric trams and fashion by Alexander McQueen. We develop and present inspirational collections that reflect the creativity, innovation, history, culture and people of Northern Ireland and beyond.

Collections Online

New Acquisitions

Robert Dunlop leathers, yellow black and white in colour, with 'Dunlop' etched on the leather

History

Collection

Dunlop Leathers

These leathers were worn by Robert Dunlop (1960-2008), one of the most famous motorcycle racers from Northern Ireland.

Ulster Transport Museum Collection

Print with text saying No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs, and painted red dog in the centre

History

Collection

‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’

This contemporary poster by Belfast artist Niall Conlon is in response to posters that some London boarding houses put up in the 1950s stating ‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’.

Ulster Museum Collection

Embroidered table cloth, remade into a cropped blouse with bows on the front and collar. Presented on a bust mannequin with orange solid colour background

History

Collection

Ulster Folk Museum Collection

This contemporary blouse has been made from an early 1900s tablecloth, similar to those found in the Ulster Folk Museum collection.

Collections Online

We have over 1 million objects in our collection, and you can now explore these online!

Art Collections

National Museums NI’s art collections include fine and applied art (decorative art) of national and international significance. We hold more than 15,000 historical and contemporary artworks. This includes painting, sculpture, works on paper, glass, ceramics, silver and metalwork, jewellery, furniture, costume, and textiles.

History Collections

The history collections cover the span of human history on the island of Ireland and reflect its place in the world. They open a window on themes as diverse as politics and conflict to innovation and achievement. The collections illustrate how people worked, travelled, socialised and participated a spectrum of cultural traditions. Taken together, they reflect the diversity of human experience from the cradle to the grave.

Education - UM - The World & Us (648 x 656)

Natural Sciences Collections

The natural sciences collections of National Museums NI hold more than half a million specimens from Northern Ireland and beyond. Mighty whales and tiny snails, flowers and fungi, fossils and meteorites—these are just a few of the diverse specimens that we hold. Many of the finest are on display. Others form a huge reference collection for scientists and other museum users to consult.

Collections Work

Original photographic print showing a boy leaping off a burnt-out car at Divis Flats

Information

The Troubles and Beyond

Northern Irish society is more divided than most other places, so the way in which our museums develop, display and interpret their collections will inevitably be the subject of much discussion and debate. We view our work in this area as an ongoing process, follow our journey here.

Information

Library & Archives

Discover the Library and Archives at National Museums NI. A dedicated research space full of valuable heritage collections, offering insights into the history & culture of Ulster.

Hand holding a stack of books in a library

Information

Research

Learn about our research priorities and submit your own research request.

Art UK

Art UK's mission is to open up the UK's publicly owned art collections for enjoyment, learning and research. You can explore a selection of our collection here, as well as purchase high-quality reproduction prints. Each purchase supports the work of National Museums NI.

Explore more

Curatorial Staff

Picture Library

Collection FAQs

Our Collections

New Acquisitions

Dunlop Leathers

‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’

Ulster Folk Museum Collection

Heechan Kim

Frink Sculptures

‘Aye to the Future'

John Luke

Jennifer Trouton

W.G. O’Doherty’s Glass

Collections Online

Art Collections

History Collections

Natural Sciences Collections

Collections Work

The Troubles and Beyond

Library & Archives

Research

Loans, Donations & Repatriation

Art UK

Explore more