The Natural History Museum in Dublin has reopened after a two-year closure for refurbishment works.
"It's quite a big day for us," said Paolo Viscardi, Deputy Keeper of Natural History at the museum.
"Finally we're reopened to the public, but only on the ground floor. But it's great, everyone is really happy, they've been really missing the place ... we're delighted to have everyone back."
The exhibits back on display are all from the 'Irish Room' and include the Giant Irish Deer and a 150-year-old basking shark, suspended from the ceiling.
Entry is free, but visitors will need to book their tickets in advance as the capacity of the building is limited.
The museum was closed two years ago to allow for significant building works.
All of the exhibits, including the gigantic whale skeletons suspended from the original glass ceiling, had to be removed and placed in storage.
A huge steel and wooden platform now rests where the whales used to hang.
The Office of Public Works built the platform to investigate the roof and understand the structure of the building, which is over 160 years old.
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The work is part of a larger-scale refurbishment project of the entire building, which is planned under the National Development Plan.
Mr Viscardi said: "It's an historical building. It's never really had any significant work done on it since it opened in 1857 nothing much has changed. We really want to make it as accessible as possible."
That process is still ongoing, and it does mean that there will be disruption to the museum and its exhibits again in the future.
"But it will be worth it because it means everywhere will be accessible again," said Mr Viscardi.
"That's what it's all about ... to have a building that's good for the public and good for our collections."
