h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On the news yesterday, the Natural History museum has been closed down while a full structural analysis takes place, after a limestone staircase in the oldest part of the building collapsed with a load of primary school teachers on it. No one was underneath and there were no serious injuries.

TRiG.

The rest of the building was refurbished about ten years ago, so it should be in pretty good shape. But the staircase that collapsed was in a section not normally open to the public. So it may not have been checked at the time of the refurbishment.

Part of it's been moved to Collins Barracks, though, that's where we saw it last month

I've been in Collins Barracks fairly recently, and didn't notice it then. I must have another look some time.

TRiG.

They did say it was only temporary.

It's been re-opened now. I've heard that parts of it are still closed, but I haven't been over to check yet. I might go at lunchtime today.

The Ground Floor (Irish animals) and 1st Floor (World animals) are now open, and in addition, the stairs at the far end is open for the first time in at least 50 years. The 2nd and 3rd floor galleries are not yet open, due to lack of sufficient emergency exits. These floors hold the southern flightless birds including the dodo, and the invertebrates.