Finding dinosaur fossils in Ireland is incredibly rare. Dr. Mike Simms from the National Museums of Northern Ireland describes it as harder than finding a needle in a haystack. However, two fossilized dinosaur bones will be on display at the Glucksman Gallery in University College Cork (UCC) for the next six months, making this an exciting event for dinosaur enthusiasts.
The fossil bones were discovered on a beach in Islandmagee, County Antrim, by fossil collector Roger Byrne over four decades ago. Now, for the first time, these ancient relics, dating back 200 million years to the Jurassic period, will be shown alongside around 300 other fossils.
Dr. Simms explains that Ireland isn’t an ideal place for dinosaur fossils. “We have the wrong sort of rocks,” he says. The rocks that could hold dinosaur fossils have been eroded away. Most rocks that are the right age lie under the sea, making these fossils significant finds.
Byrne’s discoveries include a tibia from a carnivore similar to Sarcosaurus and an upper leg bone from Scelidosaurus, a four-legged herbivore. A recent scientific study confirmed their origins, shedding new light on these fossils for the first time in 2020. Dr. Simms noted, “It’s extraordinary to find two different dinosaurs in a country where we really shouldn’t have.” With limited rocks left, it’s unlikely more fossils will be found on those beaches.
Byrne was a school teacher and a passionate fossil collector. He had a keen eye, allowing him to spot the fossilized bones among rounded black pebbles. His efforts led to extraordinary discoveries that represent a small piece of Ireland’s prehistoric past.
The opening of the “Domain of the Dinosaurs” exhibition, set for Sunday, has garnered attention. Taoiseach Micheál Martin called it a merger of science and art that stirs the imagination. Along with the Islandmagee fossils, visitors can see casts of notable dinosaurs like the eight-meter-long Megalosaurus and marine reptiles like the Ichthyosaurus.
This exhibition provides a rare chance to connect with Ireland’s hidden prehistoric world, showcasing how much we can learn from our planet’s past.
