A bear has returned to the historic estate of Turlough Park in Castlebar – more than 200 years after the infamous landlord, ‘Fighting Fitzgerald’, kept one there as a pet.
The brown bear is going on temporary display in the National Museum of Ireland as part of an ongoing exhibition, The Murmur of Bees – which explores bees and their important role in Ireland’s biodiversity.
Bears have long been associated with bees and honey.
The bear, which is from the Museum’s Natural History Collection in Dublin, was officially unveiled today.
The specimen looks set to impress visitors. The female bear from Alaska has pale brown fur and is mounted standing on her hind legs, with long claws outstretched towards the visitor.
Brown bears once roamed throughout Ireland. While they became extinct here thousands of years ago, some were occasionally brought to Ireland as exotic pets, circus performers or for blood sports.
No booking is required to visit the Museum and admission is free. Visit www.museum.ie for further information.