The National Museum of Ireland – Natural History (or ‘Dead Zoo’) has been a major source of inspiration for Mairead O’hEocha in her solo exhibition Tale Ends & Eternal Wakes. O’hEocha recently spoke with Nigel Monaghan, Keeper of the Museum, about some of the fascinating historic stories and collections the museum holds, as well as its contemporary relevance to the study of the natural world. Nigel Monaghan is Keeper of the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Dublin, and is responsible for the national collections in the fields of zoology and geology. Mairead O’hEocha’s work has been represented in several acclaimed solo exhibitions including The Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin (2015 and 2011); Butler Gallery, Kilkenny (2011), and mother’s tankstation, Dublin | London (2018, 2016, 2012, 2008). O’hEocha’s paintings have been represented in a number of important group exhibitions and publications that have explored contemporary painting practices, including Slow Painting (curated by Gilly Fox and Martin Herbert), Hayward Gallery Touring Programme, UK (2019-2020), A Painter’s Doubt, Salzberger Kunstverein (2017), and Vitamin P3: New Perspectives in Painting (published by Phaidon, 2016).