A happy St Patrick’s Day! Legend has it that all the snakes were driven out of Ireland by St Patrick, but what about the dinosaurs in Ireland? Today, March 17th, is the day we celebrate Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is a day to wear green and to carry a shamrock. One of the myths that has emerged is that St Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. This might be a metaphor as some pagans used the snake as a symbol and St Patrick helped to introduce Christianity to the Emerald Isle.

We at Everything Dinosaur wish all our Irish customers a happy St Patricks Day.

What About Fossils of Dinosaurs in Ireland?

With so many limestone exposures on the island of Ireland there are plenty of places to find invertebrate fossils.  However, as far as we at Everything Dinosaur are aware, only two fossils of dinosaurs have been found on the island.  These specimens were found in Jurassic aged rocks exposed on the coast of County Antrim (Northern Ireland).

To read more about this fossil discovery: First Dinosaur Fossils from the Island of Ireland.

These two specimens represent two different dinosaurs.  One fragmentary bone probably represents an ornithischian dinosaur, perhaps an armoured dinosaur.  The second specimen, also fragmentary, has been assigned to the Theropoda.  It was certainly not a member of the Tyrannosauridae family.  Notwithstanding this, we used artificial intelligence (AI) to create an image for us.  We wanted a dinosaur celebrating St Patrick’s Day.  The image generated certainly fits the brief provided.  However, theropods like Tyrannosaurus rex never roamed Ireland.

Happy St Patrick’s Day (March 17th). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur (image generated in Canva).

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur (image generated in Canva)

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Toys.

Not Many Dinosaurs but Megaloceros Aplenty

There might not be many dinosaur fossils. However, there are plenty of other, albeit much later vertebrates associated with this location. For example, large numbers of Megaloceros (M. giganteus) fossils have been found in Ireland. So many in fact, that this extinct deer is often referred to as the Irish elk. Ironically, Megaloceros was not confined to Ireland. Its fossils are found all over Europe and northern Asia. In addition, it was not closely related to the extant elk.

The term seems to have become popular from the 1800s onwards due to the large number of exceptionally well-preserved specimens found in lake sediments and peat bogs in Ireland. Many of these “Irish elk” specimens can still be seen in museums all over the world today.

A Megaloceros skeleton on display in the National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Famed for its enormous antlers, Megaloceros exhibits are often found in prominent and busy locations in museums.  Their fossils certainly make an eye-catching display.  Model collectors have a rather limited choice when it comes to replicas of Megaloceros.  However, in 2020 Papo introduced a Megaloceros replica.  Team members at Everything Dinosaur had the opportunity to view a prototype, and the production figure is most impressive.

The beautifully painted Papo Megaloceros model. This figure was introduced in 2020. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the Papo prehistoric animal model range: Papo Prehistoric Animal Models.

There might not be many dinosaurs in Ireland, but we can still celebrate the island’s rich culture and fossil heritage.

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is: how can I acquire rare dinosaur models?  For some collectors it is not enough to purchase the latest releases.  They are looking for retired and rare models too. Figures that they remember from their childhood.  Prehistoric animal toys that were once cherished.  Sometimes the collector sets out to obtain an entire retired range.  For example, we still get some enquiries about the Carnegie Collection.  Incidentally, this range of figures was retired a decade ago.

The rare and long ago retired Safari Ltd Carnegie Collection Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The retirement of the Carnegie range of prehistoric animal models: The End of the Line for the Carnegie Collectibles Range.

Rare Dinosaur Models

Acquiring rare dinosaur models can be an exciting extension to their hobby for collectors.  Unfortunately, we have heard many stories about collectors being let down.  For example, the advertised figure does not turn out to be as expected.  It is not in pristine condition, it lacks the original product tags or packaging.  Worse still, it turns out to be a copy of the cherished figure and not an original.

Here are our top tips when it comes to sourcing rare figures:

1. Start by finding a reliable supplier.  A specialist in museum-quality collectibles.  Look for retailers with genuine customer reviews and a solid reputation in the model collecting community.
2. Having identified such a supplier, reach out to them.  Contact them directly.  A reliable and trustworthy supplier should welcome your enquiry. In addition, they should be able to demonstrate considerable product knowledge.  This two-way contact can help provide valuable information about the quality and availability of figures.
3. Ask for photographs.  Trusted companies should be happy to send out additional images.  For example, at Everything Dinosaur we often photograph individual models and email these images to the potential buyer.
4. Make sure that any prices are clear and unambiguous.  There can be hidden costs, especially if purchasing from overseas.  Extra charges can occur due to customs, tariffs or additional costs for postage.  A transparent pricing structure helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures you know exactly what you’re paying for.

By following these steps, you can build a collection of rare prehistoric animal figures that will impress any enthusiast. Happy collecting!

Contact Everything Dinosaur: Email Everything Dinosaur.

Visit the retired or rare section of the Everything Dinosaur website: Retired or Rare Prehistoric Animal Figures.