Accessibility Welcome Guide
Accessibility Welcome Guide
Welcome to The National Wax Museum Plus. Located in the heart of Dublin city centre, the museum combines wax figures, Irish history, science, fantasy, interactive exhibits and immersive attractions. We want visitors of all ages and abilities to be able to plan their visit with as much confidence as possible.
The museum is partially wheelchair accessible. The building places some limits on access, so routes and capacity can vary. The elevator serves all floors, accessible toilet facilities are available, and staff provide floor plans and route advice. This guide brings together the accessibility information currently published by the museum and highlights details visitors may wish to confirm before arrival.
1. Accessibility Contact & Support
- Phone: +353 1 671 8373
- Email: hello@waxmuseumplus.ie
- Website: waxmuseumplus.ie
- Address: 22-25 Westmoreland Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
- Advance contact: Strongly recommended for wheelchair visits and specific accessibility requirements
Visitors are encouraged to contact the museum before travelling if they have accessibility requirements, including:
- Wheelchair or mobility assistance
- Use of the elevator or route assistance
- Accessible toilet requirements
- Buggy or pram access
- Sensory requirements or interest in the Autism Awareness Hour
- Visual or hearing access requirements
- Suitability of the Chamber of Horrors or Mirror Maze
- Group access or staggered entry requirements
Advance notice allows staff to advise on the most suitable route and current capacity. The museum states that it can accommodate a maximum of two wheelchairs at one time and strongly recommends booking wheelchair visits in advance.
2. Travel & Arrival Guidance
Arrival by Car & Coach
The National Wax Museum Plus is located at 22-25 Westmoreland Street in central Dublin. The museum website lists Park Rite at Fleet Street / Temple Bar as the closest car park. For groups, coach drop-off points are listed on D’Olier Street and Westmoreland Street, with coach parking on Fleet Street.
Public Transport
The museum is well served by city-centre public transport. Tara Street is listed as the closest DART station. The Green Line Luas stops at Westmoreland Street beside the museum, while the Red Line can be accessed from Abbey Street, followed by a short walk towards College Green. Bus services stop on Westmoreland Street and D’Olier Street. Visitors should check current Transport for Ireland information before travelling.
Taxi & Accessible Transport
Visitors who require an accessible taxi or a close drop-off point should contact the museum in advance for advice on the most suitable arrival point, as city-centre traffic and stopping arrangements may change.
Arrival & Route Planning
Each visitor receives a floor plan on arrival and staff can advise on the most suitable route through the museum. Staff are also available to assist groups when using the elevator. Wheelchair users are strongly encouraged to book in advance.
3. Key Accessibility Features — Site-by-Site
| Site / Area | Access Summary | Notes & Considerations | Assistance / Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception & Route Planning | Supported | Visitors receive a floor plan on arrival and can be advised on the most suitable route through the museum. | Museum staff can provide information and route guidance. |
| Elevator | Available | The elevator serves all floors of the museum. | Staff are available to assist groups when using the elevator. |
| Exhibition Galleries | Partially wheelchair accessible | The museum states that it can accommodate regular-sized wheelchairs and simple prams, but the building creates some access limitations. | Book in advance so staff can advise on capacity and the most suitable route. |
| Accessible Toilet Facilities | Available | The museum confirms that accessible / disabled toilets are available. Detailed dimensions and locations are not published on the current website. | Ask staff on arrival for the nearest suitable facility. |
| Baby Changing Facilities | Available | Baby changing facilities are located on the bottom floor. | A staff member can provide directions. |
| Autism Awareness Hour | Sensory-friendly session | The museum advertises a calm and welcoming sensory-friendly hour every Sunday from 10:00 to 11:00. | Visitors can book the session or contact the museum in advance with sensory requirements. |
| Chamber of Horrors | Sensory impact | Located in the basement, this immersive area uses eerie lighting, haunting sound effects and unsettling horror content. It is not recommended for young children. | Visitors with sensory sensitivities should speak with staff before entering. Under-16s require parental consent and should not enter unaccompanied. |
| Mirror Maze | Sensory impact | The Mirror Maze is designed as a twisting, mirrored and deliberately disorienting experience. | Visitors who may find reflections or disorientation difficult should ask staff about suitability before entering. |
| Group Visits | Supported | General admission is self-guided with audio and visual material. Large groups may be divided into smaller groups of approximately 15-20 with staggered entry. | Group organisers can contact the museum in advance. Digital activity sheets can be provided for school groups. |
4. Facilities & Supports
The National Wax Museum Plus publishes a number of practical supports to help visitors plan and move through the attraction.
These include:
- An elevator serving all floors
- Accessible / disabled toilet facilities
- Baby changing facilities on the bottom floor
- A floor plan provided to visitors on arrival
- Staff route advice and assistance with elevator use
- Self-guided exhibits supported by audio and visual material
- A sensory-friendly Autism Awareness Hour every Sunday from 10:00 to 11:00
- Advance booking support for wheelchair visitors
- Digital activity sheets for primary and secondary school groups when arranged at booking
The current website does not confirm the availability of hearing loops, Braille or tactile information, or large-print visitor guides. Visitors who require these supports should contact the museum before travelling.
5. Sensory & Planning Information
Visitors should be aware of the following sensory and environmental considerations:
- A sensory-friendly Autism Awareness Hour is offered every Sunday from 10:00 to 11:00.
- The Chamber of Horrors uses eerie lighting, haunting sound effects and realistic horror imagery.
- The Mirror Maze is intentionally disorienting and contains extensive mirrored reflections.
- The Time Vaults of Irish History use a combination of sight and sound as part of the visitor experience.
- The museum includes interactive and immersive exhibits, so lighting, sound and visitor activity can vary between areas.
- General admission is self-guided, allowing visitors to move at their own pace. The museum states that the average visit is approximately 45 minutes.
- Busy periods may affect wheelchair and buggy capacity because of the building layout.
- Visitors who prefer a calmer experience can consider the Autism Awareness Hour or contact the museum about suitable visiting times.
6. Health & Safety Information
Visitors should consider the following before and during their visit:
- The museum can accommodate a maximum of two wheelchairs at one time, so advance booking is strongly recommended.
- The published access information refers to regular-sized wheelchairs and simple prams. Visitors using larger mobility equipment should confirm suitability in advance.
- At busy times the museum may not be able to accommodate several buggies at once. The museum states that wheelchair access takes priority over buggy access.
- Visitors with sensory sensitivities should consider the lighting, sound and disorienting effects used in attractions such as the Chamber of Horrors and Mirror Maze.
- The Chamber of Horrors is not recommended for young children. Under-16s require parental consent and should not enter this area unaccompanied.
- Large groups may be asked to divide into smaller groups of approximately 15-20 visitors with staggered entry.
- Visitors should follow staff instructions when using the elevator and when moving through any area where capacity is restricted.
7. Emergency & Medical Information
In an emergency, visitors should inform a member of museum staff immediately and follow staff instructions. Anyone who carries essential medication or medical equipment should keep it with them during the visit.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Emergency Services | Dial 112 / 999 |
| Venue Location | The National Wax Museum Plus, 22-25 Westmoreland Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 |
| Adult Emergency Department | Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Emergency Department, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, D07 R2WY. The HSE lists this service for people aged 16 and over. Check current service information before travelling. |
| Children’s Emergency Department | Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Temple Street, Dublin 1, D01 XD99. This is a paediatric emergency service. Check current HSE service information before travelling. |
| GP Services | GP and out-of-hours services are available across Dublin. Check the HSE urgent and emergency care finder for current services and opening hours. |
| Nearest Pharmacy | Pharmacies are available throughout Dublin city centre. Check current opening hours before travelling. |
| Emergency Assistance | Inform a member of museum staff immediately. Staff can contact emergency services and provide venue information or assistance where practical. |
8. Known Accessibility Limitations & Ongoing Improvements
Because the museum occupies an existing city-centre building, some physical and operational accessibility limitations remain.
Current accessibility considerations include:
- The museum describes itself as only partially wheelchair accessible.
- Only regular-sized wheelchairs and simple prams are specifically covered by the published accessibility information.
- A maximum of two wheelchairs can be accommodated at one time, making advance booking important.
- Several buggies may not be accommodated during busy periods, and wheelchair access is prioritised.
- Detailed measurements for entrances, doors, elevator dimensions, circulation spaces and accessible toilets are not published on the current website.
- Specific accessibility information is not published for every individual exhibition or interactive feature.
- The Chamber of Horrors and Mirror Maze may create significant sensory challenges for some visitors.
- The current website does not confirm hearing loops, Braille or tactile information, or large-print visitor guides.
Opportunities for ongoing accessibility improvement include:
- Publishing a detailed accessible route map with entrance, door, elevator and circulation measurements.
- Providing photographs and specifications for accessible toilet facilities and key access points.
- Creating a detailed sensory guide for each exhibition zone, including lighting, sound, reflections, confined spaces and potentially frightening content.
- Confirming the availability of assistive listening systems, large-print information, Braille and tactile resources.
- Publishing exhibit-by-exhibit accessibility information, including whether an attraction can be bypassed or an alternative experience is available.
- Continuing the Autism Awareness Hour and using visitor feedback to refine sensory-friendly provision.
- Reviewing this guide regularly and updating it whenever visitor routes, facilities or accessibility arrangements change.
The museum already publishes dedicated accessibility information and offers a weekly sensory-friendly session. Clearer measurements and exhibit-specific information would further help visitors make informed decisions before arrival.
Last updated: 13.08.2026 • Next review: 13.08.2027