Long before St. Patrick chased the snakes out of Ireland, the Megaloceros giganteus strutted across the Emerald Isle during the Ice Age sporting antlers that weighed as much as 100 pounds and spanned up to 12 feet. Also known as Irish elk, Megaloceros giganteus were about 7-feet tall at the shoulder and the largest known deer that ever lived.
The species is thought to have lived throughout Eurasia, but the best documented remains are found in Irish peat bogs.
Our specimen was found in peat bog near Dublin, Ireland and is on display in Cenozoic Hall.
