The original ZSI was founded in
Dublin on 10 May 1830 at a meeting in the
Rotunda Hospital called and chaired by
His Grace The 3rd Duke of Leinster, "to form a collection of living animals on the plan to the
Zoological Society of London". Dublin Zoo opened in September 1831 in the
Phoenix Park. In 1838, the Zoo held an
open day to mark
the coronation of
Queen Victoria and the Society was rewarded with the prefix "Royal" in its name. This was to facilitate government and private funding arrangements for future development. Responsibility for government assistance was transferred at the same time from the
Department of Education to the
Office of Public Works (the OPW). ==References==