Learn about St. Patrick’s Day traditions at Mayo museum
AS St. Patrick’s Day approaches, learn more about some of the folk customs associated with the celebration of this world famous saint at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar.
Visit the Life in the Community exhibition on Level C of the galleries to discover the origins of parades, badges and rosettes, ‘St. Patrick’s Pot’ and religious observances around the festival.
Life in the Community is part of the museum’s permanent exhibition and charts a year of the Irish folk calendar through seasons, festivals and customs.
Seachtain na Gaeilge: Téigh ar Chamchuairt!
Breathnaigh thart ar Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann - Saol na Tuaithe i gCo. Mhaigh Eo trí chamchuairt spraíúil an Mhúsaeim as Gaeilge le linn Sheachtain seo na Gaeilge.
Téigh sa tóir ar Pheadar an Dallóg Fraoigh atá i bhfolach sna gailearaithe taispeántais; cuir dúshlán Rian na nAinmhithe romhat féin; nó faigh an Rud Is Fearr Leat.
Pioc suas do bhileog riain, d’fháisc-chlár agus do pheann luaidhe ag an gcairt ghníomhaíochta in aice le fáiltiú an mhúsaeim.
Explore the museum through a fun, museum trail in Irish this Seachtain na Gaeilge. Hunt for Peadar the Pygmy Shrew who is hiding in the exhibition galleries; take on the Animal Trail challenge; or find your Favourite Object.
Pick up your trail sheet, clipboard and pencil at the activity cart beside museum reception.
Meet the crafters
Meet the members of the Connacht Textile Crafters and see some of their work at a free drop-in session from 11.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 25.
The Connacht Textile Crafters are a group of talented craft workers and artists from across the region. They meet on the last Saturday of every second month at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life.
They share their knowledge and crafting skills at their meetings and showcase their work to each other and members of the public.
Admission is free. No booking is required.
Easter workshops
Join artist Cas McCarthy and members of the education team to learn more about folk traditions around the celebration of Easter. Have a go at designing and decorating your own traditional egg similar to those used in Easters past, examples of which are now part of the Irish Folklife Collection.
This is free family workshop takes place at 11.30 a.m. (children under 7) and 2 p.m. (children 7+) on Saturday, April 8. Places are limited so booking is required. Telephone (094) 90 31751 or email educationtph@museum.ie.
Gaw-Yas Grannie exhibition
A new children’s exhibition is on display now at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life showcasing a body of artwork created by Mincéiri/Traveller children with artist Kate Murtagh Sheridan.
The Gaw-Yas Grannie - meaning Traveller Children’s Identity - artworks include photographic portraits on colourful hand-printed backgrounds, ceramic cups, beady pockets, fabric tiles and a hand-stitched quilt.
Opening hours
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park House & Gardens is free. The exhibition galleries are open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday to Monday from 1 to 5 p.m.