Plan your May visit to Mayo's National Museum
THE National Museum at Turlough Park has a fantastic programme of events taking place throughout May, with a poetry trail, orienteering for all of the family, a pollinator talk and more.
Schedule your visit today.
POETRY TRAIL
Discover a new poetry trail at the national museum, developed as part of a project called OnSight 2024/25: Silent Objects/Spoken Lives - a partnership initiative by the National Museum of Ireland and Mayo County Council Arts Service, supported by Poetry Ireland. The participating poets are Geraldine Mitchell, Martina Evans and Sean Borodale.
Pick up a leaflet at reception to discover the objects and poems dotted throughout the galleries.
NATIONAL DRAWING DAY
Join the museum on Saturday, May 17, for National Drawing Day and create your own artworks inspired by the National Folklife Collection.
Whether you are a seasoned artist or simply enjoy sketching for fun, this is the perfect opportunity to explore your creativity. This is a self-guided activity, meaning visitors can drop-in at any time from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and participate at your own pace. Materials are provided in the Education Room on Level C.
HEARD IT ON THE GRAPEVINE
Join Andrew Watson, horticulturalist and viticulture enthusiast, for a special workshop on Saturday, May 17, about the history, the grapes and the lifecycle of the Turlough Park vine, which dates to 1865.
This is a unique opportunity to learn about an ancient vine, a rare grape and to gain some skills as participants can also prune the vine with guidance from Andrew.
This is the second in a number of events in 2025 to celebrate the 160th year of this vine.
Booking is essential at BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or (094) 9031751.
POLLINATOR TALK
Join Dr. Michelle Larkin, national pollinator monitoring scheme officer with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, for an insightful introduction to Ireland’s rich biodiversity and the vital role pollinators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
This talk takes place from 3 to 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. It includes an introduction to Ireland’s butterflies and insect pollinators and will highlight the actions we can take to help biodiversity in our areas.
Suitable for adults and children aged 14 years plus, booking is required.
ORIENTEERING ADVENTURE
As part of World Orienteering Week 2025, an exciting, free, family friendly open day takes place at Turlough Park from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, May 24.
Learn about map reading and navigation skills by completing a new and challenging orienteering course around the grounds - suitable for all ages and all fitness levels. Drop in between 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.
This is a family friendly event, in association with ATU Castlebar campus. No booking is required.
OPENING HOURS
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland, 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.