Scarecrow trail and spooky tales at Mayo's National Museum
THE Halloween programme at the National Museum continues throughout the midterm break with some drop-in arts and crafts sessions from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, October 29, 30 and 31.
Try some Spooky Origami with artist Lindsay McConnell, craft a Creepy Critter with Isolde Dingerkus, or create your own Halloween puppet with Carmel Balfe.
All crafting sessions are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult and supervised throughout.
No booking is required - places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
STORYTELLING TOURS
Join a special Halloween storytelling tour taking place at 1 p.m., 1.45 p.m., 2.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, October 29, 30 and 31.
Learn about some of the spookiest museum objects with curator and storyteller Hannah Gallagher.
Tours start at reception. No booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Places are first-come, first-served.
TRADITIONAL MASKS
Visit the ‘Life in the Community’ exhibition to discover the Celtic origins of Halloween - a permanent exhibition on Level C of the museum galleries.
The curatorial team at Turlough Park have also taken a special selection of homemade masks from the National Folklife Collection.
These masks, which date to the 1940s and ‘50s, are being taken out of storage and put on display for the Halloween period.
They provide a unique insight into traditional Samhain celebrations in rural Ireland in times gone by.
‘SCARECROW JACK’
Go on an adventure through the gardens and woodland of Turlough Park this midterm to see if you can find ‘Scarecrow Jack’ hiding in the woods.
This fun trail is inspired by the Irish folk legend - Jack of the Lantern - a character so mean and stingy that he was turned away from heaven and then shut out of hell as well!
He now wanders the night for all time with only a turnip lantern to light his way.
This is a free, self-guided activity, suitable for families, available until 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 2.
SCARY OBJECTS
Pick up a free activity sheet at reception to find the scary Halloween masks hiding in the exhibitions. Round off your object hunt with a visit to the Samhain display.
Round off your object hunt with a visit to the Samhain display to learn about the origins, customs and traditions associated with Halloween.
Scary Objects is a free, self-guided activity, suitable for families, available until 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 2.
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.