Enjoy a 'slow tour' through Mayo's National Museum of Country Life

TAKE time to pause and connect with Ireland’s rich heritage on a ‘slow tour’ through the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park, Castlebar.

Join an expert museum guide at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, to explore carefully chosen highlights from the Turlough Park collections, across a selection of everyday objects of rural life that tell the story of Ireland’s traditions, resilience, and creativity.

This gentle-paced tour invites visitors to slow down after the hustle and bustle of the holidays to reflect and enjoy the museum in a mindful way.

First Fortnight is an annual festival which harnesses culture and the arts to spark conversations, engagement and a sense of community around mental health awareness.

GENEALOGY GROUP

Get some help to research your family tree in 2026 with the Mayo Genealogy Group.

Join the friendly members of this group at their next meeting from 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 10. Find out how to get started with a new project or get some tips and advice on taking the next steps with an existing piece of research.

This is a voluntary group brought together by a keen interest in genealogy. The members enjoy sharing their successes and pitfalls, collective experience and detective work to give other researchers a guiding hand. New researchers are welcome. No booking is required.

NEW YEAR KNITS

Learn a new skill with the museum knitting and crochet circle. Join a drop-in session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, January 16, to exchange tips, patterns, ideas and a chat. Beginners are welcome.

This free, drop-in activity is suitable for adults and children aged seven years plus. No booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

BEAR ON DISPLAY

An impressive bear specimen has gone on display in Turlough Park as part of the ongoing exhibition The Murmur of Bees, which explores bees and their important role in Ireland’s biodiversity.

Bears have long been associated with bees and honey and one of the ancient Irish names for a bear is milchobur (honey-lover). The female bear from Alaska has pale brown fur and is mounted standing on her hind legs, with long claws outstretched towards the visitor.

Brown bears once roamed throughout Ireland but became extinct here thousands of years ago. Find out more on Level A of the exhibition galleries at Turlough Park.

CELTIC TALES BY WARRIOR'S HAND

Visit a new exhibition of art celebrating stories, symbols and Celtic myth on display now in the Courtyard Gallery (next to the café).

The exhibition has been developed by the Luisne Art Project - a nationally recognised and highly successful arts initiative for people with disabilities, based in Ballinrobe. In 2025, the Luisne artists collaborated with art facilitator Noreen Lydon and guest mentors Michael Gannon and Ruby Staunton, exploring the rich tapestry of Celtic mythology. The result is Celtic Tales by Warrior’s Hand - a compelling collection that celebrates imagination and heritage.

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.