National Museum in Mayo offers a range of free school workshops and tours
The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park, Castlebar, is offering an exciting programme of free workshops and tours for schools throughout April, May and June, providing students with opportunities to connect with Ireland’s cultural heritage and natural environment.
The next event in the programme is a fun and educational Biodiversity Workshop, taking place on Thursday, April 30, with sessions available at 10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Led by Dr. Karina Dingerkus, alongside the Museum’s Education team, this hands-on workshop explores minibeasts and wildflowers in the beautiful grounds of Turlough Park. Designed for 3rd to 6th class Primary School students, the workshop includes bug hunts and minibeast identification, a wildflower treasure hunt, pollinator observation, and a nature walk with interactive games. These free sessions can be booked here.
In May, students can take part in the Museum's popular butter making demonstrations, where they will learn about the origins of traditional butter making in Ireland, along with the science, history and cultural significance of dairy production. Pupils will also get the chance to churn cream into butter using traditional methods.
These demonstrations take place every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout May, a time of year long associated with butter making and traditional beliefs around protecting the churn and dairy yield from the fairies. Places are free and can be booked here.
Also returning in May are the Museum’s hugely popular orienteering adventure days. Suitable for 4th to 6th class students, these sessions introduce participants to basic map reading and navigation skills before they complete trial runs on an orienteering course set throughout the Turlough Park grounds. There are various sessions available on Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21. These workshops are delivered in partnership with ATU Mayo and Mayo Sports Partnership to celebrate World Orienteering Week. Places for these poplar free workshops can be booked here.
In addition, throughout May and June, the Museum is offering free Guided Tours of the National Folklife Collection which can be booked here, and Guided Seasonal Nature Tours which can be booked here, in the biodiverse parklands of Turlough Park. These tours are available at 10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's.
Further details and information of all workshops and tours for Primary Schools at the National Museum, Turlough Park, are available online here.