Mayo museum to host an array of events for all the family
An array of events and activities are set to take place over the coming days at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, with something for all the family.
Clew Bay Garden Trail
The Clew Bay Garden Trail will commence at 11a.m. on Saturday, May 23. Radio presenter Tommy Marren will be at the Museum to perform the official launch. The event takes place in the Courtyard Gallery (next to the café). The Clew Bay Garden Trail is an annual open garden initiative organised by a group of voluntary gardeners in the west Mayo area. Visit here for full details of the launch event.
Orienteering Adventure
Celebrate World Orienteering Week (WOW) with a free and family friendly open day this Saturday, May 23. Drop in any time between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to meet with orienteering experts from ATU Castlebar campus and Mayo Sports Partnership. Learn about map reading and navigation skills by completing a new and challenging orienteering course around the grounds of Turlough Park. The event is suitable for all ages. No booking required.
Guided tour
Discover the highlights of the National Folklife Collection on a free guided tour, held every Saturday at 2 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours offer insights into key objects and stories in the Museum galleries, alongside an introduction to the history of the Fitzgerald family of Turlough Park. Visitors will also learn about the distinctive architectural style of Turlough Park House and its beautiful gardens. Tours begin at the Museum’s reception and will be announced shortly before departure. No booking is required. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Children’s Art Workshop - All Kinds of Bears!
There are a limited number of places available for an upcoming day-long art workshop for children and parents on Saturday, May 30. The workshop is inspired by the large Alaskan brown bear currently on display as part of The Murmur of Bees exhibition. Led by local artists Deirdre Walsh and Cas McCarthy, children will work alongside a parent or guardian to paint their favourite teddy bear. Each finished piece will become part of a special pop up exhibition showcased in the Museum for Cruinniú na nÓg – the national day celebrating creativity and young people - on Saturday, June 6. This workshop is free of charge, but booking is essential. For booking details, visit here.
Quiet Hour
Enjoy a relaxed visit to the National Folklife Collection during a dedicated Quiet Hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 30. Museums can feel busy and overwhelming at times, and this special session is designed to create a more peaceful environment for visitors who prefer a quieter experience. During this time, background music will be reduced or switched off, and gallery lighting will be softened to support a more comfortable, sensory-friendly atmosphere. Visitors who wish to take a more mindful approach to their visit are welcome to use a selection of on-site educational resources offering reflective ways to engage with the stories and objects on display. You can find out more here.
Róidín in the Courtyard Gallery
Róidín is a fascinating exhibition of photography exploring rural Ireland from a skateboard, on display now in the Courtyard Gallery (next to the café). Róidín examines aspects of the lived, social and economic history of rural Ireland through a series of spaces, reflecting on a range of themes from loss and dereliction to endurance, resilience, and renewal. The images and stories were compiled in 2025 for a special issue of the Irish skateboarding publication, Goblin Magazine.
Museum opening hours
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park House and 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 p.m. to 5 p.m.