From knitting patterns and historic timelines to immersive guided tours and the Tailteann Games, we are delighted to share our varied and engaging programme of events, exhibitions and activities that embrace the theme of this year's Bealtaine festival.
Bealtaine is an Age & Opportunity arts initiative throughout the month of May each year, celebrating the arts and creativity as we age. The theme this year is 'Lust for Life' - inspired by the Iggy Pop classic hit.
Here are some of our highlight events:
Seminar - New State, Ancient Nation: The Tailteann Games
Friday, 10 May, 9am - 2pm, Adults
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dubin 7
Featuring academics, journalists and writers, this half-day seminar examines the context of the Tailteann Games, their impact and the strong cultural identity that it forged for the new Irish State. With excitement for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games building, this seminar also reflects on Team Ireland’s Olympic history, its future and on the many intentional crossovers between the Tailteann Games and the Olympic Games. Booking is required. FIND OUT MORE
Public Talk - Meet the Artist - we make our own histories
Saturday, 11 May, 12noon - 1pm
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dubin 7
Join artist Anthony Haughey from 12noon to 1pm on Saturday, 11 May, as he discusses the new exhibition, we make our own histories, as well as his artist residency at the National Museum of Ireland as part of the Decade of Centenaries programme. No booking is required. FIND OUT MORE
Museum Knitting and Crochet Circle
Friday 17 May, 11am - 1pm
National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Castlebar, Co Mayo
This is a friendly meeting of talented craft workers with a keen interest in all things woolly! Come along to exchange tips, patterns, ideas and a chat. Beginners are welcome. FIND OUT MORE
Museum Music Circle
Saturday 18 May, 2pm - 4pm
National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Dust down that fiddle and polish that whistle for the Museum's Music Circle! Come along from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, 18 May 2024, to learn, practice, share and play tunes and songs with other musicians. No booking required. FIND OUR MORE
WORLD BEE DAY ONLINE TALK: St Gobnait and The Murmur of Bees
Monday, 20 May, Adults and children aged 14+
National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Celebrate World Bee Day on Monday, 20 May, with a series of online talks exploring the ways in which bees influence the world around us - from natural history and the environment to folklore and artworks. FIND OUT MORE
Drop-In Workshop: Tactile Timeline of Historic Ireland
Friday 24 May, 12.30pm - 2.30pm, Adults
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Join this handling workshop to meet with our Museum Educators and discover our replica artefacts. Have a look through our timeline banner and learn about the original artefacts from the Museum’s collection. Read through our many books about archaeology, and make sure to explore the Museum's galleries afterwards. FIND OUT MORE
Bealtaine: Cainteanna ar Líne
Gníomhaíocht ar líne | Stair an Dúlra
Cuir feabhas ar do chúpla focal agus foghlaim níos mó faoi bhailiúcháin stair an dúlra an Bhealtaine seo! Féach siar ar fhíseáin le fotheidil as Gaeilge ar Chainéal YouTube an Mhúsaeim agus foghlaim faoi fheithidí inár gcathracha. FAIGH NÍOS MÓ AMACH
Bealtaine: Cainteanna ar Líne
Gníomhaíocht ar líne | Stair an Dúlra
Cuir feabhas ar do chúpla focal agus foghlaim níos mó faoi bhailiúcháin stair an dúlra an Bhealtaine seo! Féach siar ar fhíseáin le fotheidil as Gaeilge ar Chainéal YouTube an Mhúsaeim agus foghlaim faoin mbithéagsúlacht agus faoi éin! FAIGH NÍOS MÓ AMACH
Browse more upcoming events at the National Museum of Ireland