This summer, discover Ireland's rich heritage and vibrant culture at the National Museum of Ireland. We are delighted to announce our extensive programme of free tours, workshops, and trails, offering engaging activities for all ages to enjoy across our four museum sites in Dublin and Mayo.
Additionally, enjoy the unique experience of our Dublin museums staying open late every Thursday from July to September. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore, learn, and be inspired by Ireland’s fascinating history and heritage.
Admission is free and no booking is required.
National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
1. Nature Craft Station: Make your own Paper Bee & Wildflowers
2pm - 4pm | Every Saturday throughout the month of July | All Ages
Visit the Murmur of Bees exhibition to learn all about bees in Ireland and then visit our Nature Craft Station in the Education Rooms in the Museum Galleries where you will find all the materials you need along with the instructions to create some nature and bee inspired crafts. This is a self-guided activity suitable for all ages. No booking required. EVENT CALENDAR
2. Museum, House & Garden Tours
2pm & 3pm | Every Saturday throughout the month of July | All Ages
Journey back in time and marvel at the innovation and endurance of our rural ancestors through the Irish Folklife Collection. Then discover more about the life of the Fitzgerald family and the history and architectural style of Turlough Park House and Gardens. Join an experienced Museum guide for these informative and engaging tours, which take place at 2pm and 3pm each Saturday throughout the month of June.EVENT CALENDAR
3. Nature Trail: Woodland Explorer
During Museum opening hours | Families
Pick up the new ‘Woodland Explorer’ activity booklet from Museum reception to explore a self-guided nature trail through the grounds of Turlough Park. EVENT CALENDAR
4. Museum Knitting and Crochet Circle
11am - 1pm | Friday, 5 July | Adults and children aged 7+
Learn a new skill this summer with the Museum Knitting and Crochet Circle. The group is meeting from 11am to 1pm on Friday, 5 July. EVENT CALENDAR
5. Gallery Trail: Find Peadar and his Friends!
During Museum opening hours | Families
Peadar is a Pygmy Shrew who lives at the Museum with his seven friends. Can you find their hiding spots in the Museum galleries using our fun, self-guided activity sheet? EVENT CALENDAR
6. Museum Music Circle
1pm to 2.30pm | 1st and 3rd Saturday each month | All Ages
Dust down that fiddle and polish that whistle for the Museum's Music Circle! Come along to learn, practice, share and play tunes and songs with other musicians on the first and third Saturday of the month.
EVENT CALENDAR
7. Mayo Genealogy Group
11.30am - 1pm | Saturday, 13 July | Adults
Find out how to get started, or get some tips and advice on taking the next steps with an existing project. Join the friendly members of the Mayo Genealogy Group at their next meeting, from 11.30am to 1pm, on Saturday, 13 July 2024. EVENT CALENDAR
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
1. Late Night Opening at the Museum
Every Thursday | July - September
Join us for an exciting programme of tours, talks, handling sessions, and workshops after hours in Collins Barracks. Every event will begin in Reception at Collins Barracks. No booking is required but places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. EVENT CALENDAR
2. Public Tours
Selected dates throughout June, July & August
This summer, the Museum offers a variety of guided tours each week, covering topics from the history of sports to the depiction of social change through clothing. EVENT CALENDAR
3. Irish Sign Language-Interpreted Tour - Game, Set, Match: The History of Sports in Irish Society
2pm | Sunday 21st July | All Ages
Join us for an Irish Sign Language-interpreted tour that explores how sports have reflected and impacted Irish society. This ISL-interpreted tour will start at 2pm on Sunday, 21st July in Reception at Collins Barracks. No booking is required. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. However, priority will be given to members of the Deaf community and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. EVENT CALENDAR
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
1. Late Night Opening at the Museum
Every Thursday | July - September
Experience the magic of history after hours with late-night openings every Thursday from July to September at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology. Wander through ancient treasures, uncover Ireland's past, and enjoy a variety of specially designed tours in a unique evening ambiance. Perfect for evening explorers and history enthusiasts alike! EVENT CALENDAR
2. Public Tours
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
Discover the wonders of Ireland's rich history with summer tours at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology. Explore ancient artifacts, fascinating exhibits, and captivating stories from prehistoric times to the medieval era. Perfect for history enthusiasts and curious minds, our guided tours offer an immersive experience into Ireland's past. EVENT CALENDAR
3. Drop-In: Meet the Flint Stones! Stone Age Handling Workshop
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
Drop into the Learning Resource Room and meet with our Museum Educators who will have an array of replica artefacts from Stone Age Ireland for you to pick up and examine. Discover our mesolithic fishtrap, flint scrapers and arrowheads, and prehistoric clay pots. Take part in some relaxing colouring activities, read through our many books about archaeology, and make sure to explore the Museum's galleries afterwards. EVENT CALENDAR
4. Drop-In: Rocks of the Stone Age! Megalithic Art
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
Come to the Learning Resource Room and learn all about Megalithic Rock Art from Stone Age Ireland! Discover all the patters, shapes and decorations that were used to decorate passage tombs in Ireland, including Newgrange and Knowth, and decorate your own ‘megalithic stone’ to bring home with you. You can also have a go at creating your own cave art handprint! EVENT CALENDAR
5. Drop-In: Back to the Bronze Age! Bronze Age Handling Workshop
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
What was life like in Ireland during the Bronze Age? Meet with Museum educators in the Ór - Ireland's Gold exhibition to see and handle a collection of replica artefacts from Bronze Age Ireland, and discover what objects people were making and using at this time. See an Early Bronze Age axehead, a bronze spearhead, amber beads, and clay pots. EVENT CALENDAR
6. Drop-In Workshop: Summer Sun Discs
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
Visit the Learning Resouce Room and join in this craft activity and discover all about Sun Discs of Bronze Age Ireland. In the Early Bronze Age Ireland, people made beautiful gold discs that looked like the sun. Drop in to find out more about these precious objects and make your own shining sun disc to bring home with you. EVENT CALENDAR
7. ISL Guided Tour: Highlights of the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
2pm | Friday 12th July | All Ages
Join our FREE ISL public tours to find out more about life in Ireland from the Stone Age to Early Medieval Ireland and see some of Ireland's most iconic treasures at the Museum. EVENT CALENDAR
8. Drop-In: Raiders, Traders and Settlers! Viking Ireland Handling Workshop
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
Find out about life in Viking Dublin by visiting the Learning Resource Room at the Museum to see some replica Viking Artefacts! Take a look at Viking swords and axes used for raiding, a Viking brass scales for trading, and clothes worn by men and women who lived and settle in Viking Dublin. Take part in some relaxing colouring activities, read through our many books about archaeology, and make sure to explore the Museum's galleries afterwards. EVENT CALENDAR
9. Relaxed Drop-In Workshop: At Home with the Vikings
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
Join in this autism friendly drop-in workshop at the Learning Resource Room for a quiet access drop-in workshop and learn all about Viking Dublin. Discover the homes made and lived in by the Vikings who travelled and settled in Dublin over 1000 years ago! Make your own Viking house and help build up the city of Dublin. EVENTS CALENDAR
10. Drop-In: The Saints, Scholars, and Scribes of Ireland! Early Medieval Handling Workshop
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
Learn about the coming of Christianity to Ireland, and the impact it had on the valley at Glendalough by exploring our Glendalough timeline banner. Take part in some relaxing colouring activities, read through our many books about archaeology, and make sure to explore the Museum's galleries afterwards. EVENT CALENDAR
11. Drop-In Workshop: Brilliant Brooches of Medieval Ireland
Selected dates throughout June, July and August
Come to the Museum and discover some of the most impressive brooches from Medieval Ireland. From the famous 'Tara’ brooch from Early Medieval Ireland, to brooches worn by Viking women, and even brooches given as love tokens in Medieval Ireland. Learn all about the people who made and wore these brooches, and then make your own brooch to take home! EVENT CALENDAR
National Museum of Ireland - Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2,
1. Late Night Opening at the Museum
Every Thursday | July - September
From July to September, the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History is hosting late-night openings every Thursday, featuring an exciting programme of talks and Q&A sessions. These extended hours provide a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with experts on a variety of fascinating topics related to the museum's extensive collections. EVENT CALENDAR
2. Tob-Chainteanna ag Caibinéad na nIontas
10:30am – 11:15am & 11:45am – 12:30pm | Dé Céadaoin | 24ú Iúil | Teaghlaigh
Buail isteach chuig Caibinéad na nIontas chun páirt a ghlacadh i dtob-chaint speisialta as Gaeilge. Buail le hOideoir, cuir roinnt ceisteanna agus b’fhéidir go mbeidh deis agat do lámh a leagan ar chraiceann nó ar sliogán ón mbailiúchán láimhseála fiú! FÉILIRE IMEACHTA
3. Summer Sun Activity Sheet
Available throughout June, July and August
Challenge yourself to an activity sheet at the Dead Zoo! Activity sheets are a great way to learn, explore and enjoy the collections of the Museum by yourself or as a family group. EVENT CALENDAR
4. Online Activity: Summer with the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History
Available throughout July
Summer is in session and while you may be ready to go outside and play ball, the weather may not. Especially for those rainy summer days, the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History has put together a range of fun activities that can all be done from the comfort of your own home. EVENT CALENDAR
5. Activity Sheet: Wildlife Detectives Invasive Species Trail
Available throughout June, July and August
Challenge yourself to an activity sheet at the Dead Zoo! We need you to become a Wildlife Detective and find some invasive species in the Museum. Follow the trail to learn more and help us find some invasive species found in Ireland. EVENT CALENDAR
6. Online Activity: Summer with the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History
Available throughout August
Summer is in session and while you may be ready to go outside and play ball, the weather may not. Especially for those rainy summer days, the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History has put together a range of fun activities that can all be done from the comfort of your own home. EVENT CALENDAR
Browse more upcoming events at the National Museum of Ireland