The National Museum of Ireland is delighted to launch its latest programme of guided tours, workshops and resources for primary and post primary schools for the spring term.
Available from January 2025, the programme has a diverse range of virtual and onsite activities, designed to complement the primary and post primary curricula. All activities are offered free of charge to schools.
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What's on for Primary Schools at the National Museum of Ireland
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What's on for Post Primary Schools at the National Museum of Ireland
Schools can visit three Museum sites in Dublin and Mayo this year. Click on a location below to see what is on offer at each Museum.
The National Museum of Ireland located at Merrion Street, also known as the 'Dead Zoo', closed on 2 September 2024, so a school visit is not possible at this location. However, teachers can still book a virtual session for your school and explore the fascinating Natural History Collections through a range of classroom activities and resources.
BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES:
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To book a visit to one of our Dublin Museums, submit a Schools Enquiry Form and our Bookings Office will get back to you regarding availability for your chosen session. You can also email bookings@museum.ie or call (01) 648 6453.
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Enquiries regarding Bookings for Turlough Park can be directed to BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or (094) 90 31751.
See the full schools programme for the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND at:
Some highlights for PRIMARY LEVEL include:
Turais stiúraithe i nGaeilge
12ú agus 13ú Márta
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Cleachtaigh do chuid Gaeilge! Tabhair cuairt ar Ghailearaithe an Mhúsaeim, Teach Pháirc Thurlaigh agus gairdíní na coille le treoraí turais le taithí. TUILLEADH EOLAIS
Make Your Own St Patrick's Badge
10am to 11am or 11.30am to 12.30pm, Wednesday 12 March
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Find out about the history of St. Patrick’s Day and discover the customs and traditions involved. Afterwards, have a go at making a St. Patrick’s Badge. FIND OUT MORE
Easter Art Workshops
10am to 11am or 11.30am to 12.30pm, Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th April
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Find out about the customs and traditions that took place around Easter time. Afterwards, have a go at decorating your own Easter egg or make your own Easter decoration or card with the Education Team. FIND OUT MORE
GUIDED TOUR: Seasonal Nature Tours
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Join a seasonal woodland walk to explore nature and biodiversity, identify trees year-round, and discover local plants, animals, and conservation tips. FIND OUT MORE
Top 10 Tour: Highlights of the National Folklife Collection
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Ever wondered what daily life was like for people in Ireland long ago? Travel back in time and explore how people lived, worked, and dressed in the past! FIND OUT MORE
WORKSHOP: Safari in Silver
Thursdays from 10am - 11am and 12pm - 1pm. Junior Infants - 2nd class
(National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7)
In this sensory creative art & drama workshop students will be introduced to the Museum's Irish Silver collection and learn about mythical creatures of the past. After some object handling and discovering all the different animals hidden in the gallery, students will be challenged to design and create their own imaginary animal. FIND OUT MORE
Classroom Activity: Make a Bird Helmet
(National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7)
Design your own bird helmet inspired by the Samurai Armour on display in the Museum’s ‘Out of Storage’ exhibition FIND OUT MORE
VIRTUAL SESSION: Tales of the Dead Zoo
(Natural History online)
What secrets of the past and present are held in the collections and why are they important for the future? Discover tales of the Dead Zoo during a live virtual session, led by a Museum Educator and streamed straight to your classroom. FIND OUT MORE
SEISIÚN FÍORÚIL: Scéalta an Zú Mhairbh
(Stair an Dúlra ar líne)
Cad iad na rúin a bhaineann leis an am atá thart agus an am i láthair ata sna bailiúcháin agus cén fáth a bhfuil tábhacht leo don todhchaí? Foghlaim faoi scéalta an Zú Mhairbh le linn seisiún beo fíorúil, a stiúrfaidh Oideachasóir Músaeim, a sruthófar díreach chuig do sheomra ranga. TUILLEADH EOLAIS
VIRTUAL SESSION: Meet the Bears
(Natural History online)
How many different types of bears can be found in the world? Where do the live, what do they eat and who does big green poos! Discover this and more during a short online session, led by a Museum Educator and streamed straight to your classroom! FIND OUT MORE
GUIDED TOUR: Prehistoric Ireland - Stone Age and Bronze Age peoples
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
The Prehistoric Ireland tour introduces archaeology and history, exploring Stone and Bronze Age life. Linked to the curriculum, pupils engage hands-on with artefacts like Mesolithic fish traps and Bronze Age weapons. FIND OUT MORE
CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: The Stone Age
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
Explore Stone Age Megalithic Art in Ireland, learn about patterns and decorations, create your own megalithic stone, and complete a Stone Age word search. FIND OUT MORE
CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: The Bronze Age
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
Use the 'Summer Sun Discs' sheet to explore Bronze Age gold objects, decorate your own, and complete a word search about life in Bronze Age Ireland. FIND OUT MORE.
Some highlights for POST PRIMARY LEVEL include:
Turais stiúraithe i nGaeilge
12ú agus 13ú Márta
(Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann, Páirc Thurlaigh, Co Mhaigh Eo)
Cleachtaigh do chuid Gaeilge! Tabhair cuairt ar Ghailearaithe an Mhúsaeim, Teach Pháirc Thurlaigh agus gairdíní na coille le treoraí turais le taithí. TUILLEADH EOLAIS
TOUR: Highlights of the National Folklife Collection
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Gain a fresh perspective on society, economy, culture and politics in Ireland from 1850 to 1950 by examining the various objects on display in the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park. FIND OUT MORE
GUIDED TOUR: Seasonal Nature Tours
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Join a seasonal woodland walk to explore nature and biodiversity, identify trees year-round, and discover local plants, animals, and conservation tips. FIND OUT MORE
GUIDED TOUR: An Introduction to Collins Barracks featuring Harry Clarke
(National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7)
This interactive tour delves into the history of the Royal Barracks, now known as Collins Barracks, and the lives of soldiers from 1706 to 1993. Additionally, participants will visit the Harry Clarke-Stained Glass exhibition, which showcases the early works of this renowned Irish artist. FIND OUT MORE
Guided Tour: Revolutionary Women: Exploring Women's Roles in Conflict in Ireland
(National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7)
Students will be introduced to some of the women involved in conflicts in Ireland, including the 1803 rebellion, 1916 Rebellion, the War of Independence and Irish Civil War, and will explore how these events affected both those who fought and also the civilians who lived through them. FIND OUT MORE
Guided Tour: Game, Set, Match: The History of Sports in Irish Society
(National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7)
From hair hurling balls dating from the 1500s to ladies camogie dresses from the 1960s, join Museum Guides on an engaging and interactive tour focuses on the development and evolution of Ireland's sociatal and sporting past. FIND OUT MORE
Resource: What are Natural History Scientific Collections
(Natural History online)
Discover the scientific Natural History collections and go behind the scenes of the Museum with talks from our Tales from the Decant Series. FIND OUT MORE
GUIDED TOUR: Leaving Certificate History of Art
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
Explore Irish art from the Neolithic to the 12th century, including Stone Age tombs, Bronze Age gold, and Early Christian treasures like the Tara Brooch and Ardagh Chalice. This tour aligns with the History of Art Leaving Certificate and can focus on Pre-Christian or Insular Art, featuring key objects like the Knowth Macehead and Saint Patrick's Bell Shrine. FIND OUT MORE
RESOURCE: Leaving Certificate Art History Presentation
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
Explore Irish art from the Neolithic to the 12th century, from Stone Age tombs to Early Christian treasures like the Tara Brooch. Tailored to the History of Art Leaving Certificate, it highlights Pre-Christian and Insular Art. FIND OUT MORE
RESOURCE: Leaving Certificate Art History Resources
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
The Museum offers online resources to support Leaving Certificate Art studies, with many objects related to Visual Studies on display at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology. FIND OUT MORE
GUIDED TOUR: The work of the Archaeologist
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
This Junior Cycle and Transition Year History tour explores archaeology through the Vikings in Ireland, aligning with curriculum goals. Students will develop historical skills, learn about the National Museum of Ireland's role, and examine artefacts to understand how archaeology reveals the past. FIND OUT MORE
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