Saol na Tuaithe

Find out about the history, customs and traditions of Samhain and make your own traditional mask with artist Carmel Balfe.

Activity at a Glance

Level: 4^th to 6^th Class
Group Size: Classroom 
Location: Onsite NMI-Country Life
Duration: 60 min
10 min Talk
40 min Workshop
10 min Q & A 
Availability: Thursday 24^th & Friday 25th October 2024
Times: 10am to 11am or 11.30am to 12.30pm
Booking: Booking required
Accessibility: Hands-on

Bookings and Information 

To book this event, contact the booking and information office

Curriculum Links: 

• Local Studies - Feasts and Festivals in the Past; Story - Stories of Lives of People in the Past - Beliefs. 
• Culture in the Past - Cultural Activities.
• Early people and ancient societies – Values.
• Ordinary People – Communities - Appreciation of Culture.

• ​Concepts and Skills - Awareness of Shape, Form, Texture, Pattern and Rhythm; Strands -
• Construction/ Making constructions/ Looking and Responding
• Creative Thinking – Respond to Periods and Cultures – Regional Craft Tradition – National Heritage.

• Human Environments – Social and Cultural Activities – Social Environment.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Discuss festivals in general; identify the reasons why Hallowe’en masks were made, know the time of year they were produced, recognize the material used to make them
• Learn how to make a mask from recycled material and receive appropriate guidance leading to a completed project; discuss their own work and the work of their classmates
• Discuss what the students will do with their completed mask; review the content of the workshop
• Discuss their own work and the work of their classmates
• Insight into a traditional craft and past culture
• Understanding the effect of the past on present culture

Pre-Visit Resources:

• Check out information on Calendar Customs and Traditions here