Tour at a glance
Level: Junior and Senior Cycle, Transition Year
Group size: 15
Location: Soldiers and Chiefs, Curators Choice, Out of Storage
Duration: 45 minutes
Available: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Booking: Available from February. Please contact bookings@museum.ie to book this session
The harp is one of the most common symbols of Ireland, which we see on everyday objects such as coins, and the shamrock is synonymous with St Patrick’s Day, but did you know that there are lots of other symbols that designers and artists have used over the centuries to express Irish culture and history? This tour will allow students to explore a range of fascinating Irish symbols through artefacts on display in the Museum. Through this, students will learn about the importance of symbolism in shaping and declaring national identity, and how they have been used by social and political organisations to express their ideas of what Ireland is.
Curriculum links
Junior Cycle History
Section 1: How We Find out about the past
The job of the Historian
Our roots in ancient civilization
Section 2: Studies of change
Political change: Revolutionary movements
Section 3: Understanding the Modern World
Political developments in Ireland in the late 19th century and the 20th century
Social change in the 20th century
Leaving Cycle History
Working with evidence
History and the Historian.
Later Modern field of study: Irish History, 1815-1993
Ireland and the Union, 1815 - 1870
Movements for political and social reform, 1870 - 1914
Learning outcomes
- Develop an understanding of the importance and variation of symbols as representation of nationality and identity
- Explore the role Museums and artefacts play in presenting us with various narratives of the past
- Learn about how symbols have been used to create ideas of identity
- Discover the origins of recognisable symbols in Irish society today
Teacher feedback
The knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide really made our tour so special.
Brilliant opportunity for my students, (who) learned so much about Irish history.
Resources and suggestions
Before your visit
- Visit the Museum in advance, if possible, to get familiar with the layout, key objects and key narratives
- Plan a project around your visit. Students could research key events and organisations
After your visit
Ideas for post-visit activities:
- Ask students to write a review of their museum visit
- Consider the value of museums as places to display objects that connect us with our history
- Create your own symbol that you feel represents Ireland for you