National Museum of Ireland: Country Life
| County: | Co. Mayo |
| Tel: | 094-903 1755 |
| Fax: | 094-903 1628 |
| Email: | tpark@museum.ie |
The award winning National Museum of Ireland - Country Life is located in Turlough Village, 8kms east of Castlebar (on the N5). The Museum is home to the National Folklife Collection which represents traditional life in Ireland throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Fascinating artefacts deal with domestic life, agriculture, fishing and hunting, clothing and textiles, furniture and fittings, trades and crafts, transport, sports and leisure and religion.
Set in the spectacular grounds of Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo the Museum treats visitors to a taste of how our ancestors lived their daily lives, in both difficult and joyful times. The Museum runs programmes for adults, families and schools to raise awareness of the Museum collection and the associated traditional crafts, customs and traditions. The programmes consist of talks, demonstrations and performances as well as hands-on art and craft workshops.
General Information
| Address: | Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 094-903 1755 |
| Fax: | 094-903 1628 |
| Email: | tpark@museum.ie |
| Website: | http://www.museum.ie |
| Location: | Turlough Village, 8kms East of Castlebar |
| Season: | All Year, Closed Mondays including Public/Bank Holidays. Closed Good Friday & Christmas Day |
| Open Times: | Tue-Sat: 10.00-17.00 Sun: 14.00-17.00 (Closed Mondays Including Bank Holidays) |
| Tours: | Guided tours available for €40.00 per tour group. Booking required. |
| Booking Contact: | Education Department Booking Office (094-9031751) |
| Manager: | Tony Candon |
| Average Visit Length: | 2-3 hours (Self-Guided Visit) |
| Entrance Fees: | FREE ADMISSION |
| Audio Visual: | Yes, 15 mins, English |
| Exhibition: | Home to the National Folklife Collection which represents traditional life in Ireland throughout the 19th & 20th Centuries. |
| Restaurant: | Wide variety of tasty and seasonal meals and snacks. Enjoy freshly baked produce |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Information Guide: | Floor plans available in English & Irish |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
| Other: | http://www.facebook.com/HeritageIsland?ref=ts#!/pages/Dublin/National-Museum-of-Ireland/94907090068?ref=sgm |
Venue Hire
The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is situated in the stunning grounds of Turlough Park, Co. Mayo and has three beautiful function rooms. These spaces are ideal for holding corporate events ranging from seminars, conferences and receptions to meetings and launches. Located in the grounds of Turlough Park Estate, the Museum comprises the estate’s original house, which is in the High Victorian Gothic style and has been fully restored, as well as a purpose-built Exhibition Gallery. Event organisers are welcome to allocate time for visits to the Museum or schedule tours to suit a group’s area of interest. Turlough Park is located just 8km from Castlebar and has ample free car parking. The Galleries Foyer and Audio Visual Theatre are wheelchair accessible
February Events
Daily Gallery Tour: Focus on Coggalbeg Gold
Wed 1st to Wed 29th, 3pm
Price: €2 per adult. Free for children aged 16yrs and under.
Find out what life was like 100 years ago and learn about the Roscommon Gold.
Tuesday to Saturday, first come, first served. Group tours at other times can be pre-booked through the Bookings Office.
Come Knit with Me!
Fri 3rd, 11am-1pm
Price: Free
Enthusiasts and beginners alike are welcome to join the museum knitters as they share skills, patterns and chat. Starter kits for kids available.
Drop-in Activity for adults and children 7 years plus. No booking required.
Re-awaken the Musician within You
Sat 4th, 3-5pm
Price: Free
Tune up, tune in and join the music circle to practice, share and play tunes and songs.
Drop-in Activity for adults and accompanied children 14 years plus. No booking required.
Workshop: Rural Rapping Rhymes and Chimes
Sun 5th, 2.30-3.30pm
Price: Free
Explore the Museum's farming exhibition through rhythm, percussion and composition with musician Mary Curran.
Workshop suitable for children aged 8 to 11 years. Booking required.
Workshop: Hammer, Tongs, Clangs and Bangs
Fri 10th, 3-4pm
Price: Free
Find out about the Blacksmith, the objects and sounds they make. Then construct your own mini-forge with Lisa Fahy.
Workshop for children 6 years and under accompanied by an adult. Booking required.
NEW TEMPORARY EXHIBITION NOW OPEN!
Safe Secrets: the Story of the Coggalbeg Hoard. This important hoard of Early Bronze Age gold was found in a bog at Coggalbeg, Co. Roscommon, in 1945. The lunula and discs were placed in a safe in Sheehan’s pharmacy in the nearby town of Strokestown in 1947. In March 2009 a break-in took place at the shop and the pharmacy safe was stolen. This lead to a massive investigation by An Garda Síochána which eventually led to the recovery of the gold in a rubbish skip in Dublin. This exhibition will run until Summer '12.
Schools
The National Museum of Ireland has long been a resource for Primary, Second and Third Level students and educators, providing a broad range of services - including guided tours, demonstrations and workshops, an information and resource service, professional development courses and activities for teachers. At the National Museum you can:
- Learn through observation of original artefacts
- Investigate how archaeologists and historians work to understand about life, work, culture and society in the past
- Look for evidence about life, work, culture and society in the past
- Study history, local history, art, craft and design, art history, religious knowledge,drama, geography, mathematics and science
- Make links across a range of subjects through an integrated and cross-curricular approach to learning
Teachers and students are very welcome to visit the National Museum of Ireland. The Museum also offers an outreach service. Advance booking is essential for guided tours, workshops, demonstrations and the audio-visual presentations
Contact: tpark(at)museum.ie
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