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 nineteenth and early twentieth 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 incl. Phols/BHols, Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day |
| Open Times: | Tue-Sat: 10.00-17.00 Sun: 14.00-17.00 (Closed Mondays Incl. Bhols) |
| Tours: | Guided tours available for €40.00 per tour group. Booking required. |
| Booking Contact: | Lorna Elms - 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 Ir |
| Restaurant: | Wide variety of tasty and seasonal meals and snacks. Enjoy freshly baked produce |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Information Guide: | French, German, Spanish, Irish, English, Japanese, Italian |
| 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
Up-Coming Events
Garden Questions & Answers Session
15/08/2010 - 15/08/2010
2.30-4pm Talk - Adults & children 14 yrs+
Country Life - Turlough Park Join Frank Bouchier & Graine Vaughan of the Irish Seed Savers Association to find out the answers to your fruit & vegetable gardening questions! Booking required.
Family Event: Donkey Day
19/08/2010 - 19/08/2010
11am-4pm Family Event - Families
Country Life - Turlough Park The Donkey Sanctuary in Cork will host the second annual Donkey Day, joined by guests from the Sligo Donkey Sancutary as well as local enthusiasts. Programme as follows: 11am & 2pm Join a farrier for a live demonstration of donkey feet trimming; 11am-12.30pm and 2.30-4pm Join Linda Thompson, Regional Welfare Officer, The Donkey Sanctuary, at the donkey enclosure who will introduce the donkeys and answer any queries; 2.30pm-3:45pm Paddy Barrett, Public Relations Manager of the Donkey Sanctuary will talk about the role of the donkey, past and present. Questions and answers will follow with the Donkey Sanctuary Team. No booking required.
Féile na Tuaithe - Turlough Park - A Celebration of Country Life Today
Féile na Tuaithe is now a firmly established annual fixture in the calendar of the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Castlebar, attracting up to 20,000 people over the weekend. It’s widely regarded as the best family day out in the west and takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 22nd and 23rd, from 12pm to 5pm, in the extensive grounds of Turlough Park House. The festival focuses on everything that’s good in traditional country life – crafts, games, traditions, sports and more. It’s a cornucopia of action and activities, for all age groups, but with a particular family focus. Demonstrations and family-friendly activities run non-stop and the excellent food and craft marquees attract crowds from start to finish. Highlights this year include the colourful and crazy antics of the fabulous Fanzini Brothers, who top the bill of family-friendly activities. Music fills the air all day long with something to suit all tastes and age-groups including traditional music and more contemporary styles as well. Visitors are invited to join our demonstrators, and take part in traditional activities including sean nós dancing, bushcraft, candle making and spinning – or watch skilled blacksmiths and tinsmiths at their crafts. Children (and many adults too) enjoy making harvest knots with our award-winning Education and Outreach Department. These are traditional Irish love tokens and guaranteed to make a special impression. Making a welcome return to Féile na Tuaithe 2010 are the West of Ireland Spaniel Club who will run their very popular working tests for springer and cocker spaniels in association with the Irish Kennel Club. They drew a huge crowd last year, enjoying and appreciating their athleticism, enthusiasm and obedience. Mayo Art Squad are joining us again this year, developing their successful and attractive ‘New Ground’ community art project, in conjunction with the Arts Office of Mayo County Council. Also out in the grounds is wildlife ranger Maurice McDonnell who will identify and explain the many animal habitats on the museum grounds, leading nature walks for young and old. That should help work up an appetite for the tempting range of home produce in our food marquee and restaurant. The best in contemporary and traditional craft items will also be available in our tented craft village, with many new and talented producers exhibiting this year. the quality and variation of Irish crafts is truly something to be celebrated. If you’ve ever been tempted to test your green fingers and grow your own fruit, flowers or vegetables, you’ll find our horticulture demonstrators happy to share plenty of tips and advice. Now in its sixth year, Féile na Tuaithe is the perfect opportunity to visit the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, and learn more about the traditions of bygone days. Entrance and all attractions and demonstrations are free of charge.
National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland has a packed calendar of events. With most of the events free to attend, this is something not to be missed. Read More
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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