What’s on in Mayo museum: International Women’s Day events and new exhibitions at Turlough Park

A busy programme of events is lined up at the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park in Castlebar over the coming weeks, with new exhibitions and community activities all on offer for Mayo visitors.

International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day, the museum will host a special screening of Palimpsest at 2pm on Sunday, March 8. The film artwork by Joanna Hopkins explores themes including the female body, natural plant dyes, landscape and our evolving relationship with place.

Commissioned as part of the Wilderland 2025 project, the film was shot at Lios na Gaoithe — the “windy fort” — on the morning of the Winter Solstice. Booking is required via museum.ie, by emailing educationtph@museum.ie, or by calling (094) 90 31751.

Later that afternoon, at 3.30pm, curator Hannah Gallagher will present A Stitch in Time, a thought-provoking talk examining how women in the past clothed their families. 

The discussion will reflect on resilience, resourcefulness and sustainability — particularly relevant at a time when more than 100 billion items of clothing are produced globally each year and textiles account for nine per cent of Irish household waste. Admission is free, but booking is required.

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Learn a new skill this spring

The Museum Knitting and Crochet Circle returns from 11am to 1pm on Friday, March 6. This free, drop-in session welcomes beginners and experienced crafters alike to exchange tips, patterns and ideas. The event is suitable for adults and children aged seven and over, with no booking required.

Research your Mayo roots

Those interested in tracing their ancestry can attend the next Mayo Genealogy Group meeting from 11.30am to 1pm on Saturday, March 14. The voluntary group brings together people with a shared interest in family history, offering guidance and support for both new and experienced researchers. No booking is required.

Last chance to see ‘Celtic Tales’

Art lovers have just days left to view Celtic Tales by Warrior’s Hand, on display in the Courtyard Gallery until March 10. The colourful exhibition was developed by the Luisne Art Project, a nationally recognised initiative for people with disabilities based in Ballinrobe.

In 2025, artists collaborated with facilitator Noreen Lydon and guest mentors Michael Gannon and Ruby Staunton to explore Celtic mythology, resulting in a vibrant collection celebrating imagination and heritage.

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Antique Veterinary objects on display

Visitors can also explore a unique display of antique veterinary objects now showing on Level B of the exhibition galleries. The exhibition stems from a long-standing partnership between the museum and the Veterinary Department of Mayo County Council, established in the early 2000s to build a veterinary collection within the National Folklife Collection.

The objects offer a fascinating insight into the work of vets in Ireland in times gone by — a display likely to resonate strongly in a county with deep agricultural roots.

Guided tours every Saturday

Guided tours of the Museum, House and Gardens take place each Saturday at 2pm and 3.30pm. Visitors can journey through the Irish Folklife Collection, discover the history of the Fitzgerald family and Turlough Park House, and — weather permitting — enjoy the Woodland Explorer children’s trail in the gardens. Free activity sheets are available at reception.

Admission to the museum is free. Exhibition galleries are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday and Monday from 1pm to 5pm.

With a diverse mix of culture, heritage and community events, Turlough Park continues to be one of Mayo’s key destinations for visitors of all ages this spring.

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