Busy programme of family events and cultural activities at Mayo Museum
A wide-ranging programme of family-friendly events, exhibitions and cultural activities has been announced for the coming weeks at the National Museum of Ireland in Castlebar.
The Turlough Park museum will host a series of free public events throughout late May and early June, offering activities focused on heritage, creativity, nature and outdoor learning.
Among the highlights is the official launch of this year’s Clew Bay Garden Trail, taking place at 11am on Saturday, May 23, in the museum’s Courtyard Gallery.
The annual initiative, organised by voluntary gardeners across West Mayo, celebrates local gardens and horticulture throughout the region. Broadcaster Tommy Marren will perform the official launch ceremony.
Later that day, visitors can take part in a free Orienteering Adventure event celebrating World Orienteering Week. Running from 1pm to 4pm, the day will allow participants to learn navigation and map-reading skills while exploring the grounds of Turlough Park.
The event is being organised in partnership with Atlantic Technological University Castlebar campus and Mayo Sports Partnership.
The museum is also continuing its regular guided tours of the National Folklife Collection every Saturday at 2pm and 3.30pm. The tours offer visitors an opportunity to explore the history of Turlough Park House, the Fitzgerald family and the museum’s extensive collection of Irish social and cultural history.
Families are also being encouraged to take part in a special children’s art workshop titled All Kinds of Bears! on Saturday, May 30.
Inspired by the Alaskan brown bear featured in The Murmur of Bees exhibition, the workshop will be led by local artists Deirdre Walsh and Cas McCarthy. The workshop will involve children creating paintings of their favourite teddy bears alongside a parent or guardian.
Completed artworks will later form part of a pop-up exhibition during Cruinniú na nÓg on June 6. Places are limited and advance booking is required.
Also on May 30, the museum will host a dedicated Quiet Hour from 10am to 11am to provide a more relaxed and sensory-friendly experience for visitors.
During the session, lighting and sound levels will be adjusted to create a calmer atmosphere for those who may find busy museum environments overwhelming.
Meanwhile, visitors can continue to explore Róidín, a photography exhibition currently on display in the Courtyard Gallery. The exhibition examines rural Ireland through skateboarding culture and explores themes including resilience, loss, renewal and social change.