Buzzing summer events and activities at Mayo Museum this June
From greenway excursions and genealogy sessions to guided tours and special exhibitions, visitors invited to explore Turlough Park this summer
The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park, Castlebar, has unveiled a packed programme of events and activities for the summer season, offering visitors opportunities to explore culture, heritage, history and the outdoors.
Museum visitors are being encouraged to combine heritage and outdoor activity by taking advantage of the Castlebar to Turlough Greenway. The 10km mainly off-road riverside route stretches from Lough Lannagh in Castlebar to Turlough Park, following the scenic Castlebar River through woodland and countryside settings.
Cyclists can make use of bicycle parking and picnic facilities at the museum grounds, offering an ideal day out for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Those interested in tracing their roots are invited to attend the next monthly Mayo Genealogy Group session on Saturday, June 13, from 11.30am to 1pm. Held in a friendly and informal setting, the session welcomes new members and no booking is required.
The voluntary group offers practical advice and guidance for beginners and experienced researchers alike, helping participants take the next steps in uncovering family stories and historical records.
A special talk on the life and legacy of Sr Ignatia Gavin, a Mayo-born emigrant who played a significant role in the early development of Alcoholics Anonymous in the United States, will take place at 3pm on Friday, June 26. Admission is free, with booking available online.
Known as the “Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous,” Sr Ignatia helped pioneer addiction treatment approaches in 20th-century America.
The event is organised by the Sisters of Charity of St Augustine and the Sister Ignatia Gavin, CSA Center for Addiction Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, which is due to open later this year.
Visitors can also discover the highlights of the National Folklife Collection through free guided tours every Saturday at 2pm and 3.30pm. No booking is required, with places available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The tours provide insight into museum objects, folklore stories and the history of the Fitzgerald family of Turlough Park, while also showcasing the architecture and gardens of Turlough Park House.
One of the museum’s most eye-catching attractions this summer remains Beir Bua, a mounted brown bear featured in the exhibition The Murmur of Bees.
The female Alaskan bear stands upright with claws outstretched and explores the historic relationship between bears, bees and honey in folklore, including the ancient Irish name for a bear — milchobur, meaning “honey lover”.
The exhibition also highlights the fact that brown bears once roamed Ireland before becoming extinct thousands of years ago.
Meanwhile, visitors can still explore Róidín, a photography exhibition currently on display in the Courtyard Gallery beside the café. The exhibition examines rural Ireland through the perspective of skateboarding, exploring themes including loss, dereliction, resilience and renewal.
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park House and Gardens is free. Exhibition galleries are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday to Monday from 1pm to 5pm.