Mayo museum set for eventful midterm period

Midterm at the Museum 

Be sure to schedule a visit to the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park, Castlebar, for some spring midterm fun. Discover four floors of award-winning exhibition galleries, a Victorian Gothic house, the café and gift shop in the courtyard, an adventure playground and even a Greenway cycling route, for a great day out for all of the family. Best of all, admission is free. Here are five top things to enjoy this midterm. Find all the information you need to plan your visit at www.museum.ie.

1. Spring Midterm: Nature walk

Enjoy a fun and educational spring nature walk at Turlough Park at 10.30am on Thursday, February 19. Join a museum educator for this 'Spring Spotting: Family Walk and Craft' event, to explore the grounds in search of early signs that the growing season has begun. Along the way, learn about some of the plants and trees traditionally used in Irish homes. The event concludes with a hands-on nature craft activity, giving participants the chance to create and take home their own artwork made from natural materials. Booking is available now via museum.ie.

2. Spring Midterm: Ice Age animals

Join Michael Chambers from Wild Nephin National Park for a special Spring Midterm event at 3pm on Saturday, February 21. Participants will learn about the ancient animals that walked our valleys thousands of years ago and discover how our landscape has changed since the end of the last Ice Age. The event is suitable for children aged seven years plus and booking is available on museum.ie.

3. Meet Beir Bua

Come along to the National Museum at Turlough Park to meet the impressive Beir Bua – a brown bear on display as part of the ongoing exhibition, The Murmur of Bees.  Bears have long been associated with bees and honey and one of the ancient Irish names for a bear is milchobur (honey-lover). The female bear from Alaska has pale brown fur and is mounted standing on her hind legs, with long claws outstretched towards the visitor. Brown bears once roamed throughout Ireland but became extinct here thousands of years ago. Find out more on Level A of the exhibition galleries at Turlough Park.

4. Colourful art in the Courtyard Gallery

Visit a new exhibition of art celebrating stories, symbols and Celtic myth on display now in the Courtyard Gallery (next to the café). The exhibition has been developed by the Luisne Art Project - a nationally recognised and highly successful arts initiative for people with disabilities, based in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. In 2025, the Luisne artists collaborated with art facilitator Noreen Lydon and guest mentors Michael Gannon and Ruby Staunton, exploring the rich tapestry of Celtic mythology. The result is Celtic Tales by Warrior’s Hand - a compelling collection that celebrates imagination and heritage.

5. Greenway excursion

Combine a visit to the National Museum of Ireland with a scenic Greenway cycle for a great day out for all of the family. The Castlebar to Turlough Greenway means Museum visitors can start their day with a cycle from Lough Lannagh, Castlebar, along a 10km, mainly off-road riverside route, all the way to the grounds of the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park. Bicycle parking is available. Bring along a packed lunch for the picnic area in the woods or enjoy a sweet treat at the café in the Courtyard.

Museum opening hours

Admission to the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park House & Gardens is free. The exhibition galleries are open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday to Monday from 1pm to 5pm.

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