New photography exhibition at National Museum of Ireland in Mayo

The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life at Turlough Park, Castlebar, Mayo, is set to host a range of exhibitions, family activities and special events over the coming weeks.

From a photography exhibition celebrating the meaning of home and belonging to a fascinating glimpse into Ireland's sporting history, there is plenty for visitors of all ages to discover.

Portraits of Home is a new photography and audio exhibition exploring what it means to call a place home. Now on display on Level B of the exhibition galleries, the exhibition shares the voices and experiences of people living in Mayo. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds, with some born in the county and others having arrived from elsewhere. Many share the experience of building a home in Mayo while maintaining connections to another place. The project was supported by Westport Family Resource Centre and funded by the National Integration Fund.

Younger visitors are also being encouraged to get creative with the launch of a new activity booklet, My Favourite Object. The free, drop-in activity invites children to explore Ireland's National Folklife Collection, searching the galleries to find their favourite artefact. They can then discover more about their chosen object through a series of fun and creative activities. Booklets are available from Reception during museum opening hours and are suitable for children of all ages.

Genealogy enthusiasts will have an opportunity to uncover fascinating stories from the county at Mayo Lives from the Archives, taking place on Saturday, November 14, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Organised in association with the Mayo Genealogy Group, the annual series of talks will showcase research into the lives and experiences of Mayo people, including new insights from the 1926 Census returns.

Ann Leydon and Patricia Conway will explore the untold stories of Mayo's revolutionary women as they navigated life in the Irish Free State, while Bernie Courtney will discuss the 1939 UK Register and its importance in Irish genealogical research.

Admission to the event is free, but places are limited and advance booking is required. Further information is available at museum.ie or by emailing [email protected].

Sports fans and history enthusiasts can also discover the story behind one of Ireland's most recognisable sporting trophies through a temporary display of a 19th-century Ardagh Chalice replica.

The beautifully crafted silver chalice, on display on Level A, was made by silversmith Edmund Johnson in 1897-98. It is a replica of the famous Ardagh Chalice, whose design provided the inspiration for the Sam Maguire Cup.

Meanwhile, visitors can step back into the sporting and social culture of 1950s Ireland with Ready, Steady, Go! Soapbox Dreams in 1950s Ireland.

On display on Level B, the exhibition features a soapbox car that competed in local and national derbies during the 1950s. These events attracted huge popularity and drew thousands of spectators, offering a fascinating insight into an often-overlooked chapter of Irish sporting history. Recently donated to the National Folklife Collection, the car is now going on public display for the first time.

Admission to the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, including Turlough Park House and Gardens, is free.

The exhibition galleries are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday to Monday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.