Christmas events at Turlough Park
Turlough Park is gearing up for Christmas with a series of festive activities.
The National Museum of Ireland is inviting people to escape the hustle and bustle and discover some Christmas traditions from yesteryear, through a new programme of events and activities at Turlough Park, Castlebar, this December.
There is plenty to keep visitors young and old entertained throughout the festive season. Families can enjoy a treasure-hunt with a Christmas twist in the Museum galleries throughout December. Pick up a 'Christmas Decorations' activity sheet and clipboard at museum reception and use the clues to find twelve decorations hanging in the displays across three floors of exhibition galleries. Find all of our decorations to complete the challenge and enter a free competition for a special Christmas goodie hamper.
Visitors to the Courtyard will also be able to see a nativity scene brought to life by animals from Kiltimagh Pet Farm. Learn about and meet some of the animals, such as sheep, goats, cows and donkeys, which are featured in the nativity story and other traditions around Christmas time. The live crib takes place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17. See www.museum.ie for further details and event times.
The inspirational Rock'n'Roses Choir will also be performing in the exhibition galleries at 3pm this coming Saturday. The choir members are all cancer survivors and the group take their name from the local cancer support service, Rock Rose House.
The next day, Sunday, December 17, join two of the region's leading choral groups – the Mayo Male Voice Choir and the Cill Aodain Choral Society – for an atmospheric afternoon of Christmas carols in the exhibition galleries from 3pm. Admission is free and no booking is required.
Synge & Byrne Café is open in the Courtyard throughout with some festive specials including a 'Merry Berry' hot chocolate, mulled tea and gingerbread latte. Visitors can also shop a unique range of books, gifts and crafts in the museum shop.
Each season has its own special appeal in the award-winning, biodiverse gardens of Turlough Park. Enjoy the quietude of winter and reconnect with nature in this picturesque demesne. There is a network of walkways through 40 acres of formal Victorian gardens, 18th century parkland and woodland. The Castlebar to Turlough Greenway is also an option to enjoy the outdoors along a 10km mainly off-road route.
For further information on events and activities at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, this December, visit www.museum.ie.
