Spring at the National Museum of Ireland in Turlough Park
There is lots to do for young people at the National Museum of Ireland in Turluogh Park this spring.
Join keeper of the National Folklife Collection at the Museum of Country Life Turlough Park, Clodagh Doyle, for a Valentine's Day talk to learn all about matchmaking, marriage and the folk traditions in between.
The celebration of St Valentine’s Day is a modern construct, but love and marriage customs have traditionally played a significant role in Irish society. Find out more from 2pm to 3pm on Saturday, February 14, at the museum. â¯â¯Admission is free. Booking is required by email at BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or telephone 094-9031751.
Meanwhile, 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 at museum.ie.
Join Michael Chambers from Wild Nephin National Park for a special Spring Midterm talk at 3pm on Saturday, February 21. 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.
View a unique selection of antique veterinary objects now on display on Level B of the exhibition galleries. The exhibition came about through a partnership between the National Museum of Ireland and the Veterinary Department of Mayo County Council, which established a collection of veterinary objects in the Irish Folklife Collection. The selection of objects provides visitors with a closer look at the work of vets in Ireland in times gone by.
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.
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.
In 2025, the Luisne artists collaborated with art facilitator Noreen Lydon and guest mentors Michael Gannon and Ruby Staunton, to explore the rich tapestry of Celtic mythology. The result is Celtic Tales by Warrior’s Hand - a compelling collection that celebrates imagination and heritage. The exhibition is on display until 10 March 2026.
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park House and 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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