Museum Highlights

This award-winning branch of the National Museum of Ireland brings to life the traditions of rural life throughout Ireland from 1850 until close to our time. It is home to the Irish Folklife division and houses the national collection of objects representing traditional Irish life. 

The exhibitions, on four floors, focus on customs and festivals, farming and fishing, trades and crafts, life in the home (including furniture and fittings) as well as the clothes made and worn by country people during the period 1850 - 1950. Rare video footage and photography are used to recreate the original settings in which the objects were made and used.

The exhibitions also highlight the importance of Folklife (objects relating to traditional life) and Folklore (intangible aspects of life - stories, myths, and traditional beliefs and practices).

There are also excellent ‘hands-on’ public programmes, which run throughout the year, and consist of art and craft workshops, demonstrations and performances. Groups can arrange a tailored programme for their visit.