Organising Your Visit
The following information will help you to organise an enjoyable and successful visit and should be read before you make a booking. If you don’t find the information that you require below please read the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Bookings Office.
Charges for Education Services
Public Programme activities are free of charge. However, Full Day Courses may require a booking deposit of €20.00.
There is no charge for activities to educational groups who book in advance. For all other groups there is a charge of €40.00 per tour or activity. Where a charge applies, the group leader should ensure that this fee is collected beforehand or arrange for a cheque to be made payable to the National Museum of Ireland.
Groups booked for guided tours and/or activities should arrive in good time. We cannot guarantee a full tour or activity if your group is more than 15 minutes late. Please notify the Bookings Office if you are running late on the day of your visit.
If you wish to cancel a booking or if group numbers change, please notify the Bookings Office as soon as possible. There is no charge for tours or activities for school groups who book in advance. However, groups who fail to notify the Bookings Office at least 48 hours before the visit will be charged €40.00 per tour/workshop
Advice for Teachers
A visit to the Museum will be a much richer learning experience for students if some preparatory work is done in the classroom prior to a visit. If possible, teachers/group leaders should arrange a pre-visit reconnaissance to familiarise themselves with the exhibitions, plan activities and collect resources.
To aid the Education & Outreach department in delivering a quality service the following maximum number of visitors per tour or activity will apply:
- Infant classes – Tour/Activity: 10 max
- Primary (1st – 6th class) Tour/Activity:15 max
- Post Primary junior cycle & transition year Tour/Activity: 15 max
- Post Primary senior cycle – Tour: 25 max/Activity: 15 max
- Children/Adults with special needs –Tour/Activity: 10 max
- Adults – Tour: 25 max/Activity: 15/20 max
- Foreign Language Groups with pre-intermediate/intermediate language level – Tour/Activity: 15 max
Self Guided Visits
Groups who wish to make a self guided visit are most welcome. We recommend that teachers/group leaders give advance notice of all visits via the Bookings Office. A resource pack is available to help teachers/group leaders in preparation for their visit.
Facilities
Access
All Museum buildings are wheelchair accessible. Toilets for disabled visitors are located in the House complex and Museum galleries. You can find more information about accessibility in the Visit Us section.
Parking
Free supervised coach parking facilities are available.
If your group is travelling by Mini Bus, Bus or Coach, please advise the driver that the entrance to the Museum is quite narrow and caution is needed.
Security
As cloakroom facilities are limited, children should bring as little baggage as possible into the Museum buildings. Purses and other valuables should be kept on visitors' persons during the visit. Please advise the group beforehand not to touch exhibits.
Photography by camera or video is not permitted without prior permission in writing. Permission forms are available on request at the reception desk.
Café
The Museum Café provides special meal deals for schools including healthy eating options. Please contact the café directly on +353 94 92 89972 or email for more information or to make a café booking. We strongly advise that you make a booking for your Museum visit first.
Shop
The Museum Shop stocks an extensive range of books on Irish folk and country life, as well as publications relating to the other Museum sites. Unique art and craft items produced by Irish craftsmen and women are available for sale as well as many smaller items suitable for children.
Supervision
We recommend that there should be one adult for every 15 children/students.
Adults in charge must remain with their group at all times during the visit and be responsible for their behaviour.
We hope that you enjoy your visit.