Moon Week 2009 at the National Museum of Ireland marks the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
To celebrate this and the International Year of Astronomy we are hosting a Moon Week from Saturday 19th July to Saturday 25th July in Collins Barracks. Events will include a special presentation entitled Shake, Rattle and Roll: What it really felt like to watch men leave for the Moon.
Younger children can come along and make their own solar system from 2pm to 4pm in the Discovery Den beside The Dead Zoo at Large exhibition.
Catherine McGuiness, Education & Outreach Assistant at the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History, is part of the team behind Moon Week. She commented that “This event gives our visitors the chance to relive a space shuttle launch, build their own solar system, see a piece of the moon and handle meteorites - Moon Week is not to be missed!”
Other talks are based around the exhibition Planet Earth- Our Place In Space which includes displays of a piece of rock brought back in 1972 from the Moon, an Irish tricolour flag brought into space and back, Apollo Mission memorabilia, meteorites and a model Saturn V rocket.
To find out more information about any of these events, email the Education and Outreach Department at the National Museum of Ireland or telephone 01 6486 453.
For further press information please contact:
Maureen Gaule/Elizabeth Evensen
Marketing Department, National Museum of Ireland
Tel: 01 – 677 7444 Mob: 087 2075133
Activities related to Moon Week 2009 are part of the International Year of Astronomy in Ireland
The activities are based around the exhibition Planet Earth, Our Place In Space. This includes a piece of Moon rock gifted by the People of the United States of America in 1973. Also on exhibition is an Irish tricolour flag brought to the Moon. Apollo Mission memorabilia, meteorites from the National Museum collections and a model Saturn V rocket complete the story.
Using High Definition pictures and some ear-splitting sound effects, “Shake, Rattle and Roll” recreates the launch of Apollo 11 like you have never seen, heard or felt it before. Broadcaster Leo Enright, who was three miles away from the launch pad during the Apollo launch, will introduce each presentation.
Please be advised that the presentation for Shake, Rattle and Roll includes loud noise and therefore is not suitable for Children under the age of 12, or for those of a nervous disposition.
Admission and Events at the National Museum of Ireland are Free
Opening Times: Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm /Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm/Closed Monday (Including Bank Holidays)
Full information at:
www.museum.ie/en/exhibition/list/planet-earth-dead-zoo.aspx
Moon Week Schedule Listings
Sunday 19th July
2pm – 4pm
Moon Week: A Hundred Thousand Stars Age 6+
Come into the Discovery Den and make your own solar system! No booking needed: drop in event.
Sunday 19th July
2.30pm to 3pm and 3.30pm to 4pm
Moon Week: Shake, Rattle and Roll! Age 12+
Using High Definition pictures and some ear-splitting sound effects, broadcaster Leo Enright recreates the launch of Apollo 11 like you have never seen, heard or felt before. No Booking Needed
Wednesday 22nd July/Thursday 23rd July & Saturday 25th July
2pm – 4pm
Moon Week Inspectorium! It Came from Outer Space…All Ages
Join Geology curator Matthew Parkes in the Discovery Den to look at meteorites that are billions of years old.
No Booking Needed
Saturday 25th July
12pm – 12.30pm
Moon Week: Adult Gallery Talk Age 14+
Geology curator Matthew Parkes presents a walk & talk through Planet Earth – Our Place in Space in the Riding School.
No Booking Needed – places limited to 30