Uncover the secrets of interlace, knotwork and spirals used to decorate early medieval Irish manuscripts and objects during this drop-in workshop.

Have you ever wondered how craftspeople created intricate interlace and knotwork designs used to decorate early medieval manuscripts and treasures like the Ardagh Chalice? Using workshops inspired by Timothy O’Neill’s book The Irish Art of Calligraphy, published by the Royal Ireland Academy, learn the ‘secret method’ of creating interlace, knotwork and spirals. Afterwards, don’t forget to the visit the ‘Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe’ exhibition to see the manuscripts on loan from the Abbey Library of St. Gall, Switzerland.
 
If you would like to find out more about Early Medieval Ireland, check out The Treasury exhibition, Glendalough; Power, Prayer and Pilgrimage exhibition, and the Words on the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe exhibition, and, our range of resources for at home or in the classroom in our Museum at Home section.
 
No booking required. Located in the Learning Resource Room, First Floor. Not wheelchair accessible. This workshop is for families. 

What is a Drop-In Workshop?
Drop-In Workshops take place in the Learning Resource Room (first floor) or the Kildare Room, (ground floor) at the Nation Museum of Ireland. These workshops are designed with families and children in mind. Each drop-in session takes place over two hours and features an activity that will take about 15-30 minutes to complete. There is no booking required, and you can take part in the activity at any time, and for however long you wish. The activities that take place includes seeing and handling replica objects, colouring, or, a ‘make and take’ craft activity. Every activity is inspired by artefacts and exhibitions in the Museum.

For full details of our list of Drop-In Workshops and events, please see our Event Calendar. Please do make note of where the drop-in is taking place before you arrive as the Learning Resource Room is not wheelchair accessible.