O Come, O Come to Collins Barracks and get into the Christmas spirit at the National Museum of Ireland for a special day of festive fun!

Watch stained glass artist Róisín de Buitléar create sparkling snowflake designs, join in hands-on crafts to make your own snowy masterpieces, and discover winter wildlife in our ISL-interpreted Footprints in the Snow Natural History session.

Sing along with the Glória LGBT+ Choir, take a seasonal Eat, Drink and Be Merry tour, and follow the Past and Presents trail to uncover festive stories throughout the Museum!

The Museum is open from 13:00 - 17:00, and throughout the day you can follow our selection of activity books and trails available at reception.

🎨 Footprints in the Snow - ISL Interpreted Family Drop-In

🕐 13:30 - 15:30
📍 Dead Zoo Lab

Join us for a fun and creative winter-themed drop-in session where you can make your own greeting card featuring a deer or polar bear and their footprints in the snow! Alongside the craft, you'll get hands-on with fascinating objects including a real red deer antler, a replica polar bear skull, and animal footprints.

An Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter will be present throughout the event to ensure it's accessible to all. No booking required - just drop in and get creative! This event is also fully wheelchair accessible.

🍽️ Eat, Drink and Be Merry! A History of Food and Drink Tours

🕐 14:00 and 15:30
📍 Museum Reception

Feast your eyes on the Museum's collections and discover some of its most famous food-related artefacts on our Eat, Drink and Be Merry tour. Join Museum guide Declan as he takes you on a journey through the history of food and drink, exploring stories behind objects that reflect how people have celebrated, nourished, and gathered over the centuries.

Booking not required, limited spaces allocated on a first come, first served basis. Tours are also fully wheelchair accessible.

🎨 Snowflake Studio: Hands-on Family Craft Workshop

🕐 14:00 - 16:00 (last entry 15:30)
📍 Palatine Room

Join us for a magical winter-themed craft workshop where creativity meets sparkle! Renowned stained glass artist Róisín de Buitléar will be on site, dazzling visitors with live demonstrations of her shimmering snowflake designs. Families are invited to take part in a hands-on paper snowflake craft activity. Using simple materials and guided instructions, children and adults alike can create their own snowy masterpieces to take home and  display proudly. This festive workshop promises a flurry of fun and seasonal cheer. No booking requeired, just drop in and let your imagination snowball!

Free of charge, limited spaces allocated on a first come, first served basis. Last entry to workshop at 15:30. This event is also fully wheelchair accessible.

🎶 Christmas Carolling with the Glória LGBT+ Choir

🕐 14:45 - 15.15 and 15:30 - 16:00
📍 Museum Reception

Join us for a heartwarming performance of Christmas carols by the Glória LGBT+ Choir. This festive performance brings together beautiful harmonies and joyful spirits to celebrate the season. This event is also fully wheelchair accessible.

🖊️ Family Museum Trail

🕐 Throughout the day
📍 Museum Reception

But wait, there’s Myrrh! At reception, don’t forget to pick up a ‘Past and Presents’ Christmas Trail to explore the Museum, discovering more about gift giving throughout history! For more information, contact bookings@museum.ie or call 01 648 6453.