The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life is delighted to be taking part once again in National Heritage Week.
This is an annual initiative by the Heritage Council that brings together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions, academics and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage and support its conservation.
It runs from Saturday to Sunday, 13 to 21 August and the theme this year is sustainable heritage in all its forms.
Check out our special Heritage Week events below and be sure to schedule in a visit to the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park, Castlebar.
'Native Nature' Biodiversity Day
Learn about Mayo’s biodiversity action plan; go on a native plant scavenger hunt; or discover the skill of seed saving at our special Heritage Week event called Native Nature: Why it’s important and how we can help. This daylong programme of nature and biodiversity themed talks and demonstrations runs from 11.30am to 5pm on Saturday, 20 August. Speakers and guests include Mayo County Council’s heritage officer Deirdre Cunningham; educator and conservationist Celia Graebner; educator and insect specialist Dr Karina Dingerkus; and the Education Team from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Admission is free. No booking required. FIND OUT MORE
Beneath | Beofhód in the Courtyard Gallery
See a new exhibition of photography exploring the bogs of the Irish midlands, and the culture around them - on display now in the Courtyard Gallery (next to the Museum café). Beneath | Beofhód, by Shane Hynan, draws on the themes of tradition and modernity and how they overlap in modern Ireland. Bogs are intrinsic to the cultural identity of the Irish midlands through decades of peat harvesting for employment, and centuries of turf cutting for domestic fuel. These activities however have led to significant depletion of peatlands and in recent years legitimate environmental concerns have resulted in pressure to preserve the remaining bogs. Although this body of work records the end of an era, as Ireland’s working relationship with bogs transitions towards conservation, it is also a metaphorical exploration of Ireland, society and self. FIND OUT MORE
Daoine agus Áit: Connecting our Communities
Visit a temporary exhibition showcasing a special heritage postcard project by the members of the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN) on Level A of the exhibition galleries this Heritage Week. Daoine agus Áit: Connecting our Communities will be on display from Tuesday to Monday, 16 to 22 August. During the Covid-19 pandemic, members of iCAN worked together to create a heritage postcard collection on the theme of 'people and place'. Since then, the postcards have traversed the globe raising awareness of our rich built, natural and cultural heritage and ‘connecting our communities’ at home and abroad. Their community-centred work is showcased in this special exhibition. Admission is free. No booking required. FIND OUT MORE
Postcard Competition
Visitors to the Daoine agus Áit: Connecting our Communities exhibition can also enter a postcard competition to be in with a chance of winning a €50 voucher to spend online at the Museum Shop. Simply select your favourite postcard, write on the back of the card why it stands out for you and post it in the competition post box. FIND OUT MORE
Public Tour: National Folklife Collection
Enjoy a guided tour of the exhibition galleries and Turlough Park House and Gardens for National Heritage Week. Journey back in time and marvel at the innovation and endurance of our rural ancestors through the National Folklife Collection. Learn about the Fitzgerald family who lived here and the architectural style of Turlough Park House and Gardens. FIND OUT MORE
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park House & Gardens is free. No booking is required for general admission. The exhibition galleries, café and shop are open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday to Monday from 1 to 5pm.