Summer is here and the National Museum of Ireland has a great range of exhibitions, events and activities over the coming months across our four museum sites in Dublin and Mayo.
To help you plan your visit, here are eight of our favourite activities to add to your day trip list!
Admission is free and no booking is required.
1. Look up! See the newely refurbished rotunda entrance at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
Earlier this year we were delighted to reopen the beautiful rotunda entrance at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. The space had been closed for essential building conservation which included stripping back layers of paint to reveal the original timber construction details, replacing glazing, and repairing leadwork to ensure the historic roof lantern is watertight. READ MORE
2. Visit the Silver Spoon Garden at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
Inspired by gardening and the outdoors, Spoon Garden by artist Annmarie Reinhold, is now on permanent display in the Contemporary Collection of Design and Craft exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7. Annmarie was selected by competition to create a piece of work commissioned by the National Museum of Ireland and the Design & Craft Council of Ireland in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This beautiful sculptural work is comprised of vegetable-shaped silver spoons and silver seedlings, each displayed within its own wooden block. FIND OUT MORE
3. Celebrate Maud Delap with a visit to the Wonder Cabinet at the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History
For International Women’s Day 2023, we added a new addition to the Wonder Cabinet - a glass model of a jellyfish made by artist Andrea Spencer that commemorates the 70th anniversary of the death of Maude Delap. Maude Delap, a self trained marine scientist, was the first person in the world to breed jellyfish in captivity and observe their complex lifecycles. She lived on Valentia Island, Co Kerry, and spent her life working in her home laboratory recording experiments on marine-life in home-made sea aquariums. FIND OUT MORE
4. Be inspired by the intricate detail of The Keep Well Glass Quilt at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
A Breath of Fresh Air - The Keep Well Glass Quilt was undertaken by members of the Glass Society of Ireland during the 3rd wave of COVID-19 and subsequent 12 weeks of lockdown. As each piece was added to the artwork, a unique story of a unique time evolved. Testimonies emerged from participants on how this project was critical to their creative process and well-being at a very difficult time. A Breath of Fresh Air - The Keep Well Glass Quilt is on display in the Landlord's Library, Turlough Park House, Castlebar, Co Mayo. READ MORE
5. All about Vikings at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
Who were the Vikings? Where did they travel? When did they invade? The Viking Ireland exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 explores the Viking Age in Ireland through surviving objects. At the centre of the exhibition is a display of finds from the Museum’s excavations in Dublin, the most important Viking site in Ireland. This is one of the finest collections of excavated finds from an early medieval site anywhere in Europe. FIND OUT MORE
6. Explore Barracks Life at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
The Barracks Life room is an interactive space designed to tell the stories of the everyday lives of soldiers living in the Barracks in the 1870s, when it was called the Royal Barrack. Using interactive touchscreen, you can explore a map of the Barracks in the past; find out about the diet and health of soldiers; or learn how to present arms. FIND OUT MORE
7. ONLINE ACTIVITY: Word Search: Sights of Summer
If you can't make it to us for a visit, why not bring the Museum home with an online activity? At the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2, there are lots of animals on display that are common sights during the summer months in Ireland. Have fun finding a range of words related to animals you might see or hear during summertime in Ireland. Did you know Ireland has 35 different types of butterflies? This summer, discover more about the butterflies in your garden! DOWNLOAD in English / DOWNLOAD as Gaeilge
8. Explore the Victorian gardens at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
See summer in full bloom in the beautiful gardens, woodlands and parklands of Turlough Park. Garden features to explore include formal terrace lawns, an ornamental lake, the glasshouse, a Richard Turner vinery, outdoor art, woodland walks, a Greenway route and the adventure playground. FIND OUT MORE