Bealtaine is a month long arts festival held annually each May featuring performances, exhibitions, discussions, workshops and readings across reland to celebrate culture and creativity as we age.
The National Museum of Ireland is participating once again in this engaging initiative with a range of events from the power of poetry to discovering how to write in Insular Majuscule.
The theme this year is 'Lust for Life' - inspired by the Iggy Pop classic hit.
Here are some of our highlight events taking place across all four sites of the National Museum of Ireland throughout May:
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Bealtaine Workshop: The Art of Irish Calligraphy with Tim O’Neill
Friday, 16 May | 10:30am - 12:30pm | Adults
Saturday, 17 May | 10:30am - 12:30pm | Adults
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
This workshop will start with a tour of the Museum, exploring life in Early Medieval Ireland, the arrival of Christianity, and the introduction of writing. Tim O'Neill will then demonstrate how to write in Insular Majuscule. Participants can handle replica artefacts related to calligraphy, including vellum, quills, and inks, for a hands-on experience. FIND OUT MORE
Online Video Series: Rediscovering Ancient Crafts
In May 2023, the Education and Outreach Department at the National Museum of Ireland at Kildare Street held drop-in workshops featuring experimental archaeologists. They showcased replica artefacts from the Museum's handling collection. You can now enjoy highlights from these workshops at home, as the archaeologists share the stories and skills behind the objects that connect us to our past. FIND OUT MORE
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Poetry Day Ireland - Poetry Trail Launch
Thursday 1 May | 12.30pm | Adults
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Celebrate National Poetry Day with us on Thursday, 1 May at 12.30pm for the launch of OnSight 2024/25: Silent Objects/Spoken Lives—a brand-new poetry trail inspired by the Irish Folklife Collection. Experience the power of poetry through readings and a panel discussion with renowned poets Geraldine Mitchell, Martina Evans, and Sean Borodale, along with light refreshments. FIND OUT MORE
'I Ran Through Briars' - Bealtaine Poetry Workshop
Friday, 2 May | 2pm | Adults
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Join poet Martina Evans for a special Bealtaine workshop designed for older adults to explore memories and the themes of youth, change, leaving and work. Admission is free, but spaces are limited. FIND OUT MORE
HEARTH Documentary Launch
Friday, 2 May | 12noon | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Join Minister Dara Calleary TD for the launch and screening of a new documentary on Hearth – Art for Older People at Home on Friday, 2 May at 12 noon. This documentary showcases the benefits of in-home art workshops for older adults. Hearth, founded in 2009 by artists Deirdre Walsh and Breda Mayock, connects professional artists with older people in County Mayo to promote creativity and well-being. FIND OUT MORE
Clew Bay Garden Trail Launch Event
Saturday, 24 May | 11am | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Biologist and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna will be the special guest speaker for the official launch of this year's Clew Bay Garden Trail at 11am on Saturday, 24 May. The Clew Bay Garden Trail is an annual open garden initiative organised by a group of voluntary gardeners in the west Mayo area. FIND OUT MORE
National Museum of Ireland, Merrion Street - Online
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Watch Back: Insects in the City
About 11,500 different insect species have been discovered in Ireland. What six-legged insects live in our cities? Join Entomology Curator, Aidan O’Hanlon, for a short online talk on the six-legged neighbours living in our cities! FIND OUT MORE