The National Museum of Ireland has just launched an exciting fun-filled programme of trails, tours and creative workshops for all the family to enjoy over the October Midterm break.
From creating your own spooky Halloween masks and exploring what life was like in Viking Dublin to interactive storytelling and outdoor adventure trails, there’s something for everyone to enjoy across our Museum sites in Dublin and Mayo.
In the traditional Irish calendar, the festival of Samhain on the first day of November marked the start of winter. Like most Irish festivals, the main celebrations took place on the eve of the day itself - in this case Oíche Shamhna on 31 October. The day is now widely celebrated as Halloween in Ireland, and in many countries around the world, with lots of feasting, games, tricks and treats.
Check out some of our top events and activities taking place to mark Halloween and the Midterm break, from the Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin to reconnecting with traditions and customs in Co Mayo.
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Halloween Mid-Term at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Friday, 31 October | 11:00 - 13:00 | Families | Drop-In
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 2
All treats, no tricks in this drop-in family mask-making workshop. Taking inspiration from the curious objects in our galleries, design and build unique faces or characters using a variety of techniques and materials. Then, wear your creation for Halloween!
Friday, 31 October - Sunday, 2 November | 14:00 & 15:30 | All Ages | No booking required
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 2
Find out about the trials and tribulations of life as a soldier living in the Barracks from the 1700s until the late 1900s, with a focus on (ill-) health, as well as the transition from one of Europe’s oldest occupied Barracks into one site of Ireland’s National Museum.
Saturday 25 October - Sunday 2 November | 14:00 & 15:00 | All Ages | No booking required
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 2
Discover Collins Barracks this October with free guided tours celebrating Irish history, architecture, and culture. From spooky stories to revolutionary tales, there’s something for everyone—no booking needed!
Halloween Mid-Term at the Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks
Saturday, 25 October, Thursday, 30 October and Saturday, 1 November | 11:00 - 13:00 | Families | Drop-in
Dead Zoo Lab, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
This mid-term, bring the family along to the newly opened Dead Zoo Lab and join a short activity to learn about our favourite objects in the handling collections.
Throughout the October midterm
Natural History Online
Is it a tiger? Is it a wolf? No, it's a thylacine! The thylacine, also sometimes called the Tasmanian tiger or Tasmanian wolf, is a marsupial that lived in Tazmania. Watch the short video below with ISL (Irish Sign Language) to learn about this elusive predator and what happened to the last thylacine, who was called Benjamin.
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Halloween Mid-Term at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday | 14:30 - 16:30 | Families | Drop-in
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Enjoy some drop-in crafting activities inspired by all things Halloween with artists Lindsay McConnell and Isolde Dingerkus on Wednesday, 29 to Friday 31 of October. No booking required.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday | 13:00, 13:45, 14:30 & 15:30 | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Learn all about some of our spookiest museum objects with curator and storyteller, Hannah Gallagher. Tours start at Museum reception. Each tour will be announced by reception. No booking required. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Saturday, 25 October to Sunday, 2 November | Families
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Go on a Halloween adventure through the gardens and woodland of Turlough Park this Midterm to see if you can find Scarecrow Jack hiding in the woods.
Saturday, 25 October to Sunday, 2 November | Families
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Pick up a free activity sheet at Museum Reception to find our scary Halloween masks hiding in the exhibitions. When you are finished your object hunt, be sure to bring your completed activity sheet to Reception to enter a free draw for our spooktastic Halloween hamper!
Saturday, 25 October to Sunday, 2 November
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Did you know many of our modern Halloween celebrations are inspired by our ancient Celtic traditions? Learn more at the Halloween display in the Museum - including a special 'Out of Storage' display of spooky homemade masks from the National Folklife Collection.
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Halloween Mid-Term at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Wednesday, 29 October | 14:00 - 16:00 | Families
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Find out about life in Viking Dublin by visiting the Learning Resource Room at the Museum to see some replica Viking Artefacts!
Thursday, 30 October | 10:30 - 12:30 | Families
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Explore the lives of Viking warriors and their swords at this drop-in workshop. Craft and decorate your own mini paper Viking sword and mark it with a secret message in Viking runes to take home with you.
Halloween midterm treats at Synge & Byrne | Turlough Park & Collins Barracks
Crunchy leaves, warm mugs & fluffy jumpers – autumn is in full swing at Synge & Byrne. Pumpkin spice latte, warming chai & creamy pumpkin soup served with homemade wheaten bread, there’s something to suit all tastebuds. Stop by, warm up & have a little happy moment at Synge & Byrne
- BROWSE: Upcoming events at the National Museum of Ireland
- READ: Ghost turnips, the púca, fortune-telling and evil abductions...how our ancestors inspire our Halloween celebrations today
- WATCH: Traditions and customs of Halloween/Samhain
- TOP THINGS: To do in Mayo for the Halloween Midterm break