The National Museum of Ireland marks International Women’s Day 2026 with a special programme of events that recognises and celebrates the diverse experiences, achievements, and resilience of women throughout Irish history.
Visitors are invited to engage with special tours, talks, film screenings, and exhibitions that showcase women’s influence on social change, community life, craft, and cultural identity.
From the stories of ordinary Irish women in the Changing Ireland galleries, the Irish Folklife Collection and the Viking Ireland exhibitions to the creativity explored in Palimpsest, this year’s programme provides meaningful opportunities to reflect on women’s contributions within Ireland’s cultural heritage.
International Women's Day events takes place across Ireland on Sunday, 8 March #IWD2026
HIGHLIGHT EVENTS:
Tour: Six Dresses: Representations of Women in (a) Changing Ireland
Sunday 8 March | 14:00 & 15:30 | Adutts
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Join Museum Educator Joyce Delaney for a special edition tour, spotlighting six garments from the Museum's Changing Ireland galleries, exploring the experiences of ordinary Irish women through decades of Irish history in the realms of marriage, work, social class and religious subjugation. This tour will include discussions of Magdalene Laundries, institutional abuses, resistance, social justice and self-determination.
Screening and Talk: 'Palimpsest' by Joanna Hopkins
Sunday, 8 March | 14:00 | Adults and Children 14+ | Booking required
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Palimpsest is a film artwork by Joanna Hopkins based on the female body, natural plant dyes, our interactions with place, and the change of use of landscape over time. It is part of a commissioned project by Wilderland 2025 which included a series of natural plant dyes created across two public workshops.
Talk: A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
Sunday, 8 March | 15:30 | Adults and Children 14+ | Booking requiredNational Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Today, over 100 billion new items of clothing are made every year, and in Ireland, clothing and textiles make up 9% of the waste that we throw away. Join curator Hannah Gallagher on a tour through the Folklife collections to find out what we can learn from the resilient women of the past, who clothed themselves and their families in harsh conditions.
HIGHLIGHT EXHIBITIONS:
1. Changing Ireland Galleries
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
To mark International Women’s Day, we are shining a spotlight on the Changing Ireland galleries at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks. This powerful exhibition explore how women’s lives, voices, and contributions have shaped Irish society across generations. A visit to the galleries offers an inspiring opportunity to reflect on progress, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality, while celebrating the stories of women who helped transform Ireland.
2. Irish Folklife Collection
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable stories of Irish women whose resilience, skill, and quiet innovation have shaped daily life across generations—stories beautifully preserved within the Irish Folklife Collections at Turlough Park. From the traditions of home and craft to the evolving roles of women in work, community, and culture, the collection offers a vivid window into how women’s lives in Ireland have transformed over time.
3. Viking Ireland Exhibition
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
In recognition of International Women’s Day, we highlight the significant roles of Viking women in early medieval Ireland. The Viking Ireland exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland at Kildare Street reveals evidence of women who were integral to the functioning and stability of Viking society, serving as capable managers of households, skilled craftworkers, and influential protectors of cultural identity. Through the artefacts they left behind, these women offer a refined understanding of Viking life, illustrating their adaptability, social importance, and the lasting impact of their contributions within a period of profound cultural change.
PIONEERING WOMEN OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND
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Miss Gwendoline Clare Stacpoole
Gwendoline Stacpoole was born on 8 June 1884 at Edenvale House, Co. Clare. She never married and died 27 October 1966. She was the niece and protégée of one of the greatest Irish antiquarians, Thomas Johnson Westropp. Her uncle introduced ‘Gwenny’ to Irish archaeology at a young age and she assisted him in surveying and photographing archaeological monuments around the country. On 16 April 1904 she became a member of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. She remained an active member of the society all of her life. READ MORE
Jane Stephens
This International Women’s Day, take a moment to discover the remarkable legacy of Jane Stephens (1879–1959), a pioneering naturalist who made an indelible mark on the Natural History Museum’s collections. As one of Ireland’s leading female scientists, her meticulous research and dedication to marine biology helped shape our understanding of Ireland’s biodiversity. READ MORE
Violet Powell
The first exhibition of rural life was organised by the National Museum of Ireland in 1937. Aran Island dress formed an important part of that display. The Museum is grateful to Violet Powell who obtained the clothing items for the Museum from the women of Aran. This was a time when all the collectors working for the Museum and the Irish Folklore Commission were male. Violet is seen here dressed in traditional clothes. IRISH FOLKLIFE COLLECTIONS