From Viking designs, Irish coastal ecosystems to the Irish Revolutionary period and a unique three-legged Irish Chair, there are lots of events to connect your classroom to the Museum in our new virtual schools programme launching this Spring.
This is the fourth specially developed, virtual programme launched by the National Museum of Ireland since traditional class visits to the Museum sites have been restricted due to COVID 19 regulations.
This latest virtual programme of imaginative workshops, online tours and classroom activities means primary and post primary students in classrooms across Ireland can continue to connect with culture and enjoy a meaningful learning experience with the NMI.
- BROWSE ALL ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES FOR PRIMARY LEVEL
- BROWSE ALL ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES FOR POST PRIMARY LEVEL
Some highlights from the programme include:
ARCHAEOLOGY
Primary Schools- Discover the amazing history of the Vikings in Ireland in this live virtual session!
Museum Educators will share videos and use objects from the Museum’s handling collection to shed light on this fascinating period in Irish history. FIND OUT MORE
Engage with Museum educators live in your classroom in these new virtual sessions on Leaving Certificate Art from the NMI - Archaeology. These 40-minute live sessions will explore key Museum objects on the Leaving Certificate Art Specification, representing art periods from the Neolithic to Medieval Ireland. Staff will discuss the name, object type, find location, and date, as well as particular metal-working techniques and key decorative art styles on these objects. FIND OUT MORE
Join Museum staff, archaeologists and scientists, in exhibitions, laboratories, and at archaeological sites and monuments, to discover what archaeologists and museums do, and the archaeology and objects of Early Christian Ireland. This set of resources consists of videos, comic strips and activities for Post-Primary students to use when learning about archaeology and Early Christian Ireland. For information about links to the Junior Cert Curriculum see the Teachers Notes, accessible at the end of the page.FIND OUT MORE
Learn all about the Vikings and the role of Science in Archaeology through these newly created videos by the Education and Outreach Department at the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, and in partnership with the Midlands Science. These videos, designed for primary school audiences give an incredible introduction to the Vikings in Ireland and learning can be extending by utilizing the Viking activity sheets also available on the website. FIND OUT MORE
NATURAL HISTORY
Discover the amazing extinct animals of the Museum in this live virtual session, led by a Museum Educator and beamed straight to your classroom. Your class will be virtually welcomed, and guided through some of the rarest museum specimens, all of which have one thing in common – they are extinct! This is a 45 minute virtual session for 3rd to 6th class pupils at primary level. Book now to avoid disappointment! FIND OUT MOREPrimary level classes (Junior infants – 2nd class) can meet the bears at the Museum from the comfort of their own classroom! Watch a short curriculum-linked video and discover what species of bears from around the world are on display in the unique galleries of NMI-Natural History. In this classroom activity, pupils can make and decorate their very own bear masks using printable templates and get creative with a colouring sheet. FIND OUT MORE
Transition Year students can explore the effects of climate change on Irish coastal ecosystems through the Museum's 3D virtual viewer. Detailed teacher’s notes on featured animal species and associated impacts of climate change are provided, with suggested follow-up classroom activities. These may be used to create classroom discussion and expand upon on the topics of climate change effects and the environment in an Irish context. FIND OUT MORE
DECORATIVE ARTS & HISTORY
Join Museum Educators online and live in your classroom to explore how objects enable our understanding of history in an engaging and interactive workshop. Students will be introduced to key artefacts from the National Museum’s collection, and through a series of fun activities will learn about how to analyse and interpret artefacts and appreciate their importance in shaping our knowledge of past and the people who lived in it. Booking Required. FIND OUT MOREWe are currently trialling this virtual workshop bringing students together with Museum Educators to explore the Irish Revolutionary period. After classes have watched the Museum’s online resource 'Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising' Virtual Tour, or engaged with the 'Irish Wars Factsheets' resource, they can book a 30 minute session with a member of the Museum's Education team for an engaging, informative and thought-provoking discussion proving deeper exploration of the key themes and topics. Students will be able to ask questions, make comments or debate topics which have been raised from engaging with the Museum's online content, as well as tap into the vast experience of our Educators in interpreting our collections. Booking Required. FIND OUT MORE
Join Museum Guides, Educators and Curators for an engaging, informative and thought-provoking look at a significant period in Irish history, through the Museum’s recent ‘Proclaiming a Republic’ exhibition. Available for Primary and Post-Primary levels, this virtual tour focuses on personal stories, in particular those of the lesser-known participants and civilians who were involved in Easter Week, and examines why the rebellion happened, and the immediate aftermath. Included on this page are Teachers Notes, which will guide your class through the film. FIND OUT MORE
COUNTRY LIFE
Join members of the Education Team to find out about Spring customs and traditions and make a St. Brigid's Cross, through a mix of online video and live interaction. Booking Required. FIND OUT MORE
Irish stone bridges span across Ireland, connecting communities and are an important part of our industrial heritage. Find out more about the construction of bridges in a workshop with Makermeet. Learn mathematical and engineering skills to construct a bridge from pencils. A STEAM based workshop involving students working in teams. Virtual - Live. Booking required. FIND OUT MORE
How can the Bookings Office assist with your visit? Read this important information before making your group booking!
If you’re planning a group visit to one of the four sites of the National Museum of Ireland there are many ways the Bookings Office can assist with your booking. We have years of experience in supporting and advising educators and their groups to make the most of their Museum visit, and we are here to help you too!
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All the important information you need for your visit in one place.
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Tailor-made visitor information. Tell us about your group and we'll guide you through what the National Museum of Ireland can offer you during your visit - providing you with the most up to date information on current exhibitions and objects on display, and resources for you to use with your class during your visit.
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Our team can advise you on the available slots for your group, giving you an optimal time & space to explore the Museum.
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We can provide you with information on curriculum-linked resources available to groups for use before, during and after your visit.
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We can advise group leaders on the most up to date guidelines, procedures and required supervisory ratios prior to your visit, so you are prepared and know what to expect on arrival at the Museum
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Even if you’re not able to visit in person, our team can direct you to our website and advise you about the new curriculum-linked online resources and workshops we offer to school/Education groups.
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Although the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History is currently closed to the public for essential building works, we offer a range of new online learning resources and workshops to school/Education groups which a member of our team can advise you on.
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Please note, it is important for all education groups, large and small, to book through the Bookings Office and not through the online ticketing system, to ensure your booking is processed correctly and in line with all current public health and Child Protection guidelines.
Our team is available to assist with your queries Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, by emailing bookings@museum.ie for our three Dublin sites, National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, National Museum of Ireland - Natural History and educationtph@museum.ie for the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life.
- BROWSE ALL ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES FOR PRIMARY LEVEL
- BROWSE ALL ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES FOR POST PRIMARY LEVEL