Discover Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, make a Samurai inspired helmet; answer questions on nature in spring; or learn all about butterprints. Check out some of our fun filled activities to keep the family entertained this midterm break.
We are open at three Museum sites in Dublin and Mayo so be sure to schedule in a visit over the midterm break for a great day out for all the family to enjoy.
We are open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday and from 1pm to 5pm on Sundays and Mondays. Admission is free.
Here are some of our top events for you and your family to enjoy this midterm.
Spring Into Action Virtual Quiz (online)
NMI - Natural History
11am, Tuesday, 22 February
Families
It’s spring and all of nature is busy – building nests, looking after young or finding food after a long winter’s sleep. Follow this online trail as we explore the museum together using the 3D Virtual Visit and find out more about the animals you’ll see in action this spring. The links to view the online trail on YouTube or Facebook will be made available here at 11am on Tuesday, 22 February.
OutWest's Art Competition - OUTing the Past Ireland 2022
NMI - Country Life
Closing Date, Monday, March 7th 2022,
All Ages
As part of OUTing the Past Ireland 2022, the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life and OutWest, would like to highlight the Artists within our community. We are calling for Artists to create a piece of art of their choice with the LGBT+ History as a theme. To participate, please, make sure to read our Art Competition’s Terms & Conditions, and fill out the following Entry Form where you will be able to submit your artwork. Closing date for entries is the 7th of March 2022.
Meet a Geologist
NMI - Decorative Arts & Histoiry
Friday, 18 Feburary
Drop in to Down to Earth - Exploring Ireland's geology at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & HIstory and meet a geologist. With the support of our partners in this exhibition, the Geological Survey Ireland, a geologist will be on site in the Down to Earth- Exploring Ireland's Geology exhibition who can answer your geology questions related to geology.
Ogham Code Activity Sheet (online)
NMI - Archaeology
Suitable for Children 7 - 12 years old
Ogham writing is the earliest form of writing found in Ireland. Download and print out this activity sheet to learn more about Ogham and use it to write your own Ogham inscription. To find out more about Early Medieval Ireland and Ogham Stones take a look at the Museum's Treasury exhibition.
How to Make a Thaumatrope with Paper Panther (online)
NMI - Decorative Arts & History
Families
Let your imagination go and develop your artistic skills in this fun step by step tutorial, creating animations inspired by Museum objects from the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Art & History collections. We are joined by Paper Panther, an award-winning animation studio specialising in stop motion and known for their unique visuals and use of materials, storytelling, and love of classical animation techniques. In this step by step tutorial, Paper Panther will teach you how to create an optical animation toy, a thaumatrope. One of the simplest types of animation.
Butterprints Pop-up Talk (online)
NMI - Country Life
Families
If you’re missing some of our guided tours, have a listen and uncover more information about selected objects in the Museum's collections. Enjoy this pop-up talk with Museum educator Tom Doyle about the butterprint, a handmade wooden object used to impress an image on homemade butter.
Wordsearch: Signs of Spring (online)
NMI - Natural History
Suitable for Children 7 - 12 years old
It’s spring and all of nature is busy – building nests, looking after young or finding food after a long winter’s sleep. Download and print this wordsearch and have fun finding a range of words related to animals you might see or hear during springtime in Ireland. Discover what the fox cubs have been eating for the dinner!
Viking Runes Activity Sheet (online)
NMI - Archaeology
Suitable for Children 7 - 12 years old
Uncover the secret runes of the Vikings and use them to name and decorate a Viking sword. Download and print out this activity sheet and learn more about the Norse Runic alphabet used by the Vikings. Use the Runic alphabet to design and decorate your own sword. To find out more about the Vikings in Ireland visit the Viking Ireland exhibition at NMI - Archaeology.
Make a Samurai Inspired Helmet (online)
NMI - Decorative Arts & History
Families
Museum guide Renata Pekowska will show you how to make a bird helmet inspired by the Samurai Armour on display in the Out of Storage Gallery at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Art & History Museum, Collins Barracks.
3D Virtual Visit
NMI - Natural History
The National Museum of Ireland regrets that the Natural History site on Merrion Street, Dublin 2, will be closed to the public until further notice to facilitate ongoing works. To make a virtual visit to one of the four floor levels of the museum, just click on one of the four 3D Showcases below. These take a short time to load and are then best viewed at full screen.
Egyptian Hieroglyphs Activity Sheet (online)
NMI - Archaeology
Suitable for Childre 7 - 12 years old
Explore how the Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics to write and learn how to write your name like an Egyptian Pharaoh. Download and print our ‘Egyptian Hieroglyphics’ activity sheet to learn more about writing in Ancient Egypt. The Ancient Egyptians used a type of writing called hieroglyphics, which is a type of writing made up of symbols instead of letters. Learn how to write your name in hieroglyphs inside a cartouche, just like an Egyptian Pharaoh.
Make a Paper Basket (online)
NMI - Country Life
Families
Design your own paper basket inspired by the rush basket in our handling collection and the baskets on display in the Museum’s exhibition. Join artist and Museum guide Renata Pekowska to learn how to make a paper basket in this step-by-step video tutorial.