Celebrate St. Patrick’s Weekend at the National Museum of Ireland

Step into Ireland’s rich past this St. Patrick’s Weekend with a wide range of tours, talks, trails, and workshops for all the family to enjoy across our Museum sites in Dublin and Co Mayo. 

From ancient hand bells to the origins of St. Patrick’s Day traditions, explore the stories, symbols, and customs that have shaped Ireland’s culture and heritage. All events are free and no booking is required.

Please Note: There will be no Festival Hub at Collins Barracks for the St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin 2025. However, you can still enjoy a fantastic lineup of free tours, talks, and activities at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, throughout the weekend.

Out of Storage: St Patrick's Crosses

Throughout St Patrick's Weekend 
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo 
Children made and wore St Patrick’s Day badges in folk tradition. These circular badges incorporated the cross of St Patrick, and there are many colourful examples in the National Folklife Collection. See a selection of eight 'St Patrick's Crosses' or badges, which have been taken out of the storage and put on special display to celebrate St Patrick's Day. FIND OUT MORE

TOUR: Museum, House and Gardens

2pm & 3pm | Saturday 15 March | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo 
Join a Museum guide for an engaging and informative tour of the Museum Galleries, Turlough Park House and Woodland Gardens. FIND OUT MORE

CRAFT STATION: Make your own St. Patrick's Badge

2pm - 4pm | Saturday 15 March | Families
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Have a go at making your own St Patrick's Badge similar to those in our collection, using upcycled and recycled materials. This is a self-guided activity with resources supplied by the National Museum of Ireland - Turlough Park. FIND OUT MORE

St. Patrick's Weekend at Collins Barracks

15 - 17 March | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Join us from 15 to 17 March at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks for tours, hands-on history, and creative workshops. Explore Irish symbols, discover famous exports, and let kids craft their own ‘Pot of Gold’ in a fun clay workshop. All events are free but some require booking. FIND OUT MORE

GUIDED TOUR: Not Just Shamrocks: Irish Symbolism in the Museum's Collections

2pm & 3.15pm | Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 March | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 
Take a tour with our Museum guides to explore the fascinating range of Irish symbols, through objects on display, from the unusual to the everyday. FIND OUT MORE

Exporting Ireland- Sweaters, Ceramics and Pharmaceuticals - Hands on History

2:00 pm -3:30pm | Sunday 16 March | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7.
From pharmaceuticals to clothing, learn about Ireland’s leading exports in a handling session featuring iconic Irish products and people. Join Museum educators for an interactive Hands-on History session exploring Ireland’s history on the global stage. FIND OUT MORE

DROP-IN WORKSHOP: A Chime Through Time; Make an Early Medieval Hand Bell

10.30am - 12.30pm | Saturday 15 March | Families 7+
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Did you know the Museum holds a hand bell believed to have been used by St. Patrick? Join our drop-in workshop to explore the role of hand bells in early medieval Ireland and learn about the life of our patron saint. Using a template and card, you can create and decorate your own early medieval hand bell, inspired by St. Patrick’s. FIND OUT MORE

The Saints and Scholars of Ireland Tours

2pm | Saturday 15 March | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Discover the artefacts associated with the patron saints of Ireland, St. Patrick, St. Brigid, and St. Colmcille, and see what archaeological evidence can tell us about the impact of Christianity to Ireland and which objects demonstrate the development of writing techniques. No booking required. FIND OUT MORE

• READ MORE: Bell of St Patrick and its Shrine

• READ MORE: A history of St Patrick's Day traditions and customs

• READ MORE: Objects associated with St. Patrick from the Folklife Collection

• EVENTS: Seachtain na Gaeilge

• MAKE: Learn How to Make your Own St Patrick’s Badges

Browse more upcoming events at the National Museum of Ireland