Join recently retired Keeper Nigel Monaghan for an online talk on the Irish Elk; make a chair in a workshop with ReCreate artists exploring sustainable design; learn all about biodiversity and seed saving; or think like an archaeologist and solve some of our Viking puzzles! There is so much to see and do for all of the family this Heritage Week at the National Museum of Ireland.
National Heritage Week is an annual initiative by the Heritage Council that brings together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions, academics and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage and support its conservation. It takes place this year from Saturday, 13 August to Sunday, 21 August.
This year, we are delighted to announce that all of our Museum sites are open for Heritage Week. While we are still celebrating the recent re-opening of the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History, please be reminded that due to ongoing works in the upper floors of the Museum capacity is limited and booking is required. You can book your ticket here
Take a look at some of our highlight events happening at the National Museum of Ireland this Heritage Week and be sure to plan your visit to one of our four Museum sites in Dublin and Mayo.
HERITAGE WEEK ONLINE TALK: The Ice Age Giant Deer Megaloceros
1.15pm - 1.45pm, Friday, 19 August, Adults
Join Nigel Monaghan, recently retired Keeper, National Museum of Ireland - Natural History, for a short online talk about the 'Irish Elk' or 'Giant Deer' Megaloceros - Ireland's most famous extinct animal. Booking required. FIND OUT MORE
HERITAGE WEEK: Drop-In Workshop: Viking Artefact Detective
11:30am-1pm, Thursday 18th August, Families 7+
Drop-In to the Learning Resource Room at the Museum and learn how to think like an archaeologist by solving our puzzle. Look and handle our Viking replica artefacts and figure out what they are and how they were used. FIND OUT MORE
MUSEUM AT HOME: Summer Activities with the National Museum of Ireland - Natural History
Monday, 1 August - Wednesday, 31 August 2022, Families
Try out these fun 'Museum at Home' activities this Heritage Week and learn about some of Ireland's marine biodiversity on display at the Museum. Discover all the different marine animals found around the Irish coastline, including some very large whales, dolphins and sharks! FIND OUT MORE
HERITAGE WEEK BIODIVERSITY DAY: Native Nature
Saturday, 20 August, All Ages
Learn about Mayo’s biodiversity action plan, go on a native plant scavenger hunt; or discover the skill of seed saving for National Heritage Week at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Castlebar Mayo. FIND OUT MORE
HERITAGE WEEK: Curator’s Talks for Down to Earth Exhibition
Monday, 15 August - Thursday, 18 August
This is the insider’s guide to the geology of Ireland, how Ireland’s rocks are used as vital national resources, and how geologists assess the range of natural disasters that may, or will, hit Ireland. Talks will be given by Down To Earth’s curators from the National Museum of Ireland and from Geological Survey Ireland. FIND OUT MORE
HERITAGE WEEK FAMILY WORKSHOP: Make a Seat, Take a Seat
1pm & 2.45pm. Sunday, 14 August, Families
Join two family workshops which draw inspiration from the 'Take a Seat' and the permanent Eileen Gray exhibitions at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks. Using furniture design and commonly used materials such as fabric and cardboard, participants will be supposted in experimenting with different building techniques. Booking required. FIND OUT MORE
HERITAGE WEEK EXHIBITION: Daoine agus Áit: Connecting our Communities
Tuesday, 16 - Monday, 22 August, All Ages
During the Covid-19 pandemic, members of the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN) worked together to create a heritage postcard collection on the theme of 'people & place'. This community-centered work is showcased in a special exhibition which will go on display at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life for Heritage Week 2022. FIND OUT MORE
HERITAGE WEEK OUTREACH: Woodstown Viking Site Heritage Day, Co. Waterford
Sunday, 21 August. All Ages
This Heritage Week, the Education and Outreach Department at NMI – Archaeology will be bringing the Viking Handling Collection down to Waterford to take part in the Woodstown Viking Site Heritage Day. There, they will be joined by Déise Medieval, Waterford City and County Council, SETU, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TVAS Archaeology and Abarta Heritage, in a fun filled Viking Day! People will have a chance to try the Museum’s hands-on activity ‘Viking Artefact Detective’ in which people will explore replica Viking objects to figure out what they were, how they were used, and how they were made. Also taking place on the day will be Viking re-enactments and Medieval and Viking crafts, including spinning, leather and coin making, at the Viking Craft Village. FIND OUT MORE
HERITAGE WEEK TOURS: Public Tours, Summer Family Tours & Highlight Tours!
Selected Dates. All Ages
We are delighted that all of our summer public, family and highlight tours will continue throughout August and especially during Heritage Week. Make sure you discover more about your heritage and culture by joining one of our panel of freelane guides for a tour of your favourite Museum. No booking required. FIND OUT MORE
Browse all exhibitions and activities in your area and across Ireland for National Heritage Week 2022 here