‘Open the door to heritage’ at the National Museum of Country Life in Mayo
NATIONAL Heritage Week takes place this year from Saturday, August 14, to Sunday, August 22, and the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, is delighted to once again be taking part in this annual initiative.
Celebrating our built, natural and cultural heritage, this year’s theme is ‘Open the door to heritage’ and here are five great events and activities to enjoy at the museum.
1. FREE GUIDED NATURE WALK
From river and lake to meadow and woodlands, discover the wide variety of nature habitats across the spectacular gardens of Turlough Park.
The museum is delighted to launch a new nature tour of Turlough Park to celebrate Heritage Week 2021. Join the museum's tour guides to learn why this 40-acre leafy, green estate just outside Castlebar is not just home to the museum but is also a haven for all kinds of wildlife, tree and plant species.
These tours are offered free of charge and will run from Saturday, August 14, to Sunday, August 22, as follows: Saturday, August 14: 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; Sunday, August 15: 2, 3 and 4 p.m.; Saturday, August 21: 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; and Sunday, August 22: 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
Availability is limited so booking is required. Email educationtph@museum.ie to book your place.
2. CELEBRATE WILD CHILD DAY
Wild Child Day is celebrated as part of Heritage Week on Wednesday, August 18.
This is a special initiative within Heritage Week to encourage kids and families to drop the devices, jump off the couch and get outdoors to explore the heritage in their locality.
The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is the perfect place to enjoy Wild Child Day together. Set within 40 acres of gardens, woodlands and parkland, this expansive site includes a greenway, an adventure playground and a fairy trail. Start the fairy trail at the map point, located just beside the main exhibition galleries.
3. CYCLE ON THE GREENWAY
If you haven’t already cycled or hiked the Castlebar to Turlough greenway, why not put it in the diary for National Heritage Week?
This 10km cycling and walking path links Lough Lannagh in Castlebar to the grounds of the museum. The route is classed as easy to moderate so it is suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.
Bike hire is available from Bikes and Boards at Lough Lannagh or the Bike Clinic at Springfield, Castlebar. Bicycle parking is available in the museum grounds and there is also a great, tree shaded picnic area near the carpark.
4. VISIT AN EXHIBITION
A visit to the exhibition galleries of the museum is a perfect way to enjoy some cultural heritage for National Heritage Week. Admission is free.
There are four floors of exhibition galleries to explore with a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions on display. Permanent exhibitions focus on themes such as trades and crafts, farming, fishing, hunting, the natural environment, home, clothing and traditional customs and festivals. Some temporary exhibitions include Paul Strzelecki: A Forgotten Polish Hero of the Great Irish Famine and Polish Folk Art: Beliefs, Colour and Symbols.
5. ADMIRE A WATERWAY
Water Heritage Day takes place on Sunday, August 22, celebrating how our history and heritage have been shaped as an island nation by the sea and the great Irish rivers, lakes and wetlands. Admire a waterway in your locality in the grounds of Turlough Park.
The Castlebar River flows through the estate and there are some lovely walks and features to see along the riverbank and around the man-made lake and ‘picnic islands’ devised by the Fitzgeralds in the 19th century. Be sure to keep to the paths to enjoy the river and lakeside walks safely.
BOOK YOUR VISIT
In order to facilitate a safe and enjoyable visit, booking is now required for admission to the exhibition galleries at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life. You can book your free ticket at www.museum.ie. Admission to the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park House & Gardens is free.
The exhibition galleries are open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday to Monday from 1 to 5 p.m.