Visit The Fabric of Society exhibition at Mayo's National Museum
VIEW a new exhibition of paintings by Bryan Gerard Duffy, The Fabric of Society, on display in the Courtyard Gallery (next to the café) at the National Museum of Country Life - Turlough Park from next Monday, October 3.
The exhibition consists of 12 paintings inspired by the patternings of a ‘Jaima’, the traditional tent of the nomadic people of Western Sahara. This body of work is a conversation on the societal challenges of retaining one’s tradition, identity, and ancestral roots in the face of adversity, colonialism, and capitalism.
The series emerged from the award-winning documentary Delivery (2019), which was co-produced by the artist.
The Fabric of Society was supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, Platform 31, Local Arts Ireland, Mayo Arts Council and Artifariti Org.
Folk21
A selection of 21 penal crosses, ranging from the early 18th to the middle of the 19th century, has been taken out of storage and put on temporary display until the end of October.
The display is part of Folk21, a year-long programme to mark the 21st anniversary of the Irish Folklife Collection at Turlough Park, Castlebar.
Penal crosses have been described as one of the few examples of Irish folk art. The crosses were likely carved and sold to pilgrims in the vicinity of Lough Derg, Co. Donegal. The dates carved onto the crosses recorded the year a pilgrimage was undertaken.
They are on display on Level C of the exhibition galleries.
Hearth and Home
Take a look at life inside a traditional Irish home in the permanent exhibition Hearth and Home.
The hearth was central to most activities in the home - providing the family with heat and light - hence the saying ‘home is where the hearth is’.
The regular tasks of cooking and washing, as well as social activities such as storytelling and visiting, all took place around the hearth.
Visitors can also see the types of furniture which would have been found in a typical traditional home. Furniture such as chairs, dressers, tables, chests and frame beds became commonplace from the second half of the 19th century.
Find out more on Level C of the main exhibition galleries.
Join a guided tour
Join a free guided tour of the museum this September to journey back in time and marvel at the innovation and endurance of our rural ancestors.
Guided tours of the Irish Folklife Collection take place at 2 and 3 p.m. every Saturday. The tours also explore the history of the Fitzgerald family of Turlough Park, the neo Gothic house they built here, and the gardens.
Tours start at reception in the museum galleries. No booking is required. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitor information
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park House & Gardens is free. No booking is required for general admission.
The exhibition galleries, café and shop are open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday to Monday from 1 to 5 p.m.