Mayo museum curator featured on Nationwide special on ‘Making a Currach’
AN online exhibition is available on the National Museum of Ireland's website about the process of making a traditional Irish currach, as featured in the recent Nationwide special on RTÉ One.
The content of the exhibition was recorded by the National Museum of Ireland in 1968 on the island of Inisheer, off the coast of Co. Galway.
Noel Campbell, curator at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, spoke to Nationwide about why the museum set out to record the then vanishing craft of traditional currach building with Michael (Mikey) Conneely.
The associated online exhibition featuring archive photography and film is available to view on https://www.museum.ie/en-ie/home. The Nationwide programme is also available to watch back on the RTÉ Player.
St. Brigid’s Day programme
Keep an eye out on the museum’s social media platforms and website for the upcoming range of events celebrating St. Brigid as her feast day approaches on February 1.
St. Brigid’s Day marked the beginning of spring in the traditional Irish calendar and was an important festival for our rural ancestors.
It ushered in a new season of hope and growth after a long, dark winter and there are a number of interesting customs associated with this feast day.
The museum is celebrating St. Brigid this year with a programme of craft workshops, displays and talks with museum curators. Events are free but booking is required.
Follow the National Museum of Ireland on social media or visit www.museum.ie for further details.
The Keep Well Glass Quilt
View a striking glass artwork by 50 makers from across the island of Ireland, on display now in the Landlord’s Library in Turlough Park House.
A Breath of Fresh Air - The Keep Well Glass Quilt was undertaken by members of the Glass Society of Ireland during the third wave of Covid-19 and subsequent 12 weeks of lockdown. Themes include nature, poetry, textiles, patterns, mental health, air and emotional responses.
8km fun run and walk
The Museum of Country Life is delighted to host the much-anticipated return of the Turlough 8km run, organised by Mayo Mental Health Association and Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA Club, in partnership with the NMI - Country Life and Mayo AC. The event takes place at 12 noon on Sunday, February 12, and is open to young and old alike.
The organisers are encouraging people to run, jog or walk and are also continuing the virtual element for those further afield, which has proven to be a huge success during Covid times.
Monies raised will go to supporting Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin GAA Club and funding different community projects and mental health initiatives for Mayo Mental Health Association.
Register to take part through the Event Master platform - www.eventmaster.ie.
Museum opening hours
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.