Celebrate Heritage Week at Mayo's Museum of Country Life
THE National Museum of Ireland - Country Life is taking part in National Heritage Week, which runs from August 17 to 25. This is an annual Heritage Council initiative celebrating Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage.
This year’s theme is ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’ and invites communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions, academics and enthusiasts to build awareness about the value of heritage and support its conservation.
The museum has a number of events taking place. Here are five tops things to attend. See www.museum.ie for further details.
WORKSHOP: Fun, Biodiversity and Art
Join environmentalist Catherine O'Beirne and artist Cas McCarthy from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, to explore the grounds and create art in response to The Murmur of Bees exhibition.
Participants will take part in a guided walk through the grounds and then create a nature inspired artwork. This is a free event, suitable for adults and children. Booking is required at BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or telephone the bookings office on (094) 9031751.
DEMONSTRATION: Basket making
To celebrate basket making and its long tradition, join master basket maker Joe Hogan as he demonstrates making a ciseog from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 17. Joe has been making baskets since 1978 and provides a depth of knowledge on traditional basket types. This is a bilingual event. No booking is required.
TOUR: Irish Folklife Collection
Join a free guided tour at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, to learn more about the Irish Folklife Collection and the history of the Fitzgerald family of Turlough Park, with a focus also on the art and craft of basketmaking.
No booking is required - first-come, first-served.
COMMUNITY EVENT: Story Sharing Workshop
Turlough Archaeological and Heritage Society are inviting people to come along to the courtyard workshop rooms from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, for an evening of story sharing and reminiscing.
This event has come about as an output of the Turlough Action Plan that is being developed by Abarta Heritage on behalf of Turlough Archaeological and Heritage Society. It is an opportunity for people to hear about the work being undertaken, share stories and recount memories about times past in the area.
Admission is free. No booking is required.
TALK: The History of Beekeeping
The museum is hosting a day-long programme of talks and demonstrations exploring the topic of beekeeping with the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations (FIBKA) from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 24.
The programme begins with a short video presentation about St. Gobnait and The Murmur of Bees exhibition followed by a demonstration with the Mayo Beekeepers Association. FIBKA will showcase some historical records before a talk on the History of Beekeeping in Ireland. Admission is free but booking is required.
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.