The National Museum of Ireland is delighted to present a vibrant new programme of events and exhibitions taking place over the summer months at Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
From poetry and craft displays to outdoor play and even a brown bear, there are lots of opportunities to visit, learn, explore and engage with the National Folklife Collection at Turlough Park. All events and exhibitions are free to attend although booking may be required for some - with full details available on museum.ie. Here are six summer highlights to mark in the calendar!
1. Catching the Cadence (Fully Booked)
Poetry fans are sure to enjoy this atmospheric afternoon of creativity with members of the Turlough Poetry Collective, taking place from 2pm to 3pm on Saturday, 4 July. Several poets from across the west of Ireland will read their works alongside music provided by piper Diarmaid Moynihan. This is a free event but booking is required as spaces are limited. This event is now fully booked. Visit the event listing online to join a waiting list.
2. Boules on the Lawn
The Museum is holding a special day of events to celebrate the simple joy of play on Saturday, 18 July. The first event on the day is a fun, drop-in session from 11am to 1pm all about the game of pétanque - also known as boules. Join members of Castlebar Pétanque Club to learn how to play and have a go at this simple yet strategic game, which originating in early 20th-century France. Admission is free. No booking is required. Find out more
3. Traditional outdoor games
Also taking place on Saturday, 18 July, is a trip down memory lane with some traditional Irish outdoor games. Join Museum educators from 2pm to 4pm to spend time outdoors, get active and connect through timeless games like Queenie I O, Snap the Bacon, Red Rover, and 5 Slates. This event will celebrate the fun of play passed down through generations, delivered in association with Mayo Sports Partnership. Admission is free. No booking is required. Find out more
4. Highlight Exhibitions
Summer 2026 is the last chance to experience the popular exhibition The Murmur of Bees, which explores the rich diversity of Ireland’s bee species. The exhibition features every known Irish bee species, along with nests, insect-related artefacts, and objects from the National Folklife Collection, complemented by engaging stories and insights. The exhibition also presents the unique opportunity to get up close a large brown bear. The striking specimen from the Natural History Collections in Dublin is on display until September 2026.
5. Craft celebration
National Heritage Week returns from 15 to 23 August 2026, and the National Museum is delighted to take part once again in this nationwide celebration of Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage. There is a special event taking place at Turlough Park from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday, 16 August, featuring live demonstrations with basketmaker Tom Delaney; woodworker Eoin Reardon and stonemason Dominic Keogh. Discover the techniques, materials and stories that shaped rural Irish life. Admission is free. No booking required. Find out more
6. Traditional skills talk
Also taking place for National Heritage Week is a talk at 3pm on Sunday, 23 August, with Irish Folklife curator Tiernan Gaffney. ‘Lámha Ciúine: Ireland's quiet loss of traditional skills’ will examine the history of traditional craftspeople in Ireland and the communities that once depended on them. This talk will also look at how the museum is preserving these crafts and supporting the makers who are keeping these skills alive today. Booking is required via museum.ie.
Museum opening hours
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park House & Gardens is free. The exhibition galleries are open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday to Monday from 1pm to 5pm.