Museum Of Country Life
This award winning Museum Of Country Life in Mayo is home to the National Folklife Collection which represents traditional life in Ireland throughout the nineteenth and early twenthieth centuries. Fascinating artefacts deal with domestic life, agriculture, fishing and hunting, clothing and textiles, furniture and fittings, trades and crafts, tranport, sports and leisure and religion.
Set in the spectacular grounds of Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, the Museum treats visitors to a taste of how our ancestors lived their daily lives, in both difficult and joyful times.
In addition to self guided and guided tours, there are traditional games, activity and clothing carts, handling collection, reading area, activity worksheets and much more for the family to use and enjoy during their visit.
Museum Of Country Life Events
See Calendar of Events for details of temporary exhibitions and ongoing programme of events.
Museum Activities
The Education and Outreach department offers a range of scheduled activities in the Calendar of Events programme that are suitable for families. Adults and children are encouraged to experience these activities together, which can greatly enhance the experience. Activities developed specifically for children include the Summer Schools and the regular Saturday Club. Many visitors prefer to self guide the Museum and use the Activity and Resource Rooms that are stocked with art materials and computers. A Traditional Games Box is available to borrow during your visit and can be signed out from Reception.
Museum Of Country Life Guided Tours
Public tours of the Museum are available on a daily basis. Further details available from reception.
Group tours are also available on a daily basis. This service is generally free to educational groups and children under 16. Groups must book in advance by contacting the Booking Office. There is a nominal fee for tours though this service is generally free to educational groups and children under 16. Please contact the Bookings Office for details : Tel 094 903 1751; educationtph@museum.ie
Self Guided Visits
When choosing to self guide the galleries as a family, a visit to the Audio Visual theatre offers background information on the Museum, Folklife collection and the traditional way of life in the past. The film is approximately 20 minutes long and is suitable for all ages. Floorplans in many languages are available at the reception desk along with information on any temporary exhibitions that may be taking place. Exhibits are labelled bi-lingually (English & Irish) and there are information panels to explain the themes of the displays. Interactive technology, video footage and recordings enhance the visitor experience and aid overall understanding of the exhibitions.
Traditional Games ‘Young And Old Come Out To Play'
A box of traditional yard and street games with rules and instructions is available to borrow during your visit. Playing games is an ideal way to have fun together as a family. Please ask at reception if you want to borrow the games box or pre-book by contacting the Bookings Office. Tel. +353 94 9031751 . Alternatively, a one-hour workshop can be arranged for groups of eight or more
Opening Hours At The Museum
Admission to the Museum is free
The Museum opening hours are:
- Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm
- Sunday 2pm-5pm
- Closed Mondays (including Bank Holidays), Christmas Day and Good Friday
Museum Of Country Life Facilities
- Free car and coach parking
- Museum shop and café
- Audio-visual room
- Activity and resource rooms.
- All Museum buildings are wheelchair accessible
- Daily guided tours.
- Groups must book guided tours in advance.
Parenting Facilities
- Baby changing facilities are located in the disabled toilets by the Information desk in the Museum galleries.
- It is possible to take pushchairs/strollers around the Museum galleries as it is fully accessible with lifts and ramps.
- Highchairs are available on request in the Museum café.
- The Museum café is a breast-feeding friendly location.
The Museum Shop
Broad range of specialist books and Museum branded and handcrafted gifts to suit all budgets. Further details from the Museum Shop : 094 90 31767 or email shoptp@museum.ie
The Museum Cafe
Visit the Museum cafe for a wide range of tasty and seasonal meals and snacks. Enjoy the freshly baked produce and speciality teas and coffees. The perfect complement to your museum visit . For queries and bookings contact the Museum Cafe : 094 928 9972; Email: maeve@brambles.ie
Directions To Museum Of Country Life In Mayo
By Car
The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life is located just outside Turlough Village, on the N5 just four miles east of Castlebar. Free car parking is available onsite.
Approximate distances to the Museum from:
- Dublin: 240km
- Galway: 80km
- Sligo: 80km
- Limerick: 170km
- Knock Airport: 40km
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Kids Activities In Mayo