Turlough Park – Autumn/Winter 2026 programme of free curriculum-linked tours and workshops.

Inspire learning beyond the classroom at Turlough Park with the autumn/winter 2026 schools programme

The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park, Castlebar, is inviting teachers to spark curiosity and inspire hands-on learning with an engaging new programme of free curriculum-linked tours and workshops. With both primary and post primary level options, the autumn/winter 2026 schools programme spans a broad range of topics and all activities are offered free of charge to schools.

Students can discover traditional Irish life through the Top10 Highlights Tour of the National Folklife Collection, explore biodiversity on a Seasonal Nature Tour, or step back in time with an online Time Travellers workshop about researching your family history.

Turlough Park also celebrates Ireland’s rich storytelling tradition with Winter Folk Tales, while creative seasonal workshops such as Traditional Christmas Decorations explore customs and crafts inspired by Museum collections. Irish-language schools can also enjoy dedicated guided tours through Irish.

STEM learning takes centre stage with an innovative Maths Week workshop about binary numbers and patters while Science Week sees the return of the popular online Tour of the Solar System, led by scientist Declan Holmes.

Set in a beautiful heritage landscape in the heart of Co. Mayo, Turlough Park offers a unique opportunity for pupils to learn through exploration, discovery and hands-on participation. With expert facilitators, inspiring collections and free admission, it’s the perfect destination for an educational day out.

All Primary Level Workshops

• Binary Numbers: From Patterns to Pixels
  Thursday 15 October at 11.00am-12.00pm
• Time Travellers: Exploring Family History Through the 1926 Census
  Wednesday 4th or Thursday 5th November 2026 at 10am – 11am or 11.30am – 12.30pm
• Storytelling: Winter Folk Tales
  Thursday 5 & Friday 6 November at 10am to 11am or 11.30am to 12.30pm
• Science Week: Tour of the Solar System
  Tuesday 10 & Friday 13 November at 10am – 11am | 11.30am – 12.30pm | 1pm – 2pm
• Calendar Customs: Traditional Christmas Decorations
  Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 December at 10am to 11am | 11.30am to 12.30pm
• Turais stiúraithe i nGaeilge
  7 Deireadh Fómhair, 4 Samhain, 2 Nollaig, 10.00 agus 11.30uair
• Guided Tour: Seasonal Nature Tours
  10:00 and 11:30, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
• Guided Tour: Top 10 Highlights of the National Folklife Collection
  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10am and 11:30am

All Post-Primary Level Workshops

•  Time Travellers: Exploring Family History Through the 1926 Census
  Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November, 10am – 11am or 11.30am – 12.30pm
• Turais stiúraithe i nGaeilge
  7 Deireadh Fómhair, 4 Samhain, 2 Nollaig, 10.00 agus 11.30uair
• Guided Tour: Seasonal Nature Tours
  10:00 and 11:30, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
• Guided Tour: Top 10 Tour: Highlights of the National Folklife Collection
  10am or 11:30am, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
• Science Week: Tour of the Solar System
  Tuesday 10 or Friday 13 November, 10am – 11am, 11.30am – 12.30pm, 1pm – 2pm
• Transition Year Programme
  February 2027

How to Book

Visit museum.ie or select a workshop or tour below and use the ‘Book Now’ button to access the online bookings system. Teachers can also contact BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or telephone (094) 90 31751.