Announcing their January programme, The National Museum of Ireland are christening the New Year with a whole host of seasonal and special events.
Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks
On Jan 6, join renowned storyteller Nuala Hayes in the Museum’s Out of Storage Gallery to hear stories and tales that reflect this special day in January, Nollaig na mBan, or Little Christmas and the coming of the Three Wise Men. Hayes’ stories will include Cailleachaí Sliabh na mBan (The Fairy Hill’s on Fire), The Three Gifts and a story from Norway called The Devil’s Handmill. Adults and children of five years and older are welcome. Admission is free. No booking is required though places are allocated on a first-come basis.
Then, later that day, see the Armagh Rhymers, one of Ireland’s most celebrated folk theatre ensembles, for their seasonal performance at Collins Barracks. Take part in this annual tradition and watch them sing, act, make music, dance, tell stories and act the clown, dressed in costume and beautifully crafted masks of flax, willow and straw. This January they will once again give voice to a tradition that dates back 2,500 years. Again all ages are welcome and admission is free with no booking required. However places are allocated on a first-come basis.
Meanwhile on January 13, the museum will host a free introductory tour to learn about the history of Collins Barracks from the 1700s to the present day. Featuring highlights of the Museum’s military history and decorative art exhibitions, places are allocated on a first come basis 15 minutes before event.
Museum of Archaeology, Kildare Street
Aimed at ages six and up, in their Paper Puzzles event solve the Museum of Archaeology’s mystery January 5 and help piece together some objects from the building’s collection including the Ardagh Chalice and the Loughnashade Trumpet. This is a free drop-in activity with no booking required, located in the Learning Resource Room.
Museum of Natural History, Merrion Street
From Jan 1-31, step in out of the cold and drop into the Museum of Natural History to try its Winter Activity Trail. Aimed at families, like the Museum of Archaeology’s event, this is a drop-in activity with free admission.
Taking place outside of the Museum is the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS in Ballsbridge, Dublin from January 10-12. Visit on the last day and see the National Museum of Ireland at the Geological Survey Ireland stand in the Eco Zone. There one can meet with museum staff to learn about, Jurassic Skies – When Dinosaurs Took to the Air, a new natural history exhibition at Collins Barracks.
Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park – Mayo
All through January in Mayo, Turlough Park Travellers’ Journey will explore the rich culture, traditions and crafts of the west of Ireland Traveller community. This free exhibition aims to encourage discussion and appreciation of the unique heritage and ethnicity of Travellers.
At the same time, Turlough Park also will host exhibition The Enemy Within – the Spanish Flu in County Mayo 1918-19. The free event will explore the folk medicines and rudimentary cures used by the public to combat the flu epidemic. It will be on Level A in the Museum of Country Life until April 2019.
Meanwhile on Jan 12 in Turlough Park, Mayo Genealogy Group will be giving out free practical tips for all those interested in finding out about their family history.
Check out the museum’s site for more information and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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