We are so lucky in Ireland to have 4 fabulous museums that form the National Museum of Ireland, three in Dublin; Decorative Arts & History, Natural History and Archaeology, and one in Mayo; Country Life. And even better, they are FREE to visit! They have Free Activities and Family Events running in October and some Super Spooky events planned for mid-term break and Halloween!

National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7

Open House Junior: “The place where me and things belong together” Exploring Home Workshop

Sat 17th October 2-4.30pm

This fun and creative family event is part of Open House Dublin and is inspired by household artefacts from the Museum’s collection, from the everyday to the extraordinary! Join artist and architect Blaithín Quinn on a short tour in the Museum, including the ’Eileen Gray’ galleries, then create your own sculptural object to explore a personal meaning of ’home’.

Admission free but booking required.
Workshop – Families with children 6-12 yrs

Mid-term Workshop: Go Wild at the Museum!

Fri 30th October 11.30am – 1pm

Calling all adventurers! Head to the Far East to explore the Museum’s amazing collection of Japanese netsuke with Lisa Flanagan. Netsuke are tiny toggles, used like buttons and often carved as animals or masks. Discover the folklore and stories around these beautiful objects and then have a go at making your own mask or netsuke to bring home!

Booking required, 2 euro contribution towards materials per child.
Workshop – Families with children 6 – 12 yrs

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology , Kildare Street, Dublin 2

Open House Junior: At Home with the Vikings

Sat 17th October – 11am-12pm

Discover the archaeological evidence about Viking houses and life in Dublin over 1,000 years ago.

Booking required, email educationarch@museum.ie or call 01 648 6332.
Workshop – Ages 9+

Super Horrible Helmets

Tue 27th October 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

Drop-in and meet armourer and archaeologist Dave Swift to see the different types of combat helmets worn by the bold and the brave in medieval times and inspect the weapons that the helmets were designed to combat. Afterwards, draw your own helmet that you think would best suit a medieval warrior.

No booking required, drop-in. Not wheelchair accessible.
Drop-in Activity – Ages 7+

Creepy Cauldrons!

Wed 28th October 2.30-3.30pm

Join Museum Educators Jennifer O’Mahony and Trisha Ryan, to take a look at some of the eeriest cauldrons in the Museum’s collection. Make your own creepy cauldron to take home if you dare! Ages 6+.

Places are limited and booking is required, contact educationarch@museum.ie or phone 01 648 6334. Partially wheelchair accessible.
Drop-in Activity – Age 7+

Scary Stories: Mini Viking Gods, Heroes, Baddies and Brutes!

Thu 29th October 2.30-3.00pm

Join Niall de Búrca, live, for mighty tales of Gods, heroes, baddies and brutes. Niall has performed to audiences all over the world in places as diverse as Tehran, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires and Bucharest and his motto is: Níor bhris focal maith fiacal riamh!…A good word never broke a tooth! Viking costumes optional! This event will take place in the Viking AV Theatre, first floor.

No booking required, places will be allocated on a first come basis. Suitable for ages 4 to 9.

Even Scarier Stories: Terrifying Tales of Legendary Vicious Vikings!

Thu 29th October 3.30-4.30pm

Do you dare join Niall de Búrca, live, for terrifying tales of Viking Gods, heroes, baddies and brutes? Join him for this special Valhalla’ween performance in the atmospheric setting of the Museum’s Viking AV room. Niall’s motto is: Níor bhris focal maith fiacal riamh! A good word never broke a tooth! This event will take place in the Viking AV Theatre, first floor.

No booking required, places will be allocated on a first come basis. Suitable for ages 10+

National Museum of Ireland – Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2

Scary Skulls Halloween Inspectorium

Tue 27th October – 11am-1pm

Drop into the Discovery Zone and get up close with some of the largest teeth and scariest skulls in the animal kingdom. All ages.

No booking required, drop-in. Wheelchair accessible.
Drop-in Activity

Scary Skulls – Halloween Inspectorium

Wed 28th October – 11am-1pm

Drop into the Discovery Zone and get up close with some of the largest teeth and scariest skulls in the animal kingdom. All ages.

No booking required. Wheelchair Accessible.
Drop-in Activity.

The Horrible Halloween Zoology Tour

Sat 31st October 10:30am & 12pm

Learn about all the horrible zoology this Halloween at the Dead Zoo, including the secret your pet rabbit doesn’t want you to share!

No booking required. Not wheelchair accessible.
Tour – Ages 7+

National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, County Mayo

Knitting circle: Winter Knits

Fri 16th October – 11am-1pm

Join the museum knitters to make your own Winter Woolies. Start a new project or get help finishing an old one! Exchange ideas and tips. Learn a new skill for life. Beginners welcome. Adults and children 7yrs+

No booking required.
Drop-in Activity

Upcycled Costume

Wed 28th October 2-4pm

Join artist Mark Rode to use recycled materials and the Museum as inspiration to come up with your own spooky salvaged and reconditioned costume.

Booking required.
Workshop – Adults & Children 7yrs+

Upcycled Masks

Thu 29th October 2-4pm

Join artist Mark Rode to use recycled materials and the Museum as inspiration to come up with your own spooky salvaged and reconditioned mask.

Booking required.
Workshop – Adults & Children 7yrs+

Details of all events on www.museum.ie.