MUSEUM EVENTS August 2016

Temporary Exhibition: The Hoard & the Sword: Echoes of the Vikings in Mayo
This exhibition explores the discovery of a hoard of silver bracelets from Cushalogurt, Kilmeena, and a Viking sword found in the River Moy at Coolcronaun. This is the largest horard of silver arm-rings found in Ireland and the sword is a fine example of late 10th century craftsmanship. These objects give evidence of Mayo's Viking Heritage. Exhibition continues until June 2017

Temporary Exhibition: On Sight Art Trail 2016
Explore the Museum grounds and view the varied and engaging art works of On Sight 2016 - an art trail around the grounds of Turlough Park. The installations remain installed until September 2016. The theme of the trail is ‘1916'. On Sight is a collaboration between the Museum of Country Life, Mayo County Council Arts Office, Mayo Arts Squad and professional artists.

Crafternoons
Thu 4th Aug. 2-4pm. Drop-in Activity for Family.
In association with the RDS Craft Winners exhibition come along and join the members of the Education team for an afternoon of traditional crafts and fun. No booking required.

Knitting & Crochet Circle: Summertime Knits.
Fri 5th Aug. 11am-1pm. Drop-in Activity for Adults & Children 7yrs+
Would you like to learn a new skill this summer? Whether you are an enthusiast of a beginner, come along and join the group to share skills & patterns as well as a bit of craic! Beginners welcome. No booking required.

Crafternoons
Thu 4th Aug. 2-4pm. Drop-in Activity for Family.
In association with the RDS Craft Winners exhibition come along and join the members of the Education team for an afternoon of traditional crafts and fun. No booking required.

Mayo Genealogy Group
Sat 13th Aug. 11.30am-1pm. Drop-in Activity for Adults
If you have an interest in finding out about your family history come along for free practical tips with the Mayo Genealogy Group. No booking required. New researchers welcome.

Performance: ‘'Hairy Jaysus''
Sun 14th Aug: 2-3pm. Adults
One of the most tragic figures killed during the Easter Rising was the pacifist, feminist and socialist Francis Sheehy Skeffington, who suffered a summary execution by a deranged British Officer. The award-winning playwright and actor, Donal O'Kelly - one of Ireland's most acclaimed theatre practitioners - has crafted a new one man 50 minute play, ‘'Hairy Jaysus'', which examines Francis Sheehy Skeffington's legacy as viewed through the eyes of a Dublin street beggar today. This event is a rare opportunity for an Irish audience to see O'Kelly's performance of ‘'Hairy Jaysus'', which opened in New York in April 2016. Booking required: 094 9031751/ educationtph@museum.ie

Writing the Past: An Afternoon in Conversation with Dermot Bolger & Donal O'Kelly.
Sun 14th Aug. 3.45-4.45pm. Adults.
A reading of Dermot Bolger's poem, The Stolen Future - about those children who lost their lives during the Rising. Bolger will then interview Donal O'Kelly about his career as a writer deeply engaged with social and historical issues and themes. This will grow into a general discussion with the audience about the process of writing about the past, while making it resonate with modern day life. Booking required: 094 9031751/ educationtph@museum.ie

Crafternoons
Thu 18 Aug. 2-3pm. Drop-in Activity for Family.
In association with the RDS Craft Winners exhibition come along and join the members of the Education team for an afternoon of traditional crafts and fun. No booking required.

Knitting & Crochet Circle: Summertime Knits.
Fri 19th Aug. 11am-1pm. Drop-in Activity for Adults & Children 7yrs+
Would you like to learn a new skill this summer? Whether you are an enthusiast of a beginner, come along and join the group to share skills & patterns as well as a bit of craic! Beginners welcome. No booking required.

Heritage Week: Open Day
Wed 24th Aug. 11.30-4pm. Demonstrations. All Ages
Join Kevin Barton and Christy Lawless for a day of heritage events to celebrate Heritage Week.

11.30am: Heritage Week: Schools Heritage Project
A display of work of Parke, Mayo Abbey and Ceathrú Thaidhg national schools documenting their local heritage and investigating their past. The project is supported by the Heritage Council.

12pm-1pm. Kite and pole photography Demonstration.
Kevin Barton will demonstrate techniques used in modern non-invasive archaeology. See how kite and pole photography can help in the interpretation of the historical landscape.

2pm-4pm: Geophysical Survey Demo.
Does Turlough Park have an Ice-House? Join Kevin Barton and Christy Lawless as they investigate the existence of this feature on the grounds of Turlough Park using geophysical survey techniques. Local community and school groups are welcome to come along and help out and discover if this ice house exists.
No booking required.

Heritage Week: Donkey Day ‘Working the Donkey'
Thu 25th Aug. 12pm-4.30pm. Open Day. Families.
The team from Sathya Sai, Sligo Horse & Donkey Mayo Sanctuary, Kiltimagh and Irish Donkey Welfare Organisation, are all back! Come along and meet the donkeys: help groom them, see how their hooves are trimmed and watch as they are harnessed and ready for work. Join us for lots of games, demonstrations and information. No booking required.