Discover the domestic, commercial and medicinal uses of trees and plants on a woodland walk with Lorna Elms of the Education & Outreach Department.

The 19^th Century 185-kilometre, Ennis to Claremorris route has been closed since 1976. Join Colmán Ó Raghallaigh as he discusses the history and re-opening of the line.

Sunday 10^th

Listen to Padraic McAvock, amateur MET station operator and local fisherman, who explains the methods of reading, measuring and recording weather signs.

Join John O’Flanagan manager of the MET Office in Knock for a presentation on the evolution of modern weather forecasting techniques in MET Éireann.

Mills, Ancient & Modern by Norman Campion, Chairman, the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland. Afterwards view a model mill constructed by model maker Suse Reibisch.

Tuesday 19^th - Friday 22^nd 10.30am-12.30pm

Join Kevin Clarke of Clarke’s Salmon Smokery as he discusses smoked foods, preservation of foods & afterwards try a sample of smoked produce.

Fancy a game of Hopscotch? Have fun playing traditional games with Brendan McDonnell from the Education & Outreach Department. Afterwards enjoy a picnic in the garden.

When worried or in despair people often turn to powers outside themselves for support. Join curator Anne O Dowd to explore these miracles, amulets & talismans.

Talk: Cursing Stones and Holy Water: Faith or Extraordinary Popular Delusion?

Author Joe Mc Gowan, explores ancient beliefs, customs and superstitions. Do any traces remain, are they relevant today or have they been completely displaced by Christianity?

In the summer people collected various berries to make jam and preserves. Bring your own jams and recipes and taste the different samples with Jean Beattie. All ages

Talk. Irish Stone Walls & Buildings

Join Patrick McAfee, stonemason and author of 'Irish Stone Walls' as he looks at how stone structures were built and how they should be looked after today.

Author & lecturer Patrick O’Connor evokes the sense of fair and market day and explores this whole cultural world from origin to near end.

During the fishing season flies were tied to mimic real ones using an array of feathers. Watch local angling guide Michael Tiernan demonstrate this process.

Join Graham Williams, local ghillie or angling guide as he tells us about the traditions of fresh water fishing and afterwards demonstrates casting methods.

Join Cecil Jackson & Robert Bourke as they thresh the sheaves using flails, winnow and grind the grain to produce flour ready for baking.

Watch Melanie Lorien demonstrate the custom of making Harvest Knots. These were given traditionally as a love token. Make your own for somebody special.

Heritage Week Music and Crafts (see below for further details)

Heritage Week Music and Dance (see below for further details)

Turf was stacked against the house gable, where it provided a protective warmth even before the turf was burnt. Join Seamus O’Donnell as he demonstrates this. All ages

Join John Cunningham lecturer & author of "A town tormented by the sea, Galway 1790-1914" as he discusses Galway’s maritime economy in the 19^th Century.

Join curator Anne O Dowd as she discusses hiring arrangements and work organisation, how seasonal and temporary workers adopted several methods to find work.

Booleying, the movement of cattle from a permanent lowland settlement to summer pasture. James Kilbane explains the characteristics and related developments of this practice in Achill. 

Our regular programme of guided tours of the exhibitions and the House Building Project continues. A general guided tour of the museum is available Tuesday to Saturday at 12.00pm and on Saturday and Sundays at 3.30pm. More frequent tours are available at peak times.

Art and craft workshops and demonstrations including basketmaking, weaving, spinning can be arranged.

A range of traditional games are available for you to borrow during your visit to the Museum. Full instructions are available with the games.

"European Heritage Days" is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union in which over forty countries participate each year. Its main aims are to promote awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage. In Ireland we celebrate a full week of events. The National Museum of Ireland County Life join in this celebration with a full programme of events including the following:

Traditional Crafts Demonstrations: Spinning, Basketmaking, Rushwork and Bee-keeping

Music Performance: 2.30pm- 4.00pm: Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

Join Austin Mc Tiernan, Water Diviner, to find out about water divining. Afterwards explore the grounds to find underground water and other aspects of divining.

Ever tried the brush dance? Join- Clann Uí Chuinneagáin (Cunningham family) from Connemara and try sean nós jigs, reels and the brush dance. Local musicians John Chambers and Bernice Connolly will perform on the day. All ages welcome.