The festive season is well underway at the National Museum of Ireland, with Christmas celebrations continuing throughout December across our museum sites in Dublin and Mayo.
From engaging tours and seasonal storytelling to creative workshops and a live nativity crib, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the National Museum this festive season.
See our key dates and Christmas events at each museum site below and plan your visit to make the most of this special time of year.
Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir!
Collins Barracks Seasonal Events | December & January
11:00 - 13:00 | Selected dates in December & January | Families Ages 7+
The Dead Zoo Lab | National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Bring the family along and join a short activity to learn about our favourite objects in the handling collections.
11:00 - 13:00 | Selected dates in December & January | Families Ages 7+
The Dead Zoo Lab | National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Bring the family along and join a short activity to learn about animals who were alive during the Ice Age.. An interpreter will be present at this event to provide Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.
During Opening Hours | December - Monday, 5 January | Families
National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Join us at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks during Museum opening hours for a self-guided trail exploring artefacts on display that explore the idea of gift giving in the past.
14:00 - 15:30 | Saturday 17th December, 2025 - Thursday 1st January, 2026 | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Round out 2025 with a special series of guided tours at the Museum between Christmas and New Year’s. From Saturday 27th December to Thursday 1st January, our knowledgeable guides will take you on a journey through the most captivating pieces in our collection, sharing stories and insights that bring history and art to life.
Christmas at Kildare Street
Friday, 19 December | 13:30 | Adults & Children 8+
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
To celebrate the rising sun of the Winter Solstice at Newgrange, join our special tour to discover how ancient monuments and archaeological objects are linked to celestial events. Please Note: An interpretor will be present at the 13:30 tour to provide Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.
Friday, 19 December | 12:00 | Adults & Children 8+
Saturday, 20 December | 10:00 & 14:00 | Adults & Children 8+
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
To celebrate the rising sun of the Winter Solstice at Newgrange, join our special tour to discover how ancient monuments and archaeological objects are linked to celestial events. Learn how passage tombs, such as Newgrange, are aligned to the Winter Solstice. Take a look at objects found in Ireland’s tombs and find out how Bronze Age objects, such as lunulae and sun discs, are linked to solar symbols.
Friday, January | 10:30 - 12:30 | Families
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Have you ever wondered how craftspeople created intricate interlace and knotwork designs used to decorate early medieval manuscripts and treasures like the Ardagh Chalice? Using workshops inspired by Timothy O’Neill’s book The Irish Art of Calligraphy, published by the Royal Irish Academy, learn the ‘secret method’ of creating interlace, knotwork and spirals.
Throughout the month of December | Children Age 7-14
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Challenge yourself to complete our Winter Trail activity sheet and discover how Medieval lords, Viking children and Stone Age farmers passed the time and celebrated feasts in winters past. Pick you your trail at the reception of the Museum and see if you can find all of the answer as you wander through the Museum. Don't forget to bring your pencil!
Christmas at Turlough Park | Sunday, 14 and 21 December
13:00 - 17:00 | Sunday, 14 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Join Kiltimagh Pet Farm in the Courtyard to learn about some of the farm animals associated with Christmas traditions and stories.
13:00 - 17:00 | Sunday, 14 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Get into the spirit of Christmas by coming along to the National Museum at Turlough Park for a magical storytelling experience with storyteller Fiona Dowling.
13:00 - 16:00 | Sunday, 14 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Join a Museum Educator to create your own unique Christmas tree decoration on an informal, drop-in crafting session between 1pm and 4pm over two Sunday afternoons on 7 and 14 December 2025.
13:00 - 17:00 | Sunday, 14 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Browse beautiful Christmas crafts from a range of local and regional makers in the Courtyard at Turlough Park
14:00 - 16:00 | Sunday, 21 December 2025 | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
The Mayo Male Voice Choir and the Cill Aodain Choral Society make a welcome return to the Museum for an atmospheric afternoon or Christmas carols and choral pieces in the galleries
Available from Sunday, 7 December 2025, Suitable for families with children aged 5+
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Go on a decoration hunt across three floors of exhibitions for this fun family treasure hunt style activity
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Find the prefect gift in our Museum gift shops
Celebrate the magic of the season with the perfect gift from the National Museum of Ireland gift shops. Explore an inspiring collection of Irish-made crafts, distinctive keepsakes, and beautifully illustrated books—all thoughtfully curated and inspired by our national treasures. Give a gift that tells a story this festive season. Our gift shops are located at Turlough Park, Collins Barracks and Kildare Street. Discover two exquisite new Harry-Clarke–influenced Glass Bauble Christmas Decorations, now available exclusively to buy in our Kildare Street and Collins Barracks stores - FIND OUT MORE
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Celebrate Christmas with Synge & Byrne at Turlough Park & Collins Barracks
After a visit to the museum galleries, take time to unwind with friends and family at Synge and Byrne, where festive treats and hot drinks are served in a welcoming setting at Turlough Park and Collins Barracks.
Check out the festive menu at Synge & Byrne - Synge & Byrne Festive Adventures
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Plan your visit to the National Museum over the festive season
We are closed to visitors at 12pm on Christmas Eve (Wednesday, 24 December); Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December); St Stephen's Day (Friday, 26 December).
Normal opening hours resume from 10am on Saturday, 27 December.
Online resources to enjoy throughout the festive season
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Plan your visit to the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
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Plan your visit to the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
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Plan your visit to the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2