Inspire Curiosity: Plan Your School’s Visit to the National Museum of Ireland Today

As the school year draws to a close, there’s still plenty to explore, learn and discover at the National Museum of Ireland. From self‑guided tours that allow classes to explore at their own pace, to our Summer Provision programme, designed to support inclusive and engaging learning experiences, we’re delighted to continue welcoming schools right through the summer months.

As you prepare for a well‑earned break, we wish all teachers and students a relaxing and enjoyable summer holiday—and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum when schools return in September.
 

• What's on for Primary Schools at the National Museum of Ireland 

• What's on for Post Primary Schools at the National Museum of Ireland

Highlights for PRIMARY LEVEL include:

GUIDED TOUR: Prehistoric Ireland - Stone Age and Bronze Age peoples
Tuesday 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00, Wednesday 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00, Thursday 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
The Prehistoric Ireland guided tour explores the jobs of the archaeologist and historian, and the role of the National Museum of Ireland – Kildare Street. Strongly linked to the National Curriculum this tour focuses on Stone Age and Bronze Age peoples. Pupils will engage with artefacts from Mesolithic fish traps to Bronze Age swords and shields, using key objects from the Museum’s handling collection for a hands-on learning experience.

GUIDED TOUR: The Vikings in Ireland
Tuesday 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00, Wednesday 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00, Thursday 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
The Vikings in Ireland, session explores the three main activities of the Vikings in Ireland Raiding, Trading and Settling, using the Museum’s unique collection of artefacts. Pupils will explore how these artefacts can tell us about Viking burial customs and beliefs, their society and politics, and the new inventions and materials that they brought to Ireland through travel and trade across Europe and the Middle East.

WORKSHOP: Buttermaking
10:00 to 11.20 | Every Thursday in June
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Learn about traditional customs through discussion, demonstration, observation and creative exploration. Discover the tradition of butter making and how to make your own butter in this hands-on workshop.

GUIDED TOUR: Seasonal Nature Tours
10:00 and 11:30, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
(National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo)
Tour the grounds of Turlough Park with an experienced Museum Guide. Find out about nature and biodiversity on a seasonal woodland walk. Discover what trees are on site and how to identify them at different times of the year and then figure out what animals and plants are here and what we can do to protect them. 

SELF-GUIDED VISIT: Resources at the Dead Zoo Lab
Museum opening hours - limited availability!
(The Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7)
Let the Museum and its collections capture the imagination of your pupils with a self-guided visit to the Dead Zoo Lab. Activity sheets are a great way to learn, explore and enjoy the objects and themes of the collections. Describe your favourite animal and become a wild life champion with a curriculum-linked activity sheet.

SUMMER PROVISION Onsite Workshop: Sensory Safari in Silver
For schools participating in the Department of Education 2026 Summer programme and DEIS summer camps
(National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7)
In this sensory creative art & drama workshop students will be introduced to the Museum's Irish Silver collection and learn about mythical creatures of the past. After some object handling and discovering all the different animals hidden in the gallery, students will be challenged to design and create their own imaginary animal.

SUMMER PROVISION Meet & Greet: Dead Zoo Lab Explorers
10:30am & 11.45am, Tuesday 30th June, Friday 3rd July, Tuesday 7th July and Friday 10th July
(The Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7)
Begin your visit to the Dead Zoo Lab with a short Meet & Greet with a Museum Educator. Afterwards, your class will enjoy a free exploration of the Dead Zoo Lab using a creative activity sheet, while the Museum Educator remains available to answer all their curious questions. Includes a close up inspection of the handling collections in the Discovery Zone e.g. real and replica fossils, furs and skulls. 

SUMMER PROVISION Guided Tours​ at Kildare Street
June 30th 10:00am & 11:30am, July 1st 10:00am & 11:30am
(National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2)
Bring your students on a journey through Ireland’s past with our Summer Provision guided tours at the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. Designed for primary school groups, these engaging tours explore fascinating artefacts and stories, encouraging curiosity and discovery through interactive learning experiences. Led by expert guides, sessions are tailored to support a range of learning needs in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

• PRIMARY LEVEL SELF GUIDED TOURS | National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2

• PRIMARY LEVEL SELF GUIDED TOURS | National Musuem of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo

• PRIMARY LEVEL SELF GUIDED TOURS | National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 

• PRIMARY LEVEL SELF GUIDED TOURS | Dead Zoo Lab, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7

Highlights for POST PRIMARY LEVEL include:

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