National Museum of country life Ireland

Immerse yourself in the unique stories, rich heritage and fascinating cultural traditions of our rural ancestors at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life and Turlough Park House in Co. Mayo.

In the modern exhibition galleries, immerse yourself in objects, rare archive photography and films that explore Ireland’s rural past and an almost vanished but recent way of life. Next to this, visit a Victorian Gothic mansion overlooking gardens, parkland and woodland.

Experience a bygone way of life with Ireland’s National Folklife Collection, displayed across four floors of modern exhibition galleries. Step into another world at historic Turlough Park House. Refresh your senses in the tranquil Victorian gardens. All of this and more is waiting to be discovered at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life in Co. Mayo.

Turlough Park House was built in 1865, to replace a much older building near the entrance to the park. The name of the village and estate derives from the Irish turlach, signifying a lake that dries up in the summer period.

Turlough Park House remained in the same family until 1991 when it was purchased by Mayo County Council. The proposal to open the house as a museum was a local initiative which led eventually to a decision made in 1995 to locate part of the National Museum of Ireland here. The Museum’s Folklife collections had been stored for a long time in Daingean, Co. Offaly, awaiting a suitable venue.

As the house was not suitable as a major exhibition space, a new building was purpose-built alongside it. Housing the Museum galleries, this award winning design was created by the architectural branch of the Office of Public Works. As part of the project, the Office of Public Works also restored the original 'Big House'. The grounds and gardens were restored by Mayo County Council.

Admission and parking are free. Located just 25 minutes us here at the 4 star McWilliam Park Hotel the National Museum's opening Hours:
• Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm
• Sunday & Monday 1pm- 5pm
• Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

From award-winning exhibition galleries to an imposing Gothic mansion, colourful Victorian gardens, and a scenic Greenway, there is so much to see and do at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life in Co. Mayo.