Update: Festive Hall 2022 is fully booked out

Update: Our phoned didn’t stop ringing for three days solid and we are now fully booked out.

Welcome one, welcome all to the magic realm of the Festive Hall. We are delighted to announce that our Festive Hall will open for booking on Monday 17 October 2022. Our dedicated booking lines will be open from 10.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday:

Dedicated Booking Line 1: 087 902 1580

Dedicated Booking Line 2: 087 902 2432

Please note: Bookings can only be made by calling the above dedicated mobile numbers. We cannot respond to texts. Please also note that we cannot take bookings on the Museum landline or via social media.

Cost

Child: €10

Adult: €8

Infant aged 2 and under: Free

Dates and Times

Saturday and Sunday 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 December 2022

10.00am – 5.00pm

Wednesday 21 December 2022

2.00pm – 5.00pm

Sensory slots are available

Festive Hall Event Details

The entrance to the Festive Hall will be from the left-hand side of the Ashe Memorial Hall as you face the building – opposite the playground in the Town Park. There will be signage to direct you. Once inside, the Snow Queen will set you on the path through her woodland realm where you will roam until you find your way to Santa’s home. Here you will meet Santa in his sitting room and meet Mrs Claus getting ready for the big day. You should allow half an hour for the visit in total during which each family will have a ten-minute individual visit with Santa in his sitting room. Please note that while Santa’s helpers are not professional photographers, they are very happy to take photographs for you on your devices as you make your way through the Festive Hall.

By |October 15th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Festive Hall Christmas bookings opening soon – watch this space!

Psst… guess who is coming back to town? Our phones are ringing constantly but please be patient just a little while longer. Santa bookings will open shortly in the second half of October, we are working on our booking system. Please check our Facebook page for updates.

By |October 6th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Architecture Kerry 2022 – The Big Dig returns!

Kerry County Museum is delighted to welcome back The School of Irish Archaeology/ The Big Dig as part of Architecture Kerry 2022. Workshops for local primary and secondary schools will take place Thursday 29th & Friday 30th September, while family workshops run on Saturday 1st October. All schools and families participating in The Big Dig can also visit the museum for free as part of the festival. To book please contact the museum at 066 7127777.

Architecture Kerry celebrates Kerry’s architectural heritage. This weekend festival features talks, guided tours and exhibitions to showcase the extraordinary built environment on offer in Kerry and is open to people of all ages. The vision behind Architecture Kerry is to show why good architecture, design and vibrant public spaces are vital to our quality of life. Experience exciting opportunities to visit some hidden gems throughout the County with tours led by architects and owners. Some buildings are open for one weekend only. There is a wide variety of buildings on offer from the science and technology sector, private architect-designed homes, the best in state architecture, passive buildings, Kerry Lighthouses, historic houses, castles, forts and much, much more!

Architecture Kerry is supported by Kerry County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Heritage Council, the OPW, RIAI, IAF, and forms part of the Creative Ireland Kerry programme. It is facilitated by the owners and custodians of Kerry’s built environment.

View the full event programme here: Architecture Kerry 2022

By |September 28th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Inclusion – Exploring home and homelessness

An exhibition by children and young people under 12 years) experiencing homelessness. In exploring the central theme of ‘home and ‘homelessness’, we sought to hear their voices, their opinions and hear about their need to feel at home. The young people are unified by a central experience; the desire to have a home.

The word ‘home’ can mean different things to our children. Exploring how a heart experiences ‘home’ saw the emergence of many ideas. Is ‘home’ a physical place, a place in our minds, or is it the people in our lives who make us feel at home? With resilience challenged and with much exclusion, those who have, must work for those who have not. Inclusion is a small step to start.

The depth and breath of this project went far beyond the exhibition you see before you. The aim was that, in working together, we would all feel included. The group began their creative engagement in the midst of Covid-19, where art packs were delivered to the children during a very isolating time in their lives. When they were all finally able to come together, the children had a sense of a shared experience that in turn added to the excitement of now working together face to face.

Experimenting with materials and exploring scale, both in creative output and conversation, was led by the group. Their enthusiasm to create and their confidence in each other increased. It became a mutual and energetic partnership that fizzled with possibilities. What you see before you are just some of the results. We hope you enjoy.

With thanks to NOVAS, the homeless charity and artist Jeannine Storan, who facilitated the project under the expert guidance of Ronan Doherty, Annette Murphy and Lisa Donohue from NOVAS. Congratulations to all the children and young people involved. We are so proud of you.

INCLUSION is kindly hosted by Kerry County Museum under the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) at Kerry ETB. The LCYP works with early years, children, young people and young adults. We work where opportunities to develop creativity can be most challanged. For more information email Deirdre Enright: denright@kerryetb.ie

www.kerryetb.ie/creativity @kerrylcyp

By |September 28th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Friday 23 September is Culture Night 2022

Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is a national celebration of culture, creativity and the arts, delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages and rural locations. Doors are opened late and special and unique events are specifically programmed at participating locations free of charge. At Kerry County Museum, we are also using this wonderful evening to mark our 30th anniversary – and we would love for you to celebrate with us.

Our Culture Night event programme sees the return of the popular medieval living history group Tralee Medieval Society who will demonstrate what life was like in Medieval Tralee 500 years ago. Museum curator Helen O’Carroll will give a talk about the Ashe Memorial Hall at 7.15pm followed by a guided tour of the building. You might want to view the Rose dresses on display in the Gowns of Glory exhibition before they go into storage again until next summer or simply take the opportunity to chat with us about the different projects we are working on.

We are also delighted to mark Culture Night and our 30th anniversary by launching and highlighting a number of creative community projects: From creative music videos to young people’s powerful reflections on home and homelessness to oral history and heritage projects going on in our local community right now – we would love to share all this with you on Culture Night.

By |September 20th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Winter Opening Hours Tue – Sat 9.30am to 5pm

We are now back to our winter opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am until 5pm (last admission is at 4pm). We recommend a minimum of one hour to see our permanent and special exhibitions. Please call us at 0667127777 if you have any queries about visiting Kerry County Museum. Why not have a look at our virtual tour of the Museum what your visit entails?

By |September 6th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Free Heritage Week Events 13 – 21 August

Kerry County Museum is delighted to host a number of free events to mark National Heritage Week which is celebrated from 13 to 21 August 2022. From special exhibitions, lunchtime talks to indoor and outdoor activities for all the family – we would love to welcome you at the Museum. All events are free, it is not necessary to book and all are welcome. Please note that children should be accompanied by an adult at all times.

A family favourite is our special exhibition Gowns of Glory, showcasing the changing fashion of Kerry’s popular Rose of Tralee Festival which takes place annually in August. Every summer, Kerry County Museumis hosting this popular exhibition and it is an absolute must for anyone with an interest in fashion and the festival. The exhibition includes 30 dresses over six decades, from Alice O’Sullivan’s gown in 1959 to the present.

If you always wanted to know how ancient techniques are used to conserve paper, vellum, silk and many other fabrics then put the 16 August in your diary. Paper conservator Paul Curtis from Muckross Bookbindery is going to talk about this fascinating topic during lunchtime at 1pm. Paul and his team are currently working on conserving the Museum’s O’Mahony collection. This and much more will be discussed by Paul in his talk.

If you are visiting with children, you can follow the Pangur Ban Discovery Trail through our galleries where you can explore the history and archaeology of Kerry from ancient Bronze Age treasures and Tom Crean to life in Medieval Tralee. Afterwards, why not explore Tralee Town Park with our new spotter sheets – a fun way to discover the green heart of the town.

There are many fascinating events taking place across Kerry and nationwide – visit www.heritageweek.ie to find out more.

By |August 10th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Dig Tralee- Information Night 31st May

Lend a hand to dig the land with Dig Tralee!

Are you interested in archaeology and history, like working outdoors, and are keen to learn new skills by working alongside experts? If so, come along to Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse on Tuesday 31 May at 7.00pm to find out more about how to get involved in Dig Tralee. This is a community archaeology project that aims to explore the hillfort site at Knockanacuig, on the outskirts of Tralee and uncover what role it might have played in the origins of the town.

Knockanacuig hillfort was once an enclosure of significant size and height that commanded a view of the surrounding area for miles around, possibly around 2,500 years old or perhaps even older. This could well be where the town of Tralee began, long before the Normans arrived and established an urban centre. But now, as the modern town encroaches on all sides, the landscape context in which the monument sits is being lost bit by bit. Dig Tralee provides an opportunity to find out more about the site, to reinstate its prominence in the history of the town, and to connect people today with the town’s earliest inhabitants.

The project is an initiative of Kerry County Council, who will be responsible for the excavation, and Kerry County Museum, who will take charge of the community engagement. If you can’t make it to the information session on 31 May, get in touch with Kerry County Museum by phone 066 712 7777; email info@kerrymuseum.ie or check out www.kerrymuseum.ie or the Museum’s social media accounts to find out more.

  • Date – 31st May 2022
  • Venue –Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse
  • Time 7:00pm

By |May 24th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Bealtaine Event: Behind the Scenes Tour with Curator Helen O’Carroll


Officially opened in 1992, Kerry County Museum is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Join Museum Curator Helen O’Carroll for a special “Behind the Scenes” Tour reflecting on the some of the museum’s award-winning exhibitions and discussing the museum’s varied collection on Thursday 5th May 2022 at 11:30am. This is a free Bealtaine event for Kerry Archaeological & Historical Society’s current and prospective members. If you are not a member yet but are curious about becoming one, why not come along on the day – all are welcome! All our galleries spread out over three floors can be accessed by stairs, or elevator if required. Please call the Museum at 0667127777 or email education@kerrymuseum.ie if you have any special requirements or would like to discuss your details of your visit in advance of the event.

By |May 2nd, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

Summer Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am – 5:30pm

Kerry County Museum is renowned for its innovative displays and creative approach to telling the story of the county’s people and landscape. An enriching and fun experience for all is guaranteed by our friendly staff, award-winning exhibitions and child-centred activities.

Current Opening Hours

Open Daily, 9:30am – 5:30pm

(last admission is at 4:15 pm)

Bank holiday weekends: Sunday and Monday 10:00am – 5:00pm

By |April 22nd, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |

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