Live crib at Turlough Park

Come along to the Courtyard of Turlough Park House this December to meet some of the farm animals associated with the nativity and other Christmas traditions and stories.
The team from Kiltimagh Pet Farm and their four-legged friends will be here from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, 14 December 2025.

The crib was very much a part of the traditional Christmas celebrations in an Irish home.

Most families had a crib, and children would collect moss to decorate it. The Baby Jesus would not be placed in the crib until Christmas Morning.

Join Kiltimagh Pet Farm in the Courtyard to learn about animals such as sheep, goats, cows and donkeys, which formed an important part of the nativity story as well as other traditions associated with Christmas.

There will also be a Christmas Market in the Courtyard on both afternoons as well as some Christmas crafting and festive storytelling performances.

Don't forget to also visit the Life in the Community exhibition on Level C of the main Museum galleries to learn about other Irish Christmas traditions such as Mummers and Wren Boys.

You may also like the following events from National Museum of Ireland:

• This Friday, 19th December, 01:30 pm, Let the Sun Shine Winter Solstice Guided Tour with Irish Sign Language in Dublin
• This Saturday, 20th December, 02:00 pm, Guided Tour - Museum, House and Gardens in Castlebar
• This Sunday, 21st December, 02:00 pm, Choral performance in the galleries in Castlebar

Also check out other Nonprofit events in Castlebar, Exhibitions in Castlebar.