Hands-On Activities

Get your hands dirty with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) at Kelly's Coal Yard in the Town area (no. 10 on map) 

Artist, Julia Healy, is inspired by the historical practices of late 19th and early 20th century photographers who made cyanotypes relevant in the fields of both art and science. 

With a career that has included film production and photographic education, Julia uses archive footage, camera less photographic techniques and flora from her local surroundings to make her art and provide workshops. Join Julia and experiment with cyanotype printing one of the earliest forms of photography. 

Get hands-on with Cyanotype Printing at the Post Office in the Town area (n. 18 on map) 

Representatives from National Museums Northern Ireland, the Construction Industry Training Board NI and Ireland’s National Built Heritage Service will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about older buildings and traditional skills. From common issues and solutions, to caring for older buildings, appropriate materials and accessing skills, you can chat with the team to learn from their experience.

Learn about heritage and the Ulster Folk Museum's reawakening project at the Built Heritage Hub at Ballyvolen in the Town Area (no. 21 on map) 

Join An Droichead in the National School for some activities you can get involved with. You’ll have a chance to see hear, touch, and play with some traditional instruments including the fiddle and whistles. Make a paper version of our native drum, the bodhrán.

Meet An Droichead for an Instrument Petting Zoo & Mini Bodhran Making at the National School in the Town area (no. 34 on map) 

Glenanne Carriage Hire is a family run based in Glenanne, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland. Specialising in Horse drawn Weddings and Funerals throughout Ireland. The family have been involved in breeding and working with horses for several generations.

Take a carriage ride at Duncrun in the Hill area (no. 48 on the map) 

Suzanne Duncan has worked for our museums for over 30 years. During this time, she has demonstrated a wide range of traditional craft skills such as harvest knots, dorset buttons and papermaking to community groups, schools and at event days.

"Harvest knots are amongst my favourite. They are steeped in folklore and history, are quick and easy for anyone to make and are a charming keepsake"

Get hands-on with Corn Dolly Making at Drumnahunsin in the Field area (no. 51 on the map). 

Join Anann's Arch Artists to make your very own tiny Folk Museum-style cottage! 

Working with ancient clay slab techniques and taking inspiration from the historic buildings you discover in the museum, you will learn how to build a miniature cottage inspired by heritage architecture and complete with a smoking incense chimney. 

Try Clay Cottage Making with Anann’s Arch at the Orange Hall in the Field area (no. 52 on map)