School tours at the Athenry Heritage Centre

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Primary School Tours

A school tour of the Athenry Heritage Centre provides all the elements for an educational and fun day out. Students can learn about Anglo-Norman history and their influences on Irish life. The 'Medieval Experience' includes dressing up in medieval costume, interactive exhibits, games in the maze and have a go archery.

Experience a school tour of the Athenry Heritage Centre and discover Anglo-Norman history in the best preserved medieval town in Ireland. Students and teachers will be thrilled with the medieval costumes, the interactive exhibits of weapons, the medieval dungeon and the opportunity to test their skills with Have A Go Archery. 

Admission for school tours is €10.00 per student and there's no charge for teachers, SNA's or parents. We also provide tea/coffee too.

A school tour of the centre is a unique activity as the Athenry Heritage Centre is all yours for two action packed hours. Your tour commences with the students being transported back in time with our medieval costumes. Students become part of history as they become a Knight, a lady in waiting, a serf, a monk, or even a King or Queen. There are costumes for all including the teachers too and its a great opportunity to photograph your students in medieval costume.

The tour of the centre begins with the model of Athenry which illustrates what the town looked like 700 years ago. The model helps the students gain an overall sense of time and place and our tour guides provide all the information to help students identify the key features of medieval Athenry. The students will also see the town's original 14th century Mace and Seal, the oldest of their kind in Ireland and gifted to the community of Athenry by Anthony Blishens.

To encourage learning, the centre provides a history presentation which includes participation by the students as their costume represents a key time in medieval history. From the Irish King Dermot MacMorrow to the arrival of Cromwellian soldiers, the history presentation demonstrates how the Irish were ruled, how they lived, ate and even how they were punished. There are a range of weapons used in medieval warfare and in particular the armoury of the Anglo-Normans. 

The history tour reflects the school curriculum and provides an additional resource for students and teachers whilst remaining fun and engaging for all. Each history tour last about 50 minutes.

The Athenry Heritage Centre's have a go archery is a fun safe activity which is accessible for all ages and abilities. Students can discover their inner Robin Hood as they test their skills against one another and as part of a team. We use balloons on the target to increase the fun and create a friendly competitive atmosphere. This activity is supervised by trained archery instructors and it can be enjoyed in all weather with a canopy and seating for your comfort. 

Your school tour also includes a fun relay game in the medieval Maze & tug of war (weather permitting). The garden area also has a medieval herb garden and a picnic area to have your school lunch. We also provide tea/coffee to all teachers, SNA's and parents too.

Another great reason to visit the Athenry Heritage Centre is the opportunity to visit Athenry Castle which is free for all Primary school students.This 800 year old building is a fine example of an Anglo-Norman tower house. Restored and operated by the Office of Public Works, their guides provide an additional tour which is engaging and accessible for students of all ages.It also compliments the tour of the centre. 

Booking must be made directly with the castle 091 844797 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A visit to the medieval town of Athenry is the ideal school tour and is great value for money. Tours cost €10.00 per student and this includes all the activities listed above. The centre can also include a visit to the 13th Dominican Priory and to the restored Maddens Blacksmith forge. These are available on request. 

Getting Here

Athenry is easily accessible by road or by train and full details can be found here.

The centre is wheelchair accessible and there is easy access for coach parking outside Athenry Castle or in the dedicated parking bay next to Maddens Forge.

Athenry is also located on the Galway-Dublin and Galway-Limerick railway lines which provide a regular service to Athenry.

All school tours are met at their drop off point and escorted into the centre. This also includes any tour arriving by train which is only 8 minutes from the centre.

Full details of Athenry's rich medieval history can be found here

 

Notes for teachers: A school tour lasts about two hours however this may be longer due to food and toilet breaks. If your school tour requires to leave at a given time please inform any member of staff upon arrival. The centre operates a Child Protection Policy under the HSE Children First Programme. It can be downloaded from the link below. We also ask teachers to only use mobile phones to take photos during their visit or in a emergency. 

Child Protection Policy

 

 

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Our Location

Athenry Heritage Centre.

St. Mary's,The Square,
Athenry,
Co. Galway,
Rep. of Ireland

Phone: 091 844661

Email: athenryheritagecentre@gmail.com

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