A school tour of the Athenry Heritage Centre Galway provides all the elements for an educational and fun day out. Children can learn using our excellent models, story-boards and interactive exhibits, while enjoying medieval punishments in the market square “stocks”. The school tour comes alive with medieval costumes for all the students and the centre provides supervised Have-A-Go archery lessons for budding Robin Hoods. The students can also visit the dungeon of horror to experience the dark side of medieval life. Discover the wooden maze and enjoy a picnic in the centre’s garden. Admission is €9:00 per student for all the activities listed on this page.
Your school tour begins with the boys and girls being transported back in time with our medieval costumes. Choose between a Knight, Soldier, Lady in Waiting or Serf. There are costumes for all including the teachers!
Each group receives a personal tour of the centre by one of our experienced tour guides which includes demonstrations of armour and weaponry. See the towns original Mace and Seal, the oldest known of their kind in Ireland. The school tour continues with interactive exhibits which include Norman, Spanish and Roundhead helmets. Discover the history of archery with exhibits of an English Longbow and a Norman Crossbow. Students can also try on the chainmail of a Norman soldier.
Experience the thrill of Have-A-Go Archery which is suitable for all ages and is provided by trained archers.
The students practice their new skill and then form two teams for a competition. We use balloons on the target to increase the fun and create a friendly competitive atmosphere.
Have-A-Go Archery is an all weather activity with a canopy and seating for your comfort.
- Have-A-Go Archery is fully supervised.
- Trained by the IAAA. The governing body of archery in Ireland.
- All of the centre’s archery instructors have completed Coaching Ireland’s Archery Leader Course.
- Safe & Secure Environment.
- All weather activity.
To complete your school tour, the heritage centre provides additional activities which includes, tug of war, a visit to the medieval herb garden and the use of the picnic area. Our wooden maze will enthrall the students as they try to find their way through its twists and turn.
The award winning heritage centre is the ideal location for any School Tour.
The centre is wheelchair accessible and there is easy access for coach parking.
Athenry is also located on the Galway-Dublin and Limerick railway lines which provide a regular service to Athenry.
Timetables for trains to Athenry are available here.
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 10 minutes from the centre.
Free admission to Athenry Castle
To Compliment a visit to the Athenry Heritage Centre, why not book a visit to Athenry Castle too. it’s free for all Irish Primary and Secondary Schools and its just across the road from the centre.
This fine example of a 13th century Norman castle was the home of the de Birmingham family for over 300 years.
Operated by the OPW, the tour guides of the castle provide background information of Norman life in the castle whilst the audio visual display provides additional information to students.
Schools must contact the castle directly to book a visit which lasts about 30 minutes.
Contact 091 844797
Email:athenrycastle@opw.ie
Athenry, the best preserved medieval town in Ireland.
Let us take you on a medieval journey that is both educational and fun. Our admission fee is €9:00 per student and we do not charge for teachers or accompanying adults. We also provide free tea/coffee for all teachers, parents and your driver too!
Check out our history page for details on Athenry.
Notes for teachers: A school tour lasts about two hours however this may be longer due to food and toilet breaks. if your group 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.
St. Mary’s
The Square
Athenry
Co. Galway
T: +353 (0)91 844661
Email : info@athenryheritagecentre.com
Web : www.athenryheritagecentre.com
