Service Overview
Gaulish Antiquities Hub offers a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the needs of diverse audiences. Whether you're an individual visitor, a school group, a researcher, or a community organization, we have programs tailored to your interests and requirements. All our services are delivered by qualified professionals who are passionate about Gaulish history and committed to providing exceptional experiences.
Our services are organized into several main categories: general admission and self-guided visits, guided tours, educational programs, research services, special events, and group bookings. Each category includes multiple options to accommodate different interests, time constraints, and budgets. We also offer customized services for organizations with specific needs. Below, you'll find detailed information about each service category and what you can expect when you engage with us.
1. General Admission & Self-Guided Visits
Our general admission option provides access to all permanent exhibition galleries and allows you to explore at your own pace. This is ideal for visitors who prefer independent exploration or who have specific research interests. General admission includes:
- Access to all five permanent galleries covering different aspects of Gaulish civilization
- Complimentary visitor guide with maps, gallery descriptions, and artifact highlights
- Access to interactive displays and multimedia presentations throughout the galleries
- Use of our reading room with reference materials and comfortable seating
- Access to temporary exhibitions (when available, may require separate fee for special exhibitions)
Self-guided visits typically last 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on your level of interest and engagement. We provide benches and seating areas throughout the galleries for rest and reflection. All exhibits are clearly labeled in English with detailed interpretive panels that provide historical context, artifact descriptions, and connections to broader themes.
Best for: Independent learners, return visitors, researchers with specific interests, visitors who prefer flexible timing, photography enthusiasts (non-flash photography permitted).
2. Guided Tours
Our guided tours provide expert-led exploration of our collections with opportunities for questions and discussion. All tour guides hold advanced degrees in archaeology, history, or related fields and bring years of experience to their presentations. We offer several tour options:
Standard Guided Tour (90 minutes)
Our most popular option, covering highlights from all permanent galleries with emphasis on major artifacts and key historical themes. Limited to 15 participants for optimal interaction.
In-Depth Thematic Tours (2 hours)
Focused explorations of specific topics such as Gaulish warfare, religious practices, daily life, or artistic traditions. These tours dive deeper into particular aspects of Gaulish civilization and include examination of artifacts not always highlighted in standard tours.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours (2.5 hours)
Special access to our conservation laboratories, storage facilities, and research collections. See how we preserve artifacts, learn about acquisition processes, and view items not currently on public display. Limited availability, advance booking required.
Private Tours (flexible duration)
Customized tours for individuals, families, or small groups with content tailored to your specific interests. Can be scheduled outside regular hours for an additional fee.
All guided tours include: Expert guide, access to all permanent galleries, tour materials and handouts, question-and-answer session, and complimentary admission to current temporary exhibitions.
Best for: First-time visitors, groups seeking structured learning, visitors with specific questions, those interested in detailed historical context, students and researchers.
3. Educational Programs
We offer comprehensive educational programming for schools, universities, and lifelong learners. Our programs are designed by professional educators and align with Irish curriculum standards while providing enrichment beyond standard classroom instruction.
School Programs (Primary & Secondary)
- Curriculum-Aligned Visits: Structured programs supporting history, social studies, and art curricula. Include pre-visit materials, guided gallery exploration, and hands-on activities.
- Workshop Programs: Half-day or full-day intensive programs combining gallery visits with hands-on workshops (artifact handling, archaeological methods, ancient crafts).
- Outreach Programs: Our educators visit your school for multi-session units, bringing artifacts, materials, and expertise directly to your classroom.
- Teacher Resources: Free downloadable lesson plans, activity sheets, and assessment tools aligned with learning objectives.
University & Adult Learning
- Specialized Seminars: Advanced programs for university students covering topics in archaeology, ancient history, museum studies, and conservation.
- Public Lecture Series: Monthly lectures by visiting scholars, our staff, and international experts on various aspects of Gaulish and Celtic studies.
- Workshops & Short Courses: Practical skills training in areas such as artifact identification, archaeological drawing, ancient languages, and historical research methods.
- Continuing Education: Certificate programs for educators, museum professionals, and serious enthusiasts.
Best for: School groups, university classes, educators seeking professional development, adult learners, community organizations.
4. Research Services
We support scholarly research through our library, archives, and artifact collections. Researchers can access materials not available to general visitors and receive assistance from our professional staff.
Research Library Access
Our library contains over 5,000 volumes on Gaulish, Celtic, and Iron Age European topics, plus subscriptions to major archaeology and history journals. Free access by appointment.
Digital Archives
Searchable database of artifact records, photographs, field reports, and historical documents. Remote access available for registered researchers.
Artifact Study
Qualified researchers can request access to study specific artifacts in our collections. Requires advance application with research proposal and credentials.
Research Fellowships
Competitive fellowships providing stipends, workspace, and access to collections for researchers working on projects related to our mission.
Best for: Graduate students, university faculty, independent scholars, authors, documentary producers, genealogists.
5. Special Events & Programs
Throughout the year, we host special events that bring Gaulish history to life through performances, demonstrations, and celebrations.
- Gaulish Heritage Festival (Annual): Three-day event featuring reenactments, craft demonstrations, lectures, food, music, and family activities. Attracts over 5,000 participants annually.
- Artifact Spotlight Series: Monthly evening events focusing on individual artifacts with presentations by curators and conservators.
- Family Days: Quarterly programs designed for families with children, including scavenger hunts, craft activities, and interactive storytelling.
- Evening Lectures: Regular public lectures by visiting experts, free and open to all.
- Film Screenings: Documentaries and educational films related to ancient civilizations.
Best for: Families, community members, anyone interested in engaging with history in dynamic ways.
6. Group Bookings & Corporate Services
We welcome groups of all sizes and offer special services for corporate teams, tour operators, and organized groups.
- Group Discounts: Reduced rates for groups of 10 or more (advance booking required).
- Corporate Team Building: Customized programs combining museum exploration with team-building activities and problem-solving challenges.
- Tour Operator Packages: Flexible options for travel companies including admission, guided tours, and meal arrangements.
- Private Events: Venue rental for corporate functions, receptions, and special occasions (evening and weekend availability).
Best for: Tour groups, corporate teams, clubs and societies, family reunions, special celebrations.
Service Comparison Matrix
Use this matrix to help determine which service best meets your needs:
| Service Type | Duration | Group Size | Advance Booking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Admission | Flexible (1.5-3 hrs typical) | Individual/Small groups | Not required | Independent learners |
| Standard Guided Tour | 90 minutes | Up to 15 | Recommended | First-time visitors |
| Thematic Tour | 2 hours | Up to 12 | Required | Focused interests |
| Behind-the-Scenes | 2.5 hours | Up to 8 | Required (2 weeks) | Enthusiasts, students |
| School Program | 2-4 hours | Up to 30 | Required (4 weeks) | School groups |
| Research Access | Flexible | Individual | Required (application) | Researchers |
| Private Tour | Customizable | Up to 20 | Required (1 week) | Private groups |
| Corporate Event | Customizable | 20-100 | Required (6 weeks) | Corporate groups |
How to Book
Booking any of our services is straightforward. For general admission, simply arrive during our operating hours (no advance booking needed). For all other services, we recommend booking in advance to ensure availability. You can book through our contact page, by phone at +353 53 234 5008, or by email at [email protected]. When booking, please provide your preferred date and time, number of participants, and any special requirements or interests.
For school and group bookings, we ask for at least four weeks' notice to ensure we can provide the best possible experience. For special events and private tours, six weeks' notice is preferred. We will work with you to customize the experience to your needs and provide all necessary information about logistics, pricing, and preparation.
Ready to explore Gaulish history? View our pricing or contact us today to book your visit!