Playful Museums Festival 2026

The Library is delighted to take part in the Playful Museums Festival 2026 with two sessions, Willow the Warbler’s Journey, for pre-school children and their carers. The Festival is made possible by grants and support from the Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC).

The sessions will take place from 10.30am to 11.30am on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February 2026.

Both sessions will be offered free of charge and are open to families with children under 5 years old.

Booking is essential by telephoning 028 37523142 or e-mailing admin@armaghrobinsonlibrary.co.uk

The sessions will be run by facilitator Ursula Monaghan:

We will look at the journey of a willow warbler, a bird which travels from Africa in spring to spend the summer here. The story will include physical movements and singing with the children. We will have colouring-in activities and a little booklet for the children to take home, so that carers and children can continue to explore the importance of caring for small birds and the vital role they play in our environment.

The Library’s Assistant Keeper, Carol Conlin, said,

We are very pleased to participate in the Playful Museums Festival for another year. We have been successful in gaining grants and publicity with the previous festivals but do not take such support for granted. It is a marvellous boost for us as we are a small independent museum which is keen to encourage families with young children to visit us. It will be a pleasure to have Ursula back with us to facilitate the sessions.

We hope that we may welcome local families, and staff members and families of ArKe Sure Start who have encouraged us to be a ‘playful museum’.