An immersive, multisensory piece for rural primary schools about history and culture around the world

Museum of Believing has been created through a process of artistic devising and collaboration with young people. It explores objects such as a sugar skull, a rabbit’s foot or a dreamcatcher- what we believe about them, how we treat them, and how we could convey that to others.  We are also interested in what museums are and how they are perceived by young people.

In September 2023, we had four days of devising work at a village hall in Cloonloo, Sligo with theatremakers Miriam Needham, Sinéad O’Donnell-Carey and Julie Sharkey, at which we explored the characters of the piece as well as their relationships with the objects and the Museum. In May-June 2024, we delivered workshops in rural schools, inviting children to try out some of the interactive elements and activities, followed by a special installation and workshop for the public at King House Boyle for Cruinniú na nÓg.

This piece will be going into full production in 2025 and will tour small rural schools in Roscommon and Sligo. These schools, with under 40 students aged 4-12, are rarely able to attend theatre during to distance, cost and the difficulty of finding work suitable for a wide age range, so for many of these students, this will be their first experience of live theatre.

Special thanks to Roscommon County Council for their support in this groundbreaking project.