Michael Davitt Museum

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Michael Davitt Museum Find out about Michael Davitt, one of Ireland's Greatest Patriots. One visitor described him as "The man who did more with one arm that others did with arms."

Museum dedicated to the life & achievements of Michael Davitt (1846-1906) Father of the Land League, Author, MP, labour Rights activist & International Humanitarian. The museum is located within the RIAI Award winning restored church in which Davitt himself was baptised, and contains a wealth of historical artefacts, personal memorabilia and an invaluable archive. The Museum is adjacent to the magnificent 13th Century Straide Abbey (which contains some of the finest medieval carvings in Ireland) and cemetery, in which Davitt was laid to rest in 1906, and his grave now stands.

📖 FACT FRIDAY | DID YOU KNOW?Did you know that Michael Davitt resigned his seat in the House of Commons in protest again...
23/10/2026

📖 FACT FRIDAY | DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that Michael Davitt resigned his seat in the House of Commons in protest against the Boer War?

Davitt strongly opposed Britain’s war against the Boer republics in South Africa. He believed he could not support a war against people who were fighting for their own freedom.

His decision marked the end of his time in Parliament, but his interest in the conflict continued. He later travelled to South Africa as a war correspondent, reporting on the conflict and writing about his experiences.



The Irish National Land League is FoundedOn 21 October 1879, the Irish National Land League was founded at the Imperial ...
21/10/2026

The Irish National Land League is Founded

On 21 October 1879, the Irish National Land League was founded at the Imperial Hotel on Sackville Street, now O’Connell Street, Dublin.

Michael Davitt played a leading role in the formation of the Land League and became its Secretary. The organisation campaigned for the rights of Irish tenant farmers and sought to bring about greater fairness in the ownership and use of land.



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage Tourism Ireland National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

🍂 A Lovely Autumn Visit to the Michael Davitt MuseumWe had a lovely visit from the Askeaton Active Retirement Group this...
20/10/2026

🍂 A Lovely Autumn Visit to the Michael Davitt Museum

We had a lovely visit from the Askeaton Active Retirement Group this morning. They enjoyed a tour of the museum and the 13th century Friary on this beautiful autumn day in Straide.



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage Tourism Ireland National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

📖 FACT FRIDAY: MICHAEL DAVITT’S OWN STORY 📖Did you know that Michael Davitt wrote about his own remarkable life?In 1904,...
02/10/2026

📖 FACT FRIDAY: MICHAEL DAVITT’S OWN STORY 📖

Did you know that Michael Davitt wrote about his own remarkable life?
In 1904, Davitt published his autobiography, The Fall of Feudalism in Ireland. The book gives a fascinating first-hand account of his life, his political experiences, and the struggle for land reform in Ireland.

From his childhood in Straide and his experiences as a young worker in England, to his involvement in the Land League and his years of political campaigning, Davitt gives his own perspective on the events that shaped his life and Ireland's history.



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage Tourism Ireland National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

🌿 ARTIFACT SPOTLIGHT | An Address to Michael Davitt“Céad Míle Fáilte” — A Hundred Thousand Welcomes! This week’s Artifac...
01/10/2026

🌿 ARTIFACT SPOTLIGHT | An Address to Michael Davitt

“Céad Míle Fáilte” — A Hundred Thousand Welcomes!

This week’s Artifact Spotlight features a beautifully illuminated address presented to Michael Davitt by the William O’Brien Branch of the Irish National League in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.

Decorated with an Irish harp, shamrocks and intricate lettering, the address is a wonderful example of how Irish communities abroad continued to show their support for the political and social causes championed by Davitt.



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

💚 A Wonderful Visit from Limerick 💚 Thanks to Maureen Finnegan and friends for their visit recently from Limerick. We lo...
22/09/2026

💚 A Wonderful Visit from Limerick 💚

Thanks to Maureen Finnegan and friends for their visit recently from Limerick. We love having big tours at the museum and meeting groups from all over Ireland.

Give us a call if you have a group who would like to engage in the incredible story of Michael Davitt, the Land League and his amazing travels across the globe. 094 9031942.



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage Tourism Ireland National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

💚 A Wonderful Visit to the Michael Davitt MuseumA recent visit from this wonderful group of former teachers from Athlone...
22/09/2026

💚 A Wonderful Visit to the Michael Davitt Museum

A recent visit from this wonderful group of former teachers from Athlone brought great cheer to our museum. We learned a lot from them too on the day!

Thank you for visiting us! ☘️



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage Tourism Ireland National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

20/09/2026

🎶 Sean-nós Culture Night at the Michael Davitt Museum

Thanks to all who attended our wonderful Sean-nós Culture Night at the Michael Davitt Museum.

And big thanks to the amazing performers - musicians Conor Fox (Banjo/Guitar/Vocals), Shóna Fox (Concertina), Sadhbh Lyons (Fiddle/Sean Nós Dancing) and Paul Dixon storytelling. 💚



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage Tourism Ireland National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

🌙 Culture Night 2026 at the Michael Davitt Museum              The Heritage Council  Our Irish Heritage     Tourism Irel...
10/09/2026

🌙 Culture Night 2026 at the Michael Davitt Museum



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage Tourism Ireland National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

09/09/2026

🎥 Spotlight on Business in Tourism

Thanks to Mayo County Council and Midwest Radio for our new promotional video as part of the Spotlight on Business in Tourism initiative.

Much appreciated! 💚



The Heritage Council Our Irish Heritage Tourism Ireland National Museum of Ireland National Library of Ireland Mayo North East Mayo North Tourism, Ireland Midwest Radio Wild Atlantic Way The Clarke Museum of Irish History

Address

Straide
Foxford Co Mayo
F26FX37

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+353949031942

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