Bring Culture to Life in the Classroom with the Armagh Rhymers’ Babóg na Bealtaine School Workshop
Are you looking for a creative, cultural school workshop that blends music, storytelling, drama, and Irish folklore? This May, the Armagh Rhymers invite your school to take part in Babóg na Bealtaine, a unique interactive workshop programme that celebrates Irish tradition, performance, and participation — perfect for primary schools in Northern Ireland.
🌼 What Is Babóg na Bealtaine?
Babóg na Bealtaine (the “May Baby”) is a traditional May-time celebration brought to life through the Armagh Rhymers’ immersive performance and education workshops. Rooted in ancient Celtic customs, this workshop combines:
• Storytelling of Irish myths and seasonal rituals
• Traditional Irish music and live instruments
• Local straw craft and folk customs
• Curriculum-linked learning for KS2 pupils
It’s not just a performance — it’s an interactive educational experience that gets pupils moving, thinking, and connecting with cultural heritage in a fun, unforgettable way.
An unnamed straw doll arrives in your school, with no name, no clothes, no possessions – what do you do?
Each school will receive a straw doll to welcome into the school community, however they see fit; give it clothes, make it a home, create a backstory about who the Babóg is and where they came from.
Each participating school will also receive a visit from The Armagh Rhymers for a traditional Bealtaine celebration complete with Maypole dancing!
🎭 Why Choose the Armagh Rhymers for Your School?
The Armagh Rhymers are one of Ireland’s leading traditional performing groups, known for their vibrant costumes, engaging workshops, and decades-long commitment to education and cultural outreach.
Here’s why schools across Northern Ireland book us every year:
✅ Curriculum-Linked: Ties into the World Around Us, Music, and Language & Literacy areas
✅ Interactive Learning: Encourages participation and creativity
✅ Cultural Enrichment: A dynamic way to teach pupils about Irish traditions, folklore, and seasonal festivals
✅ Fully Mobile: We visit your school anywhere in Armagh, Belfast, Down, or across Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
📚 Educational Benefits for Pupils
• Learn about Bealtaine and the changing of the seasons
• Discover the stories of Irish mythology and folklore
• Experience live traditional Irish music and performance
• Develop confidence through drama and role-play
• Create and use costumes and masks in a cultural context
• Encourage empathy and understanding with a strong message of hope
Perfect for primary school enrichment days, cultural weeks, or end-of-year experiences.
📍 Serving Schools Across Northern Ireland
Whether you’re in Armagh, Belfast, Newry, or anywhere in between, the Babóg na Bealtaine workshop can be delivered directly to your school. It’s ideal for:
• Primary schools seeking interactive storytelling workshops
• Educators planning local cultural activities for KS2
• Schools looking to enhance creative arts provision with authentic, local content
📅 Booking Now for May Workshops
Our schedule for May is filling up fast! To book a school workshop with the Armagh Rhymers, or to learn more about Babóg na Bealtaine, visit [your website URL] or contact us at [email/phone].
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✨ Don’t Miss This Opportunity
Babóg na Bealtaine is more than a school visit — it’s a chance to immerse pupils in culture, spark their creativity, and celebrate tradition in a meaningful way.
Book your workshop today and let the Armagh Rhymers bring the magic of May to your classroom.
