Association of European Open Air MuseumsAssociation of European Open Air Museums
In a time of accelerating climate change and environmental uncertainty, open-air museums have a powerful role to play. Rooted in place, rich in memory, and alive with tradition, they hold deep, often overlooked knowledge – knowledge of the land, of craft, of seasonal rhythms and sustainable ways of living.
Open-air museums are more than heritage sites. They are living laboratories. Catalysts for change.
At the Rural AEOM Conference 2025, we gather at the Ulster Folk Museum to explore how rural lifeways, skills and customs can inform environmental stewardship today. We will look at how open-air museums – through their collections, practices, landscapes and people – can inspire new thinking and action.
Join us for a programme of dialogue, demonstration and discovery – and leave inspired by the lessons the land can teach us.
Conference Dates
• Thursday 18th September 2025: 09:30-20:00 (dinner to be provided)
• Friday 19th September 2025: 09:30-16:00
• Optional: Attend the Ulster Folk Museum Harvest Festival on Saturday 20th September 2025
What is included in conference cost?
• Enjoy a series of informative and lively talks from the AEOM Community
• Engage in interesting group discussions
• Get involved in hands on activities
• Enjoy a curatorial led tour
• Rural demonstrations
• Explore the Ulster Folk Museum
• Optional attendance at Ulster Folk Museum Harvest Festival on Saturday 20th September 2025
• Morning refreshments and lunch on 18th and 19th September
• Dinner and entertainment on 18th September included
• Please note that transfers from Belfast to the Ulster Folk Museum are not included and public transport should be used to travel to the museum. A shuttle bus back to Belfast will be provided at the end of each day
• Please note flights and accommodation are not included in cost
Conference cost
• The conference is charged at a total of £165.00 per person
If you would like to attend the conference, please make your payment by Friday 8th August 2025 by clicking here.
Submission of papers
If you would like to submit a paper to be delivered at the conference, please visit this link to make a submission. Please note that spaces will be limited due to the duration of the conference. Please provide your submission by Thursday 31st July 2025.
Travel Recommendations
The Ulster Folk Museum is located in Cultra which is 3 miles from Belfast city centre.
Airports
Hotel recommendations
We would recommend staying in Belfast city centre or Titanic Quarter. Noted below are recommendations of centrally located hotels in both city centre and in Titanic quarter to suit a variety of budgets. It is possible to travel via train to the Ulster Folk Museum from both areas.
| Hotel | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Inn: Belfast Titanic Quarter | Titanic Quarter (Travel to Cultra station from Titanic Quarter station) | www.premierinn.com Select Belfast Titanic Quarter |
| AC Hotel Belfast *Premium hotel | Titanic Quarter (Travel to Cultra station from Titanic Quarter station) | Hotel Near Titanic Quarter & SEE/Odyssey Arena - AC Hotel Belfast by Marriott |
| Titanic Hotel Belfast *Premium hotel | Titanic Quarter (Travel to Cultra station from Titanic Quarter station) | Titanic Hotel Belfast l Luxury City Centre l Northern Ireland |
| The Flint Hotel | Belfast City Centre (Travel to Cultra station from Belfast Grand Central station) | The Flint Hotel Belfast l Beautiful Rooms l Great Location |
| Travelodge Belfast | Belfast City Centre (Travel to Cultra station from Belfast Grand Central station) | Travelodge l Great value hotels throughout the UK, Ireland & Spain Select Belfast Central |
| Bullitt Hotel | Belfast City Centre (Travel to Cultra station from Belfast Grand Central station) | Bullitt Hotel l No Nonsense Rooms In Belfast City Central |
| Europa Hotel | Belfast City Centre (Travel to Cultra station from Belfast Grand Central station) | The Europa Hotel l 4 Star Hotel In Belfast City Centre l Official Site |
Travel by train from Belfast city centre to the Ulster Folk Museum
Please note travel to the museum each day will be via public transport with a bus back to Belfast provided at the end of each day
Further information on how to find us can be found here.
Contact details
If you have any enquiries relating to the conference, please contact Susan Starrett General Manager Ulster Folk Museum susan.starrett@nationalmusuemsni.org
If you would like further information on the Ulster Folk Museum, please visit our website www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org