Blog

This month's post in our blog series about the County Down Gaol focuses on the children who were held here.

Newry and Mourne Museum has been honoured with a donation of a portrait miniature of James Harshaw, a leading local affairs figure from Donaghmore, near Newry in the mid-19^th century.

During the 18^th Century, the death penalty was used to punish a wide variety of crimes. These included major crimes such as murder, piracy, rape, and manslaughter. However, many crimes that we would consider minor also carried this sentence such as forgery, embezzlement, insurance fraud and theft.

A new ‘Easy Read Gallery Guide’, designed specifically to enhance the experience of disabled or partially sighted visitors to Newry and Mourne Museum, has been launched by Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte.

NMDDC Heritage Officer, Linda McKenna, writes about the abortive rebellion of 1803, and the execution of Thomas Russell on 21st October 1803.

A temporary exhibition on the history and legacy of McCann’s Bakery in Newry is now on display at Newry and Mourne Museum.

Over the coming months, Down County Museum will be sharing an in-depth look at the history of our home, the ‘old’ Gaol of Down.  In this series, we'll explore topics such as the Gaol’s prisoners, their punishments, and the site’s various uses through time.

Our first in the series reveals the Gaol's beginnings, and explains why it had to be closed.

Newry Town Hall has been at the centre of the cultural life of Newry and its hinterland for nearly 130 years. Joanne Cummins, Collections Officer at Newry and Mourne Museum,  references some of the local amateur societies and artistes seen there over the decades.

The Reside Collection at Newry and Mourne Museum contains many fascinating treasures for the local historian. The Curator, Dr Ken Abraham, takes a brief look at one of them, a Report on the Kilmorey Estate, which provides an informative insight into the town of Newry in 1860.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to announce the launch of a new Museums School Transport Scheme for 2023/2024.

Down County Museum Assistant, George, explains the journey of the Downpatrick High Cross to our dedicated exhibition space.

Down County Museum Assistant, Michael Arlow, charts the legacy of Francis Hutcheson, a County Down man who deserves to be better known. Well known in his day, his writing and teaching influenced key figures in the Scottish Enlightenment, in economics, in philosophy, and in Irish and American politics.