For European Heritage Open Days 2025, Newry and Mourne Museum has a special program planned to celebrate the rich architectural history of the city, aligning with this year's theme of "Past Structures, Future Connections."
On Saturday, 13 September, embark on a journey through history with two exclusive tours:
At 11:00am join former Newry and Mourne Museum curator Dr. Ken Abraham for a captivating Architectural tour of this rare 16th-century fortified house. Learn about its unique design, and how it reflects the ambitions of its builder, Sir Nicholas Bagenal.
At 1.30pm Sebastian Graham, Heritage Projects Officer at Ulster Architectural Heritage, will guide you through Newry's streets, highlighting the masterpieces of renowned architects like Thomas Duff, W.J. Barre, and William Watson. Discover beautiful structures and quirky features that define Newry's character.
Booking is essential for these limited-space tours. To reserve your spot for either or both tours, please email Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org.
On Sunday, 14 September, dive deeper into local history with free guided tours of the Newry and Mourne Museum at 11:00am and 2:00pm. The tours will cover Bagenal's Castle, as well as the Museum's fascinating exhibitions on prehistoric life, Newry's merchant past, and modern border experiences.
For our younger visitors, get creative with a free, drop-in "Build Your Own Castle" workshop! Children over 5 can unleash their inner architect at the Museum from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your heritage and see the past in a new light. Join us for European Heritage Open Days 2025!
Guests will be taken on tours of Newry and Mourne Museum, which is housed at Bagenal’s Castle, a 16-century fortified house. The castle’s early history is closely connected with the Nine Years War, the Flight of the Earls, and the Ulster Planation.
