Temporary Exhibitions

Making Waves: Newry’s Rise As a Global Trade Centre

This exhibition explores how the influx of goods from around the world transformed the lives of people in and around the Port of Newry, forever changing the region. It also shows how the maritime trade provided employment for generations of local people, from merchants and sailors to dockers and customs officers.

Visitors to the exhibition will discover Newry's transformation into a bustling global marketplace, a story told through the Museum’s collection of artefacts and information boards. Panels highlight a bustling trade of imported goods like minerals and sugar, which filled the warehouses of Sugar Island and Merchants Quay. In turn, products exported included Newry granite, whiskey and fine linen.

Among the items on display are everyday relics from this era, such as postcards, paper bags for loose tea, receipts for tobacco and flax seed, and 18th century consignment notices for linen bound for America.

Accompanying the exhibition is a complimentary booklet of essays, offering more information and providing greater detail on subjects such as businesses in the 19th century, women’s work and the port, emigration as well as the historical development of the port itself.

The free exhibition is now open to the public until September 2026

VE Day & VJ Day Exhibit

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, with Victory in Europe Day and Victory over Japan Day and on 2 May, Cllr Pete Byrne Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council officially launched the exhibit of two Second World War artefacts and costumes at Newry and Mourne Museum as worn by local men.

On display is a US Army 563rd Motor Ambulance Company Blouse and Cap c1943

Worn by Private First-Class James Quinn, originally from Tullyframe near Kilkeel. After emigrating to America, he served as an ambulance driver and mechanic with the US Army from 1943 to 1945 before returning to live in Kilkeel in 1950.

You can also see a suit made by Burton’s 1940s. Known as a demob suit, civilian clothing was issued to servicemen after their demobilisation from the British armed forces. The outfit included: a felt hat or flat cap, a double-breasted 3-piece suit or a single-breasted jacket and trousers, two shirts and collars, a tie, shoes and a raincoat. Gloves, underwear and socks were also available, and men were given a special allocation of clothing coupons to buy any extra items they might need, as well as an extra cigarette ration, and a one-way rail warrant.

One of the main suppliers was Burton’s, founded by Montague Burton, and it’s thought that that the phrase the full monty, meaning "everything" originally referred to a full set of demob clothes supplied by the firm. Women demobilised from the armed services simply received clothing coupons.

As well as the suits you will see mid-20th century collars, a clothing ration book, receipts from 1934 and 1945 from two gentlemen’s outfitters in Newry and a commemorative handbell was made by the Buckinghamshire Die-Casting Co using aluminium alloy from German aircraft shot down over Britain.

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Art History Festival 2025

Newry

Address

Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Arts

Celebrate art at Newry and Mourne Museum

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Down County Museum EHOD 2025

Downpatrick

Address

The Mall, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

EHOD (European Heritage Open Days)

Down County Museum is housed within the historic walls of the 18th-century County Gaol of Down.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
AONB and Geopark Amateur Photography Competition Winners Exhibition

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4049

alan.freeburn@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Magnificent Mourne Gullion Strangford! Our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty through the seasons.'
A display of the winners and finalists in this annual amateur photography competition held by the management teams of the Ring of Gullion, Mournes…

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
'A matter which affected their common welfare' - Tenant purchase in Ireland.

Newry

Address

Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

A discussion about land purchase before partition

Dates

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Free Family Fun This St Patrick's Weekend at Down County Museum

Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4252

Michael.Arlow@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Join us on Saturday 15 March for a day of music, arts & crafts storytelling, and enjoy a free tour of the Museum.
We are open from 10am-4:30pm for music, arts & crafts, storytelling, and free tours of the Museum.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
War Into Words

Newry

Address

Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

A talk exploring the life of Wilfred Owen

Dates

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Family Halloween Arts and Crafts at Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry

Address

Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

On Saturday 25 and Monday 27 October 2025 your children can visit Newry and Mourne Museum to unleash their wild and wicked imaginations to create ghostly arts and crafts in celebration of the scariest time of the year.

Dates

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Crafting for the curious: free children's craft workshops

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Workshop

Are you a curious collector who enjoys getting creative? Are you 6-12 years of age? Have you got some free time this February half-term?
Join us to make your own unique version of an item from the British Museum collection, now on display in…

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
The Downpatrick Workhouse Exhibition

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4049

museums@mandd.org

Type

Type:

Exhibition

The Downpatrick Workhouse on Strangford Road closed 80 years ago this year. A new exhibition at Down County Museum explores the complex history of the workhouse and the harsh realities faced by the local residents who entered its doors.

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Halloween Storytelling for Families at Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry

Address

Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Halloween

On Friday 31 October 2025, join renowned storyteller Janice Witherspoon in Newry and Mourne Museum as she weaves tales of strange goings on, witches, ghosts, and all sorts of fairy folk, there may even be a few surprises too.

Dates

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Easter Activities at Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry

Address

Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Easter Events

Children's arts and crafts for Easter

Dates

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Art in the Attic: A Curator's Talk

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, Downpatrick, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0)330 137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Join Down County Museum's Curator, Dr Kris Reid for this FREE lunchtime talk.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Come build with us - a Bricks4kidz Lego Experience (15.00 workshop 7+ yrs)

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, Downpatrick, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
0330 137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Let your child's imagination soar as they embark on a LEGO® adventure with Bricks 4 Kidz workshops this August Bank Holiday Monday at Down County Museum.

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Iúr Cinn Fleadh 2025

Newry

Address

Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+ 44 (0) 330 137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Live Music

Experience Iúr Cinn Fleadh at Newry & Mourne Museum. Free & Ticketed Events

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Christmas Magic Begins at Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry

Address

Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+ 44 (0)330 137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

Get ready to start your Christmas celebrations early at Newry and Mourne Museum.

Dates

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Set for summer! HELP! Pokémon Go

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
0330 137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Are you a Pokémon Go trainer? We need your help!

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
For the curious and interested: a British Museum touring exhibition

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Northern Ireland is the first stop for this exhibition, which reunites items from Sir Hans Sloane's collections, alongside new insights and reflections.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Free Viking Handling Sessions

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, Downpatrick, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44(0)330 137 4252

amy.button@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Come to Down County Museum and get hands-on with our Viking replicas.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Annual AONB Photography Competition Exhibtion

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

View the stunning winning entries of the annual AONB Photography Competition at Down County Museum and pick up your copy of the calendar.
Pictured is 'Binnian's Sunset' by the winner, Enda Quinn

Dates

From:

6 Jan 2026to31 Jan 2026Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
'The Country Aflame - the 1798 campaign at Antrim, Arklow, Saintfield and Ballynahinch'

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

Telephone
+44 (0)28 0330 137 4049

museums@mandd.org

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

This talk by Dr Gavin Hughes will briefly outline the context of four major - and dramatic - battles fought in June 1798 as part of the United Irishmen's Campaign. Dr Gavin Hughes is currently Director of the Irish Conflict Archaeology Network at…

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors