Temporary Exhibitions

Artefacts from Kilkeel Knitting Mills go on display at Newry and Mourne Museum

An important collection of artefacts reflecting the work of the Kilkeel Knitting Mills have gone on display at Newry and Mourne Museum. These include a knitting machine and examples of knitwear produced by the factory in the later decades of the 20th century.

Kilkeel Knitting Mills was established by Edith and Kurt Sekules in 1950. Before World War II the Sekules family had been part of the Jewish community in Vienna and settled in Northern Ireland in 1947 after having spent the Second World War in detention camps in Russia.

During the 1950s and 1960s the business continued to expand, developing an international customer base. The factory began by making Argyle socks but went on to knit tartan hose worn by pipe bands and, from 1957, cashmere and Aran sweaters. In the 1980s, Edith and Kurt’s son Walter became more involved in the business. After the deaths of his parents, Walter continued to run the factory until it eventually closed in the autumn of 2022. He passed away in July 2023.

Artefacts donated to the Museum by Walter Sekules at the time of the factory’s closure include a knitting machine used when the factory opened in 1950, which was still in use in 2022, a wages book from the 1950s and various socks and sweaters. Of particular significance is a cardigan worn by Edith Sekules at her Golden Wedding anniversary celebrations in 1986. This was one of five designs by Irish designer Paul Costelloe, produced by Kilkeel Knitting Mills. As personal designer to Diana, the late Princess of Wales, a cardigan from the range made at Kilkeel was worn by Diana in the same year.

The knitting machine from Kilkeel Knitting Mills is on permanent display while the knitwear is on display until June 2024.

Slices of History: Memories of McCann’s Bakery

The latest temporary exhibition ‘Slices of History: Memories of McCann’s Bakery’, looks at the Bakery’s long history going back to its establishment in 1837. On display are a wide range of items such as a breadman’s jacket, recipes, brochures, and bread making equipment, all of which will bring back fond memories.

It highlights how the company was a part of the fabric of Newry and Mourne society, providing a much-needed service in the community, especially at a time before cars and buses were commonplace. The company also provided employment for many in the area, especially in difficult periods.

Accompanying the exhibition is a booklet of edited transcriptions from conversations that were recorded by Newry and Mourne Museum during reminiscence evenings with the former employees of McCann’s Bakery including the manager, office workers, mechanics and of course, bakers and breadmen. The booklet focuses on their memories of what life was like in the bakery.

The exhibition is open to the public free of charge until August 2024.

Newry Artists Past and Present

This exhibition celebrates the works of talented artists who hail from Newry or who have found inspiration in the local area.

This exhibition features a collection of fine and applied art, including sculptures, dating from the late 19th century up until the present, and offers a unique opportunity to explore artworks from the Museum Collection that are not typically on display.

At the core of this display is the exploration of how these remarkable artists have utilised their skills to respond to the local landscape, the areas rich history and significant social and political events. In addition to the Museum’s own collection, the exhibition includes several works on loan and exciting new additions, including contemporary and abstract pieces.

The exhibition features the works of esteemed artists such as John Nixon, Margaret Clarke, Colin Turner, John Haugh, John Bannon, Cora Harrington, Sean Hillen, Greag Mac a' tSaoir, Anna-Marie Savage and Russell Reid. Their exceptional talents will undoubtedly captivate visitors.

The exhibition is housed in Gallery Three of the Museum and is open to the public free of charge until 27 April 2024.

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Free Tours at Down County Museum

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4049

museum@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Free tours at Down County Museum this July

Dates

Price
Free

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'The Legacy: Newry 1920 - 1930'

Newry

Address

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

Telephone
0330 137 4422

declan.carroll@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Exhibition

New exhibition 'The Legacy: Newry 1920 - 1930' opens at Newry and Mourne Museum.

Dates

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Free tours of 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 4049

declan.carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Free tours of Newry and Mourne Museum

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
The United Irishmen Film Screening

Downpatrick

Address

Down Arts Centre, 2 - 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6BP

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

Find out more about the history of the Society of United Irishmen and its impact on society and politics in the eighteenth century and beyond. With Q&A with the film director, Alan Gilsenan

Dates

From:
4 June 2024Open 19:00 - 21:30

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

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Thomas Russell Bus Tour

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0) 33 0137 4252

amy.button@nmandd.org

Price
Price £8.00 to £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

Join Heritage Officer Linda McKenna on a special guided tour to mark the 220th anniversary of Thomas Russell's death.

Dates

Price
Price £8.00 to £10.00 Per Ticket

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Silver Linked Bracelet Workshop

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+ (0) 33 0137 4014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Price
Price £65.00 to £70.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Silver Linked Bracelet Workshop at Down County Museum. Spend a day of fun and make a pair of silver linked bracelet under the guidance of goldsmith Diane Lyness.

Dates

From:
2 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 16:00

Price
Price £65.00 to £70.00 Per Ticket

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Land Border in Ireland - 100 Years On

Newry

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)330 137 4992

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

A talk examining the 100 years of the border in Ireland

Dates

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

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Battle of Ballynahinch, Four Fighting Days introduced by Robert Burgess

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
03301374049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Join us as Robert Burgess introduces the documentary film , "Four Days of Fighting": The Battle of Ballynahinch, June 1798.

Dates

Price
Free

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Play with Clay on St. Patrick's Day

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

Type

Type:

History

Play with Clay

Dates

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
'The Seamus Mallon I knew' a talk 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
Free

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

On 6 April at 2pm, Newry and Mourne Museum will host a fascinating talk into one of Northern Ireland's most important political figures, Seamus Mallon.

Dates

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Christmas Wreaths at Down County Museum

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)330 137 4014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Christmas Wreaths

Dates

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

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Community Curation Taster Session

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)3301374049

shirley.keneraconsulting@gmail.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Join us for a taster session introducing an exciting new exhibition project for 2024

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Willow Christmas Wreaths

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0) 33 0137 4014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Christmas Willow Wreaths. During this half day workshop, we will be making a beautiful door wreath for your home. Using locally sourced willow, holly, spruce and pine, you will produce a wonderful wreath, under the guidance of tutor Clive Lyttle…

Dates

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Build Your Own Shield

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
Free

Type

Type:

History

Children's Build Your Own Shield Workshop

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Presbyterians, Politics and the 1798 Rebellion

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)33 0137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Join Dr Andrew Holmes as he explores the relationship between Presbyterians and radical politics in the late eighteenth century.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Noctambule at Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry

Address

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

Telephone
0330 137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Concert

Afternoon of Music at Newry and Mourne Museum

Dates

Price
Free

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Have Fun in the Sun with Seaside and Sun

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:

Workshop

Summer arts and crafts

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Queering the North Exhibition

Newry

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)330 137 4992

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

The exhibition explores the journey of the LGBT+ community in Northern Ireland, from 1967 to the present-day.

Dates

Price
Free

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Applique Cushion

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+ (0) 33 0137 4014

denise.griffith@nmandd.org

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Applique Cushion
Come along and learn how to make an appliqued cushion cover. We will learn how to embellish the cushion by learning different styles of machine applique and will be working with various fabrics and threads to add texture and…

Dates

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

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25 years on: Reflections on the Good Friday Agreement

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

Type

Type:

History

Down County Museum are pleased to welcome Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick and Mark Devenport in conversation to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Dates

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