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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The Mindful Museum

Castle Street, Newry

Address

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

Telephone
+44 0330 137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Discover relaxing new ways of looking and experiencing our beautiful collections in Newry & Mourne Museum and learn some techniques for staying curious and mindful in the world around us.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Bank Holiday Fun

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4049

Museums@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

History

Free family fun at Down County Museum on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th May! Join us for museum tours and outdoor games!

Dates

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Art in the Attic

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+ (0)330 137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

As part of Art History Festival, Down County Museum is offering a rare opportunity to view artworks unseen by the public.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

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

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

Everyday this summer at 2pm, our expert museum staff will give a free tour of the old gaol and our permanent galleries.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
The Taste of Home Twilight Market

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)74 6884 3838

shenda@killowendistillery.com

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

The Taste of Home Twilight Market gives your the unique opportunity to sample and buy the best in local produce in the stunning surroundings of Down County Gaol.

Dates

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Create a Hand Stitched and Dyed Leather Satchel at Down County Museum

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)3301374014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Price
Price £135.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Leather Satchel Workshop

Dates

Price
Price £135.00 Per Ticket

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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
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)330 137 4422

Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Tours of Newry and Mourne Museum

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Down County Museum Showcase: Belinda Loftus Collection

Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4049

alan.freeburn@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Belinda Loftus is a local artist who uses a wide range of media and styles to explore the natural environment, ancient history and myths, political events past and present, and the impact of high finance and artificial intelligence.

Dates

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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
From Canal Street to the Caribbean – Newry links to slavery and the plantation economy

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:

History

A talk on 18 century Newry merchants' who traded in the Carribbean

Dates

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
26 May Bank Holiday Activities

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:

Arts

Family activities at Newry and Mourne Musuem

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
DownTime SummerFest

Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)75 9597 8137

philip@downcommunityarts.org

Type

Type:

Festival

Downtime Summer Festival and family friendly festival in beautiful, historic Downpatrick

Dates

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Confirmed Bachelor: The Gay Diaries of David Strain

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

In this illustrated lecture, Dr Tom Hulme tells David Strain's story: how he discovered his sexuality, searched for love, and ultimately forged a circle of gay friends - both in Belfast and his beloved Oughley Hut in Co. Down.

Dates

Price
Free

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'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
Children's Lego Workshops on Bank Holiday Monday

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
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Brickz4Kidz are bringing their Lego fun to Down County Museum on August 26th.

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
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
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
Toys, Tales and Tunes (and Treats!) for Christmas

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)330 137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Performance

Free fun for the family this Christmas at the Down County Museum.
On 3rd, 10th and 17th December, join us for tales from professional storytellers, tunes from local musicians, toys to discover and crafts to enjoy, and treats to help you recharge.

Dates

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Art of Down Free Talk

Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)330 137 4252

amy.button@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Arts

A talk on Down County Museum's fine art collection by Lesley Simpson, former Keeper of Collections.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info