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The Oughley Shed

Down County Museum, Downpatrick, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH
David Strain sitting

About

Developed by Dr Tom Hulme (QUB) and Prof Leanne McCormick (UU), and designed by artist Lorna Gough, this exhibition recreates the hidden shed of Co. Down diarist David Strain (1896–1969). A meticulous writer, he kept regular diaries from 1920 to 1941, now preserved at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

By day David was a dutiful son; by night his shed became a private sanctuary where, as a gay man, he embraced Oscar Wildean decadence, entertained friends, and pursued love. Visitors to the museum can step into an evocative 1930s world of sound, scent, and secrecy, uncovering a rare glimpse into Northern Ireland's LGBTQ+ past.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All areas accessible to disabled visitors

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking
  • Station nearby

Guide Prices

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Please contact the organiser for any further information that's required.

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Tel +44 (0) 33 0137 4049

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Related

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