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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Make a Stylish Top in a Day

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4014

denise.griffith@nmandd.org

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

If you love the idea of making your own clothes but don't know where to start, this simple top workshop is the class for you! Learn how to cut out your pattern and construct the garment. Pattern and fabric will be supplied. If you have your own…

Dates

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

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Eamon Donnelly: Republican Politician and Lifelong Anti-Partitionist

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

Type

Type:

History

Dr Éamon Phoenix will give a talk on Eamon Donnelly, prominent Nationalist politician in Ireland during the 1920s and 1930s.

Dates

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Intelligence and Informers in Belfast and Down in the Decade of the United Irishmen

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

Ken Dawson presents a fascinating talk on the impacts of spies and informers on the United Irishmen and the 1798 Rebellion.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Sewing with Oil Cloth

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

Sewing with Oil Cloth
Oil cloth is a very current fabric. It is a durable fabric that requires different handling to other fabrics. In this workshop you will learn how to operate a sewing machine when stitching oil cloth fabrics. Also, you will…

Dates

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

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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

More Info
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

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Design, print & sew a zippered pouch

Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)330 137 4014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

For Beginners, work with Artist René Mullan on this one day immersive course. You will learn to screen-print on textiles, machine sew and finish your very own unique hand printed design

Dates

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

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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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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

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
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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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
Talk by Bob Brown OBE - Jamaica and Strangford Lough - What has Hans Sloane got to do with it?

Downpatrick

Address

23 High St, Killyleagh, Downpatrick, Down, BT30 9QF

Telephone
+44 (0) 78 9625 4153

admin@sirhanssloanecentre.co.uk

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

Talk on the Flora and Fauna of Jamaica and Strangford Lough.

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Make Your Own Shield Workshop

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:

Workshop

Children will learn more about heraldry and create their own family coats crests in our shield arts and crafts workshops.

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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Halloween Storytelling at Newry and Mourne Museum

Castle Street, 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

Storytelling for Halloween at Newry and Mourne Museum

Dates

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Children's Arts and Crafts at Newry and Mourne Museum

Castle Street, 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:

Exhibition

Children's Arts and Crafts

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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

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Bank Holiday at the Ballykinlar History Hut, Down County Museum

Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)33 0137 4252

amy.button@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

History

Join us at Down County Museum on 28th August for a free family fun 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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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

More Info