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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Hans Sloane and Collecting in Modern Ireland: a free talk 'For the curious and interested'

English Street, 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 Dr Alice Marples, guest speaker from the British Library, for a fascinating insight into collecting and ideas of nationhood, in a free talk at Down County Museum.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Come build with us - a Bricks4kidz Lego Experience (13.30 workshop 4-11 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

These popular, Disney themed workshops blend STEAM education with creative play, offering an engaging mix of building, teamwork, and fun.
13:30 Workshop - designed for Primary school aged children 4-11 years.

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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
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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We're Set For Summer 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

museums@mandd.org

Type

Type:

Family Fun

This summer, enjoy free tours, outdoor games, our Cathedral View Kidszone with drawing, reading and dressing up as well as amazing views. Learn about items from the past in object handling sessions (check social media for times). Browse the…

Dates

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Architectural Heritage Tours of English Street, Downpatrick

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:

EHOD (European Heritage Open Days)

Discover the rich architectural heritage of the buildings that dominate Downpatrick's most historic street.
13th and 14th September
11.00 and 14.30
Meet at Down County Museum

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Pumpkin Succulent Planters

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 £35.00 to £40.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Pumpkin Succulent Planters Workshop

Dates

Price
Price £35.00 to £40.00 Per Ticket

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Christmas Lights & Museum Nights

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

Downpatrick Christmas Lights Switch on is this Friday 28th Nov and we have a present for you this festive Friday

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
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

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Plants, People and Places in the 18th Century: A talk for the curious and interested

English Street, 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:

Talks/Lectures

Join Dr Vicky Pickering, guest speaker from the Natural History Museum in London, in Down County Museum, as she discusses the fascinating stories behind the 'vegetable substances' on display in the new British Museum touring exhibition, 'For the…

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
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
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

More Info
Come build with us - a Bricks4kidz Lego Experience (11:45 workshop 4-11 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
Gel Plate Printing at Down County Museum

Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

In this workshop you will explore a range of mark-making and print-making processes when printing by hand and using a gel-plate. Using botanicals, stencils and some found object patterns, you will create a series of unique collage works. A frame…

Dates

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

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Forage and Print with Ruth Osborne

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)330 137 4049

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Walking

Join us for a morning of nature foraging and Nature Printing with Ruth Osborne

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
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
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
Highlighting the Heritage in Newry

Newry

Address

Abbey Way, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9055 0213

info@uahs.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Explore the architectural heritage of Newry and the history of the Newry Canal. Talks and a walking tour included.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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
Set for Summer! Cathedral View Kids' Zone

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

Indoor kids activities - drawing, colouring, dress up and reading

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors