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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The Life and Times of Archibald Hamilton Rowan (1751-1832)

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)7484649767

fodcmuseum@gmail.com

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

Join the Friends of Down County Museum this Thursday evening, 12th October at 7.30pm for a lecture from Fergus Whelan.
Everyone is welcome. Friends attend free, and non-members are £5.

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

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The life and times of Archibald Hamilton Rowan by Fergus Whelan

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44(0)7484649767

fodcmuseum@gmail.com

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

The life and times of Archibald Hamilton Rowan (1751-1832)
Lecture by Fergus Whelan
12th October, 7.30pm at Down County Museum

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

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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:

EHOD (European Heritage Open Days)

Tour of Newry and Mourne Museum

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)330 137 4992

museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Free tours of the temporary exhibitions for St Patrick's Day

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
'The Sekules Family and the Kilkeel Knitting Mills'

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 £2.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

Esther Bloch, daughter of Edith Sekules, will discuss how her family escaped from Vienna on the outbreak of the Second World War, spent time in detention camps in Russia before settling in Northern Ireland in the late 1940s and setting up the…

Dates

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
An 18th century Influencer: Thomas Russell and the Age of Revolution

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 £2.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

Ken Dawson speaks on Russell's relationships and influence, in the second in our special series of events marking the 220th anniversary of Thomas Russell's death.

Dates

Price
Price £2.50 Per Ticket

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Sound Bath and Sound Healing Experience with Tessa Ann

Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+ (0) 33 0137 4014

downartscentre@nmandd.org

Price
Price £30.00 to £35.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

The Breath & Sound experience is a sacred journey back to yourself—a soul reset that offers space to reconnect with your true essence.

Dates

From:
22 Feb 2025Open 10:30 - 12:30

Price
Price £30.00 to £35.00 Per Ticket

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Christmas Arts and Crafts

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
Price £1.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

Start your celebrations early at Newry and Mourne Museum with our Christmas events.
On 3 & 10 December, at10.30am - 12pm and 1.30pm - 3pm, we have our Christmas themed arts and crafts activities.
This activity is appropriate for children aged 5 -…

Dates

Price
Price £1.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Iúr Cinn Fleadh 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

Live Music

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Bridget Pullen: Silk painting and Batik

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:

Exhibition

Art exhibition using the ancient arts of batik and painting on silk

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Down County Museum

Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4049

Museums@nmandd.org

Price
Free
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Down County Museum is located in the old county Gaol of Down. It houses fascinating exhibitions on the history of Down as well as restored cells with life-size figures of prisoners and their gaolers.
Price
Free

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Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Curator Talk on For the curious and interested exhibition

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

Free public talk from Dr Alicia Hughes, Project Curator for Sloane Lab: Looking back to build future shared collections at the British Museum.

Dates

Price
Free

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Brennan Miskelly McCormick Irish Dance Performance

English Street, Downpatrick

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)77 1118 9650

Christine@mccormick80.plus.com

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Dancers from the Brennan Miskelly McCormick school of Irish Dance will entertain the crowds in Down County Museum on Saint Patrick's Day. Pupils aged 4 to 19 will perform a number of dances showcasing intricate steps and fabulous rhythms.

Dates

More Info
Landscape Needle Felting

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:

Participatory Event

Landscape Needle Felting
Join local artist Jennifer Cunningham in the Felt Picture Making workshop where you will be guided through creating a felted landscape. Using woos and embroidery techniques you will embellish and enhance your piece ready to…

Dates

Price
Price £50.00 to £55.00 Per Ticket

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Pumpkin Succulent Planters 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 £35.00 to £40.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Pumpkin Succulent Planters

Dates

Price
Price £35.00 to £40.00 Per Ticket

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Easter Arts and Crafts for Families

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 £1.64 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Easter Events

Family Easter Art and Crafts

Dates

Price
Price £1.64 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors