School’s Programme
The Museum provides workshops that utilise artefacts from the collection which are based on the history of Newry and Mourne. Some of the topics include:
Pre-School and Foundation Year
Castle Life
The Museum has developed a piece of theatre designed for pre-school and foundation year children highlighting the uniqueness Bagenal’s Castle as our premier artefact. Children will meet two characters who, through songs and games, will bring to life living and working in the 16 century.
Toy Workshop: Designed for the younger pupil, children will learn about toys from the past and around the world, they then have the opportunity to make their own toy to take home.
Key Stage 1
Build your own Castle workshop:
Students will learn more about the Castle, the rooms and who lived here, the various jobs and servants that were employed. They can try on some of the costumes on display and have a chance to build their own castle.
Key Stage 2
'Living History' workshops have been devised for schools so that pupils can learn more about the past in an interactive and enjoyable way. They include:
-
The Workhouse: The students are transported to the time of Irish Famine were they are transformed into paupers entering the Newry Union Workhouse in 1847 for the first time.
-
The Victorian school room: Pupils will appreciate education in the 21st century after they experience the strict discipline and rigorous lessons of a 19th century classroom, where they may even face the threat of the cane!
-
World War Two: Pupils will learn how to be Fire Guard Messengers. They will be instructed on blackouts, gas masks, and what to do during an air raid.
These workshops also include tours of the relevant Museum galleries.
Archaeology Workshop: Students will become archaeologists for the day, visiting an archaeological site examining changes over time, handling artefacts, and creating their own piece of ‘Neolithic’ pottery.
Seasonal Activities
Halloween:
Each year we are delighted to host storytellers from all over the country who perform ancient myths and legends in an exciting, interactive and educational style coupled with music and songs, which will capture the hearts and imaginations of students.
Christmas around the World:
In these lively and interactive sessions children learn how Christmas was celebrated in the past, including the Victorian period, and learn more about where in the world our Christmas traditions have come from. Pupils will also visit our ‘Christmas Toy Room’ where they will see, play with toys from the past, present and from around the world and see artefacts from the Museum’s Collection.
Tours
Schools can avail of tours of the Museum and learn more about the history of Newry and Mourne, from early times to the present day.
They will also be informed about the history of Bagenal’s Castle, a restored 16th century fortified house, which houses the Museum, discovering how the building would have functioned
We also organise historic walking tours of Newry town. To complement this activity, we can also provide a virtual tour of 19th century Newry, using maps and photographs from the collection.
Canal Resource Booklet
Download the Maritime History of Newry and Mourne booklet here.
Children's Comic
Download the Newry & Mourne Museum comic here.
Download the Newry & Mourne Irish comic here.
