Council launch Museums School Transport Scheme

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to announce the launch of a new Museums School Transport Scheme for 2023/2024.  

Available from 1 September 2023, the Council is offering eligible schools within the district up to £200 towards the cost of traveling to both Down County Museum and Newry and Mourne Museum.  The transport scheme aims to support local schools and provide affordable opportunities to learn outside the classroom for their pupils.  

At the launch, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “This scheme is a recognition by Council of the severe cost of living crisis in which we currently find ourselves. It’s so important that students can access their local museums and develop their connection to their history and area. This is one way we can reduce the barriers that schools face in bringing their students into our museums to discover more about this historic region.”

Head of Arts, Culture, Heritage & Events Noreen Cunningham said, “this new scheme follows on from the very successful Recovery Museums Project whereby schools could avail of a similar amount to help their classes to return to museum visits after the prolonged absence due to COVID-19. We took proactive steps in helping the community return to normal. This new transport scheme will build upon this success and help more students to engage with their local collections and ensure they enjoy the many benefits of museum learning.”

The launch of the new Museums Transport Scheme event coincided with the unveiling of NMD Museums’ new online Schools’ Learning Programmes brochure. This colourful and easy to read guide highlights what is available to local primary school in both Museums. This will give teachers across the district greater awareness of what is available to support their students’ engagement with the curriculum. 

For further information about the Museums’ Learning Programmes and the Transport Scheme, please telephone 0330 137 4422 (Newry and Mourne Museum) or 0330 137 4252 (Down County Museum) OR email museums@nmandd.org