Newry and Downpatrick Museums Prove Major Draw with 6,400 Visitors in Three Months

The two Newry, Mourne and Down museums attracted more than 6,400 visitors between October and December 2025, with schoolchildren making up a third of those through the doors at the Newry and Downpatrick facilities.

The district's museums continue to serve as vital resources for pupils studying local history and provide a window to the past through their exhibitions and activities. Newry and Mourne Museum welcomed 4,015 visitors during the period, whilst Down County Museum in Downpatrick attracted 2,403.

Councillor Philip Campbell, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said the museums play a crucially important role in helping everyone connect with the past. "Our Museums are a vital resource for everyone across the district and play a crucially important role helping us all contact with our past," he said.

"The Museums are home to informative exhibitions, host a range of activities and are also popular with visitors, some of whom have family connections in the area dating back many, many years."

At Newry and Mourne Museum, the Making Waves: Newry's rise as a global trade centre exhibition in October celebrated the city's maritime and commercial history and included many items that had not previously been on display. Other displays included exploring local VJ celebrations and an Escape from the Grotto toy-themed display and family trail in December.

The Newry museum has been busy adding to its collection, purchasing a set of 19th century Newry glass goblets formerly belonging to the Earl of Kilmorey and items relating to local railway services from the late Lord O'Neill's collection. Donations have included a significant selection of 19th and 20th century lace and linen embroidery from the Convent of Mercy needlework school and a receipt or order book from McCann's bakery.

Conservation work is continuing on an Ages and Capabilities ledger dating back to 1824, an important document which includes records of custom service employees from Newry, Warrenpoint and other County Down ports.

The Newry venue has also been awarded £95,000 over 30 months for an innovative community collection project, Collecting Together: Communities as Curators, that empowers communities to shape the museum's collection through inclusive acquisition and commissioning.

Meanwhile at Down County Museum, a collection of 25 artworks is on permanent display and includes a large painting of Constance Malleson (nee Annesley) by William Connor and 12 watercolours of Lecale by R D Perceval as well as notable scenes from County Down towns.

The English Street museum also received a donation of objects relating to Downpatrick's medical history including signage from a local pharmacy, a bell from the old Downe Hospital and 20th century photographs for digitisation. Two paintings have been acquired, one of Bowden's Far, Tullybrannigan by Colin Middleton purchased by the Friends of Down County Museum and Across the Marshes of the Quoile by Jack Hill from the late Lord O'Neill's collection.

Cllr Campbell said the museums help local people learn about the district's shared heritage and can especially inspire schoolchildren to find out more about their own areas. "I commend our excellent museum staff for everything they do. They make an invaluable contribution to help young people who are our future, learn about the past. Preserving local history is one of the most important things Newry, Mourne and Down District Council does," the Chairperson added.

To find out more and stay up to date with the latest exhibitions, events and activities across the district's museums, follow NMD Museums on social media or check out their website at www.visitmournegullionstrangford.com