From Serial Killers to the Book of Kells: Newry Museum's January Talks

Newry and Mourne Museum is hosting two contrasting talks this month, taking audiences from the wonderful world of printing through the ages to the dark tale of two infamous serial killers with local roots.

Dark historian Andrew Johnston of Alternative Ulstours is bringing his Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell-out talk on William Burke and William Hare to Hare's erstwhile home and workplace of Newry for the first time. Andrew will tell the ghoulish tale of the infamous miscreants, from their origins in rural Ulster to the shocking murders in 1820s Edinburgh that made them arguably the first modern serial killers. The talk will remember Burke and Hare's victims and reveal what became of the duo, their wives and the doctors who paid for fresh cadavers during the body snatching era. Andrew will reclaim the two Willies from Scotland for the north of Ireland in this informative and entertaining evening of horror and true crime. The talk takes place on Thursday 29 January from 7.30pm until 9.30pm at Newry and Mourne Museum, costing £2.50 per person.

Earlier in the month, renowned local photographer Billy McAlpine will present "A History of Printing" with everything from the Book of Kells, through to W&S Magowan to the Digital Age. Starting with the intricate artistry of the Book of Kells, Billy will guide audiences through the local legacy of the W&S Magowan Printing Works, based in Edward Street, Newry, and into the fast-paced world of modern digital processes. Drawing from his own extensive personal archive, Billy will share the stories behind the craft and showcase the images that define printing's evolution. This talk has been organised in association with the Old Newry Society and will take place on Saturday 17 January at 2pm, costing £2.50 per person.

Both events promise to be engaging evenings of local history and storytelling. To book or for more information please email Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org