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2024 was a very busy year for Newry and Mourne Museum. There were several very important donations and new displays were launched. They hosted several talks, and various events and activities to go along side their temporary exhibitions. This was on top of two thousand local school children who took part in their regular education programme, as well as one or two special workshops.
In January the Museum received a very important donation by Walter Sekules of a collection of artefacts reflecting the work of the Kilkeel Knitting Mills, which also went on display. These include a knitting machine, and examples of knitwear produced by the factory in the later decades of the 20th century.
The museum welcomed schools back in the new year with several workshops, some of which looked at life in Victorian times, including life in the Workhouse. Some classes learned about life in the castle, while other learned about World War Two.
In March they hosted a very special Etching and Printing workshop in partnership with EA AmmA in support of heritage, culture, and creativity. This workshop also complimented the ‘Newry Artists’ exhibition which ran until November 2024, as the students had to create their own unique art piece, inspired by their visit to the exhibition and Museum galleries.
The Museum took part in National Drawing Day on 18 May. Local artist Dwyer McKerr hosted workshops, which helped children with their drawing and sketching skills.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June, two service uniforms worn by local men during World War Two, went on display at the Museum. The exhibit explores the considerable contribution local people from Newry and Mourne made to the war effort, in particular James Quinn and Major Gerald Reside, who wore the uniforms on display.
As part in Iúr Cinn Fleadh, the annual traditional Irish music and community festival in Newry, the Museum hosted guest musicians, Briege Murphy from Forkhill and the Qua family who live in Markethill over the late August Bank Holiday weekend.
The European Heritage Open Days initiative was celebrated at the Museum on 14 September. They hosted Sharon Campbell from Mrs C’s Home Kitchen, Dundrum who facilitated two bread making demonstrations. These demonstrations complemented the temporary exhibition ‘Slices of History: Memories of McCann’s Bakery’, which looks at the Bakery’s long history going back to its establishment in 1837.
An important collection of artefacts reflecting the life and work of August Toremans were donated to the Museum by the musician’s daughters in September. August Toremans made such an important contribution to music in Newry and beyond and his collection will make a significant contribution to the Museum collection, which contains an extensive performing arts collection.
Also in September, Newry, Mourne and Down Museum service launched its Online Collection. Staff in Down County Museum and Newry and Mourne Museum have made both collections accessible online, meaning members of the public can now search both Museum’s collections from home.
Later in September the Museum’s School’s Transport Scheme for 2024 was re-launched. This highly innovative scheme developed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council made available assistance up to £200 towards the cost of school visits to both Museums.
The Museum received a rare copy of MacCabe’s Directory of Newry, Warrenpoint and Rosstrevor’ from 1830 in October. The directory, printed by Thomas Verdon in Drogheda in 1830, contains an abstract history of the three towns, along with a list of their gentry, clergy, professional gentlemen, merchants, manufacturers and shopkeepers.
Our seasonal events for schools continued with our Halloween storytelling for schools. Our guest storyteller this year was Colin Urwin who visited the Museum for the first time. Colin told interactive stories and sung songs from around the world.
In November the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland (CAPNI) visited the Museum to introduce school children to the work of archaeologists, and to help them explore how we piece together the story of the distant past and gain a better understanding of people’s lives through the material remains they have left behind.
Each year the Museum hosts “Christmas Around the World” for local primary schools in December. This year the children made their way through the Museum’s galleries to see how Christmas was celebrated in days gone by and learn how our Christmas traditions come from all over the world. The children also visited the Museum's ‘Christmas Toy room’ where they play with toys from our past. This activity was particularly busy with thirty classes and over 750 students taking part.
After all that the museum in now getting ready for 2025, with new exhibitions and lectures planned, but for now Newry and Mourne Museum would like to take this opportunity to thank all their guests and visitors for their support and wish you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
For more information or to book please email Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org
