Mountmellick Museum

About the museum

The Mountmellick Museum is housed in a refurbished grain mill built in 1830 that overlooks the Owenass River. It is run by the Mountmellick Development Association and focuses on the town’s Quaker industrial past.

Mountmellick was a Quaker settlement, and its flax and cotton mills earned it the nickname “little Manchester of Ireland”. In the nineteenth century an embroidery industry grew up that employed more than fifty women, and the craft was taught in local Quaker schools. The white-on-white style of work took its name from the town.

The museum shows old and contemporary Mountmellick work, including bed coverlets, pillow shams, tablecloths and nightdress cases. Guides lead the visit, and group and one-to-one embroidery workshops can be arranged in advance. The museum also keeps a database of Quaker records dating back to the seventeenth century for family history research.

Highlights

• Old and contemporary Mountmellick work embroidery
• Bed coverlets, pillow shams, tablecloths and nightdress cases
• Quaker industrial history of the town
• Guided visits and embroidery workshops
• Database of Quaker records from the seventeenth century

Permanent exhibition

• Mountmellick work embroidery – Displays of historic and modern white-on-white Mountmellick embroidery, with the story of the town’s Quaker industries.

Operated by

Mountmellick Development Association

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

Hare’s Corner, a local restaurant in a former mill next door, is recommended by locals.

Amenities & dining

A booklet and map for the Mountmellick heritage trail, a looped town walk with storyboards, are available at the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit