Garvagh Museum

About the museum

Garvagh Museum is a rural folk museum in the Bann Valley. It began when objects collected from the town and district were stored in a small building next to Garvagh Secondary School. When the collection outgrew this space, the walled garden of Garvagh House, the former seat of the Canning family, was chosen as its home.

The Canning family arrived in the early 17th century during the Plantation of Ulster, and George Canning was made Baron Garvagh in 1818. The walled garden is linked to the blind harper Denis Hempson, who lived to be over 100, and a granite pillar at the museum entrance serves as a memorial to him.

The collection has almost two thousand objects. They trace the history of the Bann Valley from about 3000 BC to the first half of the 20th century, and they were donated and cared for by the local community. Schools from a wide area use the museum regularly, and older visitors often recognise the tools and household objects on display.

Highlights

• Almost 2,000 objects on Bann Valley history
• Set in the walled garden of Garvagh House
• Memorial to the harper Denis Hempson
• Guided tours and school visits

Permanent exhibition

• Bann Valley collection – Almost two thousand objects that trace the history of the Bann Valley from 3000 BC to the first half of the 20th century.

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The museum has parking.

Amenities & dining

Toilets are available at the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit