Newry and Mourne Museum

About the museum

Newry and Mourne Museum first opened to the public on 31 May 1986 inside Newry Arts Centre. By March 2007 it had outgrown that home and moved to Bagenal's Castle, where it remains.

The castle is an early example of a fortified residence, built close to the site of a twelfth-century Cistercian abbey. Sir Nicholas Bagenal, an English settler from Staffordshire, received the confiscated abbey estates in 1552. Over the years the building was altered so much that its exact location was forgotten, and in 1894 it was bought by Arthur McCann Ltd and turned into a bakery. It was rediscovered in 1996 when McCann's sold the site, and was then carefully restored, helped by a survey drawn around 1568 that allowed archaeologists to uncover original features.

The main exhibitions cover prehistoric material, Newry as a merchant town, the working life of the area and modern life in a border region, and they are changed every year. Two further galleries host a programme of temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• Restored sixteenth-century Bagenal's Castle
• Galleries from prehistory to the twentieth century
• Free audio guides in English, Irish, French and German
• Children's interactives, a comic and costumes to try on

Permanent exhibitions

• Main galleries – Three galleries covering prehistoric finds, Newry as a merchant town, the working life of the area and modern life in a border region. The displays are updated each year.
• Bagenal's Castle – The restored sixteenth-century fortified house with interpreted original features, built near a Cistercian abbey site.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A hearing loop system, accessible toilets and accessible parking are listed, and audio guides are available at reception. Check with the museum about step-free access before visiting.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers family arts and crafts sessions, with interactive displays, a children's comic and costumes to try on. A children's audio guide for ages 7 to 12 is available in English and Irish. There are baby changing facilities.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about a five-minute walk from the city centre, beside the Lidl store and car park.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi and toilets are listed on the council tourism listing for the museum. There are baby changing facilities.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit