Newry & Mourne Museum

Established in 1986, Newry & Mourne Museum aims to provide a dynamic and inclusive recreational and educational resource reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the local area. The museum’s diverse collections currently include material relating to prehistory; Newry’s Cistercian foundations; Ulster’s Gaelic Order and its relationship with the English Crown; the building of a merchant town and the first summit level canal in the British Isles; the working life and folk traditions of rural and mountain areas; fishing, trade and migration by sea; renowned local personalities and businesses; folklore, storytelling and music; and modern experiences of a Border area. All these aspects of local heritage are explored at through a varied programme of exhibitions, educational events and activities.

Newry and Mourne Museum first opened in 1986 in Newry Arts Centre and moved to larger premises at Bagenal’s Castle in March 2007. It has welcomed visitors from all over the world who have enjoyed the rich tapestry of this region’s history on display throughout the building.

Built in the environs of the site of a 12th century Cistercian abbey, Bagenal’s Castle is an early example of a fortified residence.

The Castle’s exact location was lost over the years due to constant adaptation of the building, not least when the premises were purchased by Arthur McCann Ltd in 1894 and converted into a bakery.

Rediscovered in 1996 when McCann’s sold the site, the Castle has been sympathetically restored.  During the restoration process, drawings from a survey of the Castle completed c.1570 allowed archaeologists to uncover many original features of the Castle and these have been interpreted for the visitor.

The main exhibitions in the Museum include prehistoric material, Newry as a merchant town, the working life of the area and modern experiences of living in a Border area. Changes are made to the main exhibitions on an annual basis.²