Make a Bonnet for Down Museum's RTE Roses Programme

Linda Mckenna, Down County Museum education officer said, “Schools, community groups and individuals are invited to come along to Down County Museum on Friday 24 May to meet artist Christina Henri and take part in some bonnet making as part of the Roses From The Heart: Convict Women Project. 

“RTE’s Nationwide programme will be at the museum on that day to film the artist working in the museum and capture images of local people working alongside her. The museum is taking part in this unique art project thanks to the generous funding of the Friends of Down County Museum and over the past week schools and groups have made a number of bonnets which will feature in the art installation Christina is planning.

“Roses from the Heartseeks to commemorate the thousands of British and Irish women transported to Australia from the 1780’s until the mid-nineteenth century in an unusual way by making a bonnet for every convict woman and their children. The target is almost 26,000 bonnets and 23,000 have been made so far. Pupils from local schools in Down, including Downpatrick Primary School, Down High Prep, the Assumption Grammar School and Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School have made bonnets as have members of community groups from the District.

“Anyone wishing to contribute a bonnet is invited to come along to the museum on Friday 24 May and take part in open workshops where they can find out more about the project and have a go at making and decorating a bonnet. Visitors do not need to have any special sewing skills!”

RTE’s Nationwide programme is filming a feature on the project which will have segments filmed across Ireland and in Australia so this is a great opportunity to show off the artistic skills of local people!

Contact Linda McKenna at the museum on 028 44 615218 for more details.