NMD Museums Launch An Online Collection For Public

Newry Mourne and Down Museums Launch Online Collections with 26,000 items so far listed

Newry Mourne and Down Museums’ expansive collections can now be viewed online through its NMD Museums website.

With 26,000 artefacts currently listed, now it is easier than ever to see and learn about local treasures and historical objects. The project is ongoing and the site will be updated annually in December, with new artefacts and photographs added.

The development of a new NMD Museums website last year provided the facility for the Museums to share their collections. This work has recently been completed and members of the public can now search both museum’s collections online.

Joanne Cummins, Collection Officer Newry and Mourne Museu and Bridget Malloy, Collection Officer at Downpatrick County Museum pictured with the Chairperson of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Pete Byrne, at the launch of the new website allowing the public to access a huge number of artefacts in the Museum collections.

Both museums opened in the 1980s and have grown their collections over the years, mainly thanks to the generosity of local people and those with a connection to the area.

The collections are comprised of a range of objects, textiles, documents, art and photographs, reflecting the various aspects of the social, cultural and political heritage of the area from pre-history to the present day.

Commenting on the launch of the online collections, Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne, said: “The availability of this new resource will be invaluable for anyone with an interest in the history of our area, whether local historians or those from further afield.

“These diverse collections help us to understand our area’s fascinating history, heritage and culture”.

NMD Museums and Heritage Manager, Alan Freeburn, added: “Staff at both museums have devoted a considerable amount of time and effort to the project.

“Museums can only display a small amount of their collections at any one time, but now members of the public can delve deeper into the huge number of artefacts in the collections”.

For further details about the Museums’ and to explore the collections visit:

www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/museums