Down County Museum Newsletter – September 2016
Welcome to Down County Museum, where the rich heritage of County Down is brought to life in fascinating exhibitions, lively events, hands-on activities and award winning education programmes.
Visitors can explore the history of the old Gaol, enjoy our permanent exhibitions and see one of our special, temporary exhibitions displaying objects from our varied collections.
The Down County Museum’s extension, containing three new permanent galleries and a brand new tearoom is now open. Make sure to pay us a visit and take a look around!
Special Lectural Francis Joseph Bigger
This lecture by Roger Dixon presents a fascinating picture of Francis Joseph Bigger, antiquarian, historian, language enthusiast, cultural commentator, naturalist, and much more. The antiquarian Bigger is famous for his association with the Gaelic League. He was very involved in language and cultural revival in County Down, restored Jordan’s Castle in Ardglass, was responsible for placing of a grave maker at St Patrick’s grave and the re-erection of the Downpatrick high cross at the Cathedral. This event has been organised by the Friends of Down County Museum.
Thursday 8 September. This event begins at 7.30pm. Admission is £5 (includes tea/coffee).
European Heritage Open Days: Living History of the old Gaol
Join us on European Heritage Open Days for these special living history presentations.
Step back in time and meet some of the prisoners incarcerated in the old Gaol of Down. Hear about their life in the Gaol and hear what the Gaoler thinks of his charges!
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September.
Presentations take place between
1.30pm and 4.30pm
Culture Night at the Museum
Join us for a special evening opening at the museum. The museum galleries will be open including the new permanent galleries to the rear of the cell block.
Enjoy great music in the tearoom, take part in behind the scenes tours which will tell you more about our diverse collections, have a go at kids’ trails and competitions!.
Tearoom and shop also open.
Friday 16th September.
The Museum will be open until 9pm.
Tin Whistle Classes for Adults
Beginner/improver class with Danny McGreevy, one of the finest traditional musicians in County Down. Learn to play slow airs, polkas, mazurkas and more! This course runs for 10 weeks every Tuesday from 10 September until 15 November.
Classes start at 10.30am and finish at 11.30am.
Tuesday 10 September – Tuesday the 15 November.
The cost is £40 payable to the Friends of Down County Museum.
Irish History Course: Decade of Centenaries
This 5-week course, delivered by Dr. Cathal McManus of Queen’s University Belfast, will provided participants with an overview of the main events, personalities and debates in the ‘decade of centenaries’ (1912-1922).
From the Home Rule crisis, the First World War and the 1916 Rising, to the conscription crisis and partition the course will take you through these crucial years.
No previous knowledge is needed to complete this course. Pre-booking is essential, contact us to book your place.
This course runs for 5 weeks from 23 September to 21st October.
Classes start at 10am and finish at 12pm.
The Cost is £20.
Essence of Form: The Applied Art Collection of Down County Museum
This Exhibition presents the Applied Art colection of Down County Museum. Collected over 25 years, the exhibition includes ceramics, wood-turning, textile pieces, silversmithing and jewellery, made by artists living and working in County Down.
This exhibition closes on 2nd October.
Answer the Call: First World War Posters
On loan from the National Museums Northern Ireland, this exhibition features a powerful selection of First World War posters illustrating various aspects of the drive for recruitment between 1914 and 1918.
Nearly 60 posters from the Ulster Museum’s extensive collection of First World War posters (over 200 in total) are displayed in the exhibition, which reveal the diverse language, imagery, loyalities and emotions employed in the effort to bring the people of Ireland behind the war.
This Exhibition closes on 23 October.
Find us on the Down County Museum Facebook Page
Our opening times are Monday – Friday 10am-5pm, Saturdays & Sundays 1pm-5pm. We are located on The Mall, English Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6AH.
The newly refurbished Cathedral View Tearoom is also open daily.
Entry to all of our exhibitions is FREE unless otherwise stated!
