Down County Museum

Down County Museum is located in the restored eighteenth century County Gaol of Down. The museum collects, conserves and interprets those objects which best illustrate the history, culture and environment of County Down. The collection includes domestic items, costume and textiles, archaeological materials, fine and applied art, farming objects, industrial and commercial objects, sporting memorabilia, medals, coins and postcards, social history and leisure and recreation.

The museum also has an extensive photographic archive. The museum's permanent exhibition, Down Through Time, tells the story of the human history of County Down from earliest times to today, while the restored gaol buildings and cells show how the County Gaol operated and explores the history of specific prisoners. Every year the museum also organises a range of special exhibitions on a variety of topics from costume and toys to medical and commercial history.

The museum has an extensive education programme with activities for school and community groups. The Down Survey is the museum's annual publication which covers different topics in local history or various aspects of the museum's collections. The museum also organises a number of community outreach initiatives and has an active Friends' organisation. A lively events programme takes place every year. The museum also has a tearoom and shop.

You can take a virtual tour of the museum by clicking here.