DownCountyMuseum

Hi everyone we are moving to a new twitter account. Please like and follow us at @nmdmuseums

Still places left on our glass workshop with Alison Lowry on 12 February. Join Alison to try out glass making using pate de verre technique. 11am to 1pm. Admission free. Contact linda.mckenna@nmandd.org to book places.

We have used some of the convict petitions at @NARIreland to find out more about some of the convicts held in our gaol. A great source!

Contact us to pre-book your places!

The resulting art installation is thought provoking, moving and visually stunning. Alison Lowry, an award-winning glass artist, working from her studio, ‘Schoolhouse Glass’ in Saintfield, employed a range of techniques to create the sculptures.

From 1796 to 1830, around 400 prisoners from the gaol were transported to New South Wales. Among these were 66 women, most transported for the theft of items such as silver spoons, china plate, clothing or cloth from the linen greens.

We are delighted that 'Between the Devil and the Deep Sea', a new art installation by @AlisonGlassArt has opened. Co-funded by the Friends of Down County Museum and launched by Councillor Terry Andrews, it is inspired by the experiences of some of the old gaol's women prisoners.

Holocaust Memorial Day. Free workshops for adults on the theme of 'One Day'. Saturday 29 January, Creative Writing Saturday 12 February, Glass Making with artist Alison Lowry. Create pieces in fused glass or pate de verre. To pre-book places, email linda.mckenna@nmandd.org

We are marking Holocaust Memorial Day with a number of events. On Saturday 29 January at 11am we will be running a creative writing workshop reflecting on this year's theme, 'One Day'. Email linda.mckenna@nmandd.org to book. Admission free, no previous writing experience needed

Happy New Year to all our visitors! We are open Wed-Sat 10am to 430pm. As well as the restored eighteenth-century Gaol buildings and cells, there are ten museum galleries to explore. Come in and have a look around!

We will be open this Wednesday and Thursday (22 and 23 December), from 10am to 430pm. We will then be closed until Wednesday 4 January 2022. We would like to wish all of our visitors a very Happy Christmas! Enjoy some of these cards from our collection!

We still have places left on our two glass art workshops with Alison Lowry! Friday 10 December, 2pm to 3pm for adults, and 3.30pm to 4.30pm for children. Contact linda.mckenna@nmandd.org to book places.

Street Closure. Wednesday 17 November-Friday 19 November To facilitate filming, the Mall, from the junction of the museum and Mount Crescent to the Cathedral, will be closed to traffic. If you are visiting the museum please use other car parks in the town.

Looking for Christmas present ideas ? This cookbook produced by our Friends group might be just what you're searching for. Packed full of great recipes including some intriguing ones from the past. Available in our museum shop.

Friday 10 December Make a Glass Decoration for Christmas Two fantastic glass art workshops with local artist Alison Lowry! Participants will create glass Christmas decorations, using glass fusing techniques. All materials are supplied, no experience is required.

The decorations will be fused in a kiln off site and can be collected the following week, ready to hang on your Christmas tree! There are two workshops, one for adults, 2pm-3pm and one for children (aged 6+), 330pm-430pm. Contact linda.mckenna@nmandd.org to secure your place.

Thanks to Carnival Promotions, Karen Edwards, Dave and Paul (the Dead Butler and the Flaming Vampire) for great entertainment today. Thanks to Lorna from the Fancy Fox for bringing delicious coffee and snacks. But a special thanks to the visitors (almost 300 of you) who attended!

Don't forget our Halloween event on Saturday 30 October from 1pm to 6pm. Plenty of fun for all the family

Halloween at the Museum Join us on Saturday 30 October for a feast of family fun! We will be open from 10am to 6pm with entertainment on from 1pm.