Collection: Newry and Mourne Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The Newry and Mourne Collection has been evolving since the Museum opened in 1986. Comprising over 14,000 items and donated mainly by members of the public, the Collection consists of documents, photographs, fine art, ceramics, glass, textile and wooden objects.

  The relocation of the Museum to a new building, Bagenal’s Castle, in 2007 increased capacity for collecting, particularly material from the 20^th century and the Troubles. Many of these items are on display in Gallery 3 which is dedicated to the 20^th century.

  Significant acquisitions include three major archival collections: the Reside Collection (2003), the Hugh Irvine Collection (2009) and the Éamon Donnelly Collection (2013). Purchases include Newry glass (2008/11) and art works by the Newry-born artists Sean Hillen (2010) and Margaret Clarke (2016). A portrait of Sir Nicholas Bagenal (artist unknown) was donated to the Museum in 2016. In 2018 an important collection of objects and documents relating to the Newry to Warrenpoint Railway was donated to the Museum.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: Not known

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The current Museum Collection comprises over 14,000 artefacts, documents and photographs, representing many aspects of local social, cultural and political heritage. Artefacts range in date from the prehistoric eriod up to the 21^st century. Items of special interest include:

  • • Medieval sculpture – a cross-carved grave stone dating from the 12^th century and a carved stone head (15^th century) from the Cistercian Abbey at Newry.
    • Gelston Clock – a rare longcase clock made in Newry c.1780 by John Gelston.
    • Newry glassware – decanters and drinking glasses made in Newry in the early 19^th century.
    • Textiles – most notably a set of Order of St. Patrick Robes owned by the 3^rd Earl of Kilmorey, an Irish National Foresters uniform, a Deputy Lord Lieutenant’s uniform, a gentleman’s Burton suit (c.1946), Irish Dancing costumes (1970s), a complete set of robes worn by a High Court Judge who was also a Queen’s Counsel, examples of local Carrickmacross lace and Victorian and 20^th century needlework.
    • Artworks – portraits by Margaret Clarke (1884 – 1961) and photomontages by Sean Hillen (1961 – ), both Newry-born artists and a late 16^th – century portrait of Sir Nicholas Bagenal (artist unknown).
    • The Reside Collection – over 10,000 items dating from 1708 to 1986 relating to the life and work of Major G.W. Reside, a local architect and his wife, Margaret, a solicitor in Newry. The archive includes records relating to the Kilmorey, Downshire and Hall estates, maps, Land Purchase Commission papers, legal papers, newspapers and architectural plans.

  • The Hugh Irvine Collection – a large collection of notes on index cards, miscellaneous documents and photographs relating to local history and genealogy in the Kilkeel and Mournes area. These were compiled by Hugh Irvine, a local historian and Principal of Kilkeel High School.
  • The Éamon Donnelly Collection – c. 400 items relating to the life and career of Eamon Donnelly (1877–1944), a Nationalist and Republican politician who had a residence in Newry. The collection, dating from 1881–1972 (though primarily from the 1930s and early 1940s), includes correspondence, political material, newspaper cuttings and photographs. A particular highlight is the material relating to Michael Collins.
  • The Newry and Warrenpoint Railway Collection – a collection of 312 objects and documents relating to the Newry and Warrenpoint Railway collected by the donors when the railway closed in 1965. The artefacts date from the 19^th century to c.1965.
  • The Performing Arts Collection – programmes, photographs, ephemera, medals, trophies, costume and objects relating to local music, drama and dance.

  Other items of significance include a 19^th– century plaster bust of James McGeorge, one of the 19^th century Town Commissioners of Newry, two modern plaster busts of John Mitchel and John Martin who were local Irish patriots, material relating to the Great Famine and a large number of artefacts and archival material relating to the 20^th– century Newry. An important item pertaining to the recent history of Newry is the charter from Queen Elizabeth II granting City status to the town in 2002.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date:

  Licence: CC BY-NC