Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle, Newry

Newry & Mourne Museum / Bagenal's Castle / 20th century

Newry & Mourne Museum / Bagenal's Castle / glass floor gallery

Bagenal’s Castle is a sixteenth century fortified house and adjoining nineteenth century warehouse. It houses Newry and Mourne Museum and Newry Visitor Information Centre.

During restoration work on the Castle many original features were uncovered including fireplaces, windows, doorways, gun loops and a bread oven. These have been interpreted for the visitor and drawings were commissioned to illustrate how the various living quarters of the castle would have functioned in the sixteenth century. Highlights include a restored Banqueting Room which is used throughout the year for seasonal and family events.

The Museum's diverse collections include material relating to prehistory, Newry's Cistercian foundations, Ulster's Gaelic order and the relationship with the English Crown; the building of a merchant town and the first summit level canal in the British Isles. You can also discover the history of the 'Gap of the North', the historic mountain pass between Ulster and Leinster located to the south of Newry. One of the key main exhibitions, 'A Border Town’s Experience of the 20th Century', examines local attitudes to major political and economic events of the 20th century. There are also permanent exhibitions on farming, fishing and folklore in the Mournes and South Armagh.

Other facilities include two temporary exhibition areas and a Reading Room for local and family history research.

Two temporary exhibitions are launched each year.

In 2015 Bagenal's Castle were awarded a Silver Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Newry Visitor Information Centre provides a comprehensive and quality visitor service, with an excellent range of local crafts and merchandise for sale.