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.

The museum is located in the historic buildings of the eighteenth century County Gaol of Down. In addition to walking through the restored complex complete with cells, visitors can learn more about 9000 years of human history in County Down in the newly launched exhibitions Down Through Time.

Find out more about our collections, exhibitions, events and learning programmes by following the links.

Opening hours

The museum is open:
Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm
Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon to 5pm.

Admission

Admission to the museum is free of charge.

There is however a charge for some special events and for guided tours.

Contact

Down County Museum, The Mall, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH.
Telephone: (+44)028 44 615218
Email: mail@downcountymuseum.com

News & Events

Now open. All Together Now: Going to School in County Down - This PEACE III funded exhibition has been created by the pupils of Downpatrick Primary School, Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School, Downpatrick and Millisle Primary School with the assistance of teachers, past pupils and past teachers of these schools and others in the locality.... ....read more

Peace III - Down County Museum was recently awarded over £224,000 of PEACE III funding from the European Union’s PEACE III Programme... ....read more

Decade of Commemorations - Between 1912 and 1922 a decade of important anniversaries will be marked in Ireland. The museum will be doing its bit to encourage greater awareness of this crucial period in our history by organising a number of educational and community events. ....read more