|
About
Us
The museum collects, conserves and exhibits artefacts relating to
the history of County Down from the earliest times until today.
Our aim is to enhance appreciation of the history, culture and environment
of the County through the organisation of exhibitions, activities
and events which are informative, accessible and relevant to the
local community and our visitors.
|
The museum
is located in the historic buildings of the eighteenth century
County Gaol of Down. The Down Gaol was opened in 1796 and
until its closure in 1830 housed many thousands of prisoners.
Our new online prisoners database
allows you to search for details of prisoners.
In addition
to incarcerating many people for very minor offences, the
gaol held 1798 rebels captured after the battles of Saintfield
and Ballynahinch and the United Irishman, Thomas
Russell, executed for his role in the abortive rebellion
of 1803.
|
|
The gaol
was also a convict gaol and many hundreds of transportees were imprisoned
here prior to their journey to the convict colonies of New South
Wales. The museum began a programme of restoring the gaol buildings
in 1981, and now visitors to the site can see the conditions in
which the prisoners were kept, visit restored cells complete with
displays on individual prisoners, and stroll through the gaol courtyards
which today are likely to be the scene of lively events
and re-enactments!
The museum's permanent exhibitions include galleries dedicated to
the history of the County, the story of the Norman conquest of Down
and the history of the gaol.
A programme of temporary exhibitions deals with everything from
the Victorians to local artists.
Our logo
The Down County Museum symbol is based on a coin minted by John
de Courcy, about 1190, probably in Downpatrick. It has the name
of Patrick, with a crozier, on one side and of de Courcy on the
other. It was a symbolic linking of the religious and political
associations of the area and because it did not bear the head of
Prince John, Lord of Ireland, it was a declaration of independence
by de Courcy.
|
Saint Patrick
