Down County Museum
Down County Museum
4.7
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Down County Museum is based in an old gaol of 1796 and has 10 galleries covering the archaeology and history of County Down, Early Christian archaeology from the Time of St Patrick, the history of the gaol (including original gaol cells), and the farming and maritime collections from the County of Down. There are hands-on activities for children, a Digital Film Archive (Northern Ireland Screen), full access to the site, audio features and lifts to all areas. The Cathedral View Tearoom offers a wide range of meals, scones, coffees and teas, and has a unique view from its windows of Down Cathedral on the Hill of Down, Inch Abbey, the River Quoile and the ancient Mound of Down fort.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.7
192 reviews
Excellent
152
Very good
32
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Yasmin T
Sao Paulo, SP4 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
I was so pleasantly surprised by this little gem of a museum. Not only are the collections incredibly interesting, but the curators did an amazing job at keeping the exhibits engaging at every turn, for all age groups. I spent an entire afternoon there and still would love to go back and see the things I couldn't see this time around. The staff were also very pleasant and kind. I recommend the Down County Museum wholeheartedly.
Written May 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John and Kathy W
Lancashire9 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
We’ll set out museum in 3 sections - the history, the jail, and the Ballykinler hut with its various incarnations over the years.
Certainly didn’t expect to be well entertained for 3 hours !!
Very well worth a visit !!
And the staff were great as well
Certainly didn’t expect to be well entertained for 3 hours !!
Very well worth a visit !!
And the staff were great as well
Written June 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karokorb
Ireland21 contributions
Sep 2021
We received a friendly welcome on our arrival and thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this interesting museum and well laid out museum. After we left the museum, having enjoyed our visit, we discovered we had missed viewing a couple of items, on our return they went out of their way to help us and show us all that we had missed. They could not have been more helpful.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil C
9 contributions
Oct 2022
The visitor will be blown away as soon as they enter. This museum covers just about everything you would want to know about the area. There are sections detailing the history of this region (before it was known as County Down), as well as a reflection of the building's former role as the Down County Gaol. There is also a replica of a hut at Ballykinlar Military Camp, which includes testimonies from some of those who stayed there (including one who is related to a famous US actor).
The best bit for me, however, had to be the special exhibition that looked at the history of the seaside resort in County Down (which includes Bangor and Newcastle, two of my favourite places in Northern Ireland).
If you're ever lucky enough to find yourself in Downpatrick, this museum is well worth a visit.
The best bit for me, however, had to be the special exhibition that looked at the history of the seaside resort in County Down (which includes Bangor and Newcastle, two of my favourite places in Northern Ireland).
If you're ever lucky enough to find yourself in Downpatrick, this museum is well worth a visit.
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter W
10 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Very interesting trip around the museum and opened my mind more on the inclusion of all of our peoples in the 1798 rebellion and the conditions people fought wars in and died. All the staff that we met were extremely helpful and friendly. Well worth a visit with St Patrick’s grave only a couple of hundred yards away. Thanks for the experience.
Written March 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter D
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Couples
Had the pleasure of taking a tour around the museum on Saturday with our guide Chris, a lovely and very knowledgeable young man from the museum. I thought the tour and information were excellent and just another great example of things on our door step that we didn’t realise were available. Get up off the sofa and get out there!
Written June 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie R
Mosnac, France43 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
This is quite simply one of the most interesting museums I have ever visited! The building itself is admirable and the staff are enthusiastic and helpful. It is a definite must-see and I’d recommend at least 2 hours to make the most of what’s on offer. You can put the kids in one of the prison cells if they get bored but I honestly don’t think they will!
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana M
2 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Down County Museum is a great little museum loaded with lots of history. Our guide, Mary, was extremely informative and just as sweet as can be. She was attentive to our small group's questions and was an absolute pleasure to follow around. Will definitely be coming back with more of my family some day!
Written June 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blackus Ratus
Cloghran, Ireland5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
An absolute gem, extremely well done museum with some truly world class artefacts, superb staff, amazing view of the Cathedral, free in and excellent coffee shop!
There was loads to see and learn, unusually both parents and kids were equally enthralled. Top hit for all of us was a 2600 year old Celtic cauldron in perfect condition.
This is a must see!
There was loads to see and learn, unusually both parents and kids were equally enthralled. Top hit for all of us was a 2600 year old Celtic cauldron in perfect condition.
This is a must see!
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bert w
1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
Delightful Downpatrick Day Trip to be had for free gratis at Down County Museum. If you usually drive past it, next time don't! Drop into the old Down Gaol…they will absolutely let you out again! Interesting artifacts, intriguing articles, informative attendants and helpful and well informed staff.
Written May 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tmurdoch95
Champaign, Illinois
Are there family records from the late 1600s and early 1700s available at the Downpatrick Museum?
Written March 14, 2018
They have a lot of old records I'm sure they could help.
Written March 26, 2018
Hi I just this minute read my 2x great grandfather Owen Mathews was held here in 1836 awaiting to be transported to Australia for larceny stealing a watch to help his widow mother and 4 orphaned children, I am grateful for this website gives me some insight what it was like for him, thank you so much for keeping our history alive, would love to visit from Australia one day, kindest regards Kathy
Written February 20, 2018
Hi Kathy I live just beside the museum there is lots off history and I’m sure if you where to visit some day or even email them they might able to find lots off information regarding your enquiry hope that’s some hope and help best regards
Written February 23, 2018
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