Categorically Celtic
The new temporary exhibition titled ‘Categorically Celtic – traditional design in Irish art, politics and popular culture’, which explores the significance of Celtic art within Irish life, tracing its evolution from its ancient origins to contemporary everyday use has now opened.
The exhibition maps the trajectory of the artform from its Iron Age roots, defined by flowing curves and intricate knotwork, to the transformative period between the 8th and 11th centuries.
During this era, Viking contact introduced bold animal interlace and ribbon-like forms, with this fusion of Norse and Celtic elements giving rise to the "Insular art" style, a unique aesthetic famously immortalized in high crosses and illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells.
The Celtic Revival of the 19th and early 20th centuries sought to preserve Irish literature, music, and language by reimagining ancient motifs for a new era. These designs were integrated into stained glass, architecture, typography, and national monuments, bridging the gap between antiquity and modernity.
The artwork was also steeped in symbolism representing growth, renewal and harmony with the natural world. It also drew inspiration from Irish mythology and artists translated the heroic sagas of medieval manuscripts into a visual language.
Visitors to the exhibition will encounter a diverse array of artefacts that demonstrate the versatility of these motifs, including Irish Dancing Dresses from the 1970s, crafted with hand embroidered motifs directly inspired by the Book of Kells, a Lambeg Drum decorated with the Red Hand of Ulster, a symbol dating back to the Gaelic aristocracy, a 1910 Ancient Order of Hibernians Sash and an exquisite 19th-century Bog Oak Brooch.
Our new exhibition is now open, we welcome everyone to come and explore.
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Making Waves: Newry’s Rise As a Global Trade Centre
This exhibition 'Making Waves: Newry's Rise As a Global Trade Centre' explores how the influx of goods from around the world transformed the lives of people in and around the Port of Newry, forever changing the region. It also shows how the maritime trade provided employment for generations of local people, from merchants and sailors to dockers and customs officers.
Visitors to the exhibition will discover Newry's transformation into a bustling global marketplace, a story told through the Museum’s collection of artefacts and information boards. Panels highlight a bustling trade of imported goods like minerals and sugar, which filled the warehouses of Sugar Island and Merchants Quay. In turn, products exported included Newry granite, whiskey and fine linen.
Among the items on display are everyday relics from this era, such as postcards, paper bags for loose tea, receipts for tobacco and flax seed, and 18th century consignment notices for linen bound for America.
Accompanying the exhibition is a complimentary booklet of essays, offering more information and providing greater detail on subjects such as businesses in the 19th century, women’s work and the port, emigration as well as the historical development of the port itself.
The exhibition is now open to the public until September 2026
New Costume Case Exhibition
The case features the uniform of Captain John McParland.
He was born into a Newry seafaring family. His grandfather had worked on the barges on Newry Canal and his father and three of his uncles were captains. His father was captain of the SS Palm and the SS Jasmine, both of which were colliers owned by Joseph Fisher & Sons Ltd in Newry.
When John left school at the age of 15, like many young men in Newry, he found employment on Fisher’s ships. He became a Deck Boy on the SS Bamboo in April 1951 and was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in July 1952. A year later he became an Efficient Deck Hand and an Able Bodied Seaman in July 1954. During his time on Fisher’s ships, John was a crew member on the SS Broom, the SS Opepe, the MV Karri, the SS Balsa and the SS Ebony. All of these ships were involved in the Home Trade visiting ports in the Irish Sea, southern England, the Channel Islands and northern France.
In March 1958, John McParland joined the Esso Petroleum Company as Second Officer on the MV Esso Brixham. He was promoted to Master on the SS Inverpool and remained with Esso Petroleum until his retirement in 1982. His last command was the MV Esso Tenby.
