Opening of Agricultural Exhibition at Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry and Mourne Museum opened its temporary exhibition, ‘Agriculture and its Heritage in South Armagh and South Down,’ on Thursday 28 September 2017.

Using a wide range of documents, photographs and objects, this exhibition traces the history of agriculture in the area, highlighting what farming was like in the prehistoric and medieval periods, the impact of local landlords in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries, the introduction of the Land Acts and changes in farming in more recent decades.

The exhibition also focuses on the different types of agriculture including the cultivation of arable crops, dairy and beef cattle, sheep and pig breeding, egg production and fishing. Developments in farming technology and education for farmers are considered and farming-related industries such as blacksmiths forges and milling are explored.

Many people have been generous in sharing their memories of farming in the area and in lending artefacts for the exhibition. Memories have covered harvesting the wrack, otherwise known as seaweed, at Mill Bay near Kilkeel, growing potatoes in the Mournes, farming during the Second World War in Ballyholland near Newry and life on a family farm in the Donaghamore area.

The wide range of material on display will give children and young people a valuable insight into farming practices and life in the countryside in South Armagh and South Down in days gone by and will surely stimulate lots of memories among older people.

The museum works closely with the local community and depends on its generosity for the success of its temporary exhibitions. By lending objects and providing information, local people have a sense of ownership and pride in their local museum and its work.

The exhibition runs until 2 September 2018.

For more information about Newry and Mourne Museum, please telephone 028 3031 3177 or email ken.abraham@nmandd.org.