About
Down County Museum is housed within the historic walls of the 18th-century County Gaol of Down.
Opened in 1796, the Gaol held thousands of prisoners, convicted of a wide range of offences before its closure in 1830. It was commissioned by the County Grand Jury of Down and constructed under the supervision of the Marquis of Downshire, the Earl of Hillsborough, the Hon. Edward Ward, and architect Charles Lilly. Its design was strongly influenced by the ideas of prison reformer John Howard. Covering one acre, the gaol complex features three main buildings: a formidable cell block, a central Governor’s Residence, and two gatehouses flanking the main entrance—all enclosed within a high perimeter wall. The site included multiple exercise yards and courtyards and by 1823, a penal treadmill.
Visitors today can explore one of the most complete surviving Georgian gaols in Ireland. Living history actors in period uniform and a floor of restored cells offers a striking glimpse into prison life over two centuries ago. After closing in 1830, the Gaol briefly served as a cholera hospital, then spent much of the 19th century as a barracks for the South Down Militia. It later housed soldiers during both World Wars and was put to various uses before falling into disuse. In 1981, a public campaign saved the site from demolition.
Restored and repurposed by Down District Council, it was reborn as Down County Museum. Today, the Museum’s permanent exhibitions include, ‘Down Through Time,’ tracing 9,000 years of human history in County Down. A dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions takes a deeper dive into aspects of the history of County Down.
Book Tickets
Facilities
Event Facilities
- Booking Required
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| EHOD | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
