List of museums in Northern Ireland

This list of museums in Northern Ireland contains museums which are defined for this context as institutions (including nonprofit organizations, government entities, and private businesses) that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. Also included are non-profit art galleries, university art galleries and interpretive centres linked to sites of interest. Museums that exist only in cyberspace (i.e., virtual museums) are not included. Many other small historical displays are located in the country's stately homes, including those run by the National Trust.

Active museums

To use the sortable table, click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.

Name Image Town/City County Type Summary
Belfast City
Belfast ExposedBelfastAntrimArtContemporary photography
Crumlin Road GaolBelfastAntrimPrisonVictorian-era prison under restoration as a museum
Discover Ulster-Scots Centre Belfast Antrim History, Art website, art, exhibitions, genealogy, history of Ulster Scots people and dialect
Engine Room GalleryBelfastAntrimArtwebsite, contemporary art
Golden Thread GalleryBelfastAntrimArtContemporary art
Irish Republican History MuseumBelfastAntrimHistoryHistory and artefacts of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Linen Hall LibraryBelfastAntrimHistoryExhibits of art, history and culture from its collections
Loyalist Conflict Museum
Belfast Antrim History website, Andy Tyrie Interpretative Centre, history of the Ulster Defence Association
Metropolitan Arts CentreBelfastAntrimArtKnown as the MAC: Art centre and performance venue in the Cathedral quarter of Belfast; opened in 2012, the building has received several architectural awards
Museum of Orange Heritage: Schomberg House
Belfast Antrim History website, historical artifacts, archival collections, and educational exhibits on Orange Order tradition and culture. Home to Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
Museum of Unionist Military History Belfast Antrim Military associated with the Ballymac Friendship Trust, Unionist history and artefacts
Naughton Gallery at Queen'sBelfastAntrimArtContemporary art, part of Queen's University Belfast
Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum
BelfastAntrimMilitaryCommemorates the fallen of World War I and World War II, life during the 1941 Belfast Blitz
Ormeau Baths GalleryBelfastAntrimArtContemporary art
Police Service of Northern Ireland Museum Belfast Antrim History website, Displays of uniforms, medals, archives, history of the Royal Irish Constabulary, Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland
Red Barn GalleryBelfastAntrimArtPhotography gallery, also known as RBG Belfast
Royal Ulster Rifles MuseumBelfastAntrimRegimentalRegimental uniforms, badges, medals, memorabilia
Titanic's Dock and PumphouseBelfastAntrimIndustry, Maritimewebsite, Edwardian-era pump house & dry-dock with exhibits on shipbuilding in Belfast, Harland & Wolff, launch of the RMS Titanic
Titanic BelfastBelfastAntrimMaritimea visitor attraction and monument to Belfast's maritime heritage; it tells the stories of the ill-fated Titanic and her sister ships.
Ulster MuseumBelfastAntrimArt, History, Industry, Natural historyFine art, decorative arts, natural history, archaeology, Ancient Egypt, world cultures, geology, history
W5BelfastAntrimSciencewebsite, science-based exhibits with an emphasis on ""play""
County Antrim
Andrew Jackson CottageCarrickfergusAntrimHistoric houseOpen by appointment, restored 18th-century home of President Andrew Jackson's parents.
Arthur CottageCullybackeyAntrimHistoric houseRestored late-18th-century-period ancestral home of Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States
Ballance HouseGlenavyAntrimHistoric housewebsite[link removed], birthplace of John Ballance, Premier of New Zealand from 1891–1893
Ballycastle MuseumBallycastleAntrimLocalwebsite, NIarchive local history, culture
Ballymoney Museum
BallymoneyAntrimLocalNIarchive, local history, culture, art, motorcycling - Joey Dunlop and the Armoy Armada
The Braid
BallymenaAntrimLocalwebsite, history, arts and culture, includes the Mid-Antrim Museum and Braid Arts Centre
Brookhall Historical Farm
LisburnAntrimRuralwebsite, information, open by appointment, farm artefacts
Carrickfergus CastleCarrickfergusAntrimHistoric houseOperated by the NIEA, Norman castle with military uses until the 1920s, exhibits about it history and use
Carrickfergus Museum
CarrickfergusAntrimLocalwebsite, local history, art, archaeology
Causeway School MuseumBushmillsAntrimHistoric houseinformation, 1920s period school, structure designed by Clough Williams-Ellis
Coastal Zone at PortrushPortrushAntrimNatural historyOperated by the NIEA, marine and natural history, environment and local history
Flame The Gasworks Museum of IrelandCarrickfergusAntrimIndustrywebsite, restored coal gasworks and appliances
Giant's CausewayBushmillsAntrimNatural historyOperated by the National Trust, new visitor centre to open in 2011 with exhibits about the geology and natural history of the basalt columns and coast and also has a railway
Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn MuseumLisburnAntrimIndustrywebsite, Irish linen industry and city history and culture
Larne Museum and Arts CentreLarneAntrimLocalLocal history, culture, art
Patterson's Spade Mill
TemplepatrickAntrimIndustrywebsite, operated by the National Trust, historic spade mill
Railway Preservation Society of IrelandWhiteheadAntrimRailwayHeritage railway and museum at the Whitehead Excursion Station
Rathlin Boathouse Visitor Centre
Rathlin IslandAntrimLocalinformation, documents island life and the history & geography of the island
Sentry Hill
CarnmoneyAntrimHistoric housewebsite, 19th-century farmhouse: Victorian costume and artefacts
Ulster Aviation Society
SprucefieldAntrimAviationwebsite, open for groups by pre-arrangement, aircraft and articles relating to Northern Ireland's aviation heritage, located in a hangar of RAF Long Kesh
White House, NewtownabbeyNewtownabbeyAntrimHistoric housewebsite, restored house dating back to the 16th century
County Armagh
Ardress HouseAnnaghmoreArmaghHistoric housewebsite, operated by the National Trust, 17th-century farmhouse with 18th-century interior, working farmyard with animals
ArgoryMoyArmaghHistoric housewebsite, operated by the National Trust, early-19th-century Irish gentry house with late-19th-century interior
Armagh County MuseumArmaghArmaghLocalLocal history, natural history, culture, archaeology, costumes
Armagh GaolArmaghArmaghPrisonConstructed in 1780 and closed in 1986; due to be refurbished as an hotel; public tours available
Armagh ObservatoryArmaghArmaghScienceCollection of large telescopes used for observations since the 18th century; other astronomical instruments and artefacts
Armagh PlanetariumArmaghArmaghSciencePlanetarium and science museum featuring physics, space and astronomical exhibits inside the museum and on the grounds
Craigavon MuseumCraigavonArmaghLocalwebsite Archived 28 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine, local history, agriculture, linen industry, culture
Dan Winter’s Cottage
LoughgallArmaghHistoric housewebsite, website, 18th-century thatched cottage, home of Dan Winter, one of the founders of the Orange Order
Derrymore House
BessbrookArmaghHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, late-18th-century thatched house
Keady Heritage CentreKeadyArmaghLocalwebsite, local history, culture, linen industry, singer Tommy Makem
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
CraigavonArmaghNatural historywebsite, website, natural history and environment of Lough Neagh and the Oxford Island National Nature Reserve
Market Place - Armagh Theatre and Arts CentreArmaghArmaghArtwebsite
Moneypenny's Lock House
CraigavonArmaghTransportinformation Archived 28 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine, lockkeeper's cottage for the Newry Canal
Milford House MuseumMilfordArmaghBiographicalwebsite, history of the home of William McCrum, wealthy Irish linen manufacturer and sportsman, includes family costumes, furniture and silver
Millennium Court Arts CentrePortadownArmaghArtwebsite Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, arts centre with two galleries
Mullaghbawn Folk MuseumMullaghbawnArmaghHistoric houseinformation, traditional two-roomed thatched farm house and out buildings
Newry and Mourne MuseumNewryArmaghLocalwebsite, located in Bagenal's Castle, local history, trades, fishing, industry, culture
Navan Centre, Fort and King StablesArmaghArmaghArchaeology, HistoryIncludes Iron Age circular earthwork, replica Iron Age dwelling, exhibits and living history interpretations
Northern Ireland's Secret BunkerPortadownArmaghMilitarywebsite, Cold War-era monitoring bunker, open on select days
Ó Fíaich Heritage CentreCullyhanaArmaghBiographicalwebsite, life and artefacts of Tomás Ó Fiaich, Archbishop of Armagh and the Primate of All Ireland from 1978 until his death
Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum
ArmaghArmaghRegimentalRegimental artefacts and memorabilia
Saint Patrick Trian Visitor ComplexArmaghArmaghLocalwebsite, exhibits about Armagh's historic pagan monuments and history, St Patrick and the Book of Armagh, and author Jonathan Swift’s book Gulliver’s Travels and the fictional nation of Lilliput.
Sloan's Inn
Loughgall Armagh Historic house Location of the formation of the Orange Order in 1795 after the Battle of the Diamond. It is an Orange Heritage Site. Audio and visual displays and artefacts.
Tannaghmore Animal FarmCraigavonArmaghRuralwebsite, heritage animal breeds, farm tools and equipment
Ulster Special Constabulary Museum Loughgall Armagh Regimental Former RUC Station, documents the 50-year history of the Ulster Special Constabulary
County Down
Ballycopeland WindmillMillisleDownIndustryRestored windmill and miller's house, operated by the NIEA
Bann Valley MuseumBanbridgeDownLocalwebsite, planned museum of local history and culture
Brontë Interpretive CentreRathfrilandDownBiographicalinformation, exhibits about Patrick Brontë, the father of the Brontë sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne), who taught in the church and school
Burren Heritage CentreWarrenpointDownLocalinformation, local history, culture
Castle WardStrangfordDownHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 18th-century eccentric house with two distinctly different styles, classical and Gothic
Cockle Row Cottages
GroomsportDownHistoric housewebsite, information, 1910 period typical fisherman's dwelling
Down County MuseumDownpatrickDownPrison, Localwebsite, located in an 18th-century gaol, local history, culture
Downpatrick and County Down RailwayDownpatrickDownRailwayHeritage railway and museum
F.E. McWilliam Gallery and StudioBanbridgeDownArtwebsite, information, works of surrealist sculptor F. E. McWilliam
Grey Point FortHelen's BayDownMilitarywebsite, located in Crawfordsburn Country Park, one of a pair of artillery batteries guarding Belfast Lough during both 20th-century World Wars; its twin is near the Salt Mines at Kilroot
Kilclief CastleStrangfordDownHistoric houseMedieval tower-house castle
Mount Stewart House, Garden and Temple of the WindsStrangfordDownHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust
Nendrum Monastic SiteStrangford LoughDownArchaeology, ReligiousOperated by the NIEA, ruins of medieval monastery and visitor centre museum with exhibits
North Down Museum
BangorDownLocalwebsite, information[link removed], local history, culture
Saint Patrick Visitor CentreDownpatrickDownReligiousDisplays on the life and story of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland
Scarva Visitor Centre
ScarvaDownLocalinformation, local history, Newry Canal and the linen industry
Sir Samuel Kelly Lifeboat
Donaghadee Down Maritime website, exhibition, information, historic RNLI Watson-class lifeboat preserved at the harbour by Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company, known for saving 33 lives during Princess Victoria disaster
Somme Heritage Centre
ConligDownMilitaryIreland's military history in World War I, part of Somme Association
Ulster Folk MuseumCultraDownRuralOpen air village with crafts demonstrations from the early 20th century
Ulster Transport MuseumCultraDownTransportTransport Museum with horse-drawn carriages, electric trams, motorbikes, fire engines and vintage cars, permanent RMS Titanic exhibit
War Years Remembered Newtownards Down Military website, World War I and II charity and museum
County Fermanagh
Belleek Pottery Visitor CentreBelleekFermanaghArt, IndustryBelleek fine porcelain pieces
Castle ArchdaleIrvinestownFermanaghMilitaryCountry park with museum about the role of RAF Castle Archdale and coastal command based at Castle Archdale during World War II
Castle CooleEnniskillenFermanaghHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, late-18th-century mansion and estate
Fermanagh County MuseumEnniskillenFermanaghBiographical, LocalCounty history, culture and natural history; the Maguire family
Inniskillings MuseumEnniskillenFermanaghRegimentalRegimental history and artefacts of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards
Florence CourtEnniskillenFermanaghHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 18th-century mansion and estate
Headhunters Barbers Shop & Railway MuseumEnniskillenFermanaghRailwaywebsite, includes reconstructed railway booking office and railroad memorabilia of the Great Northern Railway (Ireland), the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway and the Clogher Valley Railway
Sheelin Antique Irish Lace MuseumBellanaleckFermanaghIndustrywebsite, Irish lace dating from 1890–1920
County Londonderry
Amelia Earhart CentreDerryLondonderryAviationwebsite, located in Ballyarnett Country Park, open by appointment, local aviation history and story of local landing of Amelia Earhart
Apprentice Boys Siege Museum and ExhibitionDerryLondonderryHistoryHistory of the Apprentice Boys, story of the Siege of Derry and the Relief of Derry
Bellaghy Bawn
BellaghyLondonderryBiographical, History, Localwebsite, operated by the NIEA, 17th-century fortified house and bawn with exhibits on local and natural history, the history of the Ulster Plantation and the poetry of Seamus Heaney
Coleraine Regional MuseumColeraineLondonderryLocalwebsite, NIarchive changing exhibits of local history, culture
Flowerfield Arts CentrePortstewartLondonderryArtwebsite, includes exhibits of visual art and crafts
Foyle Valley RailwayDerryLondonderryRailwaywebsite
Garvagh MuseumGarvaghLondonderryRuralwebsite, rural and domestic life in the 19th & early 20th centuries
Green Lane MuseumLimavadyLondonderryLocalNIarchive Local history, linen and agricultural industry, rural life
Harbour Museum
DerryLondonderryMaritimewebsite, city's maritime history
Hezlett House
CastlerockLondonderryHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 17th-century thatched cottage
Museum of Free DerryDerryLondonderryHistory1960s civil rights campaign and the Free Derry/early Troubles period of the early 1970s
Nerve CentreDerryLondonderryArtMultimedia arts centre for music, film, video, animation and interactive multimedia
Riverwatch CentreDerryLondonderryNatural historywebsite, operated by the Loughs Agency, natural history and ecology of the River Foyle and Carlingford Lough waterways
Springhill HouseMoneymoreLondonderryHistoric houseOperated by the National Trust, 17th-century plantation home, features costume collection
Tower MuseumDerryLondonderryLocalCity's history, culture
Workhouse MuseumDerryLondonderryLocalwebsite, historic workhouse, used for changing exhibits of city history and culture
County Tyrone
Abingdon CollectionOmaghTyroneTransportwebsite, classic cars, World War II military memorabilia
Alley TheatreStrabaneTyroneArtwebsite, theatre venue hosting an auditorium, art gallery and tourist information centre
Grant Ancestral Homestead
BallygawleyTyroneHistoric houseinformation Archived 20 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine, ancestral homestead of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States on his mother's side
Gray's Printing PressStrabaneTyroneHistoric housewebsite, operated by the National Trust, 18th-century print shop in which John Dunlap learned the printing trade
Hill of The O'Neill and Ranfurly House
DungannonTyroneBiographical, Historywebsite NIarchive multi-media exhibition narrating the Hill’s importance in Irish and European history, its links to the O’Neills and the subsequent Flight of the Earls and Plantation of Ulster. Also arts and performance space
Lissan HouseCookstownTyroneHistoric houseCurrently under restoration
Nally Heritage CentreCarrickmoreTyroneBiographicalinformation, history of sports marketer Patrick Nally, the Carrickmore GAA club and local history
Strule Arts CentreOmaghTyroneArtArts centre with gallery
Ulster American Folk ParkCastletownTyroneRuralOpen-air museum; Irish rural life, lifestyle and experiences of those immigrants who sailed from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries
Wellbrooke Beetling MillCookstownTyroneIndustrywebsite, operated by the National Trust, working water-powered mill used in the processing of flax to make linen thread
Wilson Ancestral Home
StrabaneTyroneHistoric houseinformation, 18th-century home of James Wilson, grandfather of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson

Defunct museums

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Great Houses of Northern Ireland | Gardens NI | Discover NI". discovernorthernireland.com. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  2. ↑ "National Trust Sites in Northern Ireland | Places To Go". discovernorthernireland.com. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  3. ↑ "Northern Ireland Police Museum » Military Heritage of Ireland Trust CLG". Military Heritage of Ireland Trust CLG. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  4. ↑ "Loyalist Conflict Museum | Visit EastSide". www.visiteastside.com. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  5. ↑ "Museum of Orange Heritage". visitbelfast.com. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  6. ↑ "Museum of Unionist Military History". www.eastsidevoices.com. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "Northern Ireland Police Museum » Military Heritage of Ireland Trust CLG". Military Heritage of Ireland Trust CLG. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  8. ↑ "Royal Ulster Rifles Museum | Royal Irish - Virtual Military Gallery". mail.royal-irish.org. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  9. ↑ "Visit Armagh - Sloan's House Museum & Interpretive Centre". Visit Armagh. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "The project is being spearheaded by the Ulster Special Constabulary Museum group". Belfast News Letter. 17 August 2025. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  11. ↑ "Nendrum Monastic Site". discovernorthernireland.com. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  12. ↑ "Sir Samuel Kelly Project - Exhibition in Donaghadee, Donaghadee". Ards & North Down. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  13. ↑ "SOMME MUSEUM | Somme Association". www.sommeassociation.com. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  14. ↑ "Ulster Folk Museum - Visitor Centres & Museums in Holywood, Holywood". Ards & North Down. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  15. ↑ Meredith, Robbie (8 April 2026). "Blair Mayne: Priceless archive of SAS soldier may never be open to public". BBC News. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  16. ↑ "The Wilson Ancestral Home - Historic House / Palace in Strabane, Strabane". Visit Derry. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  17. ↑ "Belfast teenager campaigning to save Fernhill House in Glencairn after starting petition". www.belfastlive.co.uk. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  18. ↑ "Palace Stables and Palace Demesne". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012.
  19. ↑ "The Ulster History Park, Gortin Glen | European Heritage Awards Archive". europeanheritageawards-archive.eu. Retrieved 12 October 2026.