Wikimedia Commons has media related to 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.
Contents
| Name | Image | Town/City | County | Type | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast City | |||||
| Belfast Exposed |  | Belfast | Antrim | Art | Contemporary photography |
| Crumlin Road Gaol |  | Belfast | Antrim | Prison | Victorian-era prison under restoration as a museum |
| Engine Room Gallery | Belfast | Antrim | Art | website, contemporary art | |
| Golden Thread Gallery | Belfast | Antrim | Art | Contemporary art | |
| Irish Republican History Museum | Belfast | Antrim | History | History and artefacts of the Provisional Irish Republican Army | |
| Linen Hall Library |  | Belfast | Antrim | History | Exhibits of art, history and culture from its collections |
| Metropolitan Arts Centre |  | Belfast | Antrim | Art | Known as the MAC: Art centre and performance venue in the Cathedral quarter of Belfast; opened in 2012, the building has received several architectural awards |
| Naughton Gallery at Queen's |  | Belfast | Antrim | Art | Contemporary art, part of Queen's University Belfast |
| Northern Ireland War Memorial | Belfast | Antrim | Military | Commemorates the fallen of World War I and World War II, life during the 1941 Belfast Blitz | |
| Ormeau Baths Gallery |  | Belfast | Antrim | Art | Contemporary art |
| Red Barn Gallery | Belfast | Antrim | Art | Photography gallery, also known as RBG Belfast | |
| Royal Ulster Rifles Museum | Belfast | Antrim | Regimental | Regimental uniforms, badges, medals, memorabilia | |
| Titanic's Dock and Pumphouse |  | Belfast | Antrim | Industry, Maritime | website, Edwardian-era pump house & dry-dock with exhibits on shipbuilding in Belfast, Harland & Wolff, launch of the RMS Titanic |
| Titanic Belfast |  | Belfast | Antrim | Maritime | a visitor attraction and monument to Belfast's maritime heritage; it tells the stories of the ill-fated Titanic and her sister ships. |
| Ulster Museum |  | Belfast | Antrim | Art, History, Industry, Natural history | Fine art, decorative arts, natural history, archaeology, Ancient Egypt, world cultures, geology, history |
| W5 | Belfast | Antrim | Science | website, science-based exhibits with an emphasis on ""play"" | |
| County Antrim | |||||
| Andrew Jackson Cottage |  | Carrickfergus | Antrim | Historic house | Open by appointment, restored 18th-century home of President Andrew Jackson's parents. |
| Arthur Cottage | Cullybackey | Antrim | Historic house | Restored late-18th-century-period ancestral home of Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States | |
| Ballance House |  | Glenavy | Antrim | Historic house | website, birthplace of John Ballance, Premier of New Zealand from 1891–1893 |
| Ballycastle Museum |  | Ballycastle | Antrim | Local | website, NIarchive local history, culture |
| Ballymoney Museum | Ballymoney | Antrim | Local | NIarchive, local history, culture, art, motorcycling - Joey Dunlop and the Armoy Armada | |
| The Braid | Ballymena | Antrim | Local | website, history, arts and culture, includes the Mid-Antrim Museum and Braid Arts Centre | |
| Brookhall Historical Farm | Lisburn | Antrim | Rural | website, information, open by appointment, farm artefacts | |
| Carrickfergus Castle |  | Carrickfergus | Antrim | Historic house | Operated by the NIEA, Norman castle with military uses until the 1920s, exhibits about it history and use |
| Carrickfergus Museum | Carrickfergus | Antrim | Local | website, local history, art, archaeology | |
| Causeway School Museum |  | Bushmills | Antrim | Historic house | information, 1920s period school, structure designed by Clough Williams-Ellis |
| Coastal Zone at Portrush |  | Portrush | Antrim | Natural history | Operated by the NIEA, marine and natural history, environment and local history |
| Flame The Gasworks Museum of Ireland | Carrickfergus | Antrim | Industry | website, restored coal gasworks and appliances | |
| Giant's Causeway |  | Bushmills | Antrim | Natural history | Operated 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 Museum |  | Lisburn | Antrim | Industry | website, Irish linen industry and city history and culture |
| Larne Museum and Arts Centre | Larne | Antrim | Local | Local history, culture, art | |
| Patterson's Spade Mill | Templepatrick | Antrim | Industry | website, operated by the National Trust, historic spade mill | |
| Railway Preservation Society of Ireland |  | Whitehead | Antrim | Railway | Heritage railway and museum at the Whitehead Excursion Station |
| Rathlin Boathouse Visitor Centre | Rathlin Island | Antrim | Local | information, documents island life and the history & geography of the island | |
| Sentry Hill | Carnmoney | Antrim | Historic house | website, 19th-century farmhouse: Victorian costume and artefacts | |
| Ulster Aviation Society | Sprucefield | Antrim | Aviation | website, 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, Newtownabbey | Newtownabbey | Antrim | Historic house | website, restored house dating back to the 16th century | |
| County Armagh | |||||
| Ardress House | Annaghmore | Armagh | Historic house | website, operated by the National Trust, 17th-century farmhouse with 18th-century interior, working farmyard with animals | |
| Argory |  | Moy | Armagh | Historic house | website, operated by the National Trust, early-19th-century Irish gentry house with late-19th-century interior |
| Armagh County Museum |  | Armagh | Armagh | Local | Local history, natural history, culture, archaeology, costumes |
| Armagh Gaol |  | Armagh | Armagh | Prison | Constructed in 1780 and closed in 1986; due to be refurbished as an hotel; public tours available |
| Armagh Observatory | Armagh | Armagh | Science | Collection of large telescopes used for observations since the 18th century; other astronomical instruments and artefacts | |
| Armagh Planetarium |  | Armagh | Armagh | Science | Planetarium and science museum featuring physics, space and astronomical exhibits inside the museum and on the grounds |
| Craigavon Museum | Craigavon | Armagh | Local | website, local history, agriculture, linen industry, culture | |
| Dan Winter’s Cottage | Loughgall | Armagh | Historic house | website, website, 18th-century thatched cottage, home of Dan Winter, one of the founders of the Orange Order | |
| Derrymore House | Bessbrook | Armagh | Historic house | Operated by the National Trust, late-18th-century thatched house | |
| Keady Heritage Centre | Keady | Armagh | Local | website, local history, culture, linen industry, singer Tommy Makem | |
| Lough Neagh Discovery Centre | Craigavon | Armagh | Natural history | website, website, natural history and environment of Lough Neagh and the Oxford Island National Nature Reserve | |
| Market Place - Armagh Theatre and Arts Centre | Armagh | Armagh | Art | website | |
| Moneypenny's Lock House | Craigavon | Armagh | Transport | information, lockkeeper's cottage for the Newry Canal | |
| Milford House Museum | Milford | Armagh | Biographical | website, history of the home of William McCrum, wealthy Irish linen manufacturer and sportsman, includes family costumes, furniture and silver | |
| Millennium Court Arts Centre |  | Portadown | Armagh | Art | website, arts centre with two galleries |
| Mullaghbawn Folk Museum |  | Mullaghbawn | Armagh | Historic house | information, traditional two-roomed thatched farm house and out buildings |
| Newry and Mourne Museum |  | Newry | Armagh | Local | website, located in Bagenal's Castle, local history, trades, fishing, industry, culture |
| Navan Centre, Fort and King Stables |  | Armagh | Armagh | Archaeology, History | Includes Iron Age circular earthwork, replica Iron Age dwelling, exhibits and living history interpretations |
| Northern Ireland's Secret Bunker | Portadown | Armagh | Military | website, Cold War-era monitoring bunker, open on select days | |
| Ó Fíaich Heritage Centre | Cullyhana | Armagh | Biographical | website, 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 | Armagh | Armagh | Regimental | Regimental artefacts and memorabilia | |
| Saint Patrick Trian Visitor Complex | Armagh | Armagh | Local | website, 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. | |
| Tannaghmore Animal Farm | Craigavon | Armagh | Rural | website, heritage animal breeds, farm tools and equipment | |
| County Down | |||||
| Ballycopeland Windmill |  | Millisle | Down | Industry | Restored windmill and miller's house, operated by the NIEA |
| Bann Valley Museum | Banbridge | Down | Local | website, planned museum of local history and culture | |
| Brontë Interpretive Centre | Rathfriland | Down | Biographical | information, exhibits about Patrick Brontë, the father of the Brontë sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne), who taught in the church and school | |
| Burren Heritage Centre | Warrenpoint | Down | Local | information, local history, culture | |
| Castle Ward |  | Strangford | Down | Historic house | Operated by the National Trust, 18th-century eccentric house with two distinctly different styles, classical and Gothic |
| Cockle Row Cottages | Groomsport | Down | Historic house | website, information, 1910 period typical fisherman's dwelling | |
| Down County Museum |  | Downpatrick | Down | Prison, Local | website, located in an 18th-century gaol, local history, culture |
| Downpatrick and County Down Railway |  | Downpatrick | Down | Railway | Heritage railway and museum |
| F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio | Banbridge | Down | Art | website, information, works of surrealist sculptor F. E. McWilliam | |
| Grey Point Fort |  | Helen's Bay | Down | Military | website, 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 Castle |  | Strangford | Down | Historic house | Medieval tower-house castle |
| Mount Stewart House, Garden and Temple of the Winds |  | Strangford | Down | Historic house | Operated by the National Trust |
| Nendrum Monastic Site |  | Strangford Lough | Down | Archaeology, Religious | Operated by the NIEA, ruins of medieval monastery and visitor centre museum with exhibits |
| North Down Museum | Bangor | Down | Local | website, information, local history, culture | |
| Saint Patrick Visitor Centre |  | Downpatrick | Down | Religious | Displays on the life and story of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland |
| Scarva Visitor Centre | Scarva | Down | Local | information, local history, Newry Canal and the linen industry | |
| Somme Heritage Centre | Conlig | Down | Military | Ireland's military history in World War I | |
| Ulster Folk Museum |  | Cultra | Down | Rural | Open air village with crafts demonstrations from the early 20th century |
| Ulster Transport Museum |  | Cultra | Down | Transport | Transport Museum with horse-drawn carriages, electric trams, motorbikes, fire engines and vintage cars, permanent RMS Titanic exhibit |
| County Fermanagh | |||||
| Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre |  | Belleek | Fermanagh | Art, Industry | Belleek fine porcelain pieces |
| Castle Archdale |  | Irvinestown | Fermanagh | Military | Country park with museum about the role of RAF Castle Archdale and coastal command based at Castle Archdale during World War II |
| Castle Coole |  | Enniskillen | Fermanagh | Historic house | Operated by the National Trust, late-18th-century mansion and estate |
| Fermanagh County Museum |  | Enniskillen | Fermanagh | Biographical, Local | County history, culture and natural history; the Maguire family |
| Inniskillings Museum | | Enniskillen | Fermanagh | Regimental | Regimental history and artefacts of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards |
| Florence Court |  | Enniskillen | Fermanagh | Historic house | Operated by the National Trust, 18th-century mansion and estate |
| Headhunters Barbers Shop & Railway Museum | Enniskillen | Fermanagh | Railway | website, 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 Museum | Bellanaleck | Fermanagh | Industry | website, Irish lace dating from 1890–1920 | |
| County Londonderry | |||||
| Amelia Earhart Centre |  | Derry | Londonderry | Aviation | website, located in Ballyarnett Country Park, open by appointment, local aviation history and story of local landing of Amelia Earhart |
| Apprentice Boys Museum and Exhibition |  | Derry | Londonderry | History | History of the organization, story of the Siege of Derry and the Relief of Derry |
| Bellaghy Bawn | Bellaghy | Londonderry | Biographical, History, Local | website, 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 Museum | Coleraine | Londonderry | Local | website, NIarchive changing exhibits of local history, culture | |
| Flowerfield Arts Centre | Portstewart | Londonderry | Art | website, includes exhibits of visual art and crafts | |
| Foyle Valley Railway |  | Derry | Londonderry | Railway | website |
| Garvagh Museum | Garvagh | Londonderry | Rural | website, rural and domestic life in the 19th & early 20th centuries | |
| Green Lane Museum | Limavady | Londonderry | Local | NIarchive Local history, linen and agricultural industry, rural life | |
| Harbour Museum | Derry | Londonderry | Maritime | website, city's maritime history | |
| Hezlett House | Castlerock | Londonderry | Historic house | Operated by the National Trust, 17th-century thatched cottage | |
| Museum of Free Derry | Derry | Londonderry | History | 1960s civil rights campaign and the Free Derry/early Troubles period of the early 1970s | |
| Nerve Centre |  | Derry | Londonderry | Art | Multimedia arts centre for music, film, video, animation and interactive multimedia |
| Riverwatch Centre | | Derry | Londonderry | Natural history | website, operated by the Loughs Agency, natural history and ecology of the River Foyle and Carlingford Lough waterways |
| Springhill House |  | Moneymore | Londonderry | Historic house | Operated by the National Trust, 17th-century plantation home, features costume collection |
| Tower Museum |  | Derry | Londonderry | Local | City's history, culture |
| Workhouse Museum | Derry | Londonderry | Local | website, historic workhouse, used for changing exhibits of city history and culture | |
| County Tyrone | |||||
| Abingdon Collection | Omagh | Tyrone | Transport | website, classic cars, World War II military memorabilia | |
| Alley Theatre | Strabane | Tyrone | Art | website, theatre venue hosting an auditorium, art gallery and tourist information centre | |
| Grant Ancestral Homestead | Ballygawley | Tyrone | Historic house | information, ancestral homestead of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States on his mother's side | |
| Gray's Printing Press |  | Strabane | Tyrone | Historic house | website, 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 | Dungannon | Tyrone | Biographical, History | website 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 House |  | Cookstown | Tyrone | Historic house | Currently under restoration |
| Nally Heritage Centre | Carrickmore | Tyrone | Biographical | information, history of sports marketer Patrick Nally, the Carrickmore GAA club and local history | |
| Strule Arts Centre |  | Omagh | Tyrone | Art | Arts centre with gallery |
| Ulster American Folk Park |  | Castletown | Tyrone | Rural | Open-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 Mill |  | Cookstown | Tyrone | Industry | website, operated by the National Trust, working water-powered mill used in the processing of flax to make linen thread |
| Wilson Ancestral Home | Strabane | Tyrone | Historic house | information, 18th-century home of James Wilson, grandfather of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson | |
