Learning at North Down Museum

This programme is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils.

Prior booking is required for all groups.

Description: One of the most prominent eras of history in the Ards and North Down area is the Early Christian period. Come to North Down Museum and learn about life in Ireland in Early Christian times. What did a monastic settlement look like? How did monks live? Why were abbeys important and where can we see evidence of them today? Find this out, and more, during your visit to North Down Museum.

Children will have the opportunity to see a monastery model, handle a replica bronze bell, dress as a monk, enter our monk’s cell, and discover what life was like in the borough during this time.

The visit includes a unique opportunity for children to be instructed in the art of illumination – the decorative writing of the monks – which has been made famous by writings such as the Book of Kells.

Duration: 2 hours+ (depending on requirements for break/shopping)

Cost: £3 per pupil

“Great interactive activities – dressing up and sorting games. Excellent resources and explanation for pupils (and adults!). Everyone was fully engaged. Education Officer was friendly, approachable and had good communication skills.” - Primary 5 teacher, Bangor Central Integrated Primary School

This programme is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils.

Prior booking is required for all groups.

Description: The tour begins in our Discovery Room where children can learn about the role of archaeology in understanding our past. The context will then be set as children learn about Bangor’s beginnings as a monastic settlement in the years around 800AD, and Bangor’s very important link with the Vikings in the 9th century.

The tour then moves into our longhouse where the children will meet a Viking warrior! There is much to see and handle from items of everyday life to items of war. This session is interactive and encourages children to challenge assumptions made about these warriors from a distant land.

The final element of the visit is a craft workshop where children will recreate the Ballyholme brooches, which can be taken back to school to paint when dry. The running order of the visit may be altered depending on the size of your group.

Duration: 2 hours 30 mins + (depending on requirements for break/shopping)

Cost: £4 per pupil

“An excellent trip for P6 – couldn’t fault a thing!” – P6 teacher, St Comgall’s Primary School

“Excellent visit, great staff, great activities, super longhouse exhibit.” – P6 teacher, Comber Primary School

“Every year the programme gets better and better – a fantastic day out of school!” – P6 teacher, Ballyholme Primary School

“Staff were wonderful with the children and kept them busy and engaged throughout.” – P6 teacher, Carnmoney Primary School

We offer a series of workshops for community groups that work with adults with additional needs. Our block of 8 workshops covers the history of the Ards and North Down area, starting from the Stone Age and finishing with the 1950s. Workshops can take place in the museum or in your own establishment.

These workshops are pitched appropriately to suit the needs of your group participants and include lots of visuals/photographs, handling items, some dressing up (if available) and arts & crafts sessions linked to the focus. With repeat visits, relationships can be built which ultimately allows for a more tailored approach to learning.

“The quality of the workshops was excellent and very suitable for the level of the group’s understanding. It is great that the museum can come to us. The group really look forward to the workshops, learning interesting facts about history and taking crafts home.” – South Eastern HSC Trust, Elderly Learning Disability Service, Bayview Centre