The Somme Museum in County Down

Travel back over a hundred years into the past to the 1910s; before Northern Ireland was even formed! Take a guided tour through the reconstructed trenches of the Battle of the Somme and see and hear what life was like for a soldier in the First World War. The museum has fascinating exhibitions and displays featuring an extensive collection of material, including a large oral history archive.

The museum is an institution and registered charity for the study and interpretation of Ireland’s contribution to the First World War. It was created to ensure the sacrifices of all those from Ireland who served in ww1 would continue to be honoured and remembered. Visit the various exhibitions on offer, for example, ‘None That Go Return Again – The Armistice & The Aftermath’. Here you can reflect on the closing stages of the war and its aftermath in Ireland, through photographs, maps, medals, personal letters, uniforms and personal stories detailing the effects of war. The museum also provides a home for war memorials from local churches and communities that no longer exist. Built on the site where soldiers of the 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division were trained after the outbreak of war, there is no better location to learn all about the Home Rule Crisis, recruitment, training and life in the trenches. Learn of the sacrifices made by others in the past for the freedom we now enjoy.

Tours are led by expert guides and last around 1 hour.

• Adult – £8.50
• Child – £6.00
• Concession – £6.00
• Family (2 Adults and 3 Children) – £25.00
• Family (1 Adult and 3 Children) – £20.00

If you don’t want to visit the trenches, then for only £3 you can still look at the temporary exhibitions in your own time.