Museum and stately home praised for vital role in the community

Museum and stately home praised for vital role in the community

13 December 2017

THE Down County Museum and the 18th century house at the Castleward estate were two of 12 local museums recognised for the key role they play at the heart of the community at a recent ceremony in Belfast.

The English Street complex — which is located at a restored 18th century gaol in Downpatrick and opened 36 years ago –  has retained its UK accreditation alongside Castleward House on the shores of Strangford Lough and the Newry and Mourne Museum.

Administered by the Northern Ireland Museums Council on behalf of the Arts Council in England, the accreditation scheme sets nationally agreed standards for museums in the UK.

It defines good practice and identifies agreed standards, thereby encouraging development, with the accreditation also viewed as a baseline quality standard that helps guide museums to be the best they can be, for current and future users.

Museums are required to submit their accreditation return applications every three years to ensure they are continuing to maintain the standard.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman, Roisin Mulgrew has congratulated the Downpatrick and Newry museums for retaining their accreditation status.

She said staff at the local authority-run museums have worked intensively on the accreditation application over the past year and the award is well deserved.

“Maintaining accreditation is another milestone in the development of our respective museums. It demonstrates that our staff works to the highest professional standards in care of our collections and meeting the requirements of all our users,” she added.

Tríona White Hamilton, accreditation adviser and assessor at the Northern Ireland Museums Council, is delighted local museums’ commitment to governance, collections care and visitor experience has ensured the maintenance of their respective accreditation standard.  

She added: “We hope that this will enable the continued development of these museums as valued resources for both visitors and the local community. Accreditation is a national standard which gives confidence to all stakeholders.”