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Newry and Mourne Museum Achieves Full Museum Accreditation and Unveils Upgraded Accessible Reception Area
Newry and Mourne Museum is celebrating a significant achievement, having been awarded full Accreditation by Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC) as part of the UK Museum Accreditation Scheme managed by Arts Council England. The occasion also marked the official unveiling of the Museum’s newly refurbished and fully accessible reception area, attended by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Geraldine Kearns.
This prestigious Accreditation Scheme sets the national standard for museums across the United Kingdom, serving as a benchmark for performance, achievement and continuous improvement. Achieving this status empowers the Museum to request loans of objects from National Museums and significantly strengthens its applications for vital funding. Crucially, it gives confidence to donors and lenders that their valuable donations and temporary loans to the Museum collection are cared for to the highest curatorial standards.
To qualify for accreditation, museums must demonstrate exceptional standards in governance, collections care and access, as well as a strong commitment to engaging a broad and diverse audience, including schools, families and visitors of all abilities.
The Museum is also celebrating a recent grant aided renovation of its foyer, which now offers enhanced accessibility for disabled visitors. This improvement responds directly to findings from a 2021 Access Audit conducted by Access Matters for NIMC, which identified the need for a lower counter section and more accessible design for staff and visitors with mobility challenges. The project was generously funded through the Department for Communities’ Access and Inclusion Grant, delivered by the Northern Ireland Museums Council.
Hailing the accreditation and the completion of the foyer renovation, Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Geraldine Kearns said, “I would like to congratulate the staff at the Museum for their dedication in securing full Accreditation. This recognition reflects their professionalism and commitment to best practice. I’m also delighted to see the newly designed reception area, which creates a more welcoming and inclusive experience for all visitors and helps ensure that everyone can fully access and enjoy the Museum’s programmes and services.”
Eva Lynch, who attended the event on behalf of NIMC added, “NIMC is delighted to award Accreditation to Newry and Mourne Museum on behalf of Arts Council England. We are also pleased to have also awarded the Museum funding, furthering the Museum’s vital goal of providing accessible experiences for all.”
Newry and Mourne Museum Curator, Shan McAnena said, “The awarding of full accreditation is testament to the professionalism and hard work of the entire Museum team and the ongoing support of our visitors, partners and funders across the district and beyond.”
Entry to Newry and Mourne Museum remains free of charge. For information on opening hours, upcoming events, exhibitions and other services please telephone 0330 137 4422.
