As part of their WAU topic, Christmas Long Ago, the P5,6 and 7 travelled to Newry to take part in a Christmas in the Past themed workshop at the Newry and Mourne Museum. The children had the museum all to themselves and after making a pop out Christmas card, they viewed and played with real toys that their parents and grandparents would have played with.
After this hands on session, the children had the opportunity to dress up as Victorians and learn about the origins of some of the Christmas traditions that play such a big part of our modern Christmas. They learned how the Victorians introduced the Christmas tree and Christmas crackers and how they created and sent the first Christmas cards.
Unique to this Museum, is the unusual story of how a local archeologist discovered the sixteenth century Bagenal’s Castle during the renovation of a bakery on the site. Ensuing restoration work uncovered many unknown original features. The children learned about this fascinating story as well as viewing some of the old features and ruins.
Museum staff were also treated to an impromptu performance from St. Oliver Plunkett’s Christmas Choir 2022!
