7 great reasons to visit the Ulster Folk Museum

This brilliant site brings Irish history to life through historic buildings, ancient monuments and local crafts. It’s a place where visitors can connect with the past and be inspired to take the best practices of past generations to build for a resilient future 

Image: Courtesy of Ulster Folk Museum

Image: Courtesy of Ulster Folk Museum 

Where can you find the Ulster Folk Museum? 

Head to Cultra, Co Down, where you’ll find the museum a short walk from the Holywood seafront and three miles east from central Belfast. There are several buses running from the city, as well as trains that stop at Cultra (be prepared for the steep 10-minute walk from all public transport stops). Accessible arrangements can be made ahead of time by calling the museum. There is also a car park that is free of charge for visitors.

Image: Courtesy of Ulster Folk Museum 

Why should you visit?

This is a fascinating ‘living museum’ focused on preserving the history and heritage of Ulster by bringing it to life. 

This happens not only through storytelling, live craft demonstrations and workshops but by the fact that entire buildings and monuments have been transported to this outdoor site, which spans some 170 acres. It is divided into distinct areas: ‘town’, ‘field’, ‘wood’ and ‘hill’, alongside a working farm and a tree nursery. 

In addition, this is a special year for the museum. It was first opened in 1964, and so 2024 marks its 60th anniversary. It was inspired by the work of geographer and archaeologist Estyn Evans (1905–89), who had a specialist interest in Irish prehistory and conserving local traditions. A cottier’s house, known as Duncrun Cottier’s House, (the word ‘cottier’ referring to a rural labourer or peasant) was the first vernacular building for the museum. It was brought piece by piece from its original location in Magilligan, Co Derry/Londonderry, where it had stood since the 1700s, and was rebuilt, then opened to the public here in Cultra. 

Image: Courtesy of Ulster Folk Museum 

Which exhibits are a must-see?

From the cobbled streets to the atmospheric forge, there’s so much to view at this living museum, but don’t miss one of the recent additions: the Ballintaggart Court Tomb, originally from Co Armagh. This neolithic structure would have functioned as a courtyard to burial chambers, and was rescued from demolition in 1966. Though originally on display at the Ulster Museum, it was placed in storage in 2006, and has only recently been carefully reconstructed, stone by stone, within the rural landscape of the Ulster Folk Museum.

Beautiful woven pieces: just one example of the crafts once made in the buildings you’ll find here

What’s on this month?

Check out the website (see below) for the very latest events, as these are constantly being updated. Some are part of an ongoing series. A recent example was an intimate talk at Cruckaclady Farmhouse as part of the Homes in Focus series. The event – led by Victoria Millar, senior curator of history – shed light on the lives and labours of inhabitants of this humble but beautiful building during the 1900s, as well as its construction.

Are there any particular artistic connections? 

Among the many creative enterprises represented at the museum is the Baird’s Print Shop, which demonstrates the once thriving letterpress industry in Ulster. There is also the Picture House, which screened silent films to the Gilford community from the 1850s to the 1930s, with a live piano accompaniment.

Make a day of it!

Be sure to visit the neighbouring Ulster Transport Museum, which explores transport and innovation in the area, from steam engines and horse-drawn vehicles to more unusual stories, such as the history of surfing in Ireland. 

For those looking for a longer walk, join the North Down Coastal Path, which takes in Crawfordsburn Country Park, Grey Point Fort and Ballymacormick Point. Grey seals can often be spotted out in the water, so keep your eyes peeled!

Here’s a fun fact…

The museum holds an incredible number of audiovisual archives, including the BBC Northern Ireland archive and over 2,000 hours of material broadcast by Irish language radio station RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. To bring these records to the people, the museum has been developing the ‘Languages of Ulster’ project, which includes an audio guide that tells the history of the Irish language through the collection. It is available via Spotify in Irish and English.

Explore the more rural aspects of the site, alongside the ancient monuments and buildings. Image: Courtesy of Ulster Folk Museum 

Find out more!

Head online to ulsterfolkmuseum.org

Going local 

Do you live close by – then why not join the local Arts Society?

The Arts Society Northern Ireland – theartssociety.org/n-ireland

Upcoming lectures include A Brief History of Wine by David Wright on 20 March.