Major award is presented to Downpatrick museum

Major award is presented to Downpatrick museum

24 February 2016

DOWN County Museum has been presented with a prestigious four-star visitor experience award.

The major accolade was presented by Tourism Northern Ireland chief executive John McGrillen at a special presentation ceremony at the English Street complex last week.

Located in the historic buildings of the 18th century County Gaol of Down, the museum is the home of the iconic Downpatrick High Cross, which was recently showcased in a 12-page feature in Spanish archaeological magazine Revista Medieval. 

Originally carved around AD 900 as a “prayer in stone,” the High Cross is of great historical, cultural and religious significance. 

The museum collects, conserves and exhibits artefacts relating to the history of Co. Down from the earliest times to the present day, and recently completed an extension housing three new permanent galleries and a new tea room. 

Tourism NI’s independent grading scheme awards tourist facilities and services with a one- to five-star rating to indicate the level of quality a visitor can expect when visiting an attraction or activity. The four-star rating means visitors to the Downpatrick museum can expect to enjoy an ‘excellent’ overall experience. 

“This collection illustrating the story of the development of Christianity in the locality, with the centrepiece the 10th century High Cross, is quite superb,” said Mr McGrillen.

“I am delighted, but not surprised that the Down County Museum has been rated as a four-star experience within the Tourism NI quality scheme. In the lead-up to St Patrick’s Day, I have no doubt there will be many visitors enthralled and entertained by the excellent archaeology, history, art, craft and natural history on display here, as well as the Cathedral View Tea Room and new tours on offer.”

To achieve a star-rating, visitor attractions are subject to checks from a mystery visitor. The quality assessment takes multiple aspects of the visitor experience into account, from initial booking to customer care and the overall experience of the attraction.