Somme Heritage Centre

The Somme Heritage Centre, a charity and registered Museum, opened in 1994 as an educational facility and tourist attraction. It examines Ireland's role in the Great War with special reference to local cross-community involvement in the three volunteer Divisions raised in Ireland: the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions, and the 36th (Ulster) Division.

Since 2000 the Museum's remit has expanded into World War Two and other modern international conflicts. The Museum has increasingly focused upon the community relations potential of this shared history as a vehicle to further cross-community and cross-border contact, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Guided tours bring the visitor back in time to 1910 where they learn about the Home Rule Crisis, recruiting and training of men and life in the trenches. Reconstructed trenches allow visitors to experience life in the trenches of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.


Our Exhibits
The Museum has an extensive collection of World War One and Two artefacts which have been donated by relatives so that they can be preserved for future generations. Our collection has developed rapidly over the last number of years, resulting in a vast amount of information, records and artefacts, making a visit to the Somme a very unique and interesting day out.

Education @ The Somme
‘A’ Level History Conference
Twice yearly, during March and November, the Museum organises an ‘A’ Level History Conference which is designed for AS and A2 students. The conference is hosted by Lecturers and covers the recent specification. This event is very popular and history teachers are advised to book early.

Key Stage Three
This guided tour is designed to run along side the current curriculum and is particularly suited to year 10 students. Pupils at this level can receive a detailed tour on World War One and the Home Rule Crisis. A hands-on session on the weapons of war concludes this tour.

Primary Schools
This education session is designed for Primary School Children. This visit consists of a guided tour of our World War One exhibition, a talk on the weapons and equipment of war, allowing time to view other exhibitions on display including World War Two artefacts.


Special Education Needs
The Museum can adjust the educational tour to suit all abilities and learning needs. Special hands-on tours are available for students with visual impairments.

Community Outreach Programme
Staff at the Museum can offer a variety of events to suit groups, clubs and organisations, this will include lectures and presentations. Working with the community to increase awareness and improve mutual understanding is central to the work of the Museum.

Loan Boxes
The Museum can provide Loan Boxes which contain various items relating to World War One and Two. Further details are available on request.

The Irish Soldier
The First World War shaped the world we live in today and nowhere more than in Ireland. Almost a
quarter of a million Irish men and women served in the armed forces, protestant and catholic, unionist and nationalist fought together for a common cause. Our guided tour brings the visitor through the home rule crisis, recruiting, training and finally to the front line trenches.


Tour the Trenches An experience to remember!
The culmination of your visit is a walk through the recreated front line trenches. Surrounded by the noise of the tremendous artillery barrage, you can look across ‘No Man’s Land’ with the troops, before they go over the top. The Battle of the Somme is recreated in an audio-visual presentation.

Cafe @ The Somme
The Somme café has panoramic views of the County Down countryside and is the ideal place to stop for morning coffee or afternoon tea. Homemade soup, cakes, scones and light lunches served daily.