Our Museums

Our museums each have a distinct personality, telling their own unique story. Explore their individual websites for the latest visiting information, things to see and do, and collection stories.

Ulster Museum

Housed in an iconic building in the beautiful surroundings of Belfast's Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum is a place of awe and wonder; a place with open doors for open minds. Uniquely, it is a resource that locates Ulster's shared and contested past within the broader context of the museum's multidisciplinary Art, History and Natural Sciences collections; offering new perspectives and complementary prisms on the wider world. Free to enter, the museum is a welcoming and inspiring destination for locals and tourists alike.

Ulster Folk Museum

First opened in 1964, the Ulster Folk Museum is a remarkable living museum and environmental resource situated at Cultra, three miles east of Belfast. The museum is home to a rich collection of heritage buildings and objects, which it uses to actively preserve and demonstrate traditions, stories and skills passed down through many generations of people in Ulster. The museum offers a place to think about how we, as the current generation, are still adapting to change and how we might find meaning and inspiration from the many generations before us to help build a cleaner, greener and prosperous future.

Ulster Transport Museum

The Ulster Transport Museum is home to the only comprehensive transport collection on the island of Ireland, which covers all major types of transport and includes vehicles, artefacts, photographic and archival material, dating primarily from the mid-19th century to the late 20th century. From iconic Irish railcars, Belfast trams and historical ships to autogyros and the world-famous DeLorean, technical endeavour and innovation meet human courage and achievement in the Transport collection. Explore stories of expansive networks, speed and mobility, pioneering voyages, invention, everyday life and extraordinary daring.

Ulster American Folk Park

Established in 1976, Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of Irish emigration to North America over two centuries. Comprising of over 30 original buildings lovingly moved and restored in situ from across Ulster and North America to create the journey through time and locations, including a full-size replica of a migrant ship marking the crossing between Ulster and America. The Park was originally developed around the Mellon House, the birthplace of Thomas Mellon, the founding father of the Mellon banking dynasty. Experience live interpretation across the site including demonstrations of heritage crafts skills such as linen weaving, blacksmithing, candle-making, printing and open-hearth cooking.

Discover our collections

Spanning four museums, National Museums NI serves as custodians to 1.4 million objects in the public collection spanning art, history and natural sciences.