Time/Date - Friday 30 April - Monday 2 May

This exhibition features watercolours by the noted artist Sampson Towgood Roch (1757-1847) of town life in Ireland in the early nineteenth century.

Their innate charm as works of art in their own right is a tribute to Roch’s skill and perceptiveness.

Quite apart from their value as works of art, from an historical perspective, they give a rare and fascinating insight into aspects of town life in Ireland in the 1820s.

These beautiful images are on public display in this exhibition for the first time and are complemented by artefacts similar to those portrayed in the watercolours themselves from the collections of National Museums Northern Ireland (click image to enlarge).

Booking in advance is not necessary.

For information about watercolour workshops at the Museum please download the Workshops in Watercolour programme (PDF 870KB).

Roch Competition

Download the 'Speaking their minds' sheets below; complete the speech bubbles with what you think the characters are saying to each other and return to the Learning Centre at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Holywood, Co. Down, BT18 0EU. Alternatively you may scan and email your entry to patrick.mckinney@nmni.com.

• Waterpump scene (PDF 410KB)
• Donkeys (PDF 390KB)
• A Cold Day (PDF 415KB)

Each month the person with the most imaginative response will win a watercolour paintbox.  Please ensure you include your name, address and age.  Entries may be posted online.

Useful links:

• Download the National Museums Northern Ireland Events and Exhibitions brochure detailing most activities at our four museums from January to June 2011 (PDF 2MB).
• Ulster Folk & Transport Museum opening times, Google maps journey finder, admission prices & the Rhythms of the Year photographic competition.