Nautilus Centre

The Nautilus Centre overlooks Kilkeel's busy and picturesque fishing port and houses the Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre, Kilkeel Visitor Information Centre, Tracing Your Mourne Roots Exhibition and the Mourne Seafood Cookery School.

Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre
This is the focal point of the building and tells the story of the local fishing and maritime heritage, with touch screen technology. There is also a reconstruction of a wheelhouse where children both young and old can have a go at being a skipper and learn about life on board.

The “Anna” skiff is also on display, which was the pride of the herring fleet when Kilkeel was also home to tall ships that carried granite and grain to ports all over the UK and Ireland. Whatever the weather you can sit and enjoy panoramic views of Kilkeel harbour.

The Families at Sea exhibition is a great way to trace your relatives, with the fishing and maritime histories of over 20 local families on display. There are over 100 photos and details on display of those registered who were connected to fishing or were mariners at the beginning of the 19th century.

There is also a gift shop which has a range of nautical gifts, oils, scarfs and jewellery.

Tracing Your Mourne Roots Exhibition.
This project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and aims to showcase the history and heritage of Kilkeel and the wider Mourne area from 1800 to present day. So come and visit the Tracing Your Mourne Roots exhibition in the Nautilus Centre and become a time traveller in Mourne! A great day out for everyone, young and old.

The project is also currently gathering information on local graveyards within Kilkeel to create an online database which will allow you the chance to access the information to find out if your relatives are buried in the area. To view the list of names please visit: www.tracingyourmourneroots.com.

Lift and Stair access available.

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Opening times

Easter – End of October: Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed 13:00 - 13.30 for Lunch)
November – Easter: Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed 13:00 - 13:30 for Lunch)

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Getting to the start by car

Directions from Town:
1/4 mile from Kilkeel village

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Price from £

Both the Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre and the Tracing Your Mourne Roots Exhibition are free, so why not come along and take a look back to what it was like many years ago and possibly find out a bit of your family history along the way.