After a six month absence, Ned Kelly’s armour is returning home to the State Library.

The armour was a key attraction in the National Museum of Australia’s exhibition, Not Just Ned: A true history of the Irish in Australia that examined the Irish presence in Australia. 72,776 people  visited the exhibition which featured all four sets of the Kelly gang armour – the first time the suits had ever been shown together outside of Victoria.

Andrew Sayers, Director of the National Museum of Australia, said the ensemble contributed greatly to the success of the exhibition.

‘Even though our exhibition was called Not Just Ned, the biggest visual impact in the show was the Kelly gang’s armour.  We are really grateful to all of the lenders, and particularly the State Library of Victoria who lent a number of treasures to us and helped us to bring out the drama and richness of the story of Irish Australia.’

Kelly’s armour will now rejoin other Kelly gang material in the Library’s permanent exhibition, The Changing Face of Victoria.

Learn more:

  • Watch this video to learn more about Ned Kelly’s armour
  • National Museum of Australia bushrangers page. Includes a video of the installation of the four sets of Kelly gang armour
  • Ned Kelly fact sheet
Ned Kelly's armour

Ned Kelly's armour

This article has 1 comment

  1. Brilliant! Ned’s armour is a work of art.

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