Ned Kelly’s armour, one of Australia’s most iconic objects, is leaving its home at the State Library of Victoria today bound for Canberra where it will be displayed in the National Museum of Australia’s exhibition Not Just Ned: A true history of the Irish in Australia.

The exhibition will reunite Ned Kelly’s armour with that of the remaining Kelly gang members – Joe Byrne, Steve Hart and Dan Kelly. This will be the first time all four suits have been exhibited together outside of Victoria.

Not Just Ned: A true history of the Irish in Australia examines the Irish presence in Australia – from the day in January 1788 when a small number of Irish convicts, marines and officials walked off the transports of the First Fleet to the continuing arrival in our own time of young Irish backpackers.

Ned’s armour will return to display at the Library mid-August 2011.

Not Just Ned: A true history of the Irish in Australia opens at the National Museum of Australia on 17 March (St Patrick’s Day) and runs until 31 July 2011.

Adults $10 | Children $5 | Concession $8 | Family $22

Read more.

Listen to Museum Senior Curator Richard Reid and Curator Cinnamon Van Reyk discuss the exhibition on 666 ABC radio Canberra.

Ned Kelly's helmet is prepared for transport

Ned Kelly's helmet is prepared for transport. Photo by Peter McGrath.

This article has 2 comments

  1. Lola Rowe nee LLOYD

    A great photo of Neds Helmet.. Congratulations to the photographer…Lola R.

    • Thank you Lola. I’ve passed along your congratulations to the photographer, Peter McGrath, our digital media specialist.

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