Visit the Museum of Newport Irish History Interpretive Center

In the heart of the “Fifth Ward” – Newport’s best known Irish-American neighborhood – visitors will learn about Irish immigration to Newport County from the 1600s to the present and of the many contributions made to our community by individuals of Irish descent.

Exhibits

Interpretive Center exhibits are organized around several key aspects of life in the local Irish community and include maps, photographs, video, and artifacts, including some from the construction of Fort Adams, which was built with Irish immigrant labor.

The Center opened to the public in June, 2011 after several years of planning and fundraising. The Center was reopened for the 2023 Season with a new layout and revised exhibits. Our engaging and informative docents look forward to hosting your visit!

Location

LOCATION (Interpretive Center)
648 Lower Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840
(just south of Narragansett Avenue)
MAILING ADDRESS:
PO Box 1378, Newport, RI 02840 (all correspondence)
EMAIL: NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com  
Phone: (401) 848-0661 (seasonal)
Phone: (860) 995-7367 (Center Manager)
For Fastest Reply: Please email us: NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com  

2023 Season Schedule

Opening Weekend: Fri.-Sat.-Sun. May 26-27-28, 2023
(Memorial Day 2023 Weekend)
Closing Day: Sunday, October 29
Regular Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Noon-5pm
(Closed Monday – Wednesday)

Irish Heritage Month 2023 Special Schedule
Fri.-Sat.-Sun. March 10-11-12,  Noon -4pm
Fri.-Sat.-Sun. March 17-18-19, Noon-4pm
Fri.-Sat.-Sun. March 24-25-26, Noon-4pm

Private Visits:
To arrange a private visit to the Center, please send an email to: newportirishhistory@gmail.com
Please include desired date/time, number in your party and your phone number and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

Admission by Donation

MNIH Members / children under 16 free
Parking: Free on-street parking free.

To arrange a private or off-season visit,
please email NewportIrishHistory@gmail.com.
Please include your name, phone, number in your party, and preferred date.

Upcoming Lectures

Dr. Christine Kinealy, “Forgotten Heroes of Ireland’s Great Hunger”

September 26th @ 6:00 pm

Recent Lectures

Steve Marino, “The Life and Times of Patrick J. Boyle, Newport’s First Irish Mayor”

March 23rd @ 6:00 pm

Dr. Elizabeth Stack, “Irish Women in the American Labor Movement”

February 22nd @ 6:00 pm

Dr. Debra A. Mulligan, “Cheers to Eire: The Political Life of J. Howard McGrath”

November 15th @ 6:00 pm

Dr. Margaret Lynch-Brennan and Ms. Leslie B. Jones, “The Irish Bridget: Irish Immigrant Women in Domestic Service in America, 1840-1930, With Spotlight on Irish Servants of the Newport Mansions”

October 25th @ 6:00 pm

Dr. John Quinn and Mr. Keith Stokes, “Shared Spaces: The Irish and African Heritage Experience in Gilded Age Newport”

September 13 @ 6:00 pm