Artefacts from Kilkeel Knitting Mills go on display at Newry and Mourne Museum

Joanne Cummins (Collection Officer); Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Cllr Valerie Harte and Ken Abraham Newry and Mourne Museum Curator with Esther Bloch at the exhibition of artefacts on display from Kilkeel Knitting Mills. The Mills were started by Esther's parents in 1950 and Esther's brother Walter Sekules continued to run the factory until it closed in 2022.

An important collection of artefacts reflecting the work of the Kilkeel Knitting Mills has gone on display at Newry and Mourne Museum.

The collection includes a knitting machine and examples of knitwear produced by the factory in the later decades of the 20th century.

Kilkeel Knitting Mills was established by Edith and Kurt Sekules in 1950. Before World War II the Sekules family had been part of the Jewish community in Vienna, settling in Northern Ireland in 1947 after spending the Second World War in detention camps in Russia.

During the 1950s and 1960s the business continued to expand, developing an international customer base. The factory began by making Argyle socks but went on to knit tartan hose worn by pipe bands and from 1957, cashmere and Aran sweaters. In the 1980s, Edith and Kurt’s son Walter became more involved in the business. Following the death of his parents, Walter continued to run the factory until it eventually closed in the autumn of 2022. He passed away in July 2023.

One of the knitting machines from Kilkeel Knitting Mills on display in Newry and Mourne Museum. Edith and Kurt Sekules started with the production of socks but then produced woollen hats and caps and then cashmere and Aran jumpers. Princess Diana was photographed wearing one from the Paul Costelloe range. l-r Esther Bloch; Council Chairperson, Cllr Valerie Harte; Ken Abraham (Newry and Mourne Museum Curator) and Joanne Cummins (Collection Officer).

Artefacts donated to the Museum by Walter Sekules at the time of the factory’s closure include a knitting machine used when the factory opened in 1950, which was still in use in 2022, a wages book from the 1950s and various socks and sweaters. Of particular significance is a cardigan worn by Edith Sekules at her Golden Wedding anniversary celebrations in 1986. This was one of five designs by Irish designer Paul Costelloe, produced by Kilkeel Knitting Mills. As personal designer to Diana, the late Princess of Wales, a cardigan from the range made at Kilkeel was worn by Diana in the same year.

Commenting on the donation and display, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “We are indebted to the late Walter Sekules for his generosity in donating these wonderful artefacts to the Museum.

"Kilkeel Knitting Mills made a highly valuable contribution to the local economy in providing employment to so many people in the Kilkeel area and I am delighted that the fascinating story of the factory is now preserved in the Museum Collection.”

Newry and Mourne Museum Curator, Dr Ken Abraham, added, “Kilkeel Knitting Mills supplied many top international fashion outlets with knitwear and this donation of examples of the factory’s products is a very important addition to the Museum Collection. It helps us demonstrate the part played by various entrepreneurs in the development of the local economy in recent decades.”

The knitting machine from Kilkeel Knitting Mills is on permanent display while the knitwear is on display until June 2024.

Entry to Newry and Mourne Museum remains free of charge. For information on opening hours, upcoming events, exhibitions and other services please telephone 0330 137 4422.