Ned Kelly’s armour returns to State Library of Victoria

Ned Kelly’s armour has returned home to the State Library of Victoria after a six month absence.

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 and collected treasures from Australia’s past in the Library’s permanent exhibition, The Changing Face of Victoria.

Ned Kelly’s armour is now on show in:
The Changing Face of Victoria exhibition
Dome Galleries, State Library of Victoria
10am-5pm Monday to Sunday
FREE