Ned Kelly's Armour
| Date | 15 April 2021, 10:00am–01 October 2023, 6:00pm |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free |
| Bookings | No bookings required |
| Location | South Rotunda The Gateway |
Australia's most notorious bushranger has split public opinion for more than a century – Edward 'Ned' Kelly is a criminal who robbed and killed to some, but a heroic underdog to others.
Fascination with the story of Ned Kelly often centres on his body armour, worn during the final siege.
Our display of Kelly's armour, alongside his colourfully worded Jerilderie letter, asks provocative questions about truth, mythmaking and nationhood.
Who is Ned Kelly? What went wrong between Ned Kelly and the police? Why do we still talk about Ned today, and why is his armour at the Library?
Visit Ned Kelly's armour and prepare to have your convictions challenged.
Please note: Ned Kelly’s armour will be removed from display in South Rotunda on 2 October 2023 and will be installed in its new location, the Redmond Barry Reading Room, in November. We expect the armour to be off display for around a month.
Moving such a large and significant item and its case takes time, so please bear with us. Keep an eye on this page and social media for further updates, and read our FAQs on the armour's relocation for more information.
More to explore
- Watch our short documentary about the relocation of Ned Kelly's armour
- Learn more about Ned Kelly's life in our information sheet
- Explore the Library's collection of historical and contemporary Ned Kelly material
- Read more about Ned Kelly's armour
Planning your visit
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Read about our COVID-safe Library.
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