About
Carrickfergus Museum and Carrickfergus & District Historical Society (C&DHS) will be displaying a wide range of fascinating projects they have jointly delivered this May - including an exhibition on old Co. Antrim gaol. Call in any lunchtime and hear a bite-size talk on a local topic - by a range of speakers including museum staff, C&DHS members, archaeologists, and other academics. Talks are free and will take place 12.30 – 1pm. For further information, contact carrickfergusmuseums@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or T: 028 9335 8241 Talks programme Saturday 11 May 2024 – opening event Ruairí Ó Baoill Digging Carrick - Introduction to the Shaftesbury Park dig Tuesday 14 May 2024 Scott Ingram Carrick before the castle – The archaeology of Early Medieval settlement (c 400.1100AD) Everyone is familiar with John De Courcy’s conquest of eastern Ulster and the construction of Carrickfergus Castle, but what did settlement in the Carrickfergus area look like before the Anglo-Normans? This talk explores the archaeology of the early medieval period and the Gaelic kingdoms that flourished on the northern shores of Belfast Lough in the period c. 400 – 1100 AD. This is Ireland’s first historically documented period, and it saw the arrival of Christianity and literacy, great artistic achievements such as the Book of Kells, the development of monastic centres, the arrival of the Vikings, and the beginnings of urban settlement. Wednesday 15 May 2024 Helen Johnston Bound by Threads – a look at the design history of regalia. Helen’s Phd research is revealing fascinating new information on how regalia is used and the stories they tell of migration, local and global production, gender roles and identity. See the exhibition at Carrickfergus Museum until 24 May 2024. Thursday 16 May 2024 Shirin Murphy Old Town Records: Insights into an invaluable historical resource The museum holds original records dating back to 1765. There are also transcriptions of ‘ancient’ town records that no longer exist, describing events from 1569 to 1747. It’s our only way of knowing what the Corporation was up to in those days! These, plus the later records make for fascinating reading. Friday 17 May 2024 Paul Logue Law and order in old Carrickfergus Saturday 18 May 2024 Christopher Kenny The Last Carrick Built Ship The last surviving ship built in Carrickfergus’ forgotten shipyard; the Result is a tall ship like no other with 130 years worth of stories from life as a workhorse, film star to fighting U-Boats in the First World War. Tuesday 21 May 2024 George McGrand Andrew Jackson and Sam Houston: How two men with origins firmly rooted in South East Antrim changed America for ever. From the American Revolution to the American Civil War. The dynamic partnership of Andrew Jackson and Sam Houston was to change the military, political, civil and physical landscapes of America in such a profound way that it echoes through history to the present day. Wednesday 22 May 2024 Adrian Hack and Michael Fry Carrickfergus during the Second World War Adrian will talk about how the factories in Carrickfergus adapted to produce items for the war effort, and the significance of the Army Camps in the town which accommodated British, American and Belgian troops. In advance of the talk, Michael Fryer from the Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum in Belfast will be bringing along objects and photographs from the museum's collection relating to the Second World War in Northern Ireland. Thursday 23 May 2024 Shirin Murphy The many lives of the Town Hall site – a journey through the history of one of Carrickfergus’ oldest sites. Friday 24 May 2024 Helen Clarke Transported for life? Stories of women transported from Carrickfergus gaol. Saturday 25 May 2024 Cormac McSparron Carrick before the castle – Discovering Early Medieval Ulster Tuesday 28 May 2024 Scott Ingram Ireland’s first settlers and the evidence from Carrickfergus Wednesday 29 May 2024 Keith Hamilton Carrickfergus Townscape Heritage Initiative - Revealing Insights into the town’s built heritage Thursday 30 May 2024 Lisa Rae Currie Positive Carrickfergus – showcasing the work of the community interest company that’s making Carrickfergus the place to be Friday 31 May 2024 Ron Bishop Richard Kane: Forgotten Son of Carrickfergus? Also showcasing Carrickfergus Museum’s facsimile atlas c.1700 Saturday 1 June 2024 Book launch: Place-names of Carrickfergus & Broadisland by Philip Hoy An aerial pic of Carrickfergus from the 1950’s. Mid and East Antrim Council logo 0300 124 5000 enquiries@midandeastantrim.gov.uk Council Headquarters: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council 1-29 Bridge Street Ballymena BT43 5EJ
