Historical Places
Killyleagh Castle – Vikings, Sieges, a Ghost and a Suspicious Death
Killyleagh Castle dates back to 1180 with a stormy history involving Vikings, sieges, wars, suspicious deaths, divided houses and ghostly sightings.
Forgotten Folk
The Mystery of the Cave Hill Ghost
Reported initially in 1913, the Cave Hill ghost proved a mystery and a source of fascination for years. What was the ghosts tale?
Historical Places
Hy Brasil – The True Story of a Mythical Island
An island off the coast of Ireland – seen by many over a thousand years until it vanished only to reappear every 7 years
Historical Places
Rathlin Island – An Eventful History, Beautiful Scenery and Puffins!
Rathlin Island, County Antrim is a short ferry journey from Ballycastle and offers a perfect escape from your everyday life.
Places
From Lios na gCearrbhach to Lisburn – The Story of a City
Lisburn Location The city of Lisburn sits on the river Lagan, the dividing line between Counties Antrim and Down. Situated in the barony of Massereene, less than 10 miles south-west of Belfast. The area has a long and varied history which is not widely known. “No town on the line Read more…
Historical Places
Loughareema – The Vanishing Lake
Loughareema – Now you see it now you don’t! Location Not far from the bustling seaside resort of Ballycastle in County Antrim is the beautiful lake of Loughareema. Some days the lake appears full of clear glistening water however, at other times it is a barren muddy basin, thus earning Read more…
Historical Places
The Cave Hill, McArt’s Fort, Games & Thrones, the Sleeping Giant and more
Besides the stunning views from McArt’s Fort over Belfast, the Cave Hill has many other interesting tales to tell…
Historical Places
The Opening of St Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast
St Peter’s Church On 29th June 1986, St Peter’s Church in the lower Falls district of west Belfast, was officially designated the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Down and Connor. The church had opened on 14th October 1866, with its iconic twin spires being added 20 years later. Over Read more…
Historical Places
Kelly’s Cellars – Step Back in Time in this Old Belfast Pub
Kelly’s Cellars is one of Belfast’s oldest & most popular pubs having first opened it’s doors to the public over 300 years ago.
Forgotten Folk
Belfast’s Extraordinary Inventor – Samuel Davidson (Sirocco Works)
Samuel Davidson, founder of Belfast’s Sirocco Works, deserves recognition for his innovative genius in engineering and other fields.
Historical Places
Kinbane Castle – A Hidden Gem on County Antrim’s Coast
Kinbane Castle, County Antrim, stands on a rocky promontory jutting out into the wild Atlantic Ocean in a magnificent setting.
Forgotten Folk
Betsy Gray and the Battle of Ballynahinch
Betsy Gray’s role in the Battle of Ballynahinch was courageous and principled. Through her bravery she became known as ‘Ulster’s Joan of Arc’.
Famous Folk
Templecorran, Ballycarry – Churches, Rebellion and Poetry
Templecorran Church, Ballycarry offers a fascinating insight into local history – an early monastery, Plantation, Rebellion and Poetry
Forgotten Folk
Elizabeth Gould Bell – A Forgotten Heroine
Elizabeth Gould Bell should be remembered for her support for the poor and sick and her commitment to the ‘votes for women’ campaign.
Historical Places
Belfast’s Donegall Place and the Imperial Hotel
The Imperial Hotel – “no establishment in the city of Belfast is so well known in all quarters of the globe as the Imperial Hotel”
Famous Folk
Olderfleet Castle, Larne – Vikings, Invasion & Rebellion
On the Antrim coast, just south of Larne Harbour, are the remains of Olderfleet Castle with a history featuring Vikings, Invasion, Rebellion
Forgotten Folk
Cairndhu House – Wealth, Charity, Dereliction & Hauntings
Cairndhu House, now derelict, is an impressive building with pointed roofs & ornate ironwork harking back to a time of glamour & charity.
Famous Folk
The Disappearance of Captain Francis Crozier – Frozen in Time
Francis Crozier was an Arctic explorer of great skill & bravery. His disappearance with his ship & crew is a tragedy remembered to this day
Advice & Rules
Life Lessons – Proverbs, Wit and Wisdom from 1858
A look at some proverbs, wit and wisdom from 1858. Some sayings are obviously dated but others still ring true today.
Forgotten Folk
Bonamargy Friary – War, Treasure & the Black Nun’s Ghost
Minutes from Ballycastle beach, Bonamargy Friary’s history involves rival clan battles, priceless manuscripts, buried treasure & a nun’s ghost
Places
Cushendun – Game of Thrones & an Iconic TV Series
Situated in the Glens of Antrim, the picturesque village of Cushendun lies on the north coast. But what links it to two classic TV dramas?