Historical Places
Castle Upton, Templars Town – An Eventful History
Castle Upton – An eventful history including the Knights Hospitaller, the Norton Family, the Upton Family and the Hearts of Steel
Historical Places
St John’s Church, the Hill of Donegore and the “End of the World”
The tale of the ancient hill of Donegore, St John’s Church and its “corpse house”, and the “End of the World”
Historical Places
Armoy – An Eventful History
The small County Antrim village of Armoy, now known worldwide for road racing, boasts an wealth of historical stories
Stories
November 1874 News – Murders, Burglary and a Baby in a Basket
What was being reported in our local newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of November 1874 here
Historical Places
St Peter’s Church, ‘The Rock’ – Upon this Rock…
The small church of St Peter’s (‘The Rock’) has a ‘big’ history of Christian worship over hundreds of years, often in times of persecution.
True Stories
May 1874 – What the papers said 150 years ago
What was being reported in the Belfast newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of May 1874 here
Historical Places
St Cedma’s – A Colourful Church with a Thousand Year History
St Cedma’s Church, a thousand years of history, and an abundance of stained glass windows – each with a story to tell
Historical Places
The Glynn and The Luck of the Irish
Glynn, from the Irish ‘glean’ meaning ‘the valley’ is a small picturesque village in County Antrim in the barony of Lower Belfast.
Forgotten Folk
Forster Green – The ‘Industrious and Humble’ Philanthropist
Forster Green – “It is no exaggeration to say that Belfast sustains one of the heaviest bereavements that has ever befallen it…”
Historical Places
Greyabbey – “The first Gothic building in Ireland”
Greyabbey Village, just 15 miles from Belfast, is home to quaint houses, antiques shops and, most importantly, its spectacular historic Abbey.
Forgotten Folk
Movilla Abbey: The Worlds First Copyright Case
Movilla Abbey’s ruins offer no clues to the fame and importance once attached to this ancient site and its world’s first Copyright Dispute
Forgotten Folk
The Execution of Rev James Porter
If James Porter had ignored the injustices around him, he would have lived a long comfortable life. Instead he stood by his principles
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
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
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
Famous Folk
Body Snatchers – Death, Resurrection Men… and Murder
In 18th century Ireland body snatching was a real problem throughout the country. A variety of tactics were employed to deter the thieves…
Forgotten Folk
The Fuldiew Deaths – Romancing the Stone
A peaceful County Antrim bay at the village of Cushendun, a couple in love and a tragedy that reverberates to this day.
Places
Shankill Graveyard – A Fascinating History
Shankill Graveyard has a fascinating 1,500 year history featuring St Patrick, plagues, famine, a bullaun stone & Resurrection Men
Forgotten Folk
James Haddock – The Ghost Who Gave Evidence in Court
The strange tale of James Haddock, a man who died in 1657 but whose ghost returned subsequently to give evidence in Carrickfergus Court
Historical Places
Hannahstown & it’s Church on the Hill – A Turbulent History
A brief history of Hannahstown, it’s Church and the turbulent times endured by the people of the parish.
Forgotten Folk
Old Banagher Church and the Last Dragon in Ireland
Today Banagher old church stands quietly on its grassy drumlin. Its stories of saints, dragons, outlaws and holy sand are all but forgotten.