Historical Places
Glenarm Castle – A History
A popular tourist destination, Glenarm Castle has been home to the Earls of Antrim and the McDonnell family for 400 years.
Historical Places
Groomsport, County Down – Vikings, Wealth, Smuggling and Tragedy
Groomsport, Co. Down, popular with retirees, week-end visitors and sailing enthusiasts , has a history of Vikings, wealth and tragedy.
Forgotten Folk
Cushendall – A Colourful Village with a Colourful History
Cushendall, County Antrim is a pretty, friendly, colourful and busy village with a colourful history to match.
Stories
The Giant’s Causeway Hydroelectric Tramway – A World’s First!
The Giant’s Causeway Hydroelectric Tramway was the world’s first example of renewable-powered public transport,
Historical Places
Lombard Street – Legg’s Lane, the Curiosity Shop & Gutta-percha
Lombard Street, Belfast replaced Legg’s Lane and Caddell’s Entry as a popular business location featuring the Curiosity Shop and Gutta-percha
Historical Places
The Unforgettable Dunluce Castle – A Brief History
The picturesque ruins and history of Dunluce Castle “are not surpassed by any on the entire coasts of the British Isles” (McComb’s Guide to Belfast, 1861)
Historical Places
Academy Street, Belfast – Teenage Rebellion, Oddfellows Hall and the Blitz!
Today Academy Street, Belfast is an unremarkable thoroughfare. Its forgotten history has much of interest including an armed student revolt.
Places
Portaferry – A History
Portaferry, on the beautiful shore of Strangford Lough is a lovely and exceptionally friendly place to visit.
Historical Places
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – Don’t Look Down!
The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, one of Co. Antrim’s most popular tourist attractions, spans a gap of 66ft to the tiny island of Carrickarede.
Places
Carnlough, Antrim Coast Road – A History
Carnlough, Antrim Coast Road – The story of a small coastal village, Marchioness Francis Anne Vane, Garron Tower and Paddy the Pigeon.
True Stories
An American Editor in Ireland – Observations on Life in 1875
In 1875 the Impartial Reporter reported on the notes of an American Editor outlining his impression of everyday life in Ireland.
Historical Places
Newcastle, County Down – History, Tourism and Tragedy
Newcastle is a lovely coastal town on Dundrum Bay in County Down popular for Its long sandy beach and Mourne mountains backdrop.
Stories
The Cave Hill Legal Battle of 1859
An account of the 1859 legal battle to secure public access to the Cave Hill
Myths & Legends
A Battle of the Giants and Washington in Flames – Picturesque Rostrevor
Rostrevor, Co. Down, is a lively village known for its magnificent setting, a wealth of history & folklore and the friendliness of its people.
Historical Places
Castle Ward – A Most Extraordinary Mansion
Castle Ward: When a husband and wife vehemently disagreed on the ‘look’ of their planned mansion, they came to an unusual compromise.
Historical Places
Carrickfergus and its Ancient Inn with a Spooky Past – Dobbins Inn
The tale of the ancient Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus and its tumultuous past including an ill-fated romance and ghostly inhabitants
Historical Places
Victoria Street Belfast -A History
Today it is hard to imagine the grandeur of 19th century Victoria Street, once central to Belfast commerce. A few notable buildings remain.
Forgotten Folk
Kilclief Castle and the Scandalous Bishop Sely
Kilclief Castle, an old tower-house on the shore of Strangford Lough County Down, is often remembered for a scandalous occupant, Bishop Sely
Historical Places
Antrim Round Tower and the Witch
Round towers are early mediaeval stone towers predominantly found in Ireland. Antrim Round Tower is one of the finest surviving examples.
Historical Places
From Hercules Lane to Royal Avenue, Belfast
Royal Avenue has existed from the 17th century but not as the broad commercial thoroughfare we know today. Read it’s colourful history…
Famous Folk
Banbridge – Pearls, Mail Coaches & the World’s First Flyover!
The story of Banbridge in County Down is memorable for its linen & pearl trades, a historic mail coach and the worlds first flyover!