A new heritage-based initiative has been launched by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in Carnlough, Northern Ireland, to help draw more visitors to the picturesque coastal village.

The innovative industrial heritage- and geology-based project received a £58,200 National Lottery grant to transform the former Carnlough Town Hall building into a dedicated community resource and welcoming orientation hub for visitors to the area. 

Community engagement

The hub will host a programme of talks and reminiscence sessions to capture, record and share Carnlough’s industrial heritage, particularly the former limestone industry and other industries within the wider Glens such as iron ore mining. It will highlight the geological features of the area and encourage guided and self-guided tours of the village, while retaining its use as a much-needed and valued community space.

A significant community engagement programme and volunteer strand within the project is also due to start soon.  

[quote=Anna Carragher, Chair of HLF’s Committee for Northern Ireland]“Carnlough is a striking seaside village with a wealth of heritage to be explored.”[/quote]

Speaking at the launch event, Anna Carragher, Chair of HLF’s Committee for Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to fund this engaging local heritage project and we wish the project team good luck with it. Carnlough is a striking seaside village with a wealth of heritage to be explored. The Town Hall is an integral part of its built heritage so it’s fitting that it will be the hub for all the new activities.

“The project is funded through the Our Heritage grant programme which is a great flexible source of funding to support communities to explore and share the heritage that is important to them. It is thanks to people who play the National Lottery that we can support fascinating heritage projects across Northern Ireland."