After a five-year expansion, the official opening of Whitehead Railway Museum is taking place; 1,000 years of local history is ready to be explored at Benburb Priory Library and Museum, and the regeneration of Richhill village will be celebrated in a special event.

Paul Mullan, Head of HLF Northern Ireland, said: “National Lottery funding is helping to transform communities right across Northern Ireland. From celebrating our industrial past to conserving our literary heritage and historic streetscapes, these three projects highlight the sheer breadth of heritage that has benefited from HLF funding.  Thanks to National Lottery players these projects are making a real difference, opening up our diverse heritage for more people to access and enjoy.” 

Whitehead Railway Museum

A major redevelopment has transformed the carriage workshop and locomotive sheds into a museum that tells the story of our railway heritage. Visitors can watch engineers carry out repairs to the locomotives from a special viewing gallery, enjoy a walk through historic carriages or take part in ‘Museum on the Move’ steam train journeys to Portrush, Belfast and Dublin throughout the year. 

[quote= Paul Mullan, Head of HLF Northern Ireland] "These three projects highlight the sheer breadth of heritage that has benefited from HLF funding."[/quote]

Benburb Priory Library and Museum

For more than 30 years the Priory has been a popular community centre and meeting place.  Now, following the development of the library and museum, visitors can explore 1,000 years of local history by accessing its rare and historic collections for the first time, before enjoying a walk in the grounds and refreshments in the new café.

Richhill Townscape Heritage Initiative

With HLF’s support the commercial heart of this historic village has been transformed, sparking the wider social and economic regeneration of the area.  An extensive programme of restoration has brought back into use underused or vacant historic buildings within the Conservation Area, providing much needed multi-use floor space and enhancing the unique character of the village.