The programme of Fireside Talks for 2025 focused on community heritage and the role that local historians play in helping us understand our areas. The outline programme for the talks is below.

All of the talks in the series will be available to view later in the year on our YouTube channel.

Click here to visit the Museum Services Youtube channel

6^th February

Rathlin Oral History Group – Rathlin Island Histories

Members of the Rathlin Oral History Group will give a talk on the East Lighthouse Oral History Project which involved gathering the memories and stories from those who lived and worked at the East Light as well as memories from Rathlin islanders.

The group will share some of the stories and the visual summary of the project and filmmaker Margot McCuaig will share her short film of Noel McCurdy, Lighthouse Keeper.

Speakers: Margaret McQuilkin, Jessica Bates, Marina McMullan, Margot McCuaig, and Noel McCurdy.

13^th February

Robert Corbett – Rev Robert Trail’s Ballintoy, 1814.

Robert’s talk is based on an informative, interesting and often amusing survey of the Parish of Ballintoy written by Rev. Robert Trail, who was rector of the parish from 1777 to 1842.

Robert is vice-chair of Ballintoy Archaeological & Historical Society.

20^th February

Kevin McGowan – Ghosts of Colliers’ Hall

Colliers’ Hall is now a popular guesthouse situated on the outskirts of Ballycastle. Through this illustrated talk, Caoimhin will try to prove that Colliers’ Hall is one of the oldest houses in the Ballycastle area. It was owned by the Boyd family who were intrinsically linked to the foundation of the Ballycastle we know today, its name associating it with the coalmines that are evident across the Culfeightrin shoreline.

But it has a wider history. Through research and genealogy, Caoimhin will establish the links to some of the other “Big Houses” of North Antrim. By following the lineage of one family, the onetime inhabitants of Colliers’ Hall, our journey will leave the shores of North Antrim and take us to South America, England, the Channel Islands and throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens. This talk will uncover stories of plantation, landlordism, rebellion, entrepreneurial endeavour and, yes, like the title suggests – there is even a ghost.

27^th February

James McMichael – Wrought by Alexander MacDonnell – Artisan of the Glens

This talk will explore the life and career of Alexander McDonnell, the skilled 18th century stone-cutter whose work can be found across Ballycastle and the wider area ranging from gravestones at Bonamargy and Old Ramoan, to date stones for Castle Street, and the customs house.

6^th March

Friends of Ballycastle Museum – Discovering Ballycastle Museum Treasures

An opportunity to delve into the Friends of Ballycastle Museum’s latest literary endeavour! Explore some of our museum’s best known, as well as some ‘hidden’, treasures. These will be described by the authors of some of the stories contained in 30 Ballycastle Treasures,  published in 2024 with the support of the Museum Service.

Speakers: Brian Molloy, Peter Molly, Brigene Mc Neilly, Melanie Brown, Roger Perritt, and Aidan McMichael.

Click here to find out more about the Ballycastle project