In 2024, St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballycastle, took part in a pilot project to encourage young people to become more engaged with their local heritage. The wonderful P6 pupils and teachers gave the project its name – Young Historians – and the rest is history!

Walking tour of Ballycastle

Towns can change in many ways over time, buildings are demolished, new ones are built, they can change from houses to shops and the shops can change use over time. The Young Historians toured Ballycastle with local historian, Caoimhin Mac Gabhann to find out a bit more about their hometown, how it might have changed over time, and how it would have looked in the past.

Becoming Young Historians

The pupils were asked to interview older relatives or neighbours to see what they could find out about the past in Ballycastle.  They discovered lots of interesting pieces of information and stories from people who lived, grew up, and went to school in the area. The children presented their research to their classmates and families at a showcase event with the mayor of the Causeway Coast and Glens, Cllr Ciarán McQuillan.

Showcase event

Young Historians present their research

Before and After teaching resource

A teaching resource featuring historic photographs side-by-side with modern views was developed to enrich the town tour and inspire the Young Historians’ to explore the past in their inter-generational conversations.  The teaching resource will soon be available to download through the Learning & Resources  page on this site.

Community excavation

The P6 Young Historians also took advantage of Ballycastle Museum’s community archaeology project to get their hands dirty and find out more about the history under their feet.

Click here to find out more about the Clare Castle community archaeology project

Click here to find out more about the Ballycastle project