Accessible Heritage
Glenshane Care Association

Glenshane Care Association, based in Dungiven, are a cross-community group of adults with physical and/or learning disabilities. Their Accessible Heritage project enabled them to learn about local heritage and history while gathering information relating to the accessibility of the sites they visited.

Participants were keen to have a pre-visit talk about the history of the site and, where possible, this was delivered by other groups taking part in the Understanding Our Area programme: representatives from Hervey Heritage Group, Mountsandel Discovery and Heritage Group, Carey Historical Society, Kilrea Development Committee, Portrush Heritage Group and Dromboughil Community Association all shared their specialised knowledge with the group. In turn, Glenshane Care Association were able to share their own experiences with Museum Services.

Bringing together their own finds and those of the Accessible Heritage – RNIB project, Glenshane Care Association produced an accessibility report for the managers of heritage sites outlining their own experiences and suggestions of how accessibility might be improved. They also contributed to the Accessible Heritage Guide produced by in partnership with the Accessible Heritage – RNIB project.

Hardcopies of the Accessible Heritage Guide are free and can be picked up from Visitor Information Centres across the Borough, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

A digital copy of the Accessible Heritage Guide may be downloaded here. The content in audio format can also be accessed here

To follow the progress of the Glenshane Care Association’s project, click here

Accessible Heritage
RNIB

This aspect of the Accessible Heritage project was a regional programme led by Museum Services in partnership with RNIB. It was designed to allow people with sight loss to gain hands-on access to different aspects of the borough’s past, and highlight how they experience history in these places. After visiting more than 20 heritage sites across the borough, the RNIB group worked in partnership with Glenshane Care Association to produce an heritage guide which is aimed at increasing accessibility to the heritage of the Causeway Coast and Glens and allowing people with additional needs and young families to make informed decisions about their visits. The RNIB participants also contributed to the accessibility report produced by Glenshane Care Association.

Hardcopies of the Accessible Heritage Guide are free and can be picked up from Visitor Information Centres across the Borough, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

A digital copy of the Accessible Heritage Guide may be downloaded here. The content in audio format can also be accessed here

To follow the progress of the Accessible Heritage - RNIB project, click here

Antrim Gardens Discovery Project

The Portrush Heritage Group commissioned the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queen’s University to conduct a geophysical survey of Antrim Gardens, Portrush. The results have been used to build on the findings of the 2005 excavation to show the shared heritage of the site, its contribution in the history of Portrush and links to the wider area. Four interpretative panels were produced to use at a range of community events and a handling box was developed to assist with interpretation of the history of the site. Four local primary schools were given young archaeologist packs.

A digital copy of the Antrim Gardens Discovery Project panels may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of Portrush Heritage Group’s project, click here

Ballintoy and Dunseverick Memories

By training up their volunteers, Ballintoy Archaeological and Historical Society created an oral history archive of local people telling their stories about everyday life in the Ballintoy and Duseverick area. The group received oral history training and conducted a range of oral history interviews which were transcribed producing a valuable resource for the future.

Hardcopies of the Ballintoy and Dunseverick Memories booklet and DVD are free and can be picked up from Ballintoy Archaeological and Historical Society, Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

Digital copies of the book and DVD may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Ballintoy and Dunseverick Memories project, click here

Discovering Ballylough

Ballylough Living History Trust co-ordinated a training programme exploring aspects of local history, archaeology and built heritage. It covered various elements from genealogy and archiving practices, to archaeology, living history, and arts based interpretation, in order to build capacity within the local community. They explored the genetic ancestry of the area through DNA testing. They produced a book detailing their journey through the project with a set of panels drawn from the book to be installed on site.

Hardcopies of the Discovering Ballylough booklet are free and can be picked up from Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

Digital copies of the booklet and panels may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Ballylough Living History Trust (Discovering Ballylough) project, click here

Discovering Mountsandel

The Mountsandel Discovery and Heritage Group have produced an illustrated book, The Salmon People, inspired by what life may have been like at the Mountsandel Mesolithic site. They also produced exhibition for use at community events to raise awareness and understanding of this significant prehistoric site. As part of their project the group worked with students at Northern Regional College to produce a short promotional film.

Hardcopies of the Salmon People book are free and can be picked up at Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

A digital copy of the exhibition panels and The Salmon People may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of Mountsandel Discovery and Heritage Group’s project, click here

Glór, Dhún Geimhin

Glór Dhún Geimhin developed a heritage trail in Dungiven, accompanied by a brochure giving details on the sites. As part of their project they also developed the script and media content for a future audio-visual presentation which will allow the stories of the sites on the heritage trail to be shared with a wider audience.

Hardcopies of Glór’s heritage trail brochure are free and can be picked up from Glór, Dhún Geimhin, from Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

Digital copies of the brochure may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Glór, Dhún Geimhin’s project, click here

Greetings from Cushendun

The Cushendun Buildings Preservation Trust investigated the history of Cushendun as a visitor destination from its first development as a bathing resort in the 19th century. Using postcards, photographs, hotel visitor books, and oral reminiscences, they painted a picture of local life and tourism in the village, which was shared through an exhibition and accompanying booklet.

Hardcopies of the Greetings from Cushendun booklet are free and can be picked up from Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

Digital copies of the Greetings from Cushendun exhibition and booklet may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Cushendun Buildings Preservation Trust’s project, click here

Hervey Heritage Trail

Hervey Heritage Group produced a heritage trail and booklet identifying sites associated with the Earl Bishop Frederick Hervey. They also created two interpretive information panels which were installed at Tamlaghfinlagan Parish Church, Ballykelly, and St Aidan’s Church, Magilligan. Their research has provided an opportunity for people, locals and visitors alike, to learn about this colourful eighteenth century character.

Hardcopies of the Hervey Heritage Trail booklet are free and can be picked up from Visitor Information Centres across the Borough, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

A digital copy of the Hervey Heritage Trail booklet and interpretive panels may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Hervey Heritage Group’s project, click here

Historic Kilrea

Kilrea Development Committee created a walking tour of Kilrea which includes the five local churches and other historic buildings, accompanied by a brochure giving details for each site. As part of their project they equipped group members with the necessary skills to guide visitors around the sites, and to assist with genealogical research. Their project will encourage visitors to come to Kilrea and to stay in the area longer, therefore bringing economic benefit to the town.

Hardcopies of the Historic Kilrea leaflet are free and can be picked up from Visitor Information Centres across the Borough, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

A digital copy of the Historic Kilrea leaflet may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of Kilrea Development Committee’s project, click here

The History of Ballymoney RBL

The Royal British Legion, Ballymoney, developed a history of their branch, since its formation in 1923, through the stories of its people and the site to produce a book. The project explores how the Royal British Legion has supported ex-Service personnel and their families locally and provides visitors and other readers with an insight into the history of that interaction and support. A presentation sharing the history of the branch was also developed for use with local schools and other community organisations.

Hardcopies of the book are free and can be picked up from the Royal British Legion, Ballymoney, from Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

A digital copy of the book may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Royal British Legion (The History of Ballymoney RBL) project, click here

The History of Dromboughil

Dromboughil Community Association explored the heritage of the local area by engaging with the local community to record oral stories – including memories from some of the local schools in the area which are now closed – and archive old photographs. They shared their work by producing a book to mark the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Community Association and holding a community event at which the photographs and local historical artefacts were displayed.

Hardcopies of Dromboughil’s book are free and can be picked up from Dromboughil Community Association, from Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

Digital copies of the book may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Dromboughil Community Association’s project, click here

Our history – for keeps

‘Our history – for keeps’ was a training programme developed by the Rathlin Development and Community Association. Open to all Rathlin residents, the aim of the project was to build capacity on Rathlin and leave a heritage skills legacy on the island. Including training programmes on oral histories, genealogy, the exploration of genetic ancestry through DNA, and an accredited tour guiding programme, the programme focused on the creation of archives, and how to keep them so the knowledge is available for future generations.

To follow the progress of the Rathlin Development and Community Association’s project, click here

For more information or to get involved with the ongoing work, please contact:
The Resource Centre
Rathlin Island
Co Antrim BT54 6RT
rdcaoffice@gmail.com

Place Names and Field Names of Culfeightrin

Carey Historical Society developed a fieldnames project for the parish of Culfeightrin, near Ballycastle. The project was developed to build on earlier work under the Heart of the Glens Partnership Scheme, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and managed by Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust. By holding a series of mapping days and interviewing local people, along with extensive archival research, they produced a detailed volume recording and publishing the historic names of the area and their backgrounds. They also mapped the families who lived in the parish over the years.

Hardcopies of the Place Names and Field Names of Culfeightrin are free and can be picked up from Ballycastle Museum, Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

A digital copy of Place Names and Field Names of Culfeightrin may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Carey Historical Society’s project, click here

The Story of 1718

Coleraine Ulster Scots Regeneration Group explored the story of the 1718 migration, principally of people from the Bann Valley, to northeast America. Be setting out to investigate who the migrants were, why they went, where they went and the contribution they made in the New World, they produced a heritage trail of sites connected to 1718. Working with two local primary schools, Ballyhackett and Bellarena, and the Media School of Ulster University Coleraine they also produced a school resource.

Hardcopies of the 1718 heritage trail and the 1718 school resource are free and can be picked up from Cuil Rathain Historical & Cultural Centre, Coleraine, Visitor Information Centres across the borough, and Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

Digital copies of both the 1718 heritage trail and the 1718 school resource may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of Coleraine Ulster Scots Regeneration Group’s project, click here

For more information or to get involved with the ongoing work, please contact:
The Scotti Rooms
Cuil Rathain Historical & Cultural Centre
31 Union Street
Coleraine
Co. Londonderry BT52 1QB
cuilrathainhcc@gmail.com

Unearth Dervock

Dervock & District Community Association developed a heritage trail taking in key sites in the story of the village. They also produced a book detailing the townland names in the parish of Derrykeighan and collating family names connected with the area over the years. Their book, which brings names connected to the area from a variety of sources together will prove a useful tool for anyone connected to or interested in the parish.

Hardcopies of both the heritage trail and book are free and can be picked up from Visitor Information Centres across the borough, from Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

Digital copies of both the heritage trail and book may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Dervock and District Community Association’s project, click here

We Count Too!

Roe Valley Ancestral Researchers produced a book highlighting the often-overlooked contribution of women during World War One by sharing the contribution of some local women. Their book We Count Too! also gives an insight into some of the key influencers of the development of nursing. The group were keen to be able to provide a toolkit to support their own members and other groups undertaking research into World War One nurses.

Hardcopies of the book are free and can be picked up from Ballymoney Museum, or by contacting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services through this website.

Digital copies of book may be downloaded here

To follow the progress of the Roe Valley Ancestral Researchers’s project, click here

Community Heritage Audit

Many of our community groups, including those not participating in the PEACE IV programme, have developed heritage trails, heritage centres and trained up local people as visitor guides. Groups and local public authorities have also produced a number of publications that are only available locally and not widely publicised. In order to create a single list of these resources, Museum Services commissioned Abarta Heritage to conduct a community heritage audit which included a detailed report and interactive online map.

A digital copy of the community heritage audit may be downloaded here

Further details about the mapping project, and access to the interactive map, can be found here