1718 Bann Valley migration exhibition opens at Ballymoney Museum.
Thu, January 10, 2019
An exhibition commemorating the 300th anniversary of the 1718 Bann Valley migration has opened in Ballymoney Museum.
Entitled ‘Causeway 1718: Society in Transition’, it will allow visitors to explore the impact of the migration on the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
300 years ago Minister James Mc Gregor from Aghadowey led the first organised migration from Ulster to North America. His congregation were joined by many others, including those from the Bann Valley and Ballymoney.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Brenda Chivers said: “The Bann Valley migration is a hugely important part of our area’s history with various factors such as bad harvests and higher rents prompting this group to take such life changing action. These people created a huge legacy in North America and I am pleased to see this significant anniversary remembered in this way.”
The exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to explore how wars of the 17th century, penal laws imposing civil and religious penalties, scottish immigration, economic challenges and the introduction of new industries all impacted on the Causeway Coast and Glens area and prompted people to leave.
The exhibition will run until Wednesday 20th February.
To find out more, please pick up a Museum Service ‘What’s on’ brochure at one of our venues, contact Museum Services at cms@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or call 028 2766 0230.