Friends of Ballycastle Museum host Mayor

It was a busy evening for the Friends of Ballycastle Museum on Friday evening as they welcomed the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan to Ballycastle Museum for the 2016 season re-opening. The Mayor enjoyed a tour of the museum which is situated in a 17th century courthouse and market.

Also in attendance for the tour were; Helen Perry, Causeway Museum Service Officer; the outgoing chairperson, Melanie Brown; the new chairperson, Kevin McGowan; Secretary, Roger Perritt; and committee members, Frank Rogers and Kevin McAfee.

The Friends of Ballycastle Museum is now in its third year and is going from strength to strength, with its membership at the highest it has ever been. Due to the dedication and determination of the volunteers, the museum is now open an extra four months of the year.

Council are responsible for the Museum and maintain the museum opening for its core season of July and August. With over 3500 visitors on the books at the end of the 2015 season, visitors continue to come from not only locally but worldwide from America, Japan and Canada.

To coincide with the opening of the Causeway Museum Service’s On the Brink 1914-1916 programme, ‘1916 :Legacy and Impact’ exhibition in Portnagree House, at Ballycastle Harbour, the Friends of Ballycastle Museum hosted a lecture. ‘Perceptions of the Easter Rising’ was very kindly given by Frank Rogers, Chairperson of The Glens of Antrim Historical Society and Editor of The Glynns magazine.

'1916: Legacy and Impact' exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday 9.30am until 5.00pm and Saturday 10.00am until 4.00pm. Admission is free. The exhibition will be in Portnagree House until 25th April 2016.

On the Brink 1914-1916 is a three year project funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and developed and delivered by Causeway Museum Service and Mid Antrim Museums Service.

Kevin McGowan will be conducting local "On the Brink tours 1914- 1916" where there will be a wide range of local stories ranging from the Home Rule Crisis, through to the War of Independence.

Ballycastle Museum opening hours are Friday 10.00am until 6.00pm, Saturday 10.00am –until 6.00 pm and Sunday 2.00pm until 6.00pm. For further information please visit the Friends of Ballycastle Museum Facebook page or contact Chairperson, Kevin McGowan at kmg83@hotmail.co.uk.

ENDS