Mayor and volunteers mark the official opening of Ballycastle Museum
Thu, April 21, 2022
Ballycastle Museum is now officially open for the season ahead with even more fascinating objects and artefacts to explore.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council met with Friends of Ballycastle Museum volunteers at the historic Castle Street building recently to mark the occasion.
The Museum is home to a significant collection of items which explore the history of the area, including the beautiful Taise Banner. Created for the first Feis na nGleann (Glens Feis) in 1904, it takes pride of place and is thought to be the only remaining one of its kind. It inspired the amazing mural by FRIZ which now adorns the gable wall of ‘Noel’s Pound Coiner’ on the corner of Glentaisie Drive.
The Mayor, Councillor Richard Holmes said:
“Council is very grateful to the Friends of Ballycastle Museum whose dedication helps us to extend the opening hours of the Museum beyond the core summer months. Their local knowledge and expertise greatly enriches the visitor experience and I want to thank them for their continued enthusiasm and dedication.
“The Museum building itself is an important part of Ballycastle’s heritage, dating back to the 18th century. I’m very pleased to see it continuing to play an active role in the town, preserving local history for visitors and the community.”
“I know the Museum is an important asset in the town, and I’m very pleased to see it open again.”
New displays for the season ahead include the ‘Devils of Ballycastle’ and there will soon be a chance to view a date stone that may have originally been part of the castle which the town is named after.
Some of the objects which feature in an upcoming new publication researched and written by the Friends of Ballycastle Museum are also on display while old favourites make a welcome return. These include the reconstructed kitchen area, models and toys from the Irish Home Industries workshop and artefacts associated with the Arts and Crafts Revival in Ulster. There’ll also be some activities for children which aim to enhance their experience.
Admission to the Museum is free.
Opening hours are:
April, May, June and September
Friday & Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 2pm –5pm.
July and August
Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 2pm –5pm
For the latest news and announcement follow Ballycastle Museum on Facebook.
You can find out more about Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Museum Service by going to www.niarchive.org.
