​Industrial Heritage Month roaring success

Industrial Heritage Month finishes with a roaring success in Carrickfergus

Over the weekend residents and tourists of Carrickfergus were treated to an insider look into the working life of a gas-worker at Flame! Gasworks Museum. Big Telly Theatre Company transported audience members back in time to a time of uncertainty and change. Audience members also got an insider look at the working life of Carrickfergus Gasworks manager Sam Gault and some of the decisions he faced. Afterwards, audience members were encouraged to visit the Dobbins Inn were they were treated to a special themed menu inspired by the performances in Flame! Gasworks Museum as well as show casing items from the museum.

Flame Gasworks: An inside story was the final instalment of Industrial Heritage Month, which saw free bespoke performances taking place at Whitehead Railway Museum, Glenarm Village and Carnlough Harbour. These performances illustrated and celebrated our long and rich industrial history which can be seen along the stunning Causeway Coastal Road.

Museum and Heritage Manager, Jayne Clarke said: “Industrial Heritage Month was a roaring success, with visitors travelling to see these wonderful performances in a way that both recognises and celebrates our industrial heritage.”

“This project has been an innovating and engaging way to bring each area’s rich industrial heritage to life. Each of these sites sit alongside the world famous Causeway Coastal Route which boasts stunning views, fantastic spots to eat and breath-taking walks.”

“We are thrilled to have received support thanks to the National Lottery players, Tourism NI and the Department for Communities. This funding is a welcome boost as great work has already been done through other projects; including the new Heritage Hub at Carnlough Town Hall and Development of Whitehead Railway Museum. This latest initiative proves that this partnership is working and I hope everyone comes along to enjoy these special performances. We are also pleased to be working closely with our project partners, Big Telly Theatre Company and also Carrickfergus Enterprise who are promoting this initiative to our local tourism businesses.”

To celebrate the close of Shaped by Industry-Shared with Pride a special closing seminar and workshop will be held on Thursday 26 September at the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. This seminar will be open to the heritage, arts and tourism sectors.

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