Mid and East Antrim gears up for Industrial Heritage Month

A number of ‘Shaped by Industry, Shared with Pride’ events will kick off across the borough for Mid and East Antrim’s Industrial Heritage Month.

The Big Telly Theatre Company will create innovative, bespoke performances at four coastal industrial heritage sites including Carrickfergus Flame Gasworks Museum, Whitehead Railway Museum, and the villages of Glenarm and Carnlough.

Bespoke participative theatre performances for all ages will unearth our rich industrial past in Carnlough Harbour on 4 and 5 May and Glenarm Village on the 5and 6May.

You can get a glimpse at Edwardian life at Whitehead Railway Museum on 24and 25 May, with a first-hand experience of the workings of the station from the comfort of a dining car.

Afterwards make sure to visit the wonderful eateries and stunning architecture in Whitehead. Why not pop into The Lighthouse Bistro, The Bankhouse Café, Coastal Coffee and Carmel’s Sweetshop where you will be treated to special themed menus and discounts.

To conclude Industrial Heritage Month in spectacular fashion from the 31 May to 2 June, Flame! Gasworks Museum in Carrickfergus are offering you a unique insight into the lives of those who worked on and depended on the gasworks.

Expect to be immersed in this atmospheric location where stories smoulder in the shadows, drawing upon personal accounts from Sam Gault, the Gasworks longest serving manager and a range of other storytellers, this interactive performance will be full of music and surprise.

During this weekend the Dobbins Inn will also be offering bespoke menus and special discounts as well as showcasing some unique items from the Flame! Gasworks archive.

Museum and Heritage Manager, Jayne Clarke said: “Industrial Heritage Month is a fantastic way to experience our rich and often overlooked history first hand. This project is an engaging and exciting way to bring the area’s rich industrial heritage to life. It opens up these venues to a new tourism audience as well as offering them a chance to experience the world famous Causeway Coastal Route.

“These venues sit alongside a coastline that boasts stunning views, fantastic spots to eat and breathtaking walks, so there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy as well as these enlightening productions.

“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 the refurbishment 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 sector.”

Booking for these performances is essential, just search ‘Shaped by Industry, Shared with Pride’ on Eventbrite. All performances are free, however there will be an entry fee into Whitehead Railway Museum.