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upcoming events
upcoming events
Next Society talk - The Last Carrick Built Ship - Christopher Kenny
29th October at 7.30pm Dobbs Room, Town Hall, Carrickfergus
Join Christopher Kenny as he explores the history of the last surviving ship ever built at Carrickfergus Shipyard - Result. A ship that has lived many lives from being a workhorse, a film star and a warrior, discover more about plans to bring her home and create an iconic heritage attraction and community events hub.
Costs: Member £2 Non-member £3. Booking not required.
VICTORIAN WEEK EVENTS 1- 8 NOVEMBER 2025
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2025
Christmas Tree Workshop
10am - 11.30am | All Ages | £5
Christmas trees became widely popular during the Victorian era thanks to Prince Albert’s enthusiasm for decorating the trees at Windsor. And so cemented our tradition of having Christmas trees in our homes every year! Come along and create your own unique Victorian-style mini tree from various recycled materials and embellishments. It can be used for a standalone decoration, table decor or part of your Christmas display, or even a gift for a friend.
Ticket Link - https://thebraid.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173668138
Ghost Writer: The Story of East Antrim’s Charlotte Riddell, by Dr David Hume
2pm - 3pm | Free
David Hume reveals the life and times of Carrickfergus-born, Charlotte Riddell - the Queen of Ghost Stories.
Micah Meets the Victorians
11am | Ages 1 - 5 | Free
Join us for a special Victorian themed Super Saturdays. Music, craft and storytelling with Tale Time.
No booking required for the free events.
MONDAY 3 - FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2025
FREE LUNCHTIME TALKS 12.30PM - 1PM
MONDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2025
Smoky Old Town: Industry in Victorian Carrickfergus.
TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2025
Carrickfergus and the Last Crusade: Legacies of the Crimean War.
WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2025
Slievetrue to the Silver Screen...The Story of Shipbuilding in Carrickfergus.
THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2025
Behind and Beyond The Prison Gates: The History of Carrickfergus Goal and Its Inmates.
FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2025
The Victorian Cult of Mourning.
All lunchtime talks free of charge, no booking required.
SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2025
Victorian Blooms and Felted Treasures
10am - 12pm | Suitable 16+ | £5
In this workshop, learn about Floriography - the ‘Language of Flowers’, popularised during Victorian times. Discover the history, meanings assigned to individual flowers and how they can send a hidden message. This will be followed by a hands-on needle felting workshop. All materials will be provided to participants to complete a needle felted keepsake of a flower including base material, wool, needle, embroidery hoop (to use as a frame) and a felt backing.
Ticket Link - https://thebraid.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173668140
Pinhole Camera Workshop
11.30am - 1pm | All Ages | £5
Make your own pinhole camera using household objects - a beer can, toilet roll or maybe even a Pringles tin! In this fun and educational workshop you can learn about the principles of light and optics by building you own simple camera.
Ticket Link - https://thebraid.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173668141
Punch and Judy Show
1pm | Suitable For All Ages | Free
Recapture the magic of Punch & Judy - the worlds most famous Puppets. Enjoy slapstick humour with that lovable rogue Mr Punch, the long suffering
Miss Judy and a cast of other colourful characters.
Delivered by Carnival Promotions.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
No booking required.
Victorian Childhood Talk: Ron Bishop
2pm - 3pm | Free
What it was really like to be a child in Victorian times in small-town Ulster? Thanks to Mrs Coe born in Carrickfergus in 1875 we can get an insight into a very different world. Her extraordinary recall of her childhood is captured in her memoirs, published by the Carrickfergus & District Historical Society as, ‘Mrs Coe’s Carrickfergus’.
No booking required.
The Secret Bookshelf
12.30pm - 3.30pm
Carrickfergus’s award winning ‘The Secret Bookshelf’ joins us with books for all ages.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
PREVIOUS EVENTS
24 September 2025, the Bells of St Nicholas Parish Church: A Tale of Two Towers, by Alan King
Alan will briefly explore the historical use of bells at St Nicholas, before concentrating on the church's War Memorial bells and how the parishioners were asked to pay twice for a belltower! He will also explain a little about campanology and what the ringers do with the bells, before hopefully including some audience participation.
The belltower will be open afterwards for anyone interested. Please note access is via a steep staircase of 20 steps.
27 August Creepy Carrickfergus Walking Tour
Join us for a chilling one-hour walking tour Carrickfergus with local guide Eilish Boschert.
This tour includes details of violence and death. Discretion is advised!
We will operate in rain or shine! Please be mindful of the weather and dress accordingly.
Comfortable walking shoes are encouraged.
26 July (Saturday) trip to Donaghadee
Join us for a walking tour of Donaghadee including visit to camera obscure and a visit to Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat, lunch of soup & sandwiches at Pier 36 included.
meet at Harbour car park at 9.15 am - coach will leave from Harbour Car park at 9.30am sharp.
walking tour of Donaghadee
lunch at Pier 36 ( soup, sandwiches, tea and coffee and traybake)
visit to the Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat
coach home leaving at 3.00pm.
25 June 2025, 7pm Whitehead walking tour with Steve Diamond
Join us for a one-hour walking tour around Whitehead with local guide Steve Diamond.
We will meet at the front door of Whitehead Community Centre, 19 Kings Road Whitehead (opposite Tweedie Pies). There is limited car parking behind the Community Centre. Parking is also available at Castleview Road or at the carpark off the Old Castle Road.
In the event of bad weather Steve will provide a talk on Whitehead in the Community Centre.
28 May 2025, 7pm - Belfast Blitz Walking Tour - NI War Memorial Museum
Blitz walking tour provided by the NI War Memorial Museum – entry to Museum at 6.30pm with walking tour commencing at 7.00pm and finishing at 8.00pm.
10 May 2025, 11am - 3pm, VE Day event Carrickfergus Town Hall
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe day, join everyone in the Town Hall for a day of demonstrations, displays, workshops, talks, games, music and dancing!
Featuring contributions from local organisations active during the war, including, Women’s Institute, St John’s Ambulance, Boys Brigade, Cadet forces and more.
Need tips on how to make do and mend? Want to know how to make your wartime rations last? Or maybe learn to jive? Come on down and experience all on offer!
Wartime Carrickfergus
A new exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day is on at Carrickfergus Museum running until 23rd June.
Throughout the Second World War, many men and women from the town volunteered for active service in the Armed Forces. But for those who remained behind, the town change dramatically. The exhibition highlights the contributions made by those on the Home Front.
30 April 2025, 7.30pm
Architectural Conservation in Northern Ireland - Marcus Patton
Fifty years since the first buildings were listed in Northern Ireland the concept is widely accepted and historic buildings are an important part of our lives - but it wasn’t always so and there are still many buildings being needlessly demolished.
In this lecture conservation architect Marcus Patton will talk about the early days of listing and some restoration challenges he encountered with the building preservation trust Hearth.
26 March 2025
Join Edward Montgomery to hear the story of Benvarden – a home occupied by the Montgomery family for over 200 years.
Dating from the 1630s Benvarden is one of the oldest estates in Northern Ireland. Situated on the North Antrim coast, the estate consists of a wonderfully preserved period house, a mature walled garden and beautifully landscaped grounds on the banks of the River Bush.
Wednesday 26 March 2025, 7.30pm
Dobbs Room Carrickfergus Town Hall
Members £2 Non-members £3
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