“Artefacts of Exception” at Museum

A new era is approaching when Ballymoney Borough Council will become part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Council, merging with our neighbouring local authorities in Coleraine, Limavady and Moyle.

To mark this landmark date, Ballymoney Museum will be celebrating the most exciting, unique and remarkable objects from its collection and highlighting the importance of our local heritage.

The exhibition “Artefacts of Exception” opens to the public on Tuesday, 10 February. On display will be a selection of the exceptional artefacts that have been collected by the museum since it was first established by the Ballymoney Town Commissioners in 1860.

The exciting display will give visitors the opportunity to see items such as the antler of a giant deer, a medal won by an Olympian, a bottle of Ballymoney whiskey, the nineteenth century clock face which towered over the Diamond and many other rare and interesting items linked to North Antrim.

To coincide with the opening of the exhibition, Keith Beattie, Museum Manager, will be presenting a talk on Monday, 9 February at 8pm in Ballymoney Town Hall on the fascinating history of the museum. Ballymoney Museum is one of the oldest provincial collections in Ireland. The collection originally belonged to James Bell, a land steward from Leslie Hill, and has always contained an eclectic mix of artefacts. Many will remember the old museum cabinets in the Town Hall or the popular exhibitions held in the terraced house at 33 Charlotte Street during the 1990s. Admission to the talk is free.

The exhibition runs until 30 April at Ballymoney Museum, Mon-Thur & Sat, 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4.30pm.