Delving into Coleraine’s exciting history

Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, Coleraine Mayor, Roger Chadwick, Deputy Governor of The Hon. The Irish Society, and Sarah Carson, Coleraine Museum, pictured with pupils from DH Christie, St. Malachy's and Ballysally Primary School and Sandelford School during the launch of the St. Patrick's Graveyard Trail which has been funded by The Hon. The Irish Society. INCR44-303PL

Council’s Museum and St Patrick’ launched the trail with support of the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, and in partnership with Edward Montgomery and The Honourable The Irish Society.

Sarah Carson, Collections Access Officer at Coleraine Museum explained: “The pupils recorded the inscriptions on the gravestones, identified the different styles of stones, took rubbings, photographs and made sketches.

“All this hard work contributed to two trails; a Big Business and a History Detective trail.

Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, Coleraine Mayor, and Roger Chadwick, Deputy Governor of The Hon. The Irish Society, pictured with pupils and staff from DH Christie, St. Malachy's and Ballysally Primary School and Sandelford School, and representatives from The Hon. The Irish Society, Coleraine Museum, and St. Patrick's Church Coleraine, during the launch of the St. Patrick's Graveyard Trail which has been funded by The Hon. The Irish Society. INCR44-304PL

“The Big Business trail provides insight into some of the local business people buried in the graveyard, dating from the 18th century onwards.

“Some of the families, such as the Bishop family, still have businesses in the town today.

“The History Detective trail contains questions that encourage visitors to search the gravestones and memorials, both inside and outside the church, to discover information about past residents of the town.

“I would like to thank The Honourable The Irish Society for funding this project. It has been wonderful to work with St Patrick’s Church and all the schools involved, I’d like to extend my thanks to them also.

“The trails are now available in St Patrick’s Church or via the Visitor Information Centre in Coleraine Town Hall. I would encourage everyone to pick up a brochure and explore the remarkable history of the Church.”

For more information on Coleraine Museum and upcoming projects, please contact Sarah Carson, Collections Access Officer at Coleraine Museum on 028 7034 7213 or email [email protected]