Portrush talk on the famine in counties Antrim and Derry

THE North Coast Association of the National Trust concludes its Autumn series of lectures when Coleraine man Trevor Parkhill will speak on the effect of the famine in counties Antrim and Londonderry and how it came to have such a ruinous effect.

First signs of the potato blight were, in fact, detected in the Coleraine district and, as Trevor Parkhill will make clear, contrary to common belief, much of Ulster was devastated. Rathlin Island, for example, lost half of its population and many of those affected emigrated to America through the port of Derry.

The talk will take place on Tuesday, 1st November at 8pm in the Best Western Magherabuoy House Hotel, Portrush. All are, of course, welcome. Cost of admission (payable at the door) is £4 and includes tea/coffee and biscuits after the talk.