Exhibition to highlight Carrick's maritime heritage

Community group Positive Carrickfergus has been awarded £10,000 to support the development of a maritime exhibition.
Painting of Kelly's ship The Ballyrush.Painting of Kelly's ship The Ballyrush.
Painting of Kelly's ship The Ballyrush.

‘Sails and Tales’ will look at the growth and use of the historic harbour of Carrickfergus, including the memories and stories of local people.

It is one of 29 community heritage projects from across Northern Ireland that have been awarded grants totalling £241,900.

Once completed, the co-designed community exhibition will be hosted in the Kelly’s Coal Office for five years.

The group has thanked Mark Cobain, the property owner, and Robin Stewart of Robinson’s Shoes for supporting this project.

Carrickfergus Museum is also supporting the exhibition and is providing access to images and items relating to ship building and activities within harbour.

The exhibition will be free to all visitors.

Positive Carrickfergus is a Community Interest Company of people who live and work in Carrickfergus, all of whom are doing their bit to make the town a great place to live.

The organisation has grown out of an online community of more than 5,000 people that started in October 2017.

The group is particularly interested in the role of the community in the regeneration of the town, and is keen to connect people through its heritage.

Lee Robb, founder of Positive Carrickfergus said: “We are delighted to have received this funding. By locating our community exhibition in Kelly’s Coal Office, we’re building on the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s investment in Carrick through the Townscape Heritage Initiative. This is a truly collaborative project, which puts the people who live in Carrick front and centre, through their stories and photographs.”

The Community Heritage Fund is part of the £29 million Executive allocation that was made to the Department for Communities to support the arts, culture, heritage, and language sectors which have been severely impacted by COVID-19.

Last year, the organisation committed over £600 million of National Lottery and Government funding to more than 1,500 heritage organisations, along with expertise and advice on adapting to the pandemic.

Paul Mullan from The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: "Our local places have become more important than ever throughout this pandemic, and through this fund, we hope to encourage people to get to know their local heritage that bit better.

"We’re grateful to the Department for Communities for providing the funding and we’re delighted to fund a diverse range of projects which will make a huge impact on many communities across Northern Ireland."

To find out more about The National Lottery Heritage Fun, go to www.heritagefund.org.uk