Glencloy townlands put on map

NEWS
L-R: Cllr Maureen Morrow, Lord Lieutenant of Antrim Joan Christie, Mark Glover from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Mayor Billy Ashe and Deputy Mayor Timothy Gaston. INLT-33-705-conL-R: Cllr Maureen Morrow, Lord Lieutenant of Antrim Joan Christie, Mark Glover from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Mayor Billy Ashe and Deputy Mayor Timothy Gaston. INLT-33-705-con
L-R: Cllr Maureen Morrow, Lord Lieutenant of Antrim Joan Christie, Mark Glover from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Mayor Billy Ashe and Deputy Mayor Timothy Gaston. INLT-33-705-con

The project, which focuese on the second of the nine Glens of Antrim, is unique as each of the 36 townlands has been researched and documented in an A5 pamphlet together with their meanings and the place names.

As part of the scheme, interpretative panels depicting the townlands will be erected at entry points into the glen as part of a history trail.

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Local schools are also involved in producing a three-dimensional piece of artwork depicting the townlands, which will be displayed in the recently-built Heritage Centre.

Carnlough Vintage Society Chairman Tony Magill explained: “Back in 1973, the Post Office introduced Post Codes.

“Up until then, most people would have used townlands for addresses.

“Since that time, the townland names have gone into decline.

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“We thought we needed to do something to halt that, to make them more available to a generation that had grown up without townlands.

“The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will help us preserve the names of these townlands and also inform both locals and tourists alike of the hidden history within the glen.

“It will save the information for future generations and in addition will provide excellent educational material and opportunities for the local schools.”

The project launch at the Londonderry Arms was attended by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim Joan Christie OBE, Mayor of MEA Borough Council Billy Ashe, Deputy Mayor Timothy Gaston, Mark Glover from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and Councillor Maureen Morrow.

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Chairman Magill thanked Orla Black for assisting with the application, local historian and author Felix McKillop for compiling and researching additional information, Sasha McVeigh and the children of St John’s and Carnlough Integrated Primary Schools for the three-dimensional artwork, Peter Steele for the aerial shots for the pamphlet, panel and video and club secretary Brian Black, the instigator of the project, for his enthusiasm and determination.

Mayor Billy Ashe commented: “I am delighted to thank Carnlough Vintage Society for their endeavours and also pay tribute to Heritage Lottery Fund for their assistance in funding this worthwhile project.”