Heritage sites prepare for Open Days influx

A total of 260 events are scheduled to take place across Northern Ireland, with normally fee-charging venues axing admission fees for the weekend and some sites usually off limits to the public opening their doors.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "The diversity of our built heritage is evident with cathedrals to cottages, mills to former military bases and a few castles opening their doors free of charge this weekend.

"European Heritage Open Days celebrates our built heritage, its importance in our lives and the quality of our life. It is facilitated by local people who dedicate their spare time to opening properties and arranging events, and it is their knowledge and enthusiasm that makes European Heritage Open Days happen."

Locally, Carrickfergus Castle will transport visitors back in time with medieval armour and fight demonstrations on Sunday afternoon. The Norman fortress will be open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday from 10.00am to 6.00pm.

Tours of the town walls, led by archaeologist Ruairi O'Baoill, will depart the castle gate at 11.00am and 2.00pm on Saturday.

St Nicholas Church, started during the same period as the castle but much changed since and housing the tomb of Sir Arthur Chichester, one of the most influential figures in the history of Ireland, will open from 11.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday and 2.00 to 4.00pm on Sunday.

The Andrew Jackson and US Rangers Centre at Boneybefore will be open from 2.00 to 5.00pm on each day, with guided tours at 3.00 and 4.00pm.

Guided tours are also on offer at Carrickfergus Museum, which opens from 10.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday, with tours at 12.00 noon and 4.00pm, and from 1.00 to 6.00pm on Sunday, with a tour at 3.00pm. Tours of the neighbouring Town Hall will be available at 11.00am and 3.00pm on Saturday, 2.00pm on Sunday.

Ireland's last surviving coal gasworks, Flame at Irish Quarter West, will open from 2.00 to 5.00pm on Sunday only.

At Blackhead, the lighthouse keeper's cottages, built in 1901 and packed with antique furniture and lighthouse paraphenalia, will open from 10.00am to 4.00pm each day.

Whitehead's old excursion station will be open on Sunday only for free tours of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland workshops and short steam train rides for a small fee.

Meanwhile, at nearby Ballycarry, the 17th century Redhall house and gardens will be open from 10.00am to 5.00pm on both days for guided tours.

A brochure containing details of EHOD events across Northern Ireland is available from libraries, tourist information centres and at www.wonderfulni.info.