Megaliths exhibit coming to Larne Museum at Easter

Megaliths of Northern Ireland will be launched at the Carnegie Building on Thursday, April 5 at 11am.

Megalithic tombs and stone circles can be found dotted across the NI landscape. These huge stone monuments were built by people living in Ireland around 6000 years ago.

This exhibition aims to answer questions such as how they were built and why they were so important.

Visitors can dress up in Neolithic style costumes and discover for how to construct a tomb.

You can also take your chances at the prehistoric game of life – will you get your hut built before winter sets in, or catch that wild boar to feed your family?

There will also be a variety of activities from rock art to making a coil pot. These interactive learning resources have been specially commissioned by Mid-Antrim Museum Service to compliment a graphic exhibition, on loan from Down County Museum.

Megaliths of Northern Ireland was the culmination of a year-long project between the museum and the Downpatrick Young Archaeologists’ Club, which involved young members of the club investigating megaliths in the local landscape and learning more about their significance.

The project was part of the museum’s community history initiative, funded by the PEACE III programme.

Larne Mayor, Councillor Bobby McKee said: “Megaliths is well timed for the Easter school holidays.

“Larne Museum and Arts Centre is a welcoming free venue for family learning and this Mid-Antrim Museums Service touring exhibition brings archaeology to a new audience.”

Jayne Clarke, Curator with Mid-Antrim Museums Service said: “This exhibition is great fun as well as highlighting megaliths across Northern Ireland.

“Megaliths are an impressive legacy in stone from the prehistoric era which have simultaneously over time become familiar yet still mysterious features in our natural landscape.”

Mid-Antrim Museum Service said it was delighted to have the opportunity to tour the exhibition to its Council partners in Ballymena, Larne, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus.

A free booklet full of facts about Megaliths, produced by the Young Archaeologists Club, is also available

Megaliths will be on display at Larne Museum until Saturday, May 19.

n For further information contact the museum on 028 28 279482 or email [email protected]