New Historical Timeline takes shape in town

The Carrickfergus Historical Timeline, according to Carrickfergus Council, is already attracting “positive reaction” while the De Courcy Knight “looks set to challenge the pillory in High Street to become the next great photo opportunity for visitors to the borough”.

The information panels, which are currently being installed at Market Place, tell the story of the town from its earliest settlement to present day. The written history is accompanied by historical illustrations and photographic images of the borough from years gone by.

Funded jointly through the Department for Social Development ‘Revitalise scheme and council, the project has been delivered in conjunction with Carrickfergus Regeneration Partnership.

The Revitalise funding provides a follow-on to the £2.5 million Public Realm Scheme and the new timeline gives, the council statement adds, “a fantastic visual lift to the granite feature wall in Market Place”.

In March, Alderman May Beattie assured residents that the usual planting of flowebeds and hanging baskets would take place following an earlier complaint from a business owner regarding the “drab state” of Market Place.

She said at the time: “I agree that the Market Place area lacks warmth and may not be what was originally envisaged in terms of drawing more people into the town centre”.

The first phase Revitalise funding will see further work carried out in this area with “extensive planting to further brighten this important public space right in the heart of the town centre”.

Efforts to secure more Revitalise funding continue, council added, and “it is hoped that the clear improvements already delivered within the town centre can only bolster the case to continue what has been a proven and effective partnership” between DSD, council and the Partnership.