Glenarm Art and Literature Fayre makes a return to the village for second year

The two-day fayre, organised by Glenarm Village Committee, was entirely volunteer-led and managed.

The varied programme saw booksellers from across Northern Ireland attend, with tours exploring some of the rich history, stories and legends about Glenarm, together with artistic, music and cultural events.

Venues included Eglinton Barn, Seaview Integrated Primary School, the Village Hall, and Forest Glen Retirement Housing Complex.

Families were catered for, with children’s authors and an activity table among the attractions.

The Fayre began on Friday evening, August 28, with storyteller, folk singer and author Colin Urwin.

Colin is Seanchaí to Randal, 15th Earl of Antrim, Chief of the Antrim McDonnells at Glenarm Castle, and resident storyteller at The Courthouse in Bushmills.

"We were delighted that Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna attended to carry out the official opening on Saturday morning [August 29],” organisers said.

"Saturday’s programme commenced with historian, journalist, author and broadcaster Dr David Hume MBE who presented on the theme - Across the Atlantic: Stories to celebrate America 250. This explored connections between Glenarm, County Antrim and communities across the Atlantic. Our own Janice Witherspoon led a forest walk and storytelling experience.

"At Forest Glen Retirement Housing Complex, the film Revenge of Grannie Annie was shown being a short ‘spooky’ film produced by young people from the village.”

Glenarm’s own award-winning photographer Paul Faith’s presentation, using his photographs, covered many significant moments he experienced during and after the Troubles, which had featured prominently in the BBC documentary Shooting the Darkness. Paul was the sole photographer to capture the historic 2012 handshake between Queen Elizabeth II and Martin McGuinness at Lyric Theatre.

The Hon. Hector McDonnell explored the history of Glenarm and the McDonnell family. Hector, an artist, author and uncle of the current Earl of Antrim displayed his knowledge of the McDonnells and their place within the history of the village.

The historical theme continued with local author and historian Iain Bradley, Vice-Chair of the Glens of Antrim Historical Society, who turned the spotlight on Shane O’Neill.

There was a special showing of the Irish-language film Aontas that was filmed almost entirely in Glenarm – a timely inclusion with director, Damian McCann, having been chosen as Ireland’s submission for International Feature Film at the 2027 Academy Awards.

Saturday afternoon visitors discovered another important chapter in Glenarm’s industrial story when local walk leader Ann Dunlop led a tour exploring the village’s limestone heritage.

Those who prefer their history fictional observed an interactive murder mystery featuring local actors. Participants had to follow the clues and identify the killer in a live “whodunnit” organised with support from Carnlough Library.

The weekend concluded on Saturday evening with a headline jazz performance by the Linley Hamilton Quartet, accompanied by readings by his wife Maggie Doyle from her new book ‘Magy’s Farm – where music grows’.

The organising committee are very grateful to NI Housing Executive, and the local businesses and individuals who contributed sponsorship.

They are also very appreciative of the assistance from the helpers over the weekend, and for the use of Eglinton Barn and SeaviewIntegrated Primary School.