Share memories of '˜Big Houses'

Making an appeal on their Facebook site, they said: “As some of us know there would have been a few (big houses) or landed estates in the area in the past. The big ones that come to mind locally would have been, Clare Park (McIldowneys), Carnsampson House, The Boyd estate, Magherintemple House, Gages of Rathlin, Limepark in Armoy, Lissanoure in Loughguile...I’m sure there is more.

“Anyhow, the Causeway Coast Museum Service is running a new project ‘Big Houses’ and they are eager to speak and record local testimonies and stories of local people.

“We are particularly keen to hear from people who may have worked in one of the big houses, or whose family members did.”

In response one local man said: “My distant ancestor Alexander Whiteford lived in what was described as the “big house” which is still there in the Cross Townland at Fair Head. Back in the late 1700s/early 1800s I believe he was the Landlord of virtually the whole of the Cross Townland.”

If anybody feels they can help call Helen Perry, Causeway Museum Service Officer 028 7034 7234 or cms@causewaycoastand glens.gov.uk