Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services

26/05/2026

OPPORTUNITY: FREE SCHOOL WORKSHOP KS2

We have one remaining session available for our upcoming USA 250: Showbusiness, Culture and the Causeway Coast schools workshops at Coleraine Town Hall. Suitable for Key stage 2 pupils.

Session available: Friday 5th June 12 noon to 1.30pm

Workshop includes a tour of our new exhibition and a 'design your own movie poster/album cover/ playbill' activity, with respected art facilitator Meraki Art NI.

£100 per session is also available towards transport.

If your school would like to book our last remaining session please email [email protected]

26/05/2026

Many thanks to Professor Graeme Warren, UCD, for an excellent talk at our Mountsandel archaeological survey information event in Coleraine History Hub yesterday. Thanks to everyone who came along and apologies for the technical issues. We videoed the talk and have now uploaded this to our YouTube channel where it is available to view
https://youtu.be/bYDoiPFwXqU

23/05/2026

We'll be open in Coleraine History Hub in the Diamond Centre on bank holiday Monday from 2 - 6pm for our Mountsandel archaeological survey information event. Professor Graeme Warren from the School of Archaeology UCD will outline his team's plans at about 4.30pm. Professor Warren is a member of the Royal Irish Academy and a specialist in the archaeology of Hunter-Gatherers.
There will be finds from previous excavations at Mountsandel, handling objects, a VR experience of Mesolithic Mountsandel, our Mountsandel Hunter-Gatherer game and best of all you can find out where the "wee folk" fit in to Mountsandel's wonderful history! Coleraine Chronicle Coleraine Times Explore Causeway Coast And Glens Cuil Rathain Historical & Cultural Centre Coleraine Historical Society

22/05/2026

We are really pleased that, thanks to HED's Revival Funding, we have been able to develop Coleraine Heritage Trail and accompanying 3D map. The 3D map will be going into Coleraine History Hub in the Diamond Centre, along with the Museum in a Box which will narrate the story of each of the buildings. We worked with P7 pupils from DH Christie Memorial Primary School on the booklet content and the children are currently recording the MiaB narrative. Trail guides are available from our History Hub and Coleraine Town Hall and we will be at Causeway Specialty Market on Saturday 13th June so call down, pick up a copy of the Heritage Trail and see our wonderful model buildings.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has visited Coleraine Town Hall to see the Heritage Guide, one of almost 90 projects supported last year through his Department’s Historic Environment Fund.

The Minister said: “In 2025-26, I committed almost £800,000 for heritage projects across Northern Ireland. Coleraine Heritage Guide is just one example, reflecting the enormous range of creativity and interest our communities have in their historic environment – finding out more about their own places and seeking a sustainable future for our heritage.

“I pay tribute to owners of listed buildings and monuments whose work to care for and celebrate their assets helps to attract tourism and investment to our region. Their efforts contribute to community pride and our shared sense of place, while sustaining these high quality environmental resources for us all to enjoy.”

The Coleraine Town Heritage Guide project developed a town heritage trail which promotes Coleraine. The project involved the production of an illustrated booklet using buildings in the town centre to tell the commercial, industrial and social history of the town. An accompanying portable 3D model of Coleraine centre was also produced.

Project lead Joanne Honeyford at Causeway Coast and Glens Council said: ‘‘The Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Fund 2025–26 Revival Stream has enabled us to launch this exciting new heritage trail for Coleraine. Through the use of a 3D map featuring key heritage buildings, alongside innovative Museum-in-a-Box technology, the project enhances accessibility and ensures that those unable to physically undertake the walk can still experience and engage with the town’s rich history.’’

21/05/2026

𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🚍

Step back to 1972 with these wonderful photographs showing the 'new' Giant’s Causeway bus.

📸 The photographs featured here are from The Coleraine Chronicle & Constitution Archives, Coleraine Museum.

👀 Do you recognise anyone in these photos? Tag friends and family, share the post, and help us put names to the faces.

We’d also love to hear your stories of travelling to the Giant’s Causeway by bus or memories of visits. Share your memories in the comments below.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council FUSE FM Ballymoney Ballymoney Buzz Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust Causeway Coast AONB Coleraine Chronicle Cuil Rathain Historical & Cultural Centre Northern Ireland Museums Council fans Libraries in Causeway Coast and Glens Ballymoney Chronicle The Causeway Hotel Portballintrae Heritage Society

20/05/2026

🏛️ International Museum Day may have been on Monday, but it’s never too late to celebrate the amazing value of our local museums.

Museums help preserve history, spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and connect communities across generations.

Take a look at our poster (created by our volunteer Elle) highlighting 5 great reasons to visit your local museums — and why they’re worth supporting all year round.

Northern Ireland Museums Council

19/05/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday to launch Coleraine Museum's USA 250: Showbusiness, Culture and the Causeway Coast exhibition! We were delighted to be joined by Deputy Mayor Alderman Richard Brown Stewart, elected members, staff, our volunteer Elle and members of the community to celebrate and enjoy this brand new display 🎬🍿🎞📽

This free exhibition is open at Coleraine Town Hall, Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am to 4pm (excl. bank holidays), until Sat 29th August. Make sure to pop in and learn more about the fascinating cultural connections we share with the United States!

Email [email protected] for more information

19/05/2026

Don't forget about our event next Monday in Coleraine History Hub (in the Diamond Centre) from 2 - 6pm. You can step back into the virtual world of Mesolithic Mountsandel, try out our replica flint tools and test your survival skills in our Hunter-Gatherer game, plus lots more! There will be an opportunity to hear Professor Graeme Warren outline his team's plans for the proposed site work at Mountsandel.

Information Session: Digging deeper into Mountsandel’s ancient past 📜

Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services, in partnership with Mountsandel Discovery and Heritage Group, will host a public engagement event linked to the archaeological survey at the historical site.

The survey forms part of the wider Mountsandel project within the Causeway Coast and Glens PEACEPLUS Action Plan. This initiative is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

📅The information session on Monday, May 25, will be held in Coleraine History Hub, the Diamond Centre, Coleraine from 2pm – 6pm.

The survey, the first in half a century, will be led by Professor Graeme Warren of the School of Archaeology, University College Dublin.

💻For full story: https://bit.ly/4nASwDe

18/05/2026

Recently, Limavady Visitor Services Advisor Rachel had the privilege of welcoming descendants of the famous blind fiddler Jimmy McCurry to The Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Visitor Information Centre. Pictured are brother and sister Paul and Theresa McCurry from Vancouver, who continue to trace and celebrate their family’s rich connection to Limavady and local heritage.

Having previously visited the area a few years ago, Paul and Theresa returned to continue their research into their ancestor Jimmy McCurry, as well as learning more about family members who emigrated to Canada in the 1800s.

There was no more fitting way to mark their visit than inviting them to literally step onto local history! The bespoke mat in the VIC features a Limavady street scene with Jimmy McCurry playing the world-famous tune “Danny Boy” alongside Jane Ross, who famously penned the lyrics.

During their stay, Paul and Theresa visited the McCurry family graveyard at Myroe Presbyterian Church and enjoyed exploring the Limavady area once again. They also appreciated the visitor information provided at the VIC and were looking forward to discovering more of the North Coast before continuing on to Scotland.

A sincere thank you to Paul and Theresa for sharing their incredible family connection to our local heritage.

15/05/2026