Larne Museum and Arts Centre Official

19/10/2026

To celebrate Book Week NI, which runs from Monday 19th to Sunday 25th October 2026, Larne Museum has been exploring the archives to shine a light on a book from the collection.

The “Bee Hive” Cookery Book was produced in 1912 for the Larne Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club Grand Bazaar and Fancy Fair, which was held on 8th, 9th and 10th August that year, on the grounds at Waterloo, Larne. The “Bee Hive” appears to have been a group of lady members from the club.

The book contains recipes contributed by members and local residents including the pictured recipes: Cream and Celery Soup provided by the wife of Mr James McQuillan, Headmaster at Larne Grammar School; Green Pea Soup provided by Miss Barklie of Inver House, the home of the family who owned the North of Ireland Bleaching Works, Dyeing and Linen Factory; Lentil Soup provided by Mrs Ross of Clonlee, presumably the wife of Alderman John Ross, President of Larne Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club, and Manager and Secretary of the Sun Laundry; and a recipe for Tomato Soup provided by the wife of Mr James Sutherland, the first manager of the British Aluminium Company processing works in Larne.

18/10/2026

“Early Medieval Ireland and the Kingdom of Latharna”, an exhibition exploring early medieval Ireland, with reference to the Larne area, continues this week at Larne Museum & Arts Centre.

There is extensive archaeological evidence for early medieval settlement in the Larne area, with over 33 known sites within a four-mile radius of the town, including raths, souterrains, ecclesiastical sites, and a possible crannog.

17/10/2026

Cattle Battle!
Board Gaming Event

Larne Museum & Arts Centre
Saturday 7th November 2026, 1.30pm – 4.00pm

Are you a fan of board games and interested in early medieval history and archaeology? Join us at Larne Museum on Saturday 7th November to play Cattle Battle, a board game based on life in early medieval Ireland, to coincide with our latest exhibition: Early Medieval Ireland and the Kingdom of Latharna. In Cattle Battle, players must gain wealth in the form of cows and build up their kingdom, while taking any opportunity to sabotage other players and win the game.

Cattle Battle was developed by Carrickfergus Museum in 2025 as part of the ‘Carrick Before the Castle’ project.

Ages 13+. This is a free event, however places are limited and MUST be booked in advance by contacting Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or e-mail [email protected].

12/10/2026

Thanks to Deborah Malcomson for the 3D Lighthouse Craft workshop which took place on Saturday 10th October 2026.

Everyone had fun creating and decorating their lighthouses!

11/10/2026

“Early Medieval Ireland and the Kingdom of Latharna”, an exhibition exploring early medieval Ireland, with reference to the Larne area, continues this week at Larne Museum & Arts Centre.

Artefacts from the Antiville excavation in 1957 of an early medieval settlement form part of the exhibition. These wooden staves are made of yew and formed part of a domestic container, like a large bucket or a churn. The staves were slotted into a wooden base and held in place with hoops. 19 staves in total were recovered from Antiville, representing at least six vessels. Wooden objects like this are rare in the archaeological record, only surviving on sites with waterlogged conditions.

10/10/2026

09/10/2026

Larne Museum & Arts Centre will be open tomorrow, Saturday 10th October 2026, from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

The John Clifford Gallery will be hosting “Early Medieval Ireland and the Kingdom of Latharna”, an exhibition exploring early medieval Ireland, with reference to the Larne area, looking at the nature of society at this time and the archaeological evidence that survives.

Don’t forget you can Take, Borrow or Donate a book at the on-site Little Free Library.

While you are here, why not visit our permanent exhibition gallery which explores the agricultural, industrial, military and maritime history of the area.

Everyone welcome!

08/10/2026

John Clifford, known by many as the Bard of Kilwaughter, passed away on this day in 1983.
Born in Enniskillen in 1900, John moved to East Antrim when he was eight years old and later worked on several farms in the area before going to London.

He wrote numerous poems in Ulster-Scots about East Antrim. One of the best known is "The Hirin' Fair", which Clifford wrote on the south coast of England, sitting on Beachy Head one day in the 1940s.

As well as being a place for socialising, entertainment and the traditional buying and selling of horses and cattle, a 'hiring fair' in Ulster was an outdoor employment exchange, where men, women and children made themselves available for service. It could be because of poverty or limited employment at home, but people went to the Fair to be hired.

After 30 years of living in London, John returned to Larne where he was one of the founders of the Larne and District Folklore Society. They brought the tradition of an old Hirin' Fair back to life with local musicians; people dressed in turn-of-the century costume and a horse-trading re-enactment. John Clifford was amid it all, sporting a stage moustache, putting his acting skills to good use and speaking in the local language he loved.

He also helped set up a museum in what became known as the Larne Historical Centre, of which he was the first curator. Today, it is the Larne Museum and Arts Centre Official. The John Clifford Gallery there is named in his honour, and a blue plaque has also been erected in his memory.

06/10/2026

Larne Art Club - 2026/2027 Season

Larne Art Club will be hosting their first demonstration evening of the season in the Education Room of Larne Museum & Arts Centre on Tuesday 13th October 2026 from 7.30pm.

Demonstration Evening with Keith Glasgow - Painting in Oils

Everyone welcome!

06/10/2026

We are pleased to announce that the Macmillan Coffee Morning held in Larne Museum on Friday 25th September 2026 has now raised a final total of £525!