Members enjoy informative tour along Antrim coastline

Members enjoy informative tour along Antrim coastline

25 September 2024

THE Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group’s guided coach tours continued with an informative visit to a number of castles along the Antrim Coast Road.

Last month, 46 adults and children were treated to the history of the main castles on the route, Carrickfergus, Ballygally, Cushendall, Garron Tower, Glenarm, Dunserverick and Dunluce. 

Last month’s tour followed on from the group’s Norman Castles of County Down Tour back in July 2022.

Historian Horace Reid provided a detailed 34-page brochure which formed the basis for the guided tour, which was brought to life by Michael Rooze who introduced the different stakeholders, who disputed land in Co. Antrim for centuries. 

These included the O’Neills of Tyrone, English Colonists, Scottish Clans, The McDonnells and English Lady Aristocrats such as Katherine Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham, Marchioness of Antrim, who furnished Dunluce Castle with the height of luxury and Frances Anne Vane, Marchioness of Londonderry built Garron Tower as a summer residence. 

Her other home was Mount Stewart in Co. Down and it’s said she intended her new mansion would outshine her mother’s residence, Glenarm Castle

The twinning group members were treated to tea, coffee and delicious scones in Dobbins Inn, which dates back to 1530 in Carrickfergus. 

This was followed by a  tour of Carrickfergus Castle facilitated by two guides who were on hand to answer questions about the historic structure which was built in three phases.

John De Courcy built the Keep and Inner Ward around 1177, with King John commissioning the Middle Ward around 1210, with Hugh de Lacy building the Outer Ward around 1226.

De Courcy subsequently made Carrickfergus his capital and the keep was his living quarters. 

The twinning group stopped for lunch in Ballycastle and a photo opportunity at Dunluce Castle, with an afternoon break in Portrush for ice cream or a bracing walk, before the homeward journey.

The group members enjoyed the spectacular views of the Antrim Coast Road and the relaxed atmosphere and good craic along the coast. 

The guided tour was made possible by generous funding from Newry Mourne and Down Council’s financial assistance good relations programme. 

The event was one of a series of four coach tours this year and followed a visit to the Ulster Fleadh in Co Tyrone in July. 

Another trip is planned this month to Sloan’s House in Loughgall and the Irish For All Language Classes started last Wednesday in the Reading Room at the Dan Rice Hall in Drumaness and continue until May.

Anyone wishing to refresh the Irish which they learned in school, or who want to learn some Irish in a fun, relaxed environment, please come along and try the class. Everyone is welcome.

On Wednesday, October 23, the twinning group is running an afternoon tea dance at Ballynahinch Rugby Club between 1.30 pm and 5pm.

The Spa Waters mini documentary will be launched at the tea dance.

The video is the latest in the group’s Ballynahinch History series of short films which are part of its arts and culture project. 

On November 13 and 15, the twinning group is hosting health and wellness sessions in Rowallane Community Hub. Three therapists will deliver reflexology, Indian head massages, facials and head and back massages.

Two afternoon talks are planned on the townlands of the Saintfield area on Friday, November 22 and on the townlands of the Ballynahinch one week later, with Joyce Gibson sharing the meaning of townlands, many of which are derived from their original Irish names.

In January, the twinning group is planning to launch its Ballynahinch suite of videos with a musical event and will be organising another Fíor Céilí in  he Dan Rice Hall.

Anyone interested in joining any of the events or wish to learn more about its work is asked to email RSCCTG@icould.com or telephone/text/WhatsApp Karen on 07979 304479.