Making memories in Mid and East Antrim: Industrial Heritage Week returns for 2025

Yarding mahogany logs at Curran Saw Mills, which will feature at an exhibition during MEA Industrial Heritage Week 2025.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is set to celebrate its industrial past with a diverse programme of events during the much-anticipated Industrial Heritage Week, running from 2 to 7 June 2025.

Now in its seventh year, Industrial Heritage Week offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to engage with the often-overlooked stories of the region’s industrial roots.

Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s museums service in collaboration with key local partners, the week-long initiative promises a wealth of exhibitions, walking tours and specialist talks.

Alderman William McCaughey, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, praised the ongoing impact of the initiative.

“Back in 2018, Council ran a participatory theatre project to mark the Year of Culture called ‘Shaped by Industry, Shared with Pride’ funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund,” said the Mayor.

“Since then, we have remained inspired to encourage local people and visitors to come to our very special part of the world to learn more about our rich industrial past.

“I would like to thank our partners Whitehead Railway Museum and the Heritage Hub at Carnlough Town Hall for taking part.

“We are of course very proud of our significant advanced engineering and other highly skilled manufacturing sectors that continue to be important to the prosperity of Mid and East Antrim today.”

Exhibition and Talks at Larne Museum

Larne Museum and Arts Centre will feature a special display documenting the history of Curran Saw Mills, which operated in the town from 1927 until the 1990s. Archival photographs and records on loan will offer a glimpse into the pivotal role of the mill in the town’s industrial development.

Complementing the exhibition are two evening talks.

On Thursday 5 June, local historian Dr David Hume will present ‘Saints, Scholars and Cement’, exploring the long-standing industrial significance of Magheramorne and its limestone quarrying industry dating back to the 1780s.

The following evening, Friday 6 June, Mary Watson from Carnlough Heritage Hub will give an illustrated talk titled ‘Frances Anne Vane Tempest, Marchioness of Londonderry: 19th Century Entrepreneur, Industrialist and Influencer’, celebrating the life and legacy of one of the 19th century’s most influential businesswomen.

Both talks run from 7.30pm to 9pm and are free to attend. However, spaces are limited and must be booked in advance by contacting Larne Museum & Arts Centre at 028 2826 2443 or via marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Explore Ballymena’s Industrial Legacy

On Friday 6 June, heritage guide Alastair Donaghy will lead the walking tour ‘Lisnafillan: Bleach Works to Coach Works’.

Departing from The Braid in Ballymena and travelling by minibus to Galgorm, the half-day tour traces over two centuries of industrial history, including insights into prominent local families such as the Youngs, the Gihons, and the Gallahers.

The tour begins at 10am and concludes at approximately 1.30pm. Tickets are priced at £8 and must be booked in advance online at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/Events or by calling Mid-Antrim Museum at 028 2563 5029.

Whitehead Railway Museum Tours and New Video Release

The Whitehead Railway Museum will run special guided tours on 5, 6, and 7 June at 10.30am, 12 noon, and 2pm.

These tours delve into the crucial role rail played in the Borough’s industrial evolution. Admission is £9 for adults, £6 for children, or £25 for a family (two adults and three children). Tickets can be booked through the museum’s website: www.steamtrainsireland.com.

In addition, the museum will release a short video, ‘Drains and Trains: the key role of ballast’, available online from 2 June, offering viewers an educational look into a vital component of railway infrastructure.

Industrial Heritage Week not only celebrates the achievements of the past but also strengthens the community’s connection to its shared history. By uncovering the stories behind local landmarks, industries and individuals, the week offers an engaging reminder of how the legacy of innovation and hard work continues to shape the identity and future of Mid and East Antrim.