Ballyclare and District Historical Society Since the society was launched in 1980 it has grown to be one of the leading groups in Ireland devoted to local history. There is a full programme of events throughout the year with monthly meetings and visits to places of historical interest.. Many distinguished speakers have entertained and enlightened us

Speakers	Most of our leading archaeologists have reported on their digs, including Jim Mallory on Navan, Chris Lynn on the Deerpark, Mallachy Conway on a neolithic site at Ballygally and Nick Brannon on Tildarg and members have visited their excavations. Alec Blair has examined topics from Ulster dialect to Moravians & Presbyterians James Simmons wove stories from Irish legends and sang some of his ballads. Bob Armstrong has revealed more about our own Borough of Newtownabbey Both the Ulster Museum and Ulster Folk and Transport Museum have provided experts on subjects as diverse as marriage customs, four thousand year old Ballyclare flint arrowheads, the Donegal estate, our linguistic links with Scotland and Hallowe'en. The Staff of the Public Record Office have explained how they can help out research Dr.Cathal Dallat revealed the meanings of our place names. Bill Crawford explained the magic of townlands. Award winning photographer, Stanley Matchett, showed us images of Ulster Michael Open traced the romance of the silver screen in Belfast Roger Dixon shared his enthusiasm for old houses, newspapers and Francis Bigger. Famous mountaineer & architect Dawson Stelfox looked at unique Ulster buildings Geographer Noel Mitchel showed us history from his aerial photographs of Ireland Some of our best evenings have been presented by our own members and included an examination of local author Archibald McIlroy, life in Ballyclare over the last hundred years, 1798 in our area, education, transport and singer JamesJohnston.
Excursions	The society has organised full day outings and in recent years weekends have been spent in Mayo and Meath with linked societies who have visited Ballyclare for similar weekends. We have hosted a visit by 55 members of the Donegal Historical Society and returned their visit. Our most recent guests have been a group from Meath Historical Society who were given a tour of County Down
Competitions	An annual competition attracting around two hundred entries has encouraged pupils in primary schools to conduct original research and present their results. The themes which pupils have asked to explore include leisure, games and entertainment, homes and the world in the past. Click to sample some of the winning entries
Publications	The society's journal "Ollar View" is published in alternate years with articles on topics of interest on the local history of the Ballyclare area. The Fourth Edition is now on sale. A selection of children's writings is published after each competition. These have included "World of Work" , "Hearth and Home" and "Fun and Games" . The latest "Changes since the Sixties" is currently on sale. Others have sold out. A Second Edition of a Book of History Trails helps teachers and pupils look at their historical environment in a series of walks around Ballyclare. "The Liberty Tree" recounts the story of 1798 in the Six Mile Valley and is lavishly illustrated in colour Fairs and Festivals has a wealth of information about the history of the fair including many historical photographs of Ballyclare and relating the recent ly established links with the Mary From Dungloe International Festival.
Video	"Places from the Past" explores the history of the last 5000 years in the local area "Many will Arise as One" covers the Borough of Newtownabbey "Ancient Stones" examines some aspects of archaeology in Ireland "Other Days Around Me" is based on the book by Florence Mary McDowell "The Liberty Tree" tells the story of the Rising of 1798 in Antrim, Wexford and Mayo "Ballyclare May Fair" is an impression of the sights and sounds of the fair

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Ballyclare Historical Society Programme

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