Coleraine Historical Society News

On Saturday 11 June 2016 29 members and 4 guests left Coleraine at 9.30am to visit Lissan House near Cookstown. On arrival we were served scones, tea and coffee in the ballroom. This was followed by a conducted tour of the house lasting over an hour. The original part of the house dates back to

Sixty eight members and guests attended the AGM and dinner in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine. Last year’s committee was re-elected. An excellent meal was followed by an interesting talk by speaker Alison McCaughan. She chose various dates from the 1600’s onwards and told us in what state the town of Coleraine would have been. 2016/2017

Back row, (L to R):- Hugh McGrattan, Ashley Hawley, Jon Marshall, Tommy McDonald, Charles Smith (Treasurer), Front row, (L to R):- Felix Agnew (Chairman), Pauline Stevenson, John Moulden (Vice-Chairman), Maggie Forbes, Peggy Vowles.

At present (November 2017) we have 106 Local Members and 25 Associate Members

Recently members of the Committee have submitted articles to the Down Memory Lane Page of the Coleraine Chronicle. These usually appear once a month. So far we have done: Old Killowen – 4 March 2015; What was in the news 50 years ago? – 9 July 2015; The Model School Coleraine – 27 August 2015;

Several members of the Society attended this event which was organized by Garvagh Museum and held in Ballintemple House, near Garvagh, on 18 June 2015. Wilbert Patterson gave a short history of the Heyland (pronounced Highland) family who came to the house in the mid 1760’s.  Major Heyland was killed at the Battle of Waterloo

On 13 June 40 members and guests set out to Donegal. A stop for tea was made in Londonderry and then the group proceeded to Culdaff for a light lunch. This was followed by a visit to Culdaff House where its fascinating history was explained. Cronca Church and Cross was the next stop and then

To our member Joan Bell who received the B.E.M. in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours for contributions to the Performing Arts.

2015/16 committee Back row L to R: Nigel McIlwaine, Michael Thompson, Joanne Kennedy, Chris Kirkpatrick, Mike Jones.      Front row: Diana Kirkpatrick, Barbara Harding, Anne-Marie Huston Fifty four members and visitors attended the AGM and Dinner in the Lodge Hotel and it was an enjoyable evening. The after dinner speaker was  Dr. John Kerr who entertained

Our member Nigel McIlwaine received an O.B.E. for service to the Reserve Forces and community in Norther Ireland

In the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours our member Jennifer Cunningham was awarded the B.E.M. for services to Local History in the Coleraine area.

Under the guidance of our member, Jim Hunter, 46 members and guests set out on Saturday 7 June 2014 on a wet morning. Our first visit was to Limavady Workhouse folowed by Ebrington Baracks in Londonderry. Alan Armstrong gave an excellent presentation on the history of the Barracks. After lunch in Clooney Hall the next

Our AGM and 30th Anniversary Dinner were held on Tuesday 18 March 2014 in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine and 53 members and guests attended what was a very enjoyable evening. Our Chairman Pamela Henderson cut the anniversary cake. Member Jim Hunter gave an interesting illustrated talk on People and Places which covered the area of

In the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours our Chairman, Pamela Henderson, has been awarded an M.B.E. for services to health care.

Outing to Ballyscullion Park, near Bellaghy, and Broughshane Village, 1 June 2013 Our first stop was the home of the Mulholland family, Ballyscullion Park, where we had tea/coffee and scones and then were escorted around the house by Rosalind Mulholland. The house, designed by Charles Lanyon, dates from 1840. In a walk around the grounds

A recent article in the Coleraine Chronicle stated that there were plans to refurbish this dilapidated, historic building. Good news. This work has now started. Update – the outside of the building has been painted and is looking very well. As yet the extension to the side has not commenced.

Several members of the Society attended this new exhibition on Friday 31 May 2013 which was opened by the  Mayor of Coleraine. Garvagh was a private Plantation town established by the Canning family.