Portrush public get Heritage Day invite

The Ramada Hotel in Portrush has very kindly offered to host the event on Saturday, February 7 from 10am to 4pm.

A spokesperson for the Group said: “We anticipate a high level of interest from the people of Portrush and elsewhere with a consequent large quantity of material being brought in for recording.

“The Causeway Museum Service is working with us on this project which is being led by the Portrush Heritage Group Archive Team, headed by John Moore.”

There will be several teams from Portrush Heritage Group dealing with the different aspects of the town’s history and heritage - Still Images: Postcards, photographs, documents, paintings, etc. which will be scanned and recorded; Moving Images: Films, etc. which will be recorded and arrangements made for copying unto DVD; Artefacts: Original objects which will be photographed and recorded; Reminiscences: Memories and stories which will be audio recorded and transcribed; Miscellaneous: for the recording of anything else of interest.

The spokesperson added: “We are also proud to be hosting the official launch of Maurice McAleese’s new book “Echoes of Open Glory” with the subtitle “Tales from Portrush and the 1951 Golf Championship” together with a book signing session by Maurice.

“In addition we will have a digital exhibition of images of Old Portrush. There will also be tea/coffee and biscuits available for visitors.

“Through this project we hope to unearth previously unknown material and information as well as recording for posterity a great deal of material that we do know exists but risks being lost if action is not taken now. If the project is to be the success which we envisage then we need the active help of the Portrush townsfolk and anyone else who may hold a part of the history and heritage of the town. We need these people to bring along their materials and stories so that they can be recorded and added to the Portrush Heritage Group Archive.

“Public support is vital to the success of this event and we do hope that as many people as possible will be able to help us with this important project by coming along to the Ramada Hotel on Saturday, February 7.” Portrush Heritage Group intends to actively promote and preserve the history and heritage of

Portrush through involvement with schools, the local community and visitors to the town. It intends to develop close working relationships with Local Authorities and other Statutory Bodies so that the

Portrush Heritage Group Vision will become a reality within a short and defined timescale.

Portrush Heritage Group will shortly be publishing their vision for the development of heritage andhistory as both community projects and tourist attractions. This will demonstrate their determination to protect and promote the heritage and history of Portrush for the benefit both of the people of Portrush and the town’s economy. Heritage Tourism is a rapidly expanding industry which, if properly explored, developed and presented could greatly benefit Portrush.

The Portrush Heritage Group is currently developing a five year Heritage Plan which includes:  Development of Antrim Gardens as a Medieval History Park; Development of former Lifeboat Station and Portandhu Harbour for water based activities and Maritime History Park; Portrush Heritage Trails; Portrush Heritage and History Talks; Development of Historical Archive; Development of a local museum; New town signage. New display boards. The heritage events could include: Pirates Off Portrush; Dorothea Ross; Mary Murphy, the Portrush Giantess; Philip De Burgo and the O’Corr family; History related public art and statues; A Heritage Week

“When completed Portrush Heritage Group propose to work closely with Causeway Coast and Glens Council and other interested bodies with a view to acquiring funding for the development and implementation of the plan.”