President Jim Archer greets John McNally with club members John Graham (L) and Malcolm Hinds (R)

Part 1
President Jim Archer welcomed members to the meeting and introduced the speaker, John McNally, the topic of his talk being “The Promoting of Portrush’s Heritage” John is the Chairman of the Portrush Heritage Group which was established about three years ago.

In opening his presentation, John paid tribute to Bob Curran and John Moore for the historic research both have carried out around Portrush. The Irish Open Golf Championship was, in 2012, instrumental in the birth of the Regeneration Group. A grant of £330,000 was received from the DSD, 10% of which was earmarked for the marketing of Portrush. The Heritage Group was formed to promote the historical and current heritage of Portrush. This will be achieved by the installation of communication beacons at historical sites serving hand held receivers which may be hired or purchased. Already, with a little historical licence, the Scottish Pirate, Tavish Dhu (1315) is pitted in battle against Magnus Barefoot King of Norway(1103). This “battle” is commemorated each year in July. When fully functional this Heritage Trail will combine history, folklore, tradition and current events in an interesting and entertaining way to promote the outstanding attractions of Portrush.
An question and answer session followed the talk.

Part 2
Coleraine Probus looks at Portrush heritage

Coleraine Probus Club opened their 2017 series of talks, when they welcomed John McNally from the Portrush Heritage Group (PHG). Originally started in 2012 as a development from hosting the 'Irish Open', the PHG has grown and established itself as a prime source for promoting the historical and unique aspects of Northern Ireland's most popular holiday town.

John told members that the main reason for his visit to the club was to publicise the latest idea from the PHG for residents and visitors, an audio 'Heritage Trail'. This will be operational later in 2017, initially having ten heritage points, expanding to 12 and more as time and funds permit. People wishing to follow the audio trail will be able to rent or buy a small listening device, which is automatically activated when the user is close to one of the 'Heritage Points', and gives a commentary of the historical significance of that point.

The 'Trail Points' can be visited in any order, and cover such diverse locations as the 'Corrstown Mid Bronze Age village* (see below) dating from around 1500BC, to 'Mangus Bearfoot and the battle with the Irish Chiefs' in the 1100s AD, through to 'The Pilgrim Steps' at the harbour where people left the town to get to the boats taking them to America in the later 1800s, and the 'Blue Pool diving displays' of the 1940s and 50s, where up to 2000 visitors would watch feats of daring-do by local lads (and perhaps some were now Probus members!?).

One of our members making a splash?

One of the most popular stopping points is expected to be opposite 'The Skerries', as this is where Tavish Dhu (or 'Black Tavish') the pirate leader and his band set out from to plunder local shipping. The exploits of this character (Possibly more fictional than real, see 'The Waste land' by Tim Hodkinson - WebEd) have given rise to one of Portrush's most popular summer events - 'Pirates Off Portrush' - organised by the heritage group.

On the day, our speaker get into character!?

John McNally finished his talk with a word about the PHGs next project, a 3D virtual tour of the town that combines current views and how it would look at various times in history - the town of Galway has something similar - and it is hoped funding could be made available for this, thanks to 'The Open'. John also reminded members that the PHG had their next heritage evening on Wednesday 18th January with Philip Watson talking about 'Rathlin Island' and Robert Anderson with some Maritime Memories.

For more Information about the Portrush Heritage Group, just 'Click' this link (it will open in a new window)

*Special thanks to the Coleraine Times web pages for this interesting extra information:
Anger over Bronze Age village

Pictured at the Portrush Heritage Group meeting in the Ramada Hotel on Wednesday evening are speakers from left; Dr. Bob Curran, Nicholas Wright, John McNally, chairman, Hugh McGratton, Andrew Bratton, and Andrew Gault. INCR10-320PL

Members of Portrush Heritage Group have expressed anger that no efforts were made to preserve part of a unique Bronze Age village situated at Corrstown, Portrush. First identified in 2002 when the extensive site was being prepared for housing, the ancient settlement was later described as “a truly groundbreaking archaeological discovery” and archaeologists were given ten months to properly examine and record the remains before the area was bulldozed. Evidence of at least 76 round houses from around 1500BC was discovered during the excavations, as well as later mediaeval occupation. The houses were laid out in orderly fashion. Cobbled paths were found, forming laneways in front of rows of houses. It is believed that the houses located were only part of a much larger village extending to the east and west of the site.

Nearly 13 years after the ancient village was discovered, no trace of it is visible and not even an information board has been erected by the local authorities indicating the importance of the site. The subject of the Corrstown settlement arose during a talk by Dr. Nicholas Wright of the Coleraine Museum Service, who described the discovery as being of great archaeological significance. It could be considered as the earliest known village in Ireland or Britain, he declared. A spirited discussion followed the talk and the hope was expressed that the new area Council, which takes over next month, would consider some method of indicating and acknowledging the historical importance of the Corrstown site. The Heritage Evening, the fourth to be organised by the Heritage Group, was again well attended, a positive indication of the interest being shown in this new Group, established only last year (2012).

Another speaker on Wednesday night was Andrew Gault, who is project archaeologist with the Environment Agency’s exciting Dunluce Project. He gave an overview of the recent discoveries at the 17th century town which has been found in an exceptionally well preserved state. The third speaker was Andrew Bratton of the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust who spoke on the origin of the names of locations between Ballycastle and Portrush. A short question and answer session was also held when a number of queries regarding the heritage and history of the area were put by members of the audience to a panel consisting of Bob Curran, John Moore and Hugh McGrattan. Details of the next Heritage Evening, on 29 April, were announced. The speakers will be the well-known historian Alex Blair from Ballymoney and author Tim Hodkinson who will speak on “Knights, Gallowglasses and Pirates – the north Ulster coast in medieval times”.

With thanks to the Coleraine Times web site at: http://www.colerainetimes.co.uk/news/anger-over-bronze-age-village-1-6621793