50th Anniversary Conference: Carrickfergus Revisited

50th Anniversary Conference

Saturday 7 September 2024

Carrickfergus Town Hall

9.15am – 4.15pm

Carrickfergus Revisited: Exploring the development of the medieval town, before and after the arrival the arrival of the Anglo-Normans.

SOLD OUT

This conference aims to explore the archaeology and history of the settlements on the north-eastern shores of Belfast lough and the development of the medieval town, before and after the arrival of the Anglo-Normans.

The event is designed to showcase new research as well as highlight the extensive knowledge that has been gathered to date from various excavations of our walled town.

Subject specialists will be covering aspects of Carrickfergus heritage that have been little known or understood and will provide a platform for new and recent research, including presentations on recently uncovered Early Medieval sites, origin of placenames, settlement and society and the cultural significance of artefacts.

The day will conclude with a short tour of the town and visit to the extraordinary St. Nicholas’ church (tbc) and informal drinks at Medieval Tower House, Dobbins Inn.

A number of workshops and demonstrations are also planned over the weekend, including an artefact illustration class with Bronagh Murray and a workshop on willow weaving techniques with Welig Heritage Crafts, Clive Lyttle (tbc).

These can be booked separately.

Speakers include:

• Ruairí Ó Baoill
  Carrickfergus expert, Ruairí Ó Baoill  has directed excavations in Carrickfergus for over 30 years.
  His presentation will kick - start of the conference by giving an overview of the history of excavation in the town, starting with the late Tom Delaney excavation  of 1970s.
   
• Cormac McSparron
  Cormac was our knowledgeable guide who led us through an introduction to Early Medieval Ulster for Carrickfergus Museum and C&DHS community engagement programme, ‘ Carrick before the Castle’.
  His presentation will cover many of the aspects discussed in the programme.
   
• Ryan Montegomery
  Specialising in zooarchaeology , Ryan will be presenting on the use of animals in Early Medieval Ulster, and putting the Carrick dog bones on display in the museum in context.
   
• Tom McNeill
  Long standing specialist in Medieval archaeology, Tom’s latest research is looking at settlement and economy in Co. Antrim in the 12th century.
  Being directly under De Courcy's patronage, Carrickfergus is a key focus for looking at new trade patterns and use of coinage.
   
• Andrew Gault
  Historic Environment Division Senior Archaeologist Andrew Gault will present his perspective on the archaeology of Carrickfergus with his presentation: Beyond the Walls: Development Management and the Landscape Archaeology of the County of the Town of Carrickfergus
   
• Paul Logue
  In the context of his work on No.10 High Street, for which he jointly won a Heritage Angel award with colleague Ciara McManus (below), Paul will be discussing the Old English families of Carrick and demonstrating how the town was much more integrated that previously thought, with Irish family and place names being common
   
• Naomi Carver
  Naomi’s recently completed doctoral thesis focuses on Ulster Coarse pottery and its cultural significance, and will discuss its relevance to Carrickfergus
   
• Ciara McManus
  Ciara’s company,  FarrimondMacManus Ltd has just completed their report of the Bashfordlands excavation.
  Her presentation will share information on this early Medieval site including the identified evidence for both occupation in the form of an enclosed settlement with evidence for contemporary agricultural activities.
   
• Paul Tempan
  Specialising in historic linguistics and the study of place-names, Paul will be discussing the value of Robert Lythe’s Map of Carrickfergus Bay (Belfast Lough), c. 1567 as a source for exploring Irish place-names.

For further information, contact T: 028 9335 8241 E: carrickfergusmuseum@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

This is one of several events Carrickfergus Museum and Carrickfergus & District Historical Society are working in partnership to deliver this year to mark the Society’s 50th anniversary.

The conference is funded by The Irish Walled Town Network and Carrickfergus Literary and Scientific Society (Union Hall) Trust Fund.

Image: Delaney Excavations at West St, 1970s © Mid and East Antrim Borough Council