The Heritage Hub at Carnlough Town Hall

Opened in 2018, this unique industrial heritage display features stories of the limestone quarrying in Carnlough, iron mining in Glenravel and other industries of the Glens of Antrim in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The interpretation display in The Heritage Hub at Carnlough Town Hall also celebrates Carnlough’s harbour, its maritime connections, the area’s beautiful scenery, geology, wildlife and natural resources. It also explores the history of settlers from the Stone Age to the industrialists of the 19th Century.

The Town Hall was built in 1856 as an important part of the infrastructure servicing the growth of the limestone industry in Carnlough. Between the 1840s and the mid 1850s, the Marchioness of Londonderry, Frances Anne Vane Tempest, built a harbour, railway system, quarry office, shipping office, post office, hotel, school, houses and everything necessary to support the extraction and export of limestone. The ground floor of the Town Hall housed the quarry office and the kelp store. The first floor provided a room which was used for community events – tenants annual dinners, magic lantern shows, talks and other entertainments. This upstairs room has once again been restored as a flexible display and community meeting space which can be used for talks, meetings, presentations and training courses.

Additional facilities include: Victorian dress up for children, hands on learning, audio visual presentation, light refreshments, lift, full wheelchair accessibility (if possible check in advance if have large motorised chair or mobility scooter).

After you have discovered all about Carnlough you can go on an energetic walk to Cranny Falls via Carnlough Harbour or a guided tour around Carnlough can also be arranged.

Opening times

April, May, June and September: Sunday from 14:00 - 17:00
July and August: Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 - 17:00

Room bookings or group bookings by arrangement.