Exhibitions

The Factory on the Hill

Monday 1st June – Friday 24th July 2026

The Turbine Generator factory on the outskirts of Larne, which opened in 1956, had a major impact in the life of the town.  It opened at a time when Larne was recovering from the Second World War and one of its main sources of employment, The British Aluminium Co Ltd, had recently closed.  News that a new factory, with 1000 jobs, was coming to the town was a lifeline.

The factory changed its name over the 35 years it was in operation but is historically remembered as “The GEC”.  It was the only factory licensed to build turbines for power stations in the whole of Ireland and had a first-class reputation, winning the prestigious Queen’s award for Industry for Exports all over the world.  The knock-on effect of the factory and its workers to other businesses locally, brought prosperity to the town and a growing source of employment in its heyday.  The sudden news in 1991 that the factory was to close, was a major shock to all in the small town of Larne and its surrounding district.

Larne Museum is holding a major exhibition to commemorate this important part of Larne’s history and the men and women who worked at “The GEC”.  Upon its closure, management donated hundreds of photographs, documents and artefacts to the museum as part of its legacy to the town and many of these will be shown for the first time in the display. 

The exhibition will be on display from Monday 1st June until Friday 24th July and includes Saturday opening on 13th June, 20th June and 18th July.  Opening hours:  Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm. 

This exhibition is being held as part of Mid & East Antrim Industrial Heritage Week June 2026. 

Larne’s Ulster American Heritage Trail officially launched on Saturday 13th June. 

This interactive online StoryMap allows you to explore some of the notable places in Larne that connect our community with the United States – from the vessels that first left our shores taking emigrants to a new life, to the remarkable stories of some of those people who went to the New World. 

The main trail follows 34 points on the map, in both Larne and the United States, recounting the interesting stories that link the two areas. 

At the end of the trail, or by clicking on the ‘Continue Exploring’ button, you will find 9 separate StoryMaps, that look at the individual stories of some local people and their families. 

Clicking on the ‘Emigration Letters’ button allows you to follow a story of 19th century emigration as told through letters held in the museum’s collection.  These letters give an insight into how economic despair at home and the promise of opportunity in America led people to risk the dangers of crossing the Atlantic for a better life. 

The Trail can be accessed at the link below. 

Ulster American Heritage Trail