Events

ATTENTION ALL SEWERS

The sewing room at Larne Museum & Arts Centre will be open on Fridays for 6 weeks beginning Friday 13th March 2026.

Fridays - 12.30pm - 3.00pm

Dates: 13th/20th/27th March, 10th/17th/24th April

Bring your own sewing task and use our facilities including sewing machines (or bring your own) with space to cut out and iron etc.

Finish off those sewing jobs that have piled up. Fix those alterations with help from others.

Stay for a wee while, or all day (don’t forget to bring a lunch).

No need to book.

For more information, please contact Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or e-mail marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Celebrating the 50 Year History of the Probus Club of Larne 1974-2024

Book Launch (by invitation only)

Larne Museum & Arts Centre

Thursday 23rd April 2026, 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Members and invited guests will gather to mark the launch of the Club’s new publication. Drawn from the Club minutes so diligently recorded, the book is a chronicle of the Club’s membership and activities since its inception over fifty years ago. Together with some insights from our guest speaker, Rev. Dr. John Nelson, those attending will hear from the five committee members who have each researched a decade of Club history.

Light refreshments will be provided at this event.

The Probus Club of Larne is grateful for the generous support of the National Lottery Community Fund without which this publication and these celebratory activities would not be impossible. We are also grateful to Larne Museum & Arts Centre for their support with artwork and photographs for our book and the provision of the venue.

Probus is a non-sectarian and non-political association of retired and semi-retired people who join together in autonomous clubs throughout Britain, Ireland and the rest of the world. The purpose is to provide regular gatherings of persons who, in retirement, appreciate and value opportunities to meet others in similar circumstances with similar interests. The Larne Club aims to stimulate camaraderie, thought, interest and participation in activities at a time when, for some people, horizons are narrowing and opportunities to make new friends may be limited. The Club also has a custom of supporting local charities.

For further details please contact Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or e-mail marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Birds of Prey

Saturday 25th April 2026, 12.00pm to 1.00pm

This is an opportunity to get close to a bird of prey during an educational talk and presentation by Ian Patterson from Flying Falcons.

This free event is suitable for the whole family. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note this is NOT a drop-in session. The presentation is one hour long beginning at 12.00pm. Booking not required.

Grave Stories: folklore and funerals, cemeteries and symbolism

A talk by Dr David Hume

Thursday 30th April 2026, 7.30pm – 9.00pm

This talk looks at the fascinating story of folklore and burial traditions - how cemeteries changed over the years, the symbolism of gravestones and some graves of note in the local area and beyond.

Based on a previously popular talk called Dead Famous, this talk goes beyond stories of individuals to explore the development of cemeteries and how landscaping became a focus in Victorian times, as well as the folklore and tradition which surrounded a death. Often the symbolism of gravestones is not apparent, but even the shape of the stone may be significant.

This is a free event, however places are limited and should be booked in advance by contacting Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or e-mail marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk. Light refreshments provided.

Parent and Child Challenge

Monday 4th May 2026, 10.30am – 11.45am

Join us on the Early May Bank Holiday for our Parent and Child Challenges. You’ll need speed, dexterity, good observation and luck!

Suitable from age 5. Booking preferable. Light refreshments provided.

For more information, please contact Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or e-mail marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

“Twa Boadies an a wheen of yarns”

An evening with David Hume and Davy Moore

Thursday 21st May 2026, 7.30pm – 9.30pm

David Hume and Davy Moore bring an evening of chat, poetry, storytelling and good laughs as they talk about things as varied as a local coal mining disaster (well, not really a disaster...), Johnny Cash, Ulster authors and poets, amazing events of bygone times, spiders and mice.

The pair first met while working as tour guides at the Gobbins and both discovered a common love of storytelling, writing and telling tall tales...the feedback has been great, but has the agent for their world tour mistaken Carnegie Library for Carnegie Hall?

JJ’s Fossil Exhibition

Saturday 23rd May, 10.00am – 2.00pm

Discover a world millions of years in the making with JJ’s Fossils at Larne Museum. Packed with fascinating finds and real artefacts from fossils to stone age items and more to explore, this display invites curious minds of all ages to get up close and personal with real history and uncover the secrets of Earth’s distant past.

This free drop-in event is suitable for all ages. No booking required. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, please contact Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or e-mail marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Scavenger Hunt

Monday 25th May, 10.30am – 11.30am

Join us on the Spring Bank Holiday for a family Scavenger Hunt in and around Larne Museum.

Suitable for age 4-11. Booking preferable. Light refreshments provided. Please dress appropriately for the outdoor part

of this activity.

For more information, please contact Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or e-mail marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

The Larne Ulster-American Heritage Trail

Guided Walk and Launch of America 250 StoryMap

Saturday 13th June 2026, 10.00am – 12 noon

On 4th July 2026, America will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This milestone is an opportunity to explore Larne’s links to America with the development of an online interactive StoryMap which will mark some of the sites and people associated with our area and the United States.

Join us for a guided walk of some of these sites with local guide Robert Stewart. This will be followed by light refreshments at Larne Museum and an introduction to a new online interactive StoryMap exploring the links between Larne and America.

This event is part of Larne’s America 250 Programme.

James McHenry (1817-91): Larne’s Forgotten Tycoon

A talk by Dr Barry Henderson

Saturday 13th June 2026, 1.00pm – 2.30pm

Join us for a talk delivered by historian Dr Barry Henderson, who will be sharing the findings of his recently completed doctoral dissertation, The Forgotten Tycoon, which investigates the extraordinary life and career of Larne-born Irish-American merchant, financier and railroad developer James McHenry (1817-1891).

The son of celebrated writer and diplomat, Dr James McHenry (1785-1845), McHenry left Larne in his youth, migrating to the United States where the family settled in Philadelphia. Moving to England in the late 1830s, he rose to prominence as a pioneering transatlantic shipping magnate at Liverpool. Pivoting to American railroad development, he would later emerge as one of Victorian London’s most influential financiers.

In discussing McHenry’s career, particular focus is given to his role as the driving force behind the development of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad (A&GW); an ambitious tri-state project located in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, originated in 1851. Upon joining forces with the A&GW in 1858, McHenry’s interventions revitalised the hitherto struggling enterprise. The railroad was ultimately completed in 1864, constructed against the dramatic backdrop of the American Civil War. It was hailed as one of the greatest works of the age, with McHenry celebrated as its visionary leader.

Whilst highlighting McHenry’s many notable contributions to American development, Dr Henderson will also discuss more controversial aspects of his legacy. Following the close of the Civil War, McHenry would find himself locked in conflict with America’s leading industrialists in a battle for control of America’s railroad network. Exerting influence of a more insidious kind, he would be implicated in some of the most notorious and defining financial machinations and financial crises of the period.

An influential, enigmatic, ostentatious, and at times shadowy figure, McHenry’s legacy is complex. At his height, he was a friend of European royalty, creator of kings, and a commander of fortunes. As a cosmopolitan captain of industry, he once harnessed European capital in service of American nation-building to great acclaim, but later, demonstrated the calculated, ruthless and unorthodox characteristics associated with an archetypal robber baron.

His story – once lost to time – has now been reclaimed. Other topics discussed include McHenry’s extensive social networks, his relationships with a range of notable historical figures, activities as a publisher, philanthropic and artistic contributions, and his complex relationship with his family.

Drop into Larne Museum to hear the remarkable story of Larne’s forgotten tycoon.

Speaker Bio:

Dr Barry Henderson is a historian who received his doctorate from Queen’s University, Belfast. He also holds a BA in International Politics, and MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, attained at Ulster University, Magee. His groundbreaking 2025 doctoral dissertation The Forgotten Tycoon represents the most in-depth examination ever undertaken concerning the life and career of Irish-American merchant-financier and railroad developer, James McHenry (1817–1891).

This event is part of Larne’s America 250 Programme.

This is a free event, however places are limited and must be booked in advance by contacting Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or by e-mailing marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

MCHENRY: An Ulster American Story

St Cedma’s Church of Ireland, Church Road, Larne

Friday 19th June 2026, 7.30pm

McHenry: An Ulster American Story is an original production which tells the story of the life and times of author Dr. James McHenry, who was born in Larne, prospered in America, and whose last resting place is in the churchyard of St Cedma’s Church of Ireland in Larne.

This performance will include text from recently discovered letters from Dr. McHenry as well as more general details of his life and the Larne which he knew. It will include drama, poetry, song, readings and music.

Written by Ulster Scots writer and broadcaster Dr. David Hume MBE, the artists will include Lisa Dawson (soloist/piano), Dick Glasgow (Dulcimer) and actors/dramatists J. J. McTeggart, Gillian Rea, Robert Stewart and Davy Moore.

McHenry: An Ulster American Story is a community drama and musical event commissioned by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s museum service as part of the Council’s America 250 programme.

Admission is free but prior booking is required. Doors open at 7pm, performance start time 7.30pm, refreshments served.

This is a free event, however places are limited and must be booked in advance by contacting Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or by e-mailing marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Seven at Seven: Larnians of Note

A talk by Dr David Hume

Thursday 25th June 2026, 7.00pm – 8.30pm

A dip into stories of people from Larne who rose to prominence at home and abroad. Over the years Larne has produced actors, writers, poets, figures in the judiciary, medicine and more. This talk will select seven men and women who all had in common that they were from the town and surrounding area and that they deserve to be remembered.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Monday 13th July 2026, 10.30am – 11.30am

Bring your doll or teddy along to join in our Teddy Bear's Picnic.

Booking preferable. Suitable for age 4-11.

To book or for more information, please contact Larne Museum & Arts Centre on 028 28 262443 or e-mail marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

2 Day Beginners Sewing Class for Teenagers (age 13-19)

Monday 13th July 2026, 12.30pm - 3.00pm
Tuesday 14th July 2026, 10.30am - 2.00pm

The class will include hand and machine sewing techniques.

This is a free workshop. Spaces are limited to 8 places which MUST be booked in advance by contacting Larne Museum on 028 28 262443 or e-mailing marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

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