Lead The Way Tour - Carrickfergus

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

If you get a chance, Ron Bishop's talk on the Belgian Army in Northern Ireland in 1945 is top class!

Wartime Northern Ireland Northern Ireland War Memorial

The Association is grateful to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for grant support for our new Culture Wares community celebration festival, which takes place from September 15. This will be a celebration of Ulster Scots, Ulster British and with room for other cultures too. Please support these events.

September 15, 2026, 7.30pm Ballycarry Community Centre
Belgians in Ballycarry: the Belgian army in Ulster, 1945, talk by Ron Bishop looking at the formation of the modern Belgian army in Northern Ireland
8.45pm War of Waves: Dr. David Hume on John Paul Jones, founder of the American navy, and his epic battle off Blackhead in 1778, the first American naval victory in British waters

September 16, 2026, Ballycarry Community Centre, 7.30pm
Yarns on the Hill: the Twa Boadies (Davy Moore and David Hume) bring their performance of poetry, stories, history and good crack, to Ballycarry. Learn about outstanding American connections, police dogs and inspirational spiders, bygone days on the farms and more.

September 17, 2026, St. John's Parish Church, 7.30pm
A recital of Scottish and Ulster Scottish songs and music by Lisa Dawson and Ami Ogilby (La Petite Duet). Both these ladies are very talented musicans, come along and enjoy their performance in the historic surrounds of St. John's Church.

September 18, 2026, Ballycarry Community Centre, 7.30pm
Cultural Connections Concert: join us for Ulster Scots and Irish music, song and dance. Stonewall Ulster Scots, one of the most outstanding Ulster Scots musical groups take to the stage, with Ceoltoirí Baile Randal providing top quality Irish folk music to enjoy.

September 19, Ballycarry Community Centre, 2pm-5pm
“Cultural Connections”: the Filipino community take centre stage in the village which is connected to Josephine Bracken, a heroine of the Philippines revolution; her grandparents are buried in Templecorran cemetery and this event will give everyone the chance to learn more about her and also about the East Antrim Filipino community. The community are looking forward to putting on a display of food, social history and their story in Northern Ireland. Larne School of Highland Dance will also be providing dancing displays.

All events are free, donations are welcome.

If you want to be contacted directly by us for these and future events please send your email to [email protected]

01/09/2026

If Hi**er Had Won: The Story of Operation Lion with Dr David Hume
How close did N**i Germany come to invading the United Kingdom?
Join us for a gripping and detailed exploration of Operation Lion—the German invasion plan that nearly became reality. Learn how the RAF’s heroic defence during the Battle of Britain prevented disaster, and discover the chilling details of what might have followed:
• mass imprisonments
• banned organisations (from the Salvation Army to the Masonic Order)
• a puppet government
• and insights drawn from the real-life occupation of the Channel Islands
📅 Thursday 10 September
🕖 7pm–9pm
📍 Andrew Jackson Cottage & US Rangers Museum
Booking essential – places are limited!
📞 Call Carrickfergus Castle VIC: 028 9335 8262
📧 Email: [email protected]

Join us for this thought‑provoking look at the invasion that almost happened and the bravery that stopped it.

22/08/2026

I had such fun helping with this!

08/08/2026

The story of how James Magennis, from Belfast, earned the Victoria Cross.

By the summer of 1945 the Japanese heavy cruiser Takao lay moored i...

07/08/2026

American Tanks on Exercise near Carrickfergus.

This M3 Lee Tank is seen taking part in "Exercise Defiance" with V Armd Division Reinforcements near Carrickfergus on 7th August 1942.

There are others in the background.

Although the Censor has blacked out the Tank Number I think it says W- 302056
(IWM Picture)

01/08/2026

30/07/2026

I should have trademarked my tour's name 😁. Anyway, I fully endorse the Tour Guiding courses. A great way to validate and enhance the skills and knowledge needed to be a Tour Guide.

🎓 Get Ready to Lead the Way in Tourism with the OCN NI Level 2 Award in Tour Guiding and Tour Guiding Level 3 Certificate at the College! 🗺️ 🌍

Master the role of a tour guide in the travel and tourism industry. Create and deliver engaging tour commentaries. Understand health and safety essentials for tour guiding.

Turn your passion about history, culture, or adventure, in a career in Tourism! ✨

📅 Apply now!
👉 https://loom.ly/bypgCp4

26/07/2026

The area of Normandy used for Operation Overlord (commonly referred to as D-Day, though that's another story) has been designated a UNESCO heritage site.

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260726-unesco-adds-normandy-d-day-landing-beaches-to-world-heritage-list