Compass Newsletter - Issue 18 (Spring / Summer 2009)

09One footin the pastGiven its rich andvaried history, itis no wonder thatCarrickfergus haslong been a magnetfor archaeologists.Notable excavationswere carried out inthese periods:1970sExtensive excavations were carriedout under the leadership of Dr TomDelaney (Queen’s University ofBelfast) and his team, including thesites at Joymount and High Street.1990sFurther excavations wereconducted under Ruairi Baoill andhis team, including sites in WestStreet and Lancasterian Street.Many artefacts from these digsare on display in CarrickfergusMuseum. Today, any new buildingwork within the Town Centre musthave an archaeological surveycarried out on the site.Top right:BBC Promsin the Park inSeptember 2007;bottom left:some of theexcavateditems currentlyon display inCarrickfergusMuseum;bottom right:three shots ofthe televisionprogramme‘It’s a Knockout’during the ‘BackCarrick Week’during the1980s.Fun and leisuredown the yearsAnnuallyMusic festival held in Town Hall.1963 ‘Son et Lumiere’ - sound and light show in CarrickfergusCastle telling the history of the Norman Castle and town.1980 800th anniversary of the founding of the town.1980s‘Back Carrick Week’ - fun and entertainment programme.Carrickfergus took part in the television programme‘It’s a Knockout’, staged in the Harbour Car Park.1990 June marked the Tercentenary (300th) anniversary ofKing William III landing in Carrickfergus. Events includeda re-enactment and pageant, plus the unveiling of a statueof King William III in Quay Lane.1990-1996 Carrickfergus Classic Sail, which at its height, attracted100,000 people over a ten day period.2005 Outdoor theatre first introduced in Shaftesbury Park.2007 BBC Proms in the Park hosted by Carrickfergus BoroughCouncil. This was the first time the event was held outsideBelfast and succeeded in attracting its largest ever crowds.WWW.CARRICKFERGUS.ORGCelebrating 60 Years of Partnership and Vision