NIEA Brings History Alive!

Submitted by Sophie Cringle on Tue, 2009-06-02 15:51
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In the run up to the Festival of British Archaeology, members of the public will be able to travel back in time through a series of events organised by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

NIEA today encouraged visitors to some of Northern Ireland’s most striking historical sites and monuments to take part in a series of Archaeology Days events throughout June including excavations, tours and military displays.

The programme includes digs in Bellaghy and Dunluce, the Military Mayhem event at Hillsborough Fort and the search for a lost house in Castle Ward.

NIEA Director of Built Heritage Michael Coulter explained:

Beltrim

Archaeology Days provide an exciting and entertaining opportunity to experience ancient life and culture through the structures at the very heart of its origins.

All of this takes place at some of Northern Ireland’s most stunning prehistoric and historical locations.

Look out for Archaeology Days brochures which are available at Tourist Information Centres and libraries, or get the full programme from our website. The majority of events take place around the weekend of 20-21 June, the summer solstice, but there are also events taking place throughout June and the rest of the summer.

We look forward to welcoming people of all ages and walks of life to this festival of archaeology, through which you can step back in time and experience life around the built heritage left by our ancestors.

NIEA’s main event will be the Military Mayhem on 13 June at Hillsborough Fort where there will be displays and demonstrations of military life throughout the ages including Vikings, medieval combat, demonstrations of musketry and cannon and various military encampments. The event promises to be a fun and noisy day out for all the family.

With this year being the ‘Year of Astronomy’, sky gazers can enjoy Summer Solstice events at Beaghmore Stone Circles and Knockmany Passage Tomb.

Summer long ‘Living History’ events are also being staged at several sites, with armoury and archery displays taking place, story telling and music as well as Medieval monks at Devenish and Inch Abbey - all bringing the past and the monuments to life.

For more information about Archaeology Days, please visit the website.