Understand
Home-educated children help archaeologists uncover the remains of a mysterious 18th-century building in Ballycastle
Overview
A group of home-educated children in Ballycastle, County Antrim, have participated in an archaeological excavation to uncover the remains of a building shown on a 1786 map but missing from records by the 1830s. Led by Dr Colm Donnelly from Queen's University Belfast in partnership with Ballycastle Museum and CAPNI, the project investigates whether the structure was linked to the town's industrial past, such as a bleach yard associated with Hugh Boyd. Despite wet weather, the children worked alongside professionals, discovering artefacts like a brick floor, slate, iron, and coal, providing a hands-on learning experience in local history.
Key points
- Home-schooled children joined an archaeological dig in Ballycastle to investigate a building appearing on a 1786 map and disappearing by the 1830s.
- The project is a partnership between Ballycastle Museum, Queen's University Belfast, and the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland (CAPNI).
- Researchers, led by Dr Colm Donnelly, are exploring whether the structure is connected to the area's 18th-century industrial past, potentially as a bleach yard.
- Excavations so far have revealed evidence of a brick floor, slate, iron, and coal.
- Parents and project organisers highlighted the value of hands-on, outdoor community archaeology in engaging children with local heritage and history.