Community
Visitors from the past at Port of Larne
Local primary school children from across the Borough met some rather curious characters last week in the headquarters of Larne Harbour Ltd.
It was all part of an innovative project that was organised by the Arts & Heritage Department of the Council, in association with Larne Harbour Ltd.
The children participated in a living history project, the aim of which was to give them a fully participative and interactive session that would hopefully inspire them to learn more of our past and how it has a resonance for our present and our future, helping them to understand better the Larne of today by knowing more about the Larne of yesterday.
The children were firstly transported back in time to 1877 to meet James Chaine, the founder and key developer of the Port of Larne. The children were gainfully employed as Port Inspectors, assisting Mr Chaine with the inspection of the thriving port. Through interaction with Mr Chaine the children learned all about the development of the sea routes to Scotland and America, saw examples of cargo carried by the ships and got an insight into what life was like as a first class and steerage passenger.
The next jaunt through time took the children forward to the year 1900 where Henry McNeill, hotelier and pioneer of tourism, was waiting to meet them. Here they got to glimpse the fruits of Chaine’s vision of turning Larne into a major port and visitor destination with McNeill enjoying success as a prominent hotelier. Mr McNeill wasted no time in putting the children to work as waitresses and bellboys in one of his hotels. The children learned all about Mr McNeill’s role in developing tourism in Larne and Ulster and got first hand experience with what it would have been like serving food and carrying bags for wealthy Victorian patrons!
Chrissie Williamson, Larne Borough Council’s Arts and Heritage Officer said, ‘This project was really enjoyable for all the children involved, history really came alive for them as a vibrant subject and they got to experience in a very real way important elements from Larne’s history. We are indebted to Larne Harbour for funding and hosting the project and to Armagh City and District’s Living History Department for bringing our historic figures to life.’’
Participating primary schools were; Moyle, Kilcoan, Linn, Olderfleet, Glynn, St Anthony’s, Larne and Inver, and St MacNissis. James Chaine and Henry McNeill were played by John Paul Coyle and Arthur Miskelly of Armagh City and District Living History Department.
Pupils from St MacNissis PS taking part in one of the historical workshops.
Trevor Wright, Harbourmaster said
"The Port of Larne is committed to supporting initiatives which benefit the community and it is especially pleasing on this occasion that local children were involved. We are delighted to allow the Harbour offices to be the link to the living history project as we recognise that James Chaine and Henry McNeill played a major role in the development of the Port and of the town of Larne".
