Peter Woodman presents this archaeological series that traces 10,000 years in the life of an Antrim Glen. This episode examines the short-lived industrial revolution in Carnlough, County Antrim.
Beginning on Slemish Mountain - where records show that Saint Patrick spent part of his captivity - we learn about Ireland during this era. This is when written records started and, so, it is possible to identify real people, real events and the Kingdoms of Ireland.
The most common historic monument from this period are ring forts - with an estimated 45,000 in Ireland - which were built to protect high-ranking families. Dr. Chris Lynn (Historic Monuments & Buildings, Department of the Environment) is on the archaeological dig happening at Glenarm and explains how the structure was built.
Next, we are taken through the history of the McDonald and Londonderry families and their various dwellings, before ending up in Carnlough. Here Francis Anne or Lady Londonderry, invested substantially into the area making it a popular holiday spot. This then developed into an industrial project in the 1850s, were a quarry was built to access the limestone found in the area, before it was shipped to Glasgow. The Carnlough Lime Company reached its peak in the 1890s, the quarry closed in the 1920s and the whole operation finished in 1964.
Now Carnlough has reverted back to the holiday spot it was before, with buildings being brought back into use.