The remarkable story of Dr. Eleanor Sproull has been brought to light for the first time through the ‘Our Town Our Stories’ community engagement project. This year-long heritage initiative is a successful collaboration between Positive Carrickfergus and Carrickfergus Museum, supported by funding from the Department for Foreign Affairs.

A Project Driven by Community

The ‘Our Town Our Stories’ project invited local residents to take on the role of co-researchers, empowering them to discover, investigate, and share lesser-known narratives from Carrickfergus’s rich history. Through their dedicated work, significant new voices and narratives, such as Eleanor’s, are being formally added to the town’s collective story.

Dr. Eleanor Sproull: A Woman Ahead of Her Time

Born in Scotch Quarter in 1867, Dr. Eleanor Sproull, one of fifteen children, went on to defy the social expectations of her era. She emerged as a trailblazer in medicine, public health, and women’s rights, becoming one of the first female doctors of the Victorian period and later dedicating her life as a nun.

At a time when women faced considerable barriers to higher education and professional careers, Eleanor’s commitment and achievements were pioneering. Demonstrating her lasting connection to her hometown, she returned to Carrickfergus multiple times to publicly support the growing movement for women’s suffrage in the late 19th century.

Recognising the Achievement

Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, acknowledged the impact of the research:

“Over the course of this project, a dedicated group of local people came together and focused their research on a Victorian woman who, until now, had been largely forgotten. Thanks to their collaborative efforts, the name Dr. Eleanor Sproull will rightfully take its place in Carrickfergus history. Bringing this new knowledge to light is a valuable achievement, and I hope participants gain lasting memories, new skills, and a deeper connection to their community.”

Visit the ‘Vital Signs’ Exhibition

We encourage everyone to visit the ‘Vital Signs’ exhibition, which is now open to the public at Carrickfergus Museum.

The exhibition features Dr. Sproull’s inspiring biography alongside a fascinating collection of artefacts from the Museum’s archives that illuminate life in Carrickfergus during the Victorian period. Many items are being displayed publicly for the first time, including original Victorian wallpaper, a locally made grandfather clock, and a portrait of Jane Anne Clements Ellis.

Come and discover the legacy of Dr. Eleanor Sproull and the important research brought forward by the community.

Main Photo credit: MEABC featuring Positive Carrickfergus Committee Members Sunny Oyem and Shirin Murphy (MEABC Heritage Officer)  along with Lisa Rea-Currie who led the project for Positive Carrickfergus