In September 2022 we were awarded £155k from National Lottery Community Fund over 2 years to run a project to develop an Arts Strategy and animate the Town Hall with monthly creative opportunities to bring the strategy to life.

Some initial issues with the council’s entertainment licence delayed activity in the Town Hall, but we used those months to run events in The Talking Shop such as Vinyl Record Fair and Open Mic nights. This was a good opportunity to make more connections with local artists and help grow audiences.

Since beginning events in the Town Hall, we have worked with local musicians to put on acoustic gigs, more open mic evenings and even a ceilidh or two. Entertainment events like The Big Carrick Quiz and ‘A Whole Loada Balls’ bingo in partnership with Déjà Vu Promotions have been a massive success, bringing a bit of joy and much needed silliness while also bringing people together. 

In January 2023 we supported local playwright and actor Maria Connolly to put on a rehearsed play reading of her work Carrickfergus Women’s Wine Drinking Club which brought the house down. 

We have also been developing a craft workshop programme using local makers and artists and been able to offer activities such as wreath making, glass making, photography, Flower Fairy crafts and charcoal drawing workshops. 

We are continuing to build on the success of these events and making the case that Carrickfergus Town Hall could be an arts and cultural venue that brings extra vibrancy and opportunity to the town centre.

To find out more about what we’ve achieved so far check out our blog and sign up to our newsletter for upcoming events and workshops.