Bangor Historical Society, Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland

Recent Articles

Ellen Elder Peter Vanucci's presentation, entitled A Rail Journey Through Time on the Bangor to Belfast Line , described the development of the Belfast to Bangot railway from its beginnings in the mid-19th century up to the present day.

The Cook Family At War

Meeting report by Sandra Millsopp Alan Cook's research into his family's wartime history was encouraged by a visit to the Antiques Roadshow in Hillsborough.

Ulster Scots in America

Meeting report by Sandra Millsopp Billy McCullough's talk concentrated on Presbyterian minister Francis Makemie and Charles Thomson, who became secretary to the Continental Congress.

Booklets record borough’s rich industrial past

Adrianne Brown The impact of industry on the development of communities across Ards and North Down is explored in a series of new booklets launched recently at North Down Museum.

Royal visits to North Down

Meeting Report by Sandra Millsopp Leanne Briggs of North Down Museum used photographs from the museum’s collection, together with contemporary news reports, to illustrate her talk.

The Mystery of The Unknown Child

Ellen Elder Brown buttoned shoes reveal the identity of Titanic victim 'male child number 4'.

Henry Joy McCracken and the 1798 rebellion

Meeting report by Sandra Millsopp Ken Dawson on Henry Joy McCracken and the 1798 rebellion. The summer of 1798 was a time of rebellion which saw over 20,000 deaths in Ireland and the heightening of sectarian tension, ironically when the United Irishmen had sought to erase these divisions.

Italians, The War and the Arandora Star from an Irish Perspective

Meeting report by Sandra Millsopp The sinking of the Arandora Star in 1940 had a devastating effect on Italians in the British Isles.

Articles by Ian Wilson

The Betsy Gray Cafe

Ian Wilson Near Six Road Ends there is a cafe named after Betsy Gray who, according to a very strong local legend, followed her boyfriend Willie Boal to the Battle of Ballynahinch in June 1798.

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Articles by Ellen Elder

Salt, Mustard, Vinegar, Pepper

Ellen Elder Connor Phillips on Radio Ulster was talking about inventing an adults' game park where we could go and play the games we used to take part in, in the streets of Belfast. It started me thinking about the times before TV, Internet, box sets etc.

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Bangor Hotels of the 19th Century

9: The International Hotel

Dr Sandra Millsopp High Street is still the main home of Bangor’s public houses and another one which existed in the nineteenth century was the International Hotel .

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Bangor Boats

Bangor Boats: Part 1

Patricia Norrington On Friday 19 April 1816, the wooden paddle steamer, Greenock arrived at Bangor to become first steamer to cross from Scotland to Ireland.

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Forthcoming Events

CS Lewis

Mercia Flanagan
Fountain Centre, Queen's Parade
9 February, 8pm

Reflections - the old houses of Belfast

Aiden Campbell
Fountain Centre, Queen's Parade
9 March, 8pm

Viscount Alanbrooke

Bill Duff
Fountain Centre, Queen's Parade
13 April, 8pm

About Bangor Historical Society

Between September and April of each year we run a programme of regular Lectures and Visits on aspects of History, Folklore, Archaeology and Antiquities with a special reference to our local area of Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland.

Members and visitors are very welcome to attend our meetings which begin at 8pm on the second Thursday of each month.

Photo Feature

Seaside Revival Panels

Open House Festival has placed blow-ups of old photos and postcards on the hoardings round the major works being undertaken by NI Water at the foot of Strickland’s Glen and on Brompton Road.