Life in north Antrim down the centuries

This talk entitled Recreation, focuses on the great variety of leisure time activities which entertained people when their working day was over. "Ceildhing" was the main pleasure of country people and every district had its ceildhe houses where people gathered. The "craic" was mighty and the fun and laughter was enjoyed by all. Another favourite recreation was dancing which took place in cottage kitchens or barns of farmsteads. Some people could play violins and others the flute or the fife and drum and their music added to the night, as did those who could sing, regaling their audiences with ballads of the countryside.

In more recent years these became more organised with sporting and cultural activities taking over. North Antrim had a rich variety of these and they too were engaged in with enthusiasm and relish.

Mr Blair's talk will include all this and much more. He will highlight a great variety of leisure time enjoyments which have added that additional sparkle to peoples' lives down the generations.

The series concludes on Tuesday 30 March with "Customs and Traditions". Both talks begin at 8pm in Ballymoney Town Hall and admission 2 includes refreshments.

The series is promoted by Ballymoney Borough Arts Committee in conjunction with Ballymoney Museum.