Pictured (l-r) Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee; Aidan Campbell, local historian; the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Thomas Beckett and Angelina Fusco, Heritage Lottery Fund.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has launched the ‘Memories of Castlereagh’ heritage trail.

The project, which was jointly funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, was commissioned to encapsulate the unique heritage woven within the landscape of the Castlereagh area. The project has captured the memories and stories associated with many historical events including the History of Belvoir Park, the Second World War and the Lisnabreeny Military Station.

The Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett, welcoming people to the launch, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome you all to the launch of this local heritage project. Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is very mindful of the history of its townlands and I would like to commend everyone involved in creating this heritage trail. The partnership between the local community and the funders is very evident in the final ‘Memories of Castlereagh’ product.”

Present at the launch were representatives of Newtownbreda Community Association, Lisburn Building Preservation Trust, National Trust, Carryduff Historical Society, Knockbreda Parish Church, The Somme Centre and Streamvale Farm.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is very proud of its natural environment and its repertoire of green spaces includes Castlereagh Hills, Moat Park, Moira Demesne, Castle Gardens and Wallace Park. The ‘Memories of Castlereagh’ trail fits well within the Council’s tourism strategy and is a good example of the corporate aim to ‘create a positive place to live, work and visit and preserve the natural environment for the future.’

The heritage trail includes Belvoir Park, Knockbreda Church, Newtownbreda village, Lisnabreeny, Dundonald Motte and Kempe Stones.

Residents and visitors can download the free Memories of Castlereagh App from the Android and iOS stores or scan the QR codes on the interpretive panels across the former Castlereagh area to hear the stories.