Trip Suggestion – Sentry Hill
SENTRY HILL HISTORIC HOUSE & VISITOR CENTRE
I am contacting you from Sentry Hill Historic House and Visitor Centre in Carnmoney, Co Antrim, a museum owned by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Since opening in April 2005, we have welcomed many groups, societies and organisations, such as yours, for a group visit and I thought you may be interested in considering Sentry Hill for your annual outing.
The visit includes a personal guided tour of the house, an exhibition area, audio visual presentation, gardens and light refreshments. In addition to this, we can also offer a speaker to come to your meeting, prior to the visit if required. This talk lasts about 45 minutes and tells the story of the house and family. The visit to the museum normally lasts around two and a half hours so is ideal for an evening outing or as part of a day trip. We are also happy to provide details of other facilities close to Sentry Hill if you are planning a day trip out.
Sentry Hill is a 19th century farmhouse in Carnmoney, Co Antrim and the house and contents provide a rare insight into life in rural Ulster during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was the home of the McKinney family, who came from Scotland in the early 1700s. The contents of the house have survived intact, largely due to William Fee McKinney, born in 1832 and who lived at Sentry Hill most of his life. He built up a remarkable collection of diaries, letters and artefacts which you will be able to see. He was an accomplished photographer, taking hundreds of photos of the people, workers and places of the time. In addition to this, McKinney was the Secretary of Carnmoney Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. Amongst other things, the tour talks about the family, Victorian community, his archives, emigration and the First World War where his grandson was killed.
We are open all year round for pre-booked groups and for details on price, access and what is on offer, or to make a booking, please feel free to contact me on 028 9083 2363 or wesley.bonar@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk
If required, I am happy to send out a supply of leaflets for your group, please just let me know.
I do hope you find this information of interest and if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Wesley Bonar, Custodian, Sentry Hill
028 9083 2363
