Colin Neighbourhood Partnership is excited to reveal further details of our exciting Colin Heritage project that will be unveiled soon.
Colin Heritage will include a series of trails and illustrated signs of key people, events and trends in the history of our fascinating area.
Informed by historical adviser Dr Eamon Phoenix, these visible monuments to our history will be placed at key locations around the greater Colin area.
The project, which includes a series of installed panels in the community, as well as other interpretative material like videos and leaflets, will portray details on key historical figures like Bobby Sands, Belle Steele, Frank Pantridge, and many more.
Historical places in the area will be recognised too, including Cloona House, Teeling’s Mill, Colin House, Dunmurry Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church, and Penal times mass rocks.
The unique history of Colin will also be encapsulated with its own website – www.colinherigate.com – as well as on social media platforms.
A series of videos have also been made detailing the rich history of the area from early times right up to the modern day.
Interviewees with Colin residents past and present include Oscar-winning director Terry George, former parish priest Fr Paddy McWilliams and Seanna Walsh, who talks about the life and times of his prison cell mate, Bobby Sands.
As the Colin area goes from strength to strength, it’s important to underline the incredibly
rich history of our area.
Colin Neighbourhood Partnership manager Annie Armstrong said: “As the Colin area goes from strength to strength, it’s important to underline the incredibly rich history of our area.
“We live in one of the most interesting areas of Ireland and the aim of this project is to bring that rich history to life in a very compelling way that will hopefully enlighten us all locally and also draw visitors to the area.”
Rich history waiting to be explored
Historian Dr Eamon Phoenix added: “The Colin area has a rich and fascinating history.
“Indeed, it has been said that the history of this area is a microcosm of the history of Ireland itself.
“From the early development of Belfast, through Penal times, the United Irishmen, the rise of the Linen industry, the Troubles and beyond – it is all here.
“Big houses, bigger personalities, military headquarters, political intrigue – all this and more makes up the rich history of Colin.”
This history of this area is a microcosm of the history of Ireland itself.