Celebrating Carrick's Franciscan heritage

The event, sponsored by Carrick Borough Church Forum and Mid-Antrim Museum Services, will delve into the religious and historical significance of the town’s rich Franciscan heritage.

Local historian Philip Orr, who will be speaking at the conference, told the TIMES that the event aimed to “bring back the lost story of the Carrickfergus Friary”.

He added: “A friary was founded in Carrick in 1232, on the site of what is now the Town Hall. It remained there until the sixteenth century and played a very important role in the life of the town. Sadly, none of the frairy remains today, and it has become a very-much overlooked part of Carrick’s history.

“We thought it would be interesting for people to find out about this vanished piece of Carrick history. Another aim of the conference is to increase the level tourism in the town itself. Thousands of people flock to the castle each year, but then just jump back on the bus and head further up the road. Drawing these visitors into the town centre would help boost the local economy.”

The conference - which takes place on Saturday from 9.45am to 4pm - will explore the various events that took place in Carrick during the friary’s existence, including King John’s stay at the castle and the arrival of the Black Death. Archaeologist Ruairi O’Baoill will be explaining about the friary itself, as well as the medieval town it was a part of. This will include a short walking tour, taking in St Nicholas Church of Ireland.

Those in attendance will also learn about the life of St Francis of Assisi and about the Franciscan Order within the Anglican and Catholic traditions. This will be led by two friars of the Fransican Order - Fr Philip Deane and Rev David Jardine - and a lay member of the Third Order of St Francis, Freda Keyes.

John Barry, associate director of the Institute for a Sustainable World at Queen’s University, will look at the environmental significance of St Francis’s life and teachings. He will be joined by a speaker from Belfast Islamic Centre, who will examine the St Francis’s interaction with the Islamic world. The day will conclude with a short time of spiritual reflection.

Mr Orr said the event had attracted over 80 bookings and was now sold out.