Coleraine Historical Society

01/04/2026

11/03/2026

Patrick Martin American Civil War Hero from Coleraine

Ellen Martin (née Baker) was the widow of Patrick Martin, who served in the 182nd New York Infantry during the American Civil War. Ellen was originally from Coleraine, County L. Derry, and her later pension records connect her story.

Patrick Martin enlisted in New York City on 9 October 1862, at the age of 33. During his service he fought in the campaign that included the Second Battle of Ream’s Station, Virginia, where he was captured on 25 August 1864. Following his capture, he was held as a prisoner of war and transferred between several Confederate prison camps.

Patrick was first imprisoned at Belle Isle, and later moved to the prison at Salisbury, North Carolina. Conditions in Civil War prison camps were extremely harsh, and Patrick ultimately died there in 1864 from diarrhea while still a prisoner of war.

Ellen and Patrick had married in New York in 1851, and the couple had three children. Later statements from the children claimed that Ellen eventually abandoned them and struggled with alcoholism, adding a tragic dimension to the family’s story after Patrick’s death.

Patrick Martin’s case reflects the complex histories of northern Irish emigrants who served in the Union Army and the difficult lives often faced by their surviving families, many of whom later returned to Ireland while receiving American military pensions.
© StMcC

10/03/2026

William Love, who was born in the Fountain area of Derry, has been honoured with a blue plaque in the city.

12/02/2026

22/01/2026

Good news! Our annual Fireside Talks series is back for 2026 and this year we are focusing on the heritage of Coleraine!

We have a wonderful selection of talks exploring the rich history of the town, and on archives and resources you can use to do your own digging into Coleraine's past.

The series will run on Thursday evenings, 7.30pm online via Zoom. So you can put your feet up, grab a hot cuppa and enjoy talks by our wonderful speakers from the comfort of your own home!

Click on the link below to register or email [email protected]
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jwam6LfTQZixyoLLpSYEew

09/01/2026

Join artist Julian Friers and scientist Dr Mike Simms as they explore elements of our past and present wildlife as part of the Wild Ireland exhibition at Ballymoney Museum. Hear of the creatures and landscapes that inspired the paintings, and some of the scientific stories that lie behind them.

03/01/2026

18/12/2025

🎉 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱!🎉

As we look back on this incredible year, we’re filled with gratitude for the amazing support from our community. Thanks to YOU:

🌟 we welcomed 𝟯𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬+ 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 across our 5 venues
🌟 Hosted 𝟲𝟲 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 in our Museums

From exhibitions like:
The Causeway Safari Park, Joey 25, The Legacy of Sherwood Medical, Cheers & Tears, Irish History Starts Here, The Daintifyt Years, Earth Camera and Limavady Life & Times.

And projects such as:
The NHLF-funded Ballycastle Museum Restoration engagement programme, The Scouts NI Project, NIMC Early Years Book Project, VE day schools programme and Digging Up the Past Summer Schools.

A huge thank you to:
🌟 Volunteers who helped with documentation, exhibitions, summer schemes, and the opening of Ballycastle & Green Lane Museums
🌟 Community groups, schools, nurseries, care homes, folds, and libraries who worked with us
🌟 Everyone who joined our outreach events — 𝟱𝟴 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 reaching 𝟭,𝟵𝟳𝟳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲!

One of our proudest achievements this year? 𝗪𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺𝘀! 🏅 This is a recognised standard for museums across the UK, and it ensures that best practise is followed and reflects our commitment to excellence in preserving and sharing local heritage.

Your enthusiasm for our handling box programme and all our activities has been incredible. We hope you enjoyed our exhibitions, workshops, talks, film screenings, and reminiscence events as much as we loved hosting them.

Here’s to an exciting year ahead — stay tuned for what’s coming in 2026!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀! 👇

fans Coleraine Chronicle FUSE FM Ballymoney Ballymoney Chronicle Cuil Rathain Historical & Cultural Centre Northern Ireland Museums Council Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Libraries in Causeway Coast and Glens Friends of Ballycastle Museum Roe Valley Ancestral Researchers Coleraine Historical Society Ballymoney Buzz