Ulster Scots Words, Phrases, Humour, Tradition and Video Archive.
Armoy in North Antrim is very much an Ulster Scots community. The featured videos are from a production called “At the Foot of Knocklayde” where Liam Logan meets a range of colourful personalities and learns about what makes Armoy tick.
If you want to learn more about why Oscar Wilde visited here, who the Stiffy Lifters were, why women needed big feet to cope with the peet bog lands and find out who the Fightin McCooks were, play and enjoy.
The local Church and Saint Patrick
A monastic settlement was founded by Saint Patrick in the 5th Century in the area of what is now St. Patrick's Parish Church. The site was excavated in recent years and archaeologists uncovered artifacts which date the location to the 6th century.
The Stiffy Lifters
As medical science progressed in the 18th century, bodies were needed for research and the Stiffy Lifters went to any lengths to deliver to their masters. The Lifters would strike at night raiding graveyards in North and East Antrim and then transporting the bodies in boats across to the early science labs in Scotland.
The Stiffy Lifters
As medical science progressed in the 18th century, bodies were needed for research and the Stiffy Lifters went to any lengths to deliver to their masters. The Lifters would strike at night raiding graveyards in North and East Antrim and then transporting the bodies in boats across to the early science labs in Scotland.
The Tower and Escape Tunnels
It is suggested that the original site of the village was built around the monastery and the round tower.
The area surrounding the present day church is of special significance as it has several oval shaped tunnels which have been dug under the rock all the way down to a cave at the Lagge crossroads below the church. This tunnel from the tower to the crossroads was used as an escape route as it leads down to the River Bush.
Oscar Wilde (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900) was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. Why would he have visited Armoy? Play the video and find out.
The World Ploughin Match 1959
In 1959 Armoy was on the world map as the top ploughers converged on the village to battle it out for the winner. Lots of old film and tales from the time.
Growing Up
Liam met Charlie McMullan was one of the first pupils at Armoy Primary School in 1934. The school is far different to what it was then. Plenty of old photographs and memories.
Game of Thrones
OK it is one the world’s best known series and we all know that it was made in Northern Ireland and that Armoy's Dark Hedges played a starring role. Millions of Thrones fans would love to tread the boards here but for some residents of Armoy the series wasn’t quite their cup o tay!
The Russians are coming!
Never mind the Ukraine, the Russians are in Armoy! Meet Farmer David McMullan and his T55 tank pictured alongside his combine harvester!
Ghosts and Rocket Fuel
What did you do on a dark wet night in Armoy in days gone by? No TV, no radio just self made entertainment and music, tall tales and a wee snifter of the hard stuff.
The Girl with Big Feet
A girl with small feet would not have lasted long in the Peet Bogs of North Antrim. (we are assuming that the men all had feet of a size the could handle the conditions)
A joke? when you see what life was like digging peet, laughing what was what you did when you packed it in for the day.
The Mart, France and Spain
There’s nothing like an animal market to create complete confusion for the stranger as the auctioneer gabbles away in a language of his own.
Liam’s no stranger to these parts but found out some very interesting facts about business here like lambs being exported to France and Spain?
The Accordion
Music as always is at the centre of our culture and the accordion is a favourite instrument. Lee Simpson tells us about his relationship with the Accordion.