Part of the European heritage Open day scheme:- Saturday September 12th, 1pm to 5pm:
- Experience Living history presentations
- Visit restored Old School building & visitor centre
- View the new Village film
- Presentations in the Moravian Church
- Tours of the former Single Brethren Home.
- “Country Markets” (crafts, home baking & teas)
- The Readers Room – sale of local crafts, books etc
- Self guided village tours using new guide
The Moravian settlement of Gracehill was founded when Mr (Brother) Home; follower of John Cennick, leased the land from Lord O’Neill. Cennick was an English Moravian. Officially known as the Unitas Fratrum (Unity of Brethren), the church began life in Moravia and Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) in the 15th century. Moravians travelled far and wide, coming to Britain in the 1730s.
The village plan is a simple grid-iron pattern with a central garden and pond. The first building was the Single Brethrens’ linen-weaving manufactory in 1764 and the Church was built in 1765, as was the Single Sisters’ choir house with Day School to the rear. The Sisters were feted for their fine Moravian lacework, which was exported world-wide well into the 19th century. Other stone buildings date mainly from 1768-92, and boast unusual details such as galleting, where small stones are pressed into the joints between basalt courses. Most houses had plots of land large enough for subsistence and each child had to learn a trade. On this afternoon, chores will be firmly set aside to make way for play!
The history of the village, Northern Ireland’s first conservation area, will be brought to life through characters devised by Northern Period Productions so come and enjoy the exciting presentations that will take place at intervals throughout the afternoon, then view the interiors of the historic Moravian Church and the Single brethren home. Pick up a free village guide and take a self –guided tour around the many fine buildings within the Conservation Area and then stop at the “Country Markets” for traditional home baking and refreshments.
The village is situated near Galgorm Castle, just outside Ballymena, off the A42 road to Ahoghill. Living History Presentations begin at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm in The Old School on Church Road. The buildings will be open all afternoon.
This Free event has been arranged in association with the Gracehill Old School Trust and is possible thanks the support of Ballymena Borough Council
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