Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH) has announced the Hands-on Heritage Local Lists Launch, an exhibition that celebrates community-led research into Northern Ireland’s built heritage and marks the publication of four new Local Lists created by voluntary heritage groups across the region.
The Local Lists have been produced by Roe Valley Ancestral Researchers, Donaghmore Historical Society, Rathfriland Shared History Group, and Rathmore Historical Society, working in collaboration with UAH. Together, the groups identified, researched, and documented buildings and places they consider significant to their local areas.
The Lists are presented as interactive digital story maps that explore both familiar and overlooked places, reflecting local knowledge, lived experience, and community priorities. They include a wide range of sites, from grand houses, castles, bawns, banks, and churches to cottages, shops, meeting places, and buildings within living memory. Both listed and non-listed buildings are included, offering an inclusive picture of what defines local character and a sense of place.
The launch event took place at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in Belfast, on 24th February. The programme featured a series of short talks on built heritage, followed by an exhibition preview with food and refreshments. The exhibition will then remain on display at PRONI until 13th March, after which it will tour venues across Libraries NI, bringing the Local Lists to communities throughout Northern Ireland.
Speakers included Nigel Henderson, Liam McComish, Marcus Patton, and John Anderson, who addressed themes including post-war housing, urban signage, everyday architectural features, and the importance of ‘character’ in our surroundings.
View the lists here