Putting Carnlough on the Map

For years, Carnlough's economy had been dependent on the export of limestone, but when the quarries and lime kilns closed in 1962, the village faced a real threat. However, Carnlough Civic Committee quickly
identified that tourism, properly managed and
developed, would be key to securing the
long-term prosperity of the village.

Consequently, members of the committee set about organising a fun-packed civic week of festivities,
designed to act as a major attraction for
holidaymakers . . . and their idea worked wonderfully well! The first-ever Carnlough Civic Week, held
in July 1963, was not only a marvellous success,
it was also the first community festival ever held in Northern Ireland.

This Web site is a celebration of those early days of the Carnlough Civic Week. Through film interviews, photographic collections, and memories of those who were there, it will take you back to a time when visitors came to spend their summer holidays in Carnlough.