This morning’s Service of Morning Prayer will include a Holy Baptism.

Ballyduff Silver Band will be providing the music and entertainment in a fundraising concert to be held in the All Saints’ Parish Centre. All Saints’ church suffered major damage following a fire on Christmas Day last year. The 16th century building had fire damage and major smoke damage and the repairs and remedial works will cost approximately £2,000,000.

Tickets are not required but donations will be accepted at the door.

Venue - All Saints’ Parish Centre, 18 Railway Street, Antrim, BT41 4AE

Time - 7:30pm

First Ladies’ Group meeting of the season.

The speaker will be Ronan O’Donnell who is area manager for Save the Children. Ronan recently accepted a cheque for £500 from the Ladies’ Group on behalf of the charity and is coming to speak to the group about Save the Children’s work in the world’s troubled places.

Everyone is very welcome, and it would be good to welcome some new members.

Venue - Parish Room

The last walk of the rambling season and it will be a flat route to finish off.

Meet at the the car park at the junction of Corporation Street and Dunbar Link in Belfast at 6:50pm. Directions from the M2 - leave the M2 at Duncrue Street and drive along Corporation Street, under the M3 and railway flyovers and the car park is on the right just before the traffic lights in Exchange Street. Parking is free after 6:00pm. From there the walk will go to the City Hall and in particular the Titanic Memorial on the eastern end of the building. Then it will head for the River Lagan and across the pedestrian footbridge at the ‘Big Fish’. Past the SSE Arena, ‘SS Nomadic’ and the Titanic Building to the ‘Great Light’, then HMS Caroline and then find a spot for coffee in the Ann Street area or Cathedral Quarter before returning to the cars via Tomb Street. A little bit of Belfast’s maritime history will be discussed on the way.

Terrain - footpaths and paved areas

Difficulty Rating - 3

Distance - 8 km

Study this map to get an idea of what’s on view (courtesy of the Titanic Quarter website).

Full day excursion.

Following previous year’s very successful trips to Rathlin this will be another chance to explore more of the island. The bird sanctuary at the West Light should still be busy with birds although the breeding season is largely finished.

Various walking routes are available on the island and there is also an option to hire bicycles.

Visit the Rathlin Ferry website to book your own tickets. Leaving Ballycastle on the 10:00 sailing and returning from Rathlin at 17:00. The ferry is free for those holding a valid travel pass.

This evening’s walk will start at the car beside Dixon Hall at Drains Bay, near Larne. The walk will follow the main road along to Carnfunnock Country park and then explore some of the trails within the park.

Meet at the car park in Drains Bay for a 7 pm start.

Difficulty rating - 4

Distance - 6 km

Meet at the Redburn Country Park car park in Holywood at 6:50pm. This is located just off the Old Holywood Road and is close to Holywood Care Home. A steep ascent right from the start to the top of the park.

Difficulty rating - 8

Distance - 6 km

Meeting point is Houston’s Mill, Broughshane.

Drive over the Collin to Broughshane. Turn right at the ‘T’ junction on Main Street and the car park is at Houston’s Mill just beside St Patrick’s church. Starting to walk at approximately 7:15 pm. The walk follows the River Braid and back by main street. This walk is suitable for all abilities.

Follow this link for a map of the walk - Buttermilk Bridge

Difficulty rating - 2

Distance - 5 km

It’s almost exactly two years since the walking group last walked up Carnmoney hill so it is overdue another visit. The start of the walk is at the play area on Knockenagh Avenue near Cloughfern. To get there drive down the Doagh Road towards Whiteabbey Hospital. Just after the Cloughfern Arms on the right and the Fernagh Road on the left drive another 100 metres and turn right into Knockenagh Avenue. Follow this up the hill for about 1/2 km and the play park can be seen on the right, behind a fence. There is parking here and on the side of the road above the park. The walk starts here and the route winds its way up the hill. Steep for short sections but worth the effort for the views.

Length - 6 or 7 km dependent on the route taken

Difficulty rating - 7

This is another new walking route beginning at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club car park on the Galgorm Road, Ballymena. Follow the signs for the golf club and park in its car park near the clubhouse. The route will follow public pathways along the River Braid.

Terrain - public pathways and footpaths

Distance - 5 km

Difficulty rating - 4

Drive to the Ards Shopping Centre just off the roundabout on the approach to Newtownards and meet beside KFC at 6:50pm. The walk begins at this car park.

Follow this link for more details on the area - Scrabo Hill

Difficulty rating - 7

Distance - 7 km

Meet at the Cavehill Country Park near Belfast Castle at 6:50pm. The route follows the green waymarking arrows and will take in McArt’s fort at the top of Cavehill before moving around towards Divis and back to the car park. A challenging route. Follow this link for a map - Cavehill

Difficulty rating - 7

Distance - 7.2 km

This walk will follow the Beltoy watercourse which runs north close to the Beltoy Road, just outside Carrickfergus.

Directions - from Ballyclare go through Straid and head for Carrickfergus, eventually coming to the Woodburn crossroads. Turn left on to the Middle Road becoming the Marshallstown Road. Go the end of the Marshallstown Road to the ‘T’ junction with the Beltoy Road. Turn left and after approximately 1 km there is a laneway (second laneway on the left with a steel gate) into a reservoir with a small car park a short distance in. Parking may be limited so car-share as much as possible.

For those coming via Mossley follow the Doagh Road from the Linden Lea roundabout on the A8 to Greenisland. This road then eventually becomes the Marshallstown Road and runs right through to the Beltoy Road.

Terrain - rough pathways and unmade tracks

Distance - 4 km

Difficulty rating - 4

This visit will start at Saul church near Downpatrick, meeting there at 10:30am. After looking around the church the next stop will be Down cathedral where there will be a guided tour of the cathedral at midday, and then there will be an opportunity to visit the gift shop. Lunch is booked for 1:15pm in Denvir’s Hotel a short walk from the cathedral in English Street.

Following lunch everyone can explore the town and visit the St Patrick’s Centre or Down Museum. Dependent on the weather the route home may be via the Strangeford to Portaferry ferry and up the Arts penisula returning home for around 5:00pm.

If you would like to attend please contact David Holmes using the Contact page on this website.

This will be a new walk for the group on forest paths down to the northern shore of Lough Neagh.

Meet at the forest car park outside Randalstown for a 7:00pm start.

Directions - take the M2 north, becoming the M22. Leave the motorway at the second exit for Randalstown (Randalstown West junction), crossing over the M22, and follow the signs for Randalstown on to the A6, Moneynick Road. After approximately 1 km turn left into the Staffordstown Road, crossing over the M22 again. Drive approximately 1 km and turn left into Mount Shagus Lane. There will be signs for Randalstown Forest and World of Owls. Drive to car park at the end of the lane where the walk will start.

Terrain - rough forest paths

Difficulty Rating - 4

Distance - 4 km

This will be the same route that was walked around Divis last year. Meet at the car park just above Hannahstown at 6:50pm and then follow first the blue way markers and then the red to the top of the hill, returning down the opposite side looking out for the World War 2 aircraft that crashed during the war.

Follow this link for a map - Divis

Terrain - roads and some rough pathways. Some steep sections dependent on route followed.

Difficulty rating - 7

Distance - 10 km

Meet at the forest car park just below Woodburn Presbyterian Church at 6:50pm. Rough paths so walking boots recommended.

Difficulty Rating - 4

Distance - 8 km (this is to the Knockagh monument but shorter routes are also available through the forest). Approximately 3 km of this walk will be on public roads.

A church barbeque will be held immediately after the morning service. There will be a hot dog and a slice of apple tart for everyone. To assist with catering please add your name and the number in your party to the list at the back of the church by Sunday, 1st June.

All welcome.

Meet at the Minnowburn car park near Shaw’s Bridge at 6.50pm. Follow this link for full details - Giant’s Ring

Difficulty rating - 5

Distance - 6 km

Drive to the Park and Ride car park beside the railway station in Holywood and park. Aiming to catch the 6:45pm train. Note that the train timetable needs to be confirmed nearer the date of the walk. Take the train to Helen’s Bay station and walk back along the coastal path. Seniors go free on the train but only if you bring your Translink pass! For a shorter walk get off the train at an earlier stop before Helen’s Bay and walk back to Holywood or don’t take the train at all and walk along the coastal path towards Bangor until you meet the main body of walkers coming the other way.

Terrain - mainly footpaths

Difficulty rating - 3

Distance - 8 km

Meet at the public car park just off the Croft Road in Carnlough at 6:50pm. Going through the village turn left at the Spar. Cross over the crossroads and drive up to the small roundabout. Turn left again and park in the car park at the end of this avenue. Starting to walk at 7:00 pm. This walk is almost a repeat of a previous year’s visit to Carnlough crossing below the cliff face and over the mine workings to the Croft Road and then back to the village. There are lovely views of Carnlough Bay from the mine workings.

Terrain - roads and some unmade tracks

Difficulty Rating - 4

Distance - 4 km

Meet at the Castle gardens in Antrim at 6:50pm, parking beside Clotworthy House in the Castle grounds car park just off the Randalstown Road. The walking route goes around the back of Clotworthy House, across the Six Mile Water using the Deerpark Bridge, then right to follow the river downstream to Lough Neagh. Continue south along the lough shore, through Rea’s Wood, eventually emerging onto the A6 Dublin Road. Turn left and almost immediately cross over to Kirby’s Lane, follow it for about 0.5 km and at the sign for the Mill Race Trail (on the left) turn left into this lane and follow the Six Mile Water downstream towards the town, crossing the bridge at the weir and eventually coming out at Riverside and then into High Street at All Saints’ church. Turn left and using the underpass at the river walk back to the Castle Gardens. Follow the path through the ruins of the castle and into the main garden area before returning to the cars in front of Clotworthy House.

Terrain - footpaths and roads

Difficulty Rating - 4

Distance - 8 km

Holy Communion

A Devotion for Good Friday

Holy Communion

Morning Prayer and Procession of Palms

The sinking of the M.V. Princess Victoria on 31st January, 1953.

The Stranraer-Larne ferry, the MV Princess Victoria, sank on 31 January 1953, with the loss of more than 130 lives. Less than 50 people survived this maritime disaster

Stephen Cameron, a noted maritime historian, will give a talk on this dreadful event, its causes, the people involved and the effect on communities on both sides of the North Channel.

Venue - Parish Hall

Entrance by ticket at a price of £5.00 which includes a light supper.

Note - Admission by paying at the door on the night can not be guaranteed.

Tickets are available from members of the Ladies’ Committee, in church at the end of Sunday services, or by contacting the webmaster by using the Contact page on this website.