Official tourism website for Northern Ireland
En

Larne Museum & Arts Centre

Gradings

  • Four Star Quality Assurance
Four Star Quality Assurance
2 Victoria Road, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1RN
Larne Museum & Arts Centre

Book Tickets Online

About

Larne Museum & Arts Centre is housed in the former Carnegie Free Library building in Larne.

Built in 1905, this historic building opened its doors to the public in 1906 following financial assistance from the American millionaire and philanthropist Mr Andrew Carnegie. In 2005, to commemorate its centenary year, the building was restored and renovated, retaining many of its original features. The building is also now home to Larne Art Club and Larne Drama Circle.

The Main Gallery hosts permanent displays reflecting the agricultural, industrial, military and maritime history of the area. Larne is a principal gateway into Northern Ireland and the strong maritime links of this east Antrim coastal community are portrayed through a variety of exhibits relating to the first roll-on, roll-off ferries, the Royal Navy and the Princess Victoria disaster. Larne’s rural hinterland, which includes two of the nine glens of Antrim, is well represented in the museum’s folk life display. The War and Conflict section hosts objects from the Home Rule Crisis, Larne Gun Running and the First and Second World Wars. Visitors can access accounts and memories of local people through oral history listening posts and can also browse through photographs in a digital community archive.

The ‘John Clifford Gallery’, named after the first curator of Larne & District Historical Centre, plays host to a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year. These can include in-house or touring exhibitions and exhibitions by local groups and individuals.

The museum is managed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, and forms part of the Mid and East Antrim Museum & Heritage Service alongside similar local museums in Ballymena and Carrickfergus.

Book Tickets

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Guide dogs permitted
  • Toilets for disabled visitors - Adapted unisex toilet on ground floor.

Attraction Facilities

  • Open Mondays

Catering

  • Picnic Area - Outdoor picnic table.

Establishment Features

  • Accept coach parties
  • Event venue
  • Lift/Elevator - Access to first floor via lift or stairs.
  • Talks
  • Toilets - Toilets on both floors.
  • Wi-fi available

Parking & Transport

  • Off site parking - Car parking is not available on site. Pay and display car parking is available opposite the building in Fairhill Car Park on Victoria Road. Other nearby pay and display car parks are situated on Agnew Street, Narrow Gauge Road and Riverdale. Nearby free car parks are situated in Exchange Road, Bridge Street, High Street, Inver Road, Narrow Gauge Road and Riverdale.
  • Station nearby - Larne Train Station and Larne Bus Station are within 10 mins walking distance of Larne Museum & Arts Centre.

Payment Methods

  • All major credit/debit cards accepted

Provider Preferences

  • In town/city centre
  • Indoor Attraction
  • Non smoking establishment
  • Of historic, literary or architectural interest - Larne Museum & Arts Centre is housed in the former Carnegie Free Library building which is now a grade B1 listed building, of historic and architectural interest. It was designed by Nicholas Fitzsimons, who also designed Smiley Cottage Hospital, and is an example of Edwardian 'free style' architecture.

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
TicketFree

Free

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating - 31 reviews31 reviews

Add Larne Museum & Arts Centre to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0) 28 2826 2443

Map & Directions

Opening Times

* Monday – Friday, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Closes for lunch - 12:15pm - 12:45pm

What's Nearby

  1. Town Park and Chaine Park are delightful parks located on the Causeway Coastal route in…

    0.66 miles away
  2. Enjoy a lovely walk along a one mile long stretch of Promenade running from Larne Leisure…

    0.78 miles away
  3. Explore Waterloo Bay in Larne, the most accessible locality for fossil hunting and…

    0.86 miles away
  4. This special memorial tower stands tall on the western side of Larne Lough, at the…

    0.94 miles away
  5. Popular award winning rural beach positioned in a delightful sandy bay, at the northern…

    2.24 miles away
  6. Packed full of fun family activities and attractions, Carnfunnock Country Park offers…

    2.65 miles away
  7. This award winning beach is located in Ballygally, 10km north of Larne town on the…

    3.54 miles away
  8. One of our lesser known ‘hidden treasures’, Gleno is a magnificent 30 foot waterfall…

    3.68 miles away
  9. Follow the winding road down to reach this hidden gem. With its picture-book perfect…

    3.75 miles away
  10. The gardens are situated within the peninsula of Islandmagee, with beautiful views over…

    4.82 miles away
  11. Discover magnificent views and Ulster Scots heritage in Templecorran graveyard,…

    6.34 miles away
  12. On the thrilling Gobbins Experience, nature isn’t content to just sit back and be admired…

    6.68 miles away
  13. The new Whitehead Railway Museum will take visitors on a journey through time, see our…

    7.98 miles away
  14. Whitehead Centre provides a tourism hub for information about what is going on locally…

    8.1 miles away
  15. Located less than a mile from the Town Centre, off the Larne Road, the Andrew Jackson…

    9.09 miles away
  16. Our Urban Farm and Garden Centre at Kilcreggan Homes is a free popular attraction to…

    9.16 miles away

Virtual Tour

Map & Directions

Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss