Sentry Hill and Visitor Centre
| County: | Co. Antrim |
| Tel: | 028-9083 2363 |
| Email: | sentry.hill@btconnect.com |
Sentry Hill is a 19th Century farmhouse in the Parish of Carnmoney, Co. Antrim. The house and its contents provide a rare insight into life in rural Ulster during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Sentry Hill was the home of the McKinney family who came to Ireland from Scotland in the early 1700s. Remarkably the contents of the house have survived almost intact. This is largely due to William Fee McKinney, who was born in 1832 and lived at Sentry Hill for most of his life. The collection consists of diaries, family letters, books and pamphlets, along with souvenirs from family travels abroad. McKinney also became an accomplished photographer with an extensive collection of pictures capturing work, leisure, friends and neighbours.
Guided tours of the house are available. There is also a short introductory video, exhibition gallery, resource room, refreshment area and gift shop.
General Information
| Address: | 40 Ballycraigy Road, Carnmoney, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT36 8SX |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 028-9083 2363 |
| Email: | sentry.hill@btconnect.com |
| Website: | http://www.newtownabbey.gov.uk / www.mid-antrimmuseums.org |
| Location: | Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim |
| Season: | Apr-Sep |
| Open Times: | Times Vary Seasonally |
| Tours: | Duration: 45 mins. Languages: English |
| Booking Contact: | sentry.hill@btconnect.com |
| Average Visit Length: | 2 hours |
| Entrance Fees: |
Adult: Stg£3.50 Family: Stg£8.00 OAP: Stg£2.50 Child/Student: Stg£2.00 Group Rates |
| Audio Visual: | Seating: 25, Duration: 6 minutes |
| Exhibition: | The gallery displays many of the fascinating objects and archives once hidden from view in the cupboards and drawers of Sentry Hill |
| Restaurant: | Tea/Coffee, Scones and Pastries |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Shop: | Yes |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
Virtual Visit
Want to take a Virtual Visit of Sentry Hill Historic House? You can see what many attractions are like before visiting with this 360 degree view! Click on the button below to see:
Schools
The McKinneys of Sentry Hill:
Designed for KS2 pupils, this workshop is an educational experience not to be missed. A visit combines a tour of Sentry Hill farmhouse with a ‘hands on’ workshop focusing on Victorian costume and artefacts. Pupils are actively involved from start to finish, using primary evidence to investigate Sentry Hill and the McKinney family. The workshop is complimented by a teachers resource pack which offers a wealth of acitivities for classroom use
The Environmental Workshop: Designed for KS1 and KS2 pupils, this workshop allows pupils to explore Sentry Hill garden through a range of group activities. Tree measuring, mini beast hunts and leaf investigations are all used to introduce pupils to the natural world. Back in the education room pupils take part in arts and crafts activities including leaf rubbings and artworks based on the natural world. Activity sheets and environmental case studies are used as a focus for group discussions
Conference & Incentive
- Environmental surroundings and garden
- Licensed for Civil Weddings
- Education programmes available for Primary School children - The McKinney’s
of Sentry Hill (Victorian Workshop) and an Environmental Trail and Workshop.
- Granted the Sandford Heritage Education Trust Award in 2007
- Sentry Hill was the only Museum in Ireland nominated for the 2008 European
Museum of the Year
