This evening there will be a presentation on the McIlroy family by Ronnie Hassard, former principal of Ballymena Academy. Ronnie is a well-known local historian and he will tell the story of a prominent Ulster-Scots family that lived in the Ballyclare area. One famous member of the family was James Archibald McIlroy who was a ship’s surgeon and accompanied Sir Ernest Shackleton on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition on board the now famous ship “Endurance” in August 1914. The expedition went seriously wrong when the ship became trapped in pack ice and eventually sank. However every man on board got off the ship safely but they then had to endure severe hardship for 2 years before they were finally rescued. McIlroy’s role in their survival was vital and they all returned to England alive. McIlroy’s life story is fascinating as Ronnie will reveal in this presentation.

All parishioners and friends are very welcome to attend.