Whitewell - Cave Hill’s Lost Village

The stories presented this film ‘Whitewell, Cave Hill’s Lost Village’, present illuminating and heartwarming, humorous, anecdotes. Here is captured a valuable historical account of an exceptional place and time that could easily have been lost in its entirety. The unique topography and extensive history (both ancient and modern) of the Cave Hill and the Whitewell area are captured and shaped by the locals’ tales and McKernon’s thorough research.

McKernon also offers a panoramic view, presenting something suggestive of the ineffable stuff of the human spirit. In an almost anthropological study, this book captures characters redolent of those we all have encountered in our own lives. He exhibits a community both isolated and enriched by its obstacles - existing in a kind of nature-determined silo where resourcefulness, resilience, and cooperation were maintained as fundamental qualities.

An astounding variety of stories are recounted in the film. To mention just a few, the Polish squadron pilots in WWII, Ireland’s most unusual race-horse owner, the first woman to race in the Ulster Grand Prix, and the resilient men of the quarries – all uniquely fascinating. This film has changed my perception of the area and my experience of the landscape I encounter daily. As I look upon Cave Hill each morning from my own back door, and as I traverse the streets, my interactions are imbued with new and renewed connections and associations. I recall the richness of plant life (blaeberries and hazelnuts in particular) as I walk in Cave Hill; the well at the Gray’s Lane side of the foot of the mountain, mysterious before, now has a whole new depth to it; the ancient significance of McArt’s Fort looms from my bedroom window, and likewise, thoughts of the too many beings that have plummeted from the sheer and stark edge of Napoleon’s Nose. I strangely feel closer to this community through the lived experience of the people of this place now long-gone – a wonderful paradox of the exploration of history.

McKernon, as a Whitewell native, has captured the beauty and creativity of a society that lived in tandem with the natural world around them. This is implied and revealed through many accounts including, the sketches of The Matchstick Man, the poetry by the locals presented within, and the often-profound knowledge of birds, wildlife, and horticulture. The film is richly illustrated throughout with stunning shots of Napoleon’s Nose and Cave Hill.

In this film McKernon has preserved for posterity, a unique historical narrative by capturing invaluable accounts and insights from everyday people who made this community what it was – rich, complex, and vital.

📅 Date: Saturday 14 March 2026
⏰ Time: 19:00
📍 Venue: Theatre at The Mill
🎟️ Tickets: £11.50