ARP warden’s helmet, c. 1940 (LMILC.1990.202, gifted)
The ARP (Air Raid Precautions) was established before the outbreak of the Second World War to prepare for German bombings. Lisburn Urban District Council was the first local authority in Northern Ireland to develop an ARP scheme. From 1938, volunteers or ‘wardens’ enlisted in the Assembly Rooms (now part of the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum). In 1940, Lisburn had six air raid shelters, one of which still stands in Castle Gardens. The wardens patrolled the streets, enforcing the ‘blackout’ regulations to ensure no lights could be seen by German bombers. Fines were issued to those who failed to comply.