Ballymena 400

Ballymena is marking a huge milestone this year – 400 years of stories, people, and place. But long before the busy town we know today, this area passed through many hands and had more than its fair share of twists and turns.

Back in the 1500s, the land around Ballymena changed ownership several times, with different leaders trying (and often failing!) to make their mark. Things finally started taking shape in the early 1600s when the Adair family arrived. They secured the land that would grow into what we now call Ballymena – and they wasted no time putting down roots.

In 1626, the Adairs were granted permission to run a Saturday market and two annual fairs. That might not sound like much now, but it was a big deal at the time and helped spark the growth of a lively settlement. A market house followed in 1684, setting Ballymena on its path to becoming the bustling market town we recognise today.

Over generations, the Adair family continued to help shape the town, contributing land and funds for churches, schools, parks and even a hotel. One of them, Sir Alexander Shafto Adair, was so fond of Ballymena that he called it the “city of the seven towers.”

Four centuries later, Ballymena has grown, changed, and evolved – but that same spirit of community and energy is still very much alive. And this year, we’re celebrating it all with a host of events to mark this incredible anniversary!

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Number of results: 7

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Ballymena 400 Poetry Workshop

1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena

Address

Mid-Antrim Museum and Arts Centre at The Braid, The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 5EJ

Telephone
028 2563 5077

tic.reception@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Poetry Workshop

Dates

From:
31 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Fused glass workshop with Eleanor-Jayne McCartney

1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena

Address

Mid-Antrim Museum and Arts Centre at The Braid, The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 5EJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2563 5028

BraidMuseum@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Fused-glass workshop

Dates

From:
8 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 13:00

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Ballymena Turns 400 ... And We're Going Super

Ballymena

Address

Various locations Ballymena Town Centre, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT42 4HZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2563 3199

towncentres@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Festival

This year our much-loved town celebrates an incredible milestone as Ballymena turns 400, and we're marking the occasion in style with a summer packed full of fun, adventure, surprises and celebrations. Whether you're a local, a regular visitor or…

Dates

From:
7 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
From:
14 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
From:
22 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
From:
25 Aug 2026

Price
Free

More Info
Fireworks and Fish

1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena

Address

Mid-Antrim Museum and Arts Centre at The Braid, The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 5EJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2563 5028

elaine.hill@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Workshop

Craft event

Dates

From:
11 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
From:
11 Aug 2026Open 11:30 - 12:30

Price
Free

More Info
Ballymena 400 Civic Service

Ballymena

Address

St. Patrick’s Church, Castle Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 7BT

Telephone
+44 (0) 7391 861746

members.services@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Ceremony

Celebrate Ballymena’s 400th anniversary at a Civic Thanksgiving Service in St Patrick’s Church.

Dates

From:
25 Aug 2026Open 18:45 - 21:30

Price
Free

More Info
Storytelling - The tale of the Castle Cat and Golden Dragon

1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena

Address

Mid-Antrim Museum and Arts Centre at The Braid, The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 5EJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2563 5028

BraidMuseuml@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Workshop

Storytelling -The tale of the Castle Cat and Golden Dragon

Dates

From:
25 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 11:45

Price
Free

More Info
Ballymena in Acrylics

1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena

Address

Mid-Antrim Museum and Arts Centre at The Braid, The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 5EJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2563 5077

tic.reception@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Price £35.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Painting Workshop

Dates

From:
31 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00

Price
Price £35.00 Per Ticket

More Info