Ballymena

The recorded history of the Ballymena area dates to the Early Christian period, from the fifth to the seventh centuries. Ringforts are found in the townland of Ballykeel, and a site known as Camphill Fort in the townland of Ballee may also have been of this type. There are a number of souterrains within a {{convert|1+1/4|mi|km}} radius of the centre of Ballymena. {{convert|2|mi|spell=In|abbr=off}} north in the townland of Kirkinriola, the medieval parish church and graveyard show signs of Early Christian settlement, including a souterrain. Also in 1868, a gravedigger found a large stone slab on which was carved a cross with the inscription ord do degen. This refers to Bishop Degen, who lived in Ireland during the seventh century. This stone is now in the porch of St Patrick's Church of Ireland, at the end of Castle Street. At the end of the fifth century, a church was founded in Connor, {{convert|5|mi|spell=in|abbr=off}} south of Ballymena. This was followed by a monastery at Templemoyle, Kells. In 831, Vikings invaded the area and burned the church.

In the late 12th century, the Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland and conquered much of what is now eastern Ulster, creating the Earldom of Ulster. They built a motte-and-bailey fort in what is now the Harryville area of Ballymena. It is one of the best-surviving examples of this type of fortification in Northern Ireland.

In 1315, Edward Bruce (brother of Scottish king Robert the Bruce) invaded the Earldom of Ulster, opening up another front in the war against the English. On 10 September 1315, at the Battle of Connor, near Ballymena, Edward's army defeated the army of Richard de Burgh, the Anglo-Norman Earl of Ulster.

On 10 May 1607, during the Plantation of Ulster, King James I of England granted the native Irish chief, Ruairí Óg MacQuillan, the Ballymena Estate. The estate passed through several owners, eventually passing into the possession of William Adair, a Scottish laird from Kinhilt in southwestern Scotland. The estate was temporarily renamed "Kinhilstown" after Adair's lands in Scotland. The original castle of Ballymena was built in the early 17th century, situated to take advantage of an ancient ford on the River Braid. In 1626 Charles I confirmed the grant of the Ballymena Estate to William Adair, giving him the right to hold a market at Ballymena every Saturday. He hired local Irish as workers on the estate; they served as tenant farmers for much of the next two centuries and more. Galgorm nearby was granted to Sir Faithful Fortescue. In 1618 he built the Castle, which still exists.

During the Irish Rebellion of 1641, the local Ballymena garrison were defeated by Irish rebels in the battle of Bundooragh.

Ballymena's first market hall was built in 1684.{{cite web|title=Ballymena: A brief history of the town|url=http://www.ballymena.gov.uk/historyandheritage.asp |access-date=15 July 2007 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713231430/http://www.ballymena.gov.uk/historyandheritage.asp |archive-date=13 July 2007 }}

In 1710, during moving of the casements from the General Horde, it was found that several books belonging to the Duke of First Parish were left among the casements. These books were returned to the church in agreement with the terms set forth by the Duke.

In 1690, during the Williamite-Jacobite War, Williamite general the Duke of Württemberg used Galgorm Castle as his headquarters. Sir Robert Adair raised a Regiment of Foot for King William III and fought at the Battle of the Boyne.

File:Ballymena Church Street Tower of old Parish Church SE 2014 09 15.jpg

By 1704, the population of Ballymena had reached 800. In 1707, the first Protestant (Church of Ireland) parish church was built. In 1740, the original Ballymena Castle burned down. The Gracehill Moravian settlement was founded in 1765.

During the 1798 rebellion, Ballymena was occupied from 7 to 9 June by a force of around 10,000 United Irishmen. They stormed the market hall, killing three of its defenders.

The first modern Roman Catholic Church in Ballymena was consecrated in 1827. By 1834 the population of Ballymena was about 4,000. In 1848 the Belfast and Ballymena Railway was established. In 1865 Robert Alexander Shafto Adair (late Baron Waveney) started building Ballymena Castle, a magnificent family residence, in the Demesne. The castle was not completed until 1887.

In 1870 The People's Park was established.

File:Church Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim (26482362184).jpg

In 1900, Ballymena assumed urban district status. Under the provisions of the Land Purchase (Ireland) Act 1903, the Adairs disposed of most of their Ballymena estate to the occupying tenants in 1904. The old market hall building, which also contained the post office and estate office, burned down in 1919. The new Ballymena Town Hall was officially opened by the Duke of Abercorn on 20 November 1928.{{cite web|url=https://www.dia.ie/works/view/61908/building/CO.+ANTRIM,+BALLYMENA,+TOWN+HALL|title=County Antrim, Ballymena, Town Hall|publisher=Dictionary of Irish Architects|access-date=27 April 2021|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427222605/https://www.dia.ie/works/view/61908/building/CO.+ANTRIM,+BALLYMENA,+TOWN+HALL|url-status=live}}

The Urban District Council petitioned for borough status and the Charter was granted in December 1937. The first meeting of councillors as a Borough Council was held on 23 May 1939. The population of Ballymena reached 13,000. Ballymena Castle was demolished in the 1950s. In 1973, the Urban and Rural District Councils were merged to create Ballymena Borough Council. Following local government reorganisation in 2015, the Borough Council was merged with the Boroughs of Carrickfergus Borough Council and Larne Borough Council.{{cite web |url=http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/local-government-reform |title=Local government reform |website=Nidirect.gov.uk |date=27 October 2015 |access-date=9 February 2016 |archive-date=9 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209035145/http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/local-government-reform |url-status=live }}

During the Second World War, Ballymena was home to a large number of evacuees from Gibraltar. They were housed with local families.{{cite web|url=http://www.gibraltarnewsonline.com/2005/08/07/ballymena-finds-its-twin-in-gibraltar/ |access-date=13 June 2007 |url-status = usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195315/http://www.gibraltarnewsonline.com/2005/08/07/ballymena-finds-its-twin-in-gibraltar/|title= Ballymena finds its twin in Gibraltar|archive-date=27 September 2007 }}

In the 1950s St Patrick's Barracks in Ballymena was the Regimental Training Depot of the Royal Ulster Rifles (83rd & 86th). Many young men who had been conscripted on the United Kingdom mainland, along with others who had volunteered for service in the British Army, embarked upon their period of basic training in the Regimental Depot, prior to being posted to the regular regimental battalions. Many of these young men were to serve in Korea, Cyprus and with the British Army of the Rhine. In 1968 due to a series of government austerity measures, the remaining three Irish regiments, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (27th) Royal Ulster Rifles (83rd & 86th) and the Royal Irish Fusiliers (89th) merged to become the Royal Irish Rangers. Early in the 1990s the Royal Irish Regiment, whose Regimental Headquarters was at St Patrick's Barracks, was granted the Freedom of the Borough.

Like other towns in Northern Ireland, Ballymena was affected by the Troubles, a lengthy period of religious and partisan tensions and armed confrontations from the 1960s until 1998. A total of eleven people were killed in or near the town by the IRA and various loyalist groups.

During the later half of the 20th century, Ballymena, like many other once prosperous industrial centres in Northern Ireland, experienced economic change and industrial restructuring; many of its former factories closed. Since the 2010s Ballymena has seen a decline in its retail and manufacturing sectors. Both Michelin and JTI have left the area. Local firm Wrightbus is also struggling, citing a downturn in orders. It is hoped that the creation of a manufacturing hub at the former Michelin site will attract businesses to the area.

In March 2000, the actor Liam Neeson, a native of Ballymena, was offered the freedom of the borough by the council, which approved the action by a 12–9 vote. Neeson declined the award, citing tensions, and affirmed he was proud of his connection to the town.{{cite news|url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,1410198,00.html|title='Did you ever do the dead man's shuffle?'|author=Xan Brooks|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=11 February 2005|access-date=28 July 2005|archive-date=18 September 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050918052734/http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,1410198,00.html|url-status=live}} Ian Paisley was eventually made a freeman of Ballymena in December 2004 instead.{{cite web |url=http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?printerFriendly=true&ArtKey=ballymena |title=EIPS – Dr Paisley Given The Freedom of Ballymena |website=Ianpaisley.org |access-date=9 February 2016 |archive-date=18 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418143500/http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?printerFriendly=true&ArtKey=ballymena |url-status=live }}

Ballymena is described by some observers as being at the heart of Northern Ireland's equivalent of the Bible Belt.{{Cite news |title=A plague in God's own town |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/a-plague-in-god-s-own-town-1.221549 |access-date=2023-08-11 |newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811003557/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/a-plague-in-god-s-own-town-1.221549 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/drugs/Story/0,2763,439125,00.html|title=Drugs secret lurks in Ulster's Bible belt|author=Rosie Cowan|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=17 February 2001|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922151625/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/feb/17/drugsandalcohol.rosiecowan|url-status=live}} It has a Protestant majority. In the early 1990s the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)-dominated town council banned a performance by the ELO Part II in the township, saying they would attract "the four Ds Drink, Drugs, Devil and Debauchery".{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/where-drugs-cross-the-religious-divide-513095.html|work=Irish Independent|title=Where drugs cross the religious divide|date=20 February 2000|access-date=13 November 2010|archive-date=20 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120073657/http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/where-drugs-cross-the-religious-divide-513095.html|url-status=live}} The Council banned the screening of Brokeback Mountain (2005), starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, as it featured a homosexual relationship. An impersonator of comic Roy 'Chubby' Brown was also banned.{{cite web|url=http://www.chubbylive.co.uk/latestnewsimages/PNG/chubbylivethesun2009.png|title=Chubby Live |access-date=13 November 2010 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

The majority of the town's Catholic population is situated around the Broughshane and Cushendall Road areas. Recently there has been tension in the Dunclug area of the town which now has a Catholic majority. These tensions have been associated with internment bonfires and the flying of republican flags; the town has tried to reduce tensions.{{cite news |url=http://www.ballymenatimes.com/news?articleid=3089405 |title=News |newspaper=Ballymena Times |access-date=9 February 2016 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306032511/http://www.ballymenatimes.com/news?articleid=3089405 |url-status=live }}

In 2011 it was revealed that Ballymena has the third-highest level of legal gun ownership in Northern Ireland.{{cite news |url=http://www.ballymenatimes.com/news/local/7_929_legal_guns_in_ballymena_1_2900480 |title=7,929 legal guns in Ballymena |newspaper=Ballymena Times |date=26 July 2011 |access-date=9 February 2016 |archive-date=18 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518021628/http://www.ballymenatimes.com/news/local/7_929_legal_guns_in_ballymena_1_2900480 |url-status=live }}

Ballymena competed for city status as part of the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours.{{Cite news|title=Bangor, Ballymena and Coleraine bid to become a city as part of Queen's Jubilee|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/three-ni-towns-bid-to-become-a-city-as-part-of-queens-jubilee-41176762.html|access-date=2021-12-28|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228193855/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/three-ni-towns-bid-to-become-a-city-as-part-of-queens-jubilee-41176762.html|url-status=live}} However, the bid was unsuccessful.

Ballymena was traditionally a market town. The 1980s were a time of job losses in Ballymena as industry suffered and this reoccurred in the 2010s.

Notable employers were Michelin in Broughshane, JTI Gallaher in Galgorm, and Wrightbus.

In November 2012, the Patton Group, a major builder entered administration with the loss of 320 jobs.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20212886 |title=Ballymena firm Patton goes into administration |publisher=BBC News |access-date=9 February 2016 |date=6 November 2012 |archive-date=2 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102215144/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20212886 |url-status=live }}

In October 2014, it was announced that JTI Gallagher's would be closing with a loss of 877 jobs.{{cite news |author=Julian O'Neill |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29531210 |title=JTI Gallaher: Ballymena factory staff given time off to absorb closure news |publisher=BBC News |access-date=9 February 2016 |date=8 October 2014 |archive-date=12 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212220821/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29531210 |url-status=live }}

In November 2015, Michelin decided to close their Ballymena factory after 50 years, resulting in the loss of up to 850 jobs.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34710060|title=Michelin Ballymena tyre factory to close in 2018|author=Julian O'Neill|date=3 November 2015|access-date=9 February 2018|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=15 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415100933/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34710060|url-status=live}}

{{Historical populations

|1821|2740

|1831|4067

|1841|5549

|1851|6136

|1861|6769

|1871|7932

|1881|8883

|1891|8655

|1901|10886

|1911|11381

|1926|11873

|1937|12928

|1951|14173

|1961|14734

|1966|15917

|1971|23386

|1981|18166

|2001|28717

|2011|29551

|2021|31205

|footnote={{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Ballymena%40Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name%3A%20%40Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name%3A%20%20Ballymena%4023%3F | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Ballymena Settlement | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) | access-date = 13 August 2019 | archive-date = 19 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210619004859/https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Ballymena%40Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name%3A%20%40Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name%3A%20%20Ballymena%4023%3F | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/PivotGrid.aspx?ds=4840&lh=69&yn=2001&sk=135&sn=Census%202001&yearfilter=2001 | title = Census 2001 Usually Resident Population: KS01 (Settlements) – Table view | page = 1 | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) | access-date = 13 August 2019 | archive-date = 23 September 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210923152256/https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/Home.aspx | url-status = live }}1813 estimate from Mason's Statistical Survey For a discussion on the accuracy of pre-famine census returns see J. J. Lee "On the accuracy of the pre-famine Irish censuses Irish Population, Economy and Society edited by JM Goldstrom and LA Clarkson (1981) p54, in and also New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850 by Joel Mokyr and Cormac Ó Gráda in The Economic History Review, New Series, Vol. 37, No. 4 (Nov 1984), pp. 473–488.

}}

On census day (21 March 2021) there were 31,205 people living in Ballymena. Of these:

• 51.6% of the usually resident population were female, and 48.4% were male.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Sex (MS-A07) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=UR_SEX&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}
• 59.53% belong to or were brought up 'Protestant and other (non-Catholic Christian) (including Christian related)', 27.44% belong to or were brought up 'Catholic', 1.06% belong to or were brought up in an 'other religion' and 11.97% did not belong to or were not brought up in any religion.{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818152738/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |url-status=live }}
• 55.98% indicated that they had a British national identity,{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818152741/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |url-status=live }} 31.28% had a Northern Irish national identity,{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818152732/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |url-status=live }} 12.31% had an Irish national identity,{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818152735/https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |url-status=live }} and 16.19% indicated an 'other' national identity.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National identity (person based) – basic detail (classification 1) (MS-B15) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BASIC&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
• 17.74% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots and 6.18% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge).{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Ulster-Scots (MS-B08) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=ULSTER_SCOTS_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Irish (MS-B05) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=IRISH_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000099 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}

On census day (27 March 2011) there were 29,551 people living in Ballymena, accounting for 1.63% of the NI total, representing an increase of 2.9% on the 2001 census population of 28,717. Of these:

• 19.20% were aged under 16 years and 17.61% were aged 65 and over.
• 52.00% of the usually resident population were female 48.00% were male.
• 65.76% belong to or were brought up 'Protestant and other (non-Catholic Christian) (including Christian related)' and 26.71% belong to or were brought up Catholic Christian.
• 65.51% indicated that they had a British national identity, 27.66% had a Northern Irish national identity and 11.25% had an Irish national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity).
• 39 years was the average (median) age of the population.
• 17.67% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots and 5.66% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge).

There are a number of educational establishments in the town. These include:

• Primary Schools
• Ballymena Primary School
• Braidside Integrated Primary School
• Dunclug Primary School
• St. Brigid's Primary School
• St. Colmcille's Primary School
• Secondary schools
• Ballymena Academy
• Cambridge House Grammar School
• Dunclug College
• Slemish College
• St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena
• St Patrick's College, Ballymena
• Further and Higher Education
• Northern Regional College

Ballymena railway station opened on 4 December 1855. A station was opened at Harryville on 24 August 1878, but closed on 3 June 1940.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

The Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway operated narrow gauge railway services from Ballymena to Parkmore from 1875 to 1940.{{cite book |last= Baker |first= Michael HC |title= Irish Narrow Gauge Railways. A View from the Past|publisher= Ian Allan Publishing|year= 1999 |isbn= 0-7110-2680-7 }}

The Ballymena and Larne Railway was another narrow gauge railway. The line opened in 1878, but closed to passengers in 1933 and to goods traffic in 1940. Between 1878 and 1880 the line terminated at Harryville, but was then extended to the town's main railway station.

Association football clubs in the area include Ballymena United F.C., Coaching For Christ, Southside Rangers F.C. and Wakehurst F.C.{{cite web|url=https://www.teamstats.net/teams/football/ballymena|title=Ballymena|publisher=Team Stats|access-date=8 November 2022|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108160838/https://www.teamstats.net/teams/football/ballymena|url-status=live}}

Ballymena RFC is a local rugby union club.{{cite news|url=https://ulster.rugby/content/ballymena-rfc-wins-participation-award|title=Ballymena RFC Wins Participation Award|access-date=8 November 2022|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108160503/https://ulster.rugby/content/ballymena-rfc-wins-participation-award|url-status=live}}

All Saints GAC is the only Gaelic Athletic Association club in the town.

Ballymena Golf Club was founded in 1903.{{fact|date=January 2025}}

Other Ballymena sports clubs include Ballymena Cricket Club, Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club and Ballymena Bowling Club.{{cite web|url=http://www.bryansbowls.me.uk/ballymenabowls.htm |title=Ballymena Bowls |publisher=Bryansbowls.me.uk |date=9 April 2000 |access-date=25 March 2013 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226203526/http://www.bryansbowls.me.uk/ballymenabowls.htm |archive-date=26 February 2012 }}

Townlands are traditional land divisions used in Ireland. Ballymena covers all or part of the following townlands:

• Ballee ({{derive|ga|Baile Aodha|Hugh's townland}}){{cite web |title=Ballee |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A24173 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111125842/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:24173 |url-status=live }}
• Ballycreggy (from Baile na Creige, 'townland of the rock/rocky land'){{cite web |title=Ballycreggy |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A24217 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111125831/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:24217 |url-status=live }}
• Ballykeel (from An Baile Caol, 'the narrow townland/farmstead'){{cite web |title=Ballykeel |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A24483 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111125831/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:24483 |url-status=live }}
• Ballyloughan (from Baile Locháin, 'townland of the little lake'){{cite web |title=Ballyloughan |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A24703 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111125841/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:24703 |url-status=live }}
• Bottom
• Brocklamont (historically Broghnamolt, from Bruach na Molt, 'bank of the wethers'){{cite web |title=Brocklamont |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A24757 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111125831/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:24757 |url-status=live }}
• Carniny (probably from Carn Fhainche, 'Fainche's cairn'){{cite web |title=Carniny |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A24768 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111125833/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:24768 |url-status=live }}
• Dunclug (from Dún Cloig, 'fort of the bell'){{cite web |title=Dunclug |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A20684 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111125831/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:20684 |url-status=live }}
• Galgorm (from Gall Gorm, 'blue castle', referring to a castle of the McQuillans which was burnt down in 1641){{cite web |title=Galgorm |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A23308 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111125839/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:23308 |url-status=live }}
• Town Parks of Ballymena (from An Baile Meánach, 'the middle townland/farmstead'){{cite web |title=Town Parks of Ballymena |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734%3A23433 |website=Northern Ireland Place-Names Project |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111134836/https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9b31e0501b744154b4584b1dce1f859b/page/Place-Name-Info/?data_id=dataSource_1-PlaceNames_Gazeteer_No_Global_IDs_3734:23433 |url-status=live }}

{{Weather box

|location = Portglenone (64m elevation) 1981–2010

|collapsed =

|metric first = y

|single line = y

|Jan high C = 6.9

|Feb high C = 7.4

|Mar high C = 9.5

|Apr high C = 11.7

|May high C = 14.6

|Jun high C = 16.9

|Jul high C = 18.6

|Aug high C = 18.3

|Sep high C = 16.2

|Oct high C = 12.7

|Nov high C = 9.4

|Dec high C = 7.2

|year high C = 12.5

|Jan low C = 1.7

|Feb low C = 1.5

|Mar low C = 2.8

|Apr low C = 4.2

|May low C = 6.5

|Jun low C = 9.2

|Jul low C = 11.2

|Aug low C = 11.0

|Sep low C = 9.4

|Oct low C = 6.6

|Nov low C = 3.8

|Dec low C = 2.1

|year low C = 5.9

|Jan rain mm = 91.4

|Feb rain mm = 60.8

|Mar rain mm = 77.9

|Apr rain mm = 64.2

|May rain mm = 64.0

|Jun rain mm = 70.0

|Jul rain mm = 77.5

|Aug rain mm = 88.5

|Sep rain mm = 79.5

|Oct rain mm = 101.1

|Nov rain mm = 89.6

|Dec rain mm = 89.2

|year rain mm = 953.6

|unit rain days= 1.0 mm

|Jan rain days = 16.2

|Feb rain days = 12.6

|Mar rain days = 14.6

|Apr rain days = 12.8

|May rain days = 13.6

|Jun rain days = 12.2

|Jul rain days = 14.5

|Aug rain days = 13.9

|Sep rain days = 14.8

|Oct rain days = 16.7

|Nov rain days = 15.8

|Dec rain days = 15.8

|year rain days = 173.5

|source 1 = metoffice.gov.uk{{cite web

| url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcg2j5f5u

| title=Climate Normals 1981–2010

| publisher=Met Office

| access-date=24 February 2021

| archive-date=19 June 2021

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619064925/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcg2j5f5u

| url-status=live

}}

| date=24 February 2021

}}

{{See also|Category:People from Ballymena}}

• Ethna Carbery, journalist, writer, poet, as well as a founding member and vice president of Inghinidhe na hÉireann.
• Ian Cochrane, novelist.
• Graham Forsythe, the Canadian artist, was born in Ballymena.
• Jackie Fullerton, BBC Sports broadcaster.
• Joanne Hogg, a vocalist, was born in Ballymena.
• Ronald Mason, a Head of Programmes for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Head of Radio Drama, was born and raised in Ballymena.
• David McWilliams, singer, songwriter and guitarist was born in Belfast and moved to Ballymena at the age of 3.
• George Millar, singer, founding member of the musical group The Irish Rovers, born and raised in Ballymena.
• Liam Neeson, the Oscar-nominated actor, was born and raised in Ballymena and was awarded the Freedom of the Town on 28 January 2013. The key to the city was also provided pending approval from the magistrate.
• James Nesbitt, actor, born 15 January 1965 in Ballymena.
• Clodagh Rodgers, pop singer

• Roger Casement, human rights activist in the Congo Free State and Peru, and Irish nationalist, was educated as a youth in this town. His father died and was buried here; relatives on both sides of his family cared for Roger and his brother Tom when they were orphaned.
• James McHenry, signatory of the United States Constitution.
• Wauhope Lynn (1856–1920), American lawyer, judge, and politician
• Ian Paisley, the former First Minister and founder of the Free Presbyterian Church, was raised in Ballymena.
• Richard Seymour, Marxist writer, activist and owner of the blog Lenin's Tomb.
• Derrick White, writer and Scottish socialist

• Professor Darwin Caldwell, robotics expert and leader of iCub project.
• Sir Samuel Curran, physicist, inventor of the Scintillation Counter, and founder of Strathclyde University, was born in Ballymena.

• Alexander Campbell, leader in the Restoration Movement in the United States.
• James McKeown, founder of the Pentecostal movement in the Gold Coast (now Ghana)

• Alexander Wright, a Victoria Cross recipient during the Crimean War, was born in the town.

• Timothy Eaton, the Canadian businessman who founded Eaton's department store, was born in Ballymena.

• Steven Davis, Rangers F.C. and Northern Ireland International midfielder was born in Ballymena, though raised in Cullybackey.
• Jamie Hamilton, motorcycle racer.
• David Humphreys, Ulster and Ireland fly-half.
• Ian Humphreys, Ulster and Ireland fly-half and brother of David.
• Sharon Hutchings (née McPeake, born 22 June 1962) is a former high jumper from Northern Ireland. She won a silver medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh with a lifetime best of {{convert|1.90|m|abbr=off}}
• Eamonn Loughran, former WBO World Welterweight Champion
• Matt McCullough, Ulster and Ireland rugby player.
• Tom McKinney, Jed-Forest rugby union; Salford, Warrington, St Helens, Great Britain rugby league footballer.
• Syd Millar, the former Ireland rugby player and former chairman of the IRB, was born in Ballymena; in 2004 he was awarded the Freedom of the town.
• Colin Murdock, Preston North End F.C. and former Northern Ireland international.
• Mary Peters, Northern Irish Olympian, was raised in Ballymena.
• Jamie Smith, Irish Schools, Irish Universities, Ulster Rugby and Gwent Dragons ex-Rugby Union player. Raised in Ahoghill. Has the nickname "Big Ahoghill".
• Nigel Worthington, former Northern Ireland, Ballymena United and Sheffield Wednesday left-back, as well as being the former international team manager.
• Bryan Young, Ulster and Ireland international rugby player.

• {{flagicon|GIB}} Gibraltar{{cite news|url=https://euroweeklynews.com/2021/05/13/twinning-signs-placed-in-three-prominent-spots-around-gibraltar/|title=Twinning signs placed in three prominent spots around Gibraltar|newspaper=EuroWeekly News|first=John|last=Smith|date=13 May 2021|access-date=22 May 2023|archive-date=22 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522214000/https://euroweeklynews.com/2021/05/13/twinning-signs-placed-in-three-prominent-spots-around-gibraltar/|url-status=live}}
• {{flagicon|IRE}} Castlebar, Ireland{{cite web |title=Mayo's county town was awarded European flag in 1967 |url=https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/05/07/mayos-county-town-was-awarded-european-flag-in-1967/ |website=Connaught Telegraph |access-date=11 August 2023 |date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811014132/https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/05/07/mayos-county-town-was-awarded-european-flag-in-1967/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Liam Neeson and Michael Collins went toe-to-toe in TF |url=https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2018/05/25/liam-neeson-and-michael-collins-went-toe-to-toe-in-tf/ |website=Connaught Telegraph |date=25 May 2018 |access-date=11 August 2023 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811014131/https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2018/05/25/liam-neeson-and-michael-collins-went-toe-to-toe-in-tf/ |url-status=live }}

{{Commons category|Ballymena}}

• Market houses in Northern Ireland
• List of localities in Northern Ireland by population
• Slemish Mountain

{{reflist}}

• "Battle Over Ballymena's Heroes." (8 March 2000). Belfast News Letter, p. 1.
• Judd, Terri. (9 March 2000). "Old hatreds Flare Over Neeson Freedom Award." The Independent (London), p. 7.
• Watson-Smyth, Kate. (23 March 2000). "Row Over Religion Sours Ballymena's Award to Actor." The Independent (London), p. 12.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311025523/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=16&to=317&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Ballymena on the Culture Northern Ireland website.]
• Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of County Antrim V111, Vol 23, 1831–5,1837–8. The Institute of Irish Studies, The Queens University Belfast. {{ISBN|0-85389-466-3}}

{{commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Ballymena |volume=3 |short=x}}
• [http://www.libraryireland.com/UlsterDirectory1910/Ballymena.php/ Ballymena Directory for 1910]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/02/cracking_crime/my_area/results/html/95g.stm BBC crime figures for Ballymena]

{{NorthernIrishTowns}}

{{County Antrim}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Planned communities in Northern Ireland