Ballymoney – Town and Heritage Trail

Overview

Ballymoney (Irish: Baile Monaidh, “homestead on the peatland”) is a compact market town of 11,048 residents (2021) on the A26 between Belfast and Coleraine. It serves as a gateway to the dramatic Causeway Coast and is only a few minutes’ drive from the iconic Dark Hedges. The town’s lively calendar includes Ireland’s oldest drama festival and the historic Ballymoney Show, while its pedestrian‑friendly centre invites visitors to explore a rich tapestry of civic, religious and commercial heritage.

History / Background

The settlement first appears in mid‑16th‑century English records as “Ballymonyn”, noting a bishop’s house, castle and church. After the 1641 rebellion the original buildings vanished, but the tower of the 1637 church built by Sir Randal MacDonnell survives as the oldest standing structure.

Archaeological evidence from sites such as Dooey’s Cairn and Craigs Dolmen shows human activity on the surrounding moorland from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, through the Bronze and Iron Ages. Viking raids along the River Bann and later Norman motte‑and‑bailey fortifications at Drumart, Knockahollet and Lissanoure left further layers of history.

In the early 1600s lowland Scottish planters arrived under the MacDonnells, establishing a strong Presbyterian community that later supplied emigrants to New England (notably five ships in 1718). Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries Ballymoney thrived as a linen‑trading hub, exporting grain, butter and pork, and gaining a railway link to Belfast and Derry by 1860.

The 20th century brought industrial change – the last flax‑spinning mill closed in 1959 and the town briefly housed Ireland’s only camera manufacturer, K.G. Corfield (1965‑71). The Troubles claimed 14 lives, including the tragic 1998 UVF petrol‑bomb attack that killed three children. Recent investment has revitalised the economy, highlighted by a €6.8 million expansion of McAuley Engineering (2015) and a £9 million upgrade of Terex’s metal‑fabrication plant (2022).

Heritage Trail Highlights

The self‑guided Ballymoney Heritage Trail is a 2.5‑mile walk that starts and finishes at the Townhead Street Car Park opposite the Tourist Information Centre. Sixteen built‑heritage assets are linked in four thematic clusters:

• Civic Core – Ballymoney Town Hall (1866, Georgian), now home to the Arts, Museum and Visitor Information Centre, and the Masonic Hall & Town Clock (1775) commissioned by the 6th Earl of Antrim.
• Religious Heritage – Old Church Tower (1637), the town’s oldest structure, plus St James’s Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church and the Church of Our Lady & St Patrick.
• Commercial Remnants – The former Northern Bank Building, Old Court House, Old Bankhouse and the former Railway Station Building.
• Memorial Spaces – The Joey Dunlop Memorial Garden on Seymour Street honours the 24‑time Ulster Grand Prix champion, while the Kirgan Monument adds a Victorian commemorative touch.

A concise table of the key stops:

The trail is fully wheelchair‑accessible, with smooth footpaths, accessible toilets and clear signage.

Future Greenway – The Greenway of Thrones

Local campaigners, supported by nigreenways.com, are working to transform the disused Ballymoney‑to‑Ballycastle narrow‑gauge railway (opened 1880, closed 1950) into a traffic‑free Greenway of Thrones. Highlights of the proposal include:

• A small stone bridge near Knock Road, once used by steam trains, that would become a picturesque crossing for walkers and cyclists.
• The 66‑yard Capecastle Tunnel near Islandarragh Road, still in good condition, offering a unique underground experience.
• Existing Riverside Park pathways that already follow much of the old trackbed, providing a flat, scenic route.
• Connection to the wider Causeway Coast cycling network via the upgraded A26, creating a continuous corridor from Ballymoney to Ballycastle.

While the full greenway is still in planning, the current pathways are well‑marked, wheelchair‑friendly and dog‑friendly (leash required).

Local Events Calendar

• Ballymoney Drama Festival – Established in 1933, this is Ireland’s oldest drama festival. Performances run throughout June and July in the Town Hall Arts space.
• Ballymoney Show – An agricultural exhibition dating back to 1902, held each August on the Showgrounds, featuring livestock displays, crafts, and local food stalls.
• Halloween Happenings (October 2026) – The Showgrounds on North Road hosts a town‑wide programme of live music, spooky characters, fireworks and family‑friendly entertainment. Tickets are available online; the event runs the Halloween weekend.
• Seasonal Workshops at Town Hall – May 2026 programmes include Beginners Painting (Tuesdays) and Quilting – Patterns of Movement (Thursdays), both 18+ with materials supplied.

Family‑Friendly Attractions Nearby

• Riverside Park (0.5 mi) – 40‑acre urban park with riverside walks, playgrounds and picnic areas.
• Rosepark Farm (4 mi) – Family‑run farm with animal encounters, a large pond, the Blue Lagoon inland beach, playgrounds, zip‑line and a tearoom serving homemade scones.
• Camus Wood (4.3 mi) – Wooded picnic spot on the Lower River Bann, popular with walkers.
• Mountsandel Fort (6.5 mi) – Neolithic settlement with interpretive signage.
• The Blackheath Pottery (6.8 mi) – Independent studio and shop producing hand‑thrown ceramics.
• Armoy (7 mi) – Home of the Dark Hedges and the annual Armoy Road Races (link to Armoy).

Accommodation

• Narrow Gauge B&B – Family‑run, two ensuite rooms, secure motorbike parking, free Wi‑Fi and a TV lounge. Located a five‑minute walk from the Town Hall and the Joey & Robert Dunlop Memorial Gardens. Pets are not accepted.
• Self‑catering cottages and guest‑houses – Various options throughout Ballymoney and the surrounding countryside, many of which are dog‑friendly (leash required).

Ballymoney Museum

The museum, housed within Ballymoney Town Hall, offers a permanent exhibition covering the area’s history from the Mesolithic era to modern motor‑sport heroes. It also provides a resource area for genealogy research. Opening hours are Monday‑Saturday 09:30‑13:00 and 13:30‑16:30; closed on Sundays.

Practical Information

• Access: The Heritage Trail follows public footpaths and is fully wheelchair‑friendly. Dogs are permitted on the route but must be kept on a leash.
• Visitor Information Centre (inside Town Hall): free Wi‑Fi, induction loop, accessible toilets, lifts, a gift shop, and printed maps in several languages. Open Mon‑Sat 09:00‑17:00, closed Sunday.
• Guides: Free printed guides are available at the TIC (phone 028 2766 0230) or can be downloaded from the Discover Northern Ireland website.
• Parking: Townhead Street Car Park offers free on‑street parking for trail users. Limited parking is available near the Dark Hedges; consider car‑share or public transport. The Hedges Hotel provides a small car park for visitors to the Dark Hedges.
• Transport: Ballymoney railway station lies on the Belfast‑Derry line with regular services. Bus routes connect the town to Coleraine, Ballycastle and the Giant’s Causeway.
• Accessibility: The trail and Town Hall facilities are fully accessible, with lifts, accessible toilets and an induction‑loop system.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Ballymoney’s layered past, where every stone tells a story of settlement, industry, faith and community.