Discover Ballymoney: History, Trails and Motorcycle Legends

Ballymoney combines local history, architectural heritage and open parkland with memorial sites dedicated to international motorcycle racing. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Ballymoney can therefore shape their stay around different interests: one day can take you to the museum and along the Heritage Trail, another to Riverside Park or the Memorial Gardens. Events and a swimming pool also add to the possible travel plans.

History in the Town Hall and along the Heritage Trail

Ballymoney Museum is located in the Town Hall. Its permanent exhibition covers the history of the region from the earliest times. It also includes the mysterious Derrykeighan Stone. The museum therefore offers a focused introduction to the region's past before you explore Ballymoney yourself on a walking tour.

The Ballymoney Heritage Trail is a 2.5-mile, self-guided walk through the town's architectural heritage. It starts at the Townhead Street Car Park. The designated route is suitable for travellers who want to combine sightseeing with exercise while getting to know individual buildings and Ballymoney's historical character. Following its official reopening, Ballymoney Town Hall also became the venue for the Ballymoney Drama Festival.

Riverside Park: Parkland by the River

For a quieter part of the day, there is Riverside Park. It covers around 40 acres, or 16 hectares, of open parkland. The Ballymoney River runs alongside the entire length of the park. A shared cycle and footpath runs through the grounds and forms part of NCN Route 96.

The park was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2015. Travellers who value a mix of cultural attractions and outdoor paths when choosing accommodation can consider Riverside Park an important reference point for planning their day. The stay can be divided between a museum visit, a walking tour and time outdoors according to the preferred pace.

Events and practical additions

The Ballymoney Show takes place annually on the first weekend in June. It also hosts the Northern Irish football championships of the YFCU. If your stay falls during this period, the show is one of the special dates you can take into account when planning your trip.

Swimming sessions at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre can also be booked in advance by purchasing a Swim Ticket. This is a practical way to add a scheduled swimming-pool visit to your stay. Rosepark Farm is also located near Ballymoney at 98 Bravallen Road, around four miles outside Ballymoney.

Memorial sites dedicated to the Dunlop family

The Dunlop Memorial Gardens offer visitors a place to reflect on international motorcycle racing legends. Joey Dunlop was born in Ballymoney in 1952. In February 2022, a life-size statue of William Dunlop was unveiled in the Dunlop Memorial Gardens. The Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden contains a polished granite obelisk and a bronze sculpture of Robert.

These places give Ballymoney a distinctive cultural theme that extends beyond conventional town history. Travellers interested in racing, biographies and public memorial sites can develop a dedicated focus for their stay from this. Together with the museum and the Heritage Trail, this creates a travel plan that combines several forms of history.

Further destination ideas for planning your trip

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Ballymoney, you can find the corresponding destination pages here: Cushendall, Templepatrick, Larne, Dunadry, Antrim, Carnlough, Crumlin and Newtownabbey.

To the higher-level travel overview: Antrim.