We are always looking at ways to make it easier for you to engage with us at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
We welcome your queries, comments and suggestions. You can contact us directly by telephone on 0300 124 5000
You can visit or write to us at any of the offices listed to the right:
Ballymena (Civic headquarters)
The Braid
1-29 Bridge Street
Ballymena
BT43 5EJ
Carrickfergus Civic Centre 11 Antrim Street
Carrickfergus
BT38 7DG
Larne
Larne Market Yard Station Road
Larne
BT40 3AA
Keep up-to-date
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MEA Borough Council X.com/mea_bc instagram.com/meaboroughcouncil
Alternative Formats
If you would like this publication in an alternative format such as large print, please contact us at communications@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5000
This magazine will also be printed in limited quantities and presented in our main Council offices, plus available to read online at www.issuu.com/meabc
Mid and East Antrim Borough has a vibrant arts and cultural programme, which brings you theatre, arts, exhibitions, museums, heritage and more! Experience a diverse range of exciting and acclaimed performances in our many venues. Be Inspired by the wide range of exhibitions in one of our temporary gallery spaces across the borough. Learn new skills in music, performance, literary arts, dance, arts or crafts. Uncover and engage with the rich heritage of Mid and East Antrim by visiting our three local museums. Keep the whole family entertained, Enjoy seasonal events and make special memories to cherish. We can’t wait for you to visit and experience a land shaped by sea and stone!
Theatre
Jake O’Kane
Saturday 11 Jan
Starting 8pm
The Braid, Ballymena
Jake O’Kane, one of the country’s most popular stand-up comics returns along with the talented Terry McHugh for his annual end of year review show.A high-tech presentation of photos and videos picking apart the great, the good and the not so good from the previous year.
As always, the backbone of the show remains Jake’s unique mix of political satire and personal observations covering his struggles with ageing, modern technology and his beloved Protestant and halflings.
If you’re one of Jake’s army of fans you’ll already know who the Protestant and halflings are; if you don’t, then you won’t regret buying a ticket to find out.
Tickets: £26.50
(Including booking fee)
Suitable for ages 16+
Strong Language
Stars of Country Show
Saturday 18 Jan
Starting 8pm
The Braid, Ballymena
‘The Stars of Country Show’ returns for another night of memorable toetapping magic!
The stellar line-up includes the hilarious Gary Gamble and his surreal impressions of Daniel O Donnell, the young social media phenomenon Owen Mac , the yodelling king from Tyrone Kenny Archer, the hugely popular Curtis Magee, the rising star of Country music Gavin Gribben and his hit song Pub Crawl.
All Accompanied by top backing duo Country Harmony. One thing is for sure if its country music you like then this is the show for you!
Tickets: £26.50
(Including booking fee)
Colin Murphy: Murphy Beacoup
Friday 24 Jan
Starting 8pm
The Braid, Ballymena
After his sell out dates with his Colinization and Whatchamacolin tours, Colin is back out on the road in 2025 with his hilarious new show Murphy Beaucoup! He examines, amongst many other things, dog poo etiquette, living in the future and being on the same planet as other humans who have the bare faced cheek to be younger than you. There will be a lot of the usual winging it with the audience, gratuitous swearing and scenes of a sexual nature.
Tickets: £21.50 (Including booking fee) Suitable for: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Ulster Orchestra On Your Doorstep: Young Romantics
Thursday 30 Jan
Starting 8pm
The Braid, Ballymena
The Ulster Orchestra is delighted to return to the Braid with a programme full of rich emotion and musical drama – the perfect antidote to the January blues!
Bruch’s Violin Concerto is widely considered the best violin concerto of all time. Ukrainian Aleksey Semenenko will bring it to life under the baton of Alpesh Chauhan and with the full Ulster Orchestra in support.
The Ulster Orchestra also performs Mendelssohn’s Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, the exuberant, tempestuous Overture No.2 by Louise Farrenc and Schumann’s intensely passionate Symphony No 4.
Don’t miss this opportunity.
Tickets: £18 (Including booking fee)
Theatre
The Fureys
Friday 31 Jan
Starting 8pm
The Braid, Ballymena
Legends of Irish music & song, The FUREYS renowned for their hit songs ‘I will love you’, ‘When you were sweet 16’, ‘The Green fields of France’, etc return for their eighth concert at The Braid.
They are particularly proud of their UK chart success which in turn helped bring Irish folk and traditional music to a completely new audience.
Tickets: £31.50 (Including booking fee)
Give My Head Peace
Thursday 20 March
Starting 8pm
The Braid, Ballymena
A brand-new show from the Give My Head Peace gang. Da, Cal, Ma, Billy the Peeler, Dympna, Pastor Begbie and Sandy the Kneebreakers Barman are back with their unique take on life and the year’s events in Northern Ireland.
There will be topical jokes, satire, the odd song and barnstorming stand-up comedy from Tim McGarry.
Tickets: £29
Suitable for ages 14+ with parental guidance
Cash Returns
Saturday 22 March
Starting 8pm
The Braid, Ballymena
Europe’s no.1 Johnny Cash & June Carter tribute ‘Cash Returns’ are back and are set to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the box office hit film , Walk The Line’ - that starred Joaquin Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon.
Join JP Mac as the man in black and Karen Martin as June Carter along with this spectacular 9 piece show as they pay homage to the 2005 hit film based on the life and career of country music’s biggest star and how he met the love of his life.
This much revered act is the only live show that will give the full authentic Johnny Cash & June Carter experience.
Tickets: £26 Suitable for all ages.
Theatre
GBL Productions
Thursdays with Elvis
Monday 24 March
Starting 7.30pm
The Braid, Ballymena
Lana is a single mother of 12-year-old Libby. She struggles with the cost of living and the rising price of Prosecco, whilst trying to survive on Universal Credit.
She can’t even afford a night out. So every Thursday night she and her wee christian friend, Mary Magdalene Miriam, doll themselves up and have a wee drink and
listen to Lana’s mother’s music from the 1950s and 60s. She gets the shock of her life when one Thursday night Elvis appears - and returns every week.
Is this rock n’ roll apparition real, imagined or an impersonator sent by her Elvis-obsessed father?
When Elvis and Lana duet the house will be rocking like never before!
Is Lana caught in a trap of poverty forever? Or does Elvis have an exciting idea that might just turn her life around?
Tickets: £28.50 (Including booking fee) Suitable for ages 16+.
THURSDAYS WITH
ACHILLES NEIL
Our comedy hero is back on the road with a brand new epic standup show. Join one of Ireland’s favourite comics as he takes on life’s absurdities in his own inimitable way. A celebration of the altogether too frequent weaknesses that make us human. Don’t miss the hilarious Achilles Neil.
Suitable for ages 18+.
Saturday 12 April
Starting 8pm
The Braid, Ballymena
Tickets: £26 (Including booking fee)
Exhibition
Arthur Armstrong: A Centenary Exhibition: Celebrating a Carrickfergus-born Artist
Saturday 2 Nov - Saturday 1 March
Mon - Sat, 10am-4pm Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Born in Carrickfergus in 1924, Arthur Armstrong went on to become one of the leading Northern Irish painters of his generation. Although he came late to art as a career, having originally started training as an architect, Armstrong found early recognition and was soon part of the group around Gerard Dillon and George Campbell.
His work is in collections including National Museums Northern
Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, Malaga Museum of Fine Arts and Limerick Municipal Art Gallery. This exhibition will bring paintings from the museum’s collection together with a substantial number from private collections to create the first notable exhibition of Armstrong’s work since an Arts Council of Northern Ireland retrospective in 1980.
Long Exposure: A Retrospective Exhibition by James Hughes
Saturday 16 Nov - Saturday 22 March
The Braid, Ballymena
Award winning photographer James Hughes shares his photographic legacy from forty years behind the camera lens. A Ballymena man, Hughes has a unique ability to turn the everyday into something intangible and full of pathos. This is the first time that his personally curated exhibition of work since the 1980s has been on show, and fittingly it is being hosted in his own native town.
Discover more at: : BraidMuseum@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Three Larne ‘Yins Made a Clock
Friday 6 Dec 2024 - Friday 17 Jan 2025
Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
This display of watch and clock related items features a private collection of grandfather clocks owned by father and son, Paul and Daniel Edge. The exhibition will include clocks by three Larne clockmakers: John Graisberry, John Knox and Alexander Robinson. The exhibition includes Saturday opening on 7 December 2024 and 4 January 2025.
MV Princess Victoria 72nd Anniversarry Exhibition
Monday 27 Jan - Saturday 1 Feb
Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
An exhibition commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the MV Princess Victoria disaster in 1953.
Telling the story of the ship and the events of that day, the exhibition will include letters of sympathy sent to the family of James Arthur Morrow of Carnalbanagh, who was lost in the disaster, and a policeman’s notebook which records details of bodies retrieved following the sinking of the MV Princess Victoria.
Exhibition
The Presence of Absence: Photographic Exhibition by Trevor Ferris
Friday 7 Feb - Wed 26 Feb
Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
From a selection of several hundred images taken over many decades including images of Harland and Wolff’s design drawing offices where the intricate details of the Olympic Class ships were once penned and then built, this exhibition includes recently discovered negatives and prints of the Titanic and Olympic class ocean liners, providing a unique opportunity to enjoy these previously unseen historical photographs within a modern concept of photographic work.
This body of work relates to a contemporary ‘snapshot in time’ around Belfast Lough, covering shipbuilding, maritime
history and the docks. The thread that links these photographs is the interweaving of the present with the now absent traces of our industrial past and those who worked there.
The physical dimension may be gone forever, but there is still a presence by its absence.
Magheramorne Manifesto
Saturday 1 March - Sat 29 March
Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
Mini-exhibition on the Magheramorne Manifesto of July 1905, featuring material connected to the Independent Loyal Orange Institution and the Manifesto, which was seen as supporting Home Rule, including regalia, the only known photo of Magheramorne Independent Orange Lodge, documents and literature relating to the manifesto. Includes opening on Sat 1 and 29 March
Larne Art Club
Annual Exhibition
Monday 3 March - Sat 29 March
Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
Annual exhibition and sale of works by members of Larne Art Club. Original works in a variety of mediums and genres.
The exhibition includes Saturday opening on 29 March.
Carrickfergus Art Club Spring Exhibition
Saturday 8 March - Sat 22 March
Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Carrickfergus Art Club’s Spring Exhibition will feature compositions produced in a wide range of mediums, such as oil, acrylic, oil pastels, and more, and covers a wide range of subjects, including landscapes and animals.
OUR ANCIENT HERITAGE
An exhibition exploring the significance of pre-medieval sites in the Ballymena area and the local folk lore that is associated with them. Alongside academic research, local musician and storyteller Willie Drennan explores the possibility of colourful alternatives beyond the history books – with stunning imagery by photographer and film maker David McClean.
Wednesday 26 March - Monday 28 April
Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm The Braid, Ballymena
Exhibition
The Fiddle and The Fife Exhibition
Thurs 27 March - Sat 29 March
Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm
Pop Up Shop at the Tower Centre on Wellington Street, Ballymena
The Fiddle and Fife Project in Mid and East Antrim aims to promote and preserve our rich local musical and cultural heritage through the exhibition and preservation of artefacts, video, photographic, and audio recording.
This project is a creative collaboration between Mid-Antrim Museum and local musicians Johnny Murphy, Willie Drennan and David McClean. Recently returned from a tour in early 2025 to the Burnavon Theatre in Cookstown, The Fiddle and The Fife exhibition highlights significant local traditional music players and the cross over in laying styles and instruments between local communities in the Ballymena area.
Larne Camera Club
Spring Exhibition
Monday 7 April - Sat 10 May
Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
The Larne Camera Club Spring Exhibition will feature a wide range subjects photographed by local photographers.
Re-imagining the Islandmagee Witches
Fri 4 April - Fri 2 May
Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm
Includes Saturday opening on 5, 26 April
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
A chance to experience a taster of the spell-binding exhibition developed in conjunction with Ulster University. The display tells the story of the last witch trial in Ireland, which took place in Carrickfergus in 1711.
Workshops & Talks
Storytime
Saturday 4 Jan
Saturday 1 Feb
Starting 10.30am
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
Join us for a free interactive storytelling session with themed activities based on a children’s storybook. Booking preferable.
Discover more at: : 028 28 262443 : marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Suitable for ages 4-11.
Arthur Armstrong Painting Workshop: Seascapes
Saturday 18 Jan
10.30am - 12.30pm
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Learn to paint using the techniques of Arthur Armstrong. To celebrate the centenary of the east Antrim artist Carrickfergus Museum is hosting this two-hour workshop - create your own seascape or coastal painting. Equipment and materials provided.
Arthur Armstrong
Painting Workshop: Still Life
Saturday 1 Feb
10.30am - 12.30pm
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Learn to paint abstract still life art using the techniques of Arthur Armstrong. To celebrate the centenary of the east Antrim artist Carrickfergus Museum is hosting this two-hour workshop – create your own abstract sill life painting. All equipment and materials are provided.
Super Saturday!
Vintage Victorian Valentine
Saturday 1 Feb
11am - 12pm
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Join us for stories, songs and crafts. Make a card based on vintage Valentine cards in the museum’s collection for someone you love.
A Playful Museums Festival event.
Suitable for ages 1-5.
Thursday 6 March, 7.30pm
The beauty of stained glass is often breathtaking, in this presentation we will look at some wonderful examples. The talk features two of the most unique examples in Northern Ireland. This is a free event, however places are limited and should be booked in advance
Larne Museum & Arts Centre 2 Victoria Road, Larne, BT40 1RN
E: marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
T: 028 2826 2443
Workshops & Talks
Deadly Dragons!
Saturday 15 Feb
Session 1: 10.30am
Session 2: 11.30am
The Braid, Ballymena
As part of the Northern Ireland Museums Council Playful Museums Festival 2025 come along for a storytelling and craft workshop led by Kathleen’s attic and meet our brass dragons from their secret lair in Ballymena Castle!
Find out more about the castle and meet some interesting characters along with way and take home your own little dragon.
Suitable for 3-5 year olds, children must be accompanied by a care giver. Places should be booked in advance.
Fun with Fossils
Saturday 22 Feb 10am - 3pm
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Come and make fossils with plaster of Paris and fossil moulds and find out from experts about our local fossils. You can bring home your own handmade replicas and learn a little bit about where they lived and why they are important. The museum has fossils that were collected by local antiquarian, Rev Canon J.C Rutherford and you will be able to see these and other local fossils, such as ammonites and sea urchins.
Join us for a free interactive storytelling session with themed activities based on a children’s storybook. Booking preferable.
Discover more at: : 028 28 262443 : marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Suitable for ages 4-11.
Super Saturday
Saturday 1 March 11am - 12pm
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Inspired by the museum collections, these monthly sessions are designed to support early child development. With songs, storytelling, crafts and more to entertain and delight our littlest visitors! Booking via Eventbrite.
Workshops & Talks
The Man Who Brought a Little Bit of Larne to Ontario
Thursday 27 March
Starting 7.30pm Larne Museum and Arts Centre
A talk which looks at the life of Alexander McNeill MP, whose childhood home was the Corran at Larne Harbour, and who created a new Corran in the Wiarton Peninsula in Ontario.
McNeill settled in Ontario and was elected as an MP in the Canadian parliament, where he was a strong advocate for the Empire. He returned to Larne to deliver a speech in support of unionists during the Home Rule period.
This talk will examine McNeill’s story, his
political career, his return to Larne and what eventually became of the Corran on the Bruce Peninsula.
Discover more at: : 028 28 262443 : marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Places should be booked in advance.
Storytime
Saturday 29 March
Starting 10.30am
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
Join us for a free interactive storytelling session with themed activities based on a children’s storybook. Booking preferable.
Discover more at: : 028 28 262443
: marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Suitable for ages 4-11.
Carnegie Day
Saturday 5 April 1pm-3pm Larne Museum & Arts Centre
Join us for an afternoon of family friendly activities, as we celebrate 119 years since the official opening of Larne Carnegie Free Library in 1906!
This is a free drop-in family event. Everyone welcome!
Discover more at: : 028 28 262443 : marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Super Saturday!
Saturday 5 April 11am-12pm Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Inspired by the museum collections, these monthly sessions are designed to support early child development. With songs, storytelling, crafts and more to entertain and delight our littlest visitors! Booking via Eventbrite.family event. Everyone welcome!
Storytime
Saturday 26 April
Starting 10.30am
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
Join us for a free interactive storytelling session with themed activities based on a children’s storybook. Booking preferable.
Discover more at: : 028 28 262443 : marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Suitable for ages 4-11.
Birds of Prey
Saturday 26 April 12pm-1pm
Larne Museum & Arts Centre
This is an opportunity to get close to a bird of prey during an educational talk and presentation by Ian Patterson from Flying Falcons.
This free event is suitable for the whole family. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note this is not a drop-in session. The presentation is one hour long.
Seasonal Events
St Patrick’s Day at Slemish
Monday 17 March
Slemish Mountain
The annual climb of Slemish Mountain at Broughshane where Patrick tended his sheep. Traditional music and dance.
Slemish is accessible via the park and ride at Broughshane.
Princess Victoria Memorial Service
Friday 31 January
Starting 11am
Chaine Memorial Rd
Annual memorial service to commemorate the Loss of the MV Princess Victoria, the worst maritime peace disaster in British coastal waters.
Easter at Mid and East Antrim Museums
April across Mid and East Antrim Museums
Starting 11am
An eggciting programme of workshops, talks and performance over the easter half term.
Full details will be listed on: shapedbyseaandstone. com/whatson
General Information
How to Book
Tickets for theatre shows, talks and events can be booked in person, by telephone or online. It is important that you mention any special requirements to our staff when booking - we will be pleased to assist you in any way we can. Tickets cannot be reserved without payment.
To book online, please visit: shapedbyseaandstone.com/whats-on
Call the box office on: 028 2563 5077
In person:
The Braid, Bridge Street, Ballymena BT43 5EJ.
Box Office is open Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm, and Saturday 9am - 5pm.
Box Office is also open at least one hour before shows commence. Please note that Box Office is normally closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Terms & Conditions
Booking Fees
Please note that tickets booked online or by telephone for theatre performances are subject to a booking fee of £1.50 per ticket. Booking fees do not apply to tickets purchased in person at Box Office, and are waived
Data Protection
when booking tickets for groups of 10 or more. Please note that advertised ticket prices include a booking fee of £1.50 per ticket.
Refunds/Exchanges
Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded unless a performance is cancelled. On some occasions, at the discretion of The Braid management, it may be possible to exchange tickets to an alternative performance and/or date. Please note that such exchanges will require at least 72 hours’ notice prior to the original performance date, and will incur a 10% handling fee. Booking fees are non-refundable in the case of exchanges; booking fees are only refundable if a performance is cancelled.
Discounts
Discounts available will vary for different shows, and are often available online as well as via Box Office. For many performances a discount is offered for group bookings of 10+. If you are entitled to any advertised discounts, you must request this at the time of booking. Restrictions may apply
Personal information will only be collected and/or processed by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council in accordance with the GDPR and Data Protection Act. When you book for an event your contact details will be added to the Box Office ticketing system. This is for administration and marketing purposes. From time to time the list is used to keep you informed about Arts & Culture shows and events, but details are never shared with third parties. When booking tickets, you will have the choice whether to opt-in to receive marketing information. Any financial information necessary to complete your booking is processed securely and encrypted on the Box Office ticketing system. Council’s Privacy Notice can be viewed here: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/privacy-notice
to discounts, and proof of eligibility may be required at the time of booking or upon entry to the theatre. Discounts cannot be added retrospectively to any tickets already purchased.
Accessibility
• Access for wheelchair users.
• Allocated wheelchair spaces for all theatre performances. If you require one of these please advise us at the timing of booking.
• Induction Loop System.
• Easy to read signage and Braille signage.
• Assistance dogs are welcome.
• Accessible toilets fitted with grab rails, sink lever operated taps, low level mirrors and pull cord alarms.
• Lift access to all floors.
• Quiet spaces.
• Free companion ticket for customers who require essential assistance to attend events.
Please let us know of your accessibility needs when booking or in advance of your visit so that we can assist you in the best possible way.
Adult content
Some theatre performances, exhibitions or events contain adult content and are therefore suitable for over 18s only. Any elements of our programme that contain adult content will be highlighted in this guide and online.
Children
Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times and for theatre performances must hold a valid ticket. Children will only be admitted if the content of the production is deemed to be suitable. Children under the age of three will not normally be admitted to theatre performances, except to productions specifically aimed at children. In exceptional circumstances a Babe in Arms ticket is available from Box Office.
Support acts
If information on support acts is available, we will inform customers of this in advance, but on occasions this may not be possible.
Car parking
Details of relevant nearest car parking facilities are included overleaf.
Accuracy of Information
Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the compilation of the events listed in this guide and online. Mid & East Antrim Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Please always check dates and times when booking tickets as mistakes cannot always be rectified at a later date.
House Rules
In addition to these Terms & Conditions, a number of House Rules also apply when attending a theatre performance. House Rules are printed on your ticket and are available online and at Box Office.
Venue Information
Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid & Braid Arts Centre
