History of Ballymena in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 10, 2025

Ballymena is a town located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. According to the 2021 UK census, its population was 31,205, ranking it as the seventh-largest town in Northern Ireland. Administratively, Ballymena is part of the Borough of Mid and East Antrim.

1900: Ballymena assumes urban district status

In 1900, Ballymena was granted urban district status.

1903: Foundation of Ballymena Golf Club

In 1903, the Ballymena Golf Club was founded.

1903: Land Purchase (Ireland) Act

In 1903, under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Act, the Adairs sold most of their Ballymena estate to the tenants.

1904: Adairs dispose of Ballymena estate

In 1904, the Adairs disposed of most of their Ballymena estate to the occupying tenants.

1919: Fire at market hall building

In 1919, the old market hall building in Ballymena, which housed the post office and estate office, burned down.

November 1928: Opening of Ballymena Town Hall

On November 20, 1928, the new Ballymena Town Hall was officially opened by the Duke of Abercorn.

1933: Closure to passengers of the Ballymena and Larne Railway

In 1933, the Ballymena and Larne Railway closed to passengers.

December 1937: Ballymena granted Borough status

In December 1937, the Urban District Council successfully petitioned for borough status, and the Charter was granted.

May 1939: First Borough Council meeting

On May 23, 1939, the first meeting of councillors as a Borough Council took place in Ballymena, with the population reaching 13,000.

June 1940: Closure of Harryville Station

On June 3, 1940, the train station at Harryville closed.

1940: Closure to goods traffic of the Ballymena and Larne Railway

In 1940, the Ballymena and Larne Railway closed to goods traffic.

1940: End of railway services

In 1940, the Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway ceased operating narrow gauge railway services from Ballymena to Parkmore, ending its service that began in 1875.

1968: Irish regiments merged

In 1968, due to government austerity measures, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (27th), Royal Ulster Rifles (83rd & 86th) and the Royal Irish Fusiliers (89th) merged to become the Royal Irish Rangers.

1973: Merger to create Ballymena Borough Council

In 1973, the Urban and Rural District Councils were merged to create the Ballymena Borough Council.

1998: End of The Troubles

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.

March 2000: Liam Neeson declines freedom of borough

In March 2000, actor Liam Neeson, a Ballymena native, declined the offer of freedom of the borough, citing tensions, but affirmed his pride in his connection to the town.

2001: Ballymena Population in 2001 census

In 2001, the census population of Ballymena was 28,717.

December 2004: Ian Paisley made freeman of Ballymena

In December 2004, Ian Paisley was made a freeman of Ballymena.

2005: Brokeback Mountain banned

In 2005, the Ballymena Council banned the screening of the movie Brokeback Mountain, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, due to its homosexual relationship theme.

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March 2011: Ballymena Population on census day

On census day, March 27 2011, the population living in Ballymena was 29,551 people. representing an increase of 2.9% on the 2001 census population.

2011: Gun ownership in Ballymena

In 2011, it was revealed that Ballymena had the third-highest level of legal gun ownership in Northern Ireland.

November 2012: Patton Group enters administration

In November 2012, the Patton Group, a major builder, entered administration, resulting in the loss of 320 jobs.

October 2014: Closure of JTI Gallagher's announced

In October 2014, it was announced that JTI Gallagher's would be closing, leading to the loss of 877 jobs in Ballymena.

November 2015: Michelin factory closure

In November 2015, Michelin decided to close their Ballymena factory after 50 years, causing the loss of up to 850 jobs.

2015: Local government reorganisation

Following local government reorganisation in 2015, the Ballymena Borough Council was merged with the Boroughs of Carrickfergus and Larne.

March 2021: Ballymena Population on census day

On census day, March 21 2021, the population living in Ballymena was 31,205 people.

2021: Ballymena Population in 2021

In 2021, the population of Ballymena was recorded at 31,205 people according to the United Kingdom census, making it the seventh largest town in Northern Ireland.