This portion of our website features Ballyclare, a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
With a population just below eleven thousand, the town likely owes its origins to its being a crossing point of the Six Mile Water, an indirect tributary to the River Bann.
Inhabited for thousands of years, Ballyclare is a historic town whose Irish (Gaelic) name, Bealach Cláir (pass of the plain), hints at its strategic location. Today, Ballyclare serves as both a local service centre for the surrounding rural area and as a dormitory town for Belfast.
Ballyclare is within the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area, and is the principal settlement in the Ballyclare District Electoral Area. To the north is the remnant of Craig Hill, which once provided a wooded backdrop but has been largely quarried for its basalt. The area to the north is now covered with modern housing, although it is also home to extensive parklands, such as Sixmilewater Park.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the area has been inhabited for about six thousand years. In November 1968, thirty-nine flint arrowheads were discovered near the river, including finished products and others which showed signs of local flint-working and trade, underscoring the area's early role as a point of exchange and craft. Its early settlement likely owes both to its being a natural river crossing and to the resources the area provided.
The presence of a Norman motte, now part of Ballyclare's War Memorial Park, highlights the strategic imprints of medieval military outposts along the Six Mile Water. The settlement's growth gained further momentum with the Plantation of Ulster, an early 17th-century organised colonisation by people from Great Britain during the reign of King James VI (Scotland) and I (England and Ireland). In 1756, King George II granted permission for the town to host two annual fairs, a royal endorsement that helped consolidate Ballyclare's role as a vital market centre. Today, the Ballyclare May Fair continues.
The coming of the Ballymena and Lame Railway, a narrow gauge line, in 1878, spurred industrial development. For a time, Ballyclare was home to several industries, such as paper manufacturing and linen bleaching facilities. Some of the town's roads, including Mill Road and Green Road, originally derived their names from these now-defunct factories. This industrial boom not only boosted the town's economy but also laid the groundwork for its evolving identity as a centre for trade and production.
With the gradual fade of traditional industries and closure of its railway in 1950, Ballyclare has transitioned into a modern service-oriented town. Its role primarily involves retail, education, and cultural services, while many of its residents commute about 13 miles to Belfast for work.
Recent economic shifts, such as the closure of a factory by Kingspan, which led to job cuts, reflect ongoing challenges and adaptations in the local financial landscape.
Independent traders continue to be central to Ballyclare's community identity. These family-run establishments, which have long been the backbone of the local economy, connect the town's historic legacy to its modern realities.
Market Square, at the heart of Ballyclare, is home to Ballyclare Town Hall & Market Square, a symbol of the town's civic pride and long-lasting tradition as a trade centre. Developed from the old Market House, a 3-bay, 2-storey building constructed around 1855, it was later extended, and a clock tower was added.
The oldest buildings in town are the Old Presbyterian Church (established 1642) on Main Street and its former Manse on the Mill Road, a private dwelling since 1979. The Old Manse was used as a school during the 1800s.
The Ballyclare Primary School building was originally constructed in 1880 and has undergone several extensions over the years. There are also two large post-primary schools: Ballyclare High School, located on the Rashee Road, and Ballyclare Secondary School, which has access from Doagh Road and Avondale Drive.
The town's tradition of holding fairs in the mid-18th century has evolved into a series of local events, while the annual May Fair remains an enduring tradition. Generations of residents gather for festivities that include parades, rides, and traditional confectionery.
Facilities such as the Sixmile Leisure Centre and local parks host a range of events, from family sports to live music and theatrical performances. Several cultural programmes focus on preserving the town's history, such as guided tours of historical sites and commemorative events that connect modern residents with their ancestral legacy.
Additionally, Ballyclare's proximity to notable attractions across County Antrim, such as Carrickfergus Castle and various rural landmarks, makes the town a convenient destination for visitors seeking to explore Northern Ireland.
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Opened in the 1890s is the village of Doagh, a few miles south-west of Ballyclare, the school moved to Ballyclare after it was taken over by Miss Catherine Aiken in 1904. In 1930, it relocated to its current location on Rashee Road and adopted its current name in 1935. Ballyclare High School is a co-educational, non-denominational grammar school with approximately 1,200 pupils, taught by around 80 teachers. A school calendar, subjects, parent information, and contacts are provided.
https://ballyclarehigh.co.uk/
Situated on Doagh Road in Ballyclare, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, serves children aged four to eleven. An introduction to the school, a school prospectus, its board of governors, staff, and after-school activities are discussed, along with the school's subjects (literacy, numeracy, ICT, music and the arts, the world around us, physical education, outdoor learning, Eco Council, and STEAM), classes, menus, and parent resources are included, along with contacts and a parent area.
https://ballyclareps.co.uk/
Catering to students ages 11-19, the co-educational school was established in 1961. The school is linked with Toyama National College of Maritime Technology, and has a student population of approximately 1,000 pupils. Its location, schedules, admissions policies, board of governors information, staff, and its house system (Collin, Ollar, Lindsay, and McConnell) are defined. A Past Pupil Network seeks to reconnect with former students of the school, including success stories.
https://ballyclaresecondary.co.uk/
With locations in Ballyclare and Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, Kelly Landscape & Stone is a supplier of gravel, aggregates, and building materials that has been in business since 1972, offering a range of products at competitive prices. Its products include gravel, sand, cement, paving materials, bark, soil, and walling stone, each of which is highlighted on its website, along with prices and delivery data. Gift cards are available, and a contact form is presented.
https://www.kellystone.co.uk/
One Step Spray Foam Insulation is a family-run business with several years of experience within the spray foam industry. It is a specialist in open and closed cell spray foam insulation systems for residential and commercial buildings. Its installers are in-house and fully trained to the industry's and the company's standards. The company provides services for existing homes, new builds, commercial buildings, and agriculture. Case studies and client testimonials are presented.
https://onestepinsulation.co.uk/
Located in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, the dance and fitness studio features a spacious studio with a Harlequin floor, mirrored walls, ballet barres, a sound system, Wi-Fi, and complimentary parking. The space is available for private hire and is ideal for activities such as yoga, Pilates, and dance. It is also home to JMDA, a dance academy, which provides professional and friendly dance classes for students aged three and up, including RAD and ISTD exams. Contacts are provided.
https://www.thestudioballyclare.com/
