2012 Inspired Events in Ballymoney

6 April – 22 September

Ballymoney Museum

K K McArthur, a former Dervock postman, won the Gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1912.

See McArthur’s collection of Olympic memorabilia on loan from Potchefstroom Museum, South Africa.

Also discover other centenary stories such as the survivor from RMS Titanic and the famous events of Ulster Day.

Roads of Renown Exhibition

6 April – 22 September

Ballymoney Museum

Ulster Grand Prix 90th Anniversary

This display reveals the history of this outstanding sporting spectacle, racing through 90 years of excitement and thrills.

Ballymoney Bikers Trail

14 – 19 May

Main St Ballymoney

Take the Ballymoney Bikers’ Trail from the Museum to the Memorial Gardens to see various items of roadracing memorabilia on display in town shop windows.

Race of Legends Movie

16 May

Ballymoney Town Hall See official footage from the Armoy Road Races 2011, on the Big Screen, courtesy of Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club Ltd. www.amrrc.com

The Queen & the Toon Exhibition

28 May – 30 June

Ballymoney Museum

The Queen & the Toon Exhibition, at Ballymoney Museum. Accession of the Queen’s 60th Anniversary including vintage film, photographs and memorabilia.

1953 Movie Night, From Here to Eternity

31 May, 7.30pm

Ballymoney Town Hall

A showing on the Big Screen of the 1953 drama, From Here to Eternity, Winner of eight Academy Awards including 1953 Best Picture.

Annual Agricultural Show

1 & 2 June

Ballymoney Showgrounds

A unique 2 day event for all ages including equestrian events, livestock exhibitions and family entertainment. www.ballymoneyshow.org

Pipe Band Championship

2 June 12 noon

Ballymoney Rugby Football Club

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Co. Antrim Section together with Ballymoney Borough Council presents the 39th Co. Antrim Championships at Ballymoney Rugby Football Club grounds, Kilraughts Road,

Olympic Torch Host Party & Arrival in Dervock

3 June, 3pm – 7pm

Dervock

Join the Olympic Torch host party and family fun day in Riverside Park, Dervock, from 3pm in advance of the arrival of the torch. The Olympic Torch will pass Co-Corner at approx 5.30pm, (Junction of Carncullagh Rd / Knock Rd / Castlecatt Rd)

Beacon Lighting

4 June, 10pm

Long Mountain

A network of over 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, along with the Commonwealth and UK Overseas Territories on Monday 4th June 2012 to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Information on the Ballymoney Jubilee Beacon at Long Mountain will be made available via local press and website.

On This Year Exhibition

4-9 June

Ballymoney Town Hall

An exhibition on Life and Times in Ballymoney Borough in the year of the Queen’s visit in 1953.

The Queen’s 1953 Visit…….

7 June

Ballymoney Town Hall

The Queen’s 1953 Visit and Our Royal Links - Local Historian S Alex Blair will recall that special moment in the town’s history on the 3rd July 1953 and the Queen’s link back to the ancient Kings of Dalriada, aided by film footage.

RBL Group 10 Service and Parade

9 June

RBL Group 10 Diamond Jubilee Parade 12.30 from Ballymoney Showgrounds to town centre and service at 1st Ballymoney Presbyterian Church 1pm to 3pm.

School Athletics Competition

13 June Ballymoney High School (outdoor) 9.30am – 12 noon

14 June at Our Lady of Lourdes High School (Indoor) 9.30 – 12 noon.

In partnership with Schools and Active Communities Programme.

Fun Day and Parade

16 June

Megaw Park, Ballymoney

Apprentice Boys of Derry, Campsie Club, Bendooragh Branch celebrating 25th Anniversary of Club and Diamond Jubilee . Family Fun Day starts 10 a.m. at Park concluding with Parade of town 2pm from Megaw Park

Jubilee Bandsman Service & Parade

17 June

Townhead St, Ballymoney

Dunloy Accordion Band parading from 2pm from Townhead Street for Service in St James’s Presbyterian Church at 3pm

Community Celebration Cycle

22 June 11am - 12 noon

New Railway Bridge

Council with partners DRD Roads Service, Sustrans and Translink celebrate NI Bike Week 2012 with the opening of the new cycle friendly pedestrian railway bridge in this Jubilee Year with a community cycle around Ballymoney’s shared use path network. www.bikeweek.org.uk

Armed Forces Day

30 June, 11am

Ballymoney Town Centre

Music from the 1940’s follows flag raising and remembrance service in town centre to mark Armed Forces Day.

Mayor’s Show 30th June

Ballymoney Town Centre

Vintage vehicles display at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre 12noon-3pm. Entertainment in the town centre with DJ Barry, balloon model-ling, face painters and Friendly Faces cartoon characters 12noon-4pm Mayor’s Parade at 3pm from the Leisure Centre through the Town Centre, led by a Jubilee Pageant.

Music from the Coronation Year

3 July

Ballymoney Town Hall

Music from the Coronation Year At the Diamond 11.30 am – 3.30 pm In association with fUSe FM

McArthur’s Homecoming Re-Enactment

10 July

Railway Station/Town Hall

The people of Ballymoney will re-enact the victorious return of Kennedy Kane McArthur following his triumph at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games. The events will include a parade which finishes at Ballymoney Town Hall where members of the public will be invited to watch the BBCNI documentary “McArthur’s Marathon” which was first broadcast August 1984.www.marathonmac2012.com

McArthur Play: “The Golden Point & Afterwards”

13th - 14th July – Ballymoney Town Hall

19th – 20th July – William Pinkerton Memorial Primary School, DervockThis play will be performed in Ballymoney town Hall (13+14) and William Pinkerton Memorial P.Sch (19+20) by professional actors who will be joined by a vast supporting cast of local people. The audience will see the story of McArthur’s life unfold from his early days in Dervock to his legendary win in Stockholm. Admission is free but strictly by ticket only.www.marathonmac2012.com

Torchlight Procession Re-enactment

20 July, 9.30pm

Dervock

Members of the public are invited to join the people of Dervock in a torchlight procession through the village to hear K.K. McArthur give a rousing speech and light the flame in preparation for the McArthur Festival of Running the following day. www.marathonmac2012.com

McArthur Festival of Running

21 July

Dervock

To mark the centenary of KK McArthur’s historic marathon victory, a new full marathon road circuit will take competitors through some of the most spectacular scenery of North Antrim. Along with Newry and Belfast, the Dervock marathon will be one of only three road marathons in Northern Ireland during this Olympic year. www.marathonmac2012.com

1953 Movie Night, Kiss Me Kate

26 July, 7.30pm

Ballymoney Town Hall

A showing on the Big Screen of the 1953 classic musical Kiss Me Kate in Ballymoney Town Hall. A tangled twosome, So In Love despite her “I hate Men” flashpoints. It’s Too Darn Hot!!

Armoy Motorcycle Road Race Festival

27 - 28 July

Armoy Circuit

Armoy Motorcycle Road Race Festival featuring the Jubilee Classic Race, sponsored by Ballymoney Borough Council. www.amrrc.com

For further details and ticket prices, please www.visitballymoney.com