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Planting ceremonies also took place in the borough’s other two main town’s of Larne and Carrick.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston said: “A century ago, the people of Mid and East Antrim witnessed the establishment of Northern Ireland as a result of the Government of Ireland Act 1920. To contribute to that history, we have planted a tree in each of our three main towns to mark this momentous occasion. This will be a living and lasting legacy of this centenary year here in Mid and East Antrim.

“As we look back to the roots of Northern Ireland 100 years ago, we look forward to the growth of this tree and earnestly hope that it will symbolise our borough as a place of continued growth, development and prosperity.

A tree planting ceremony to mark the Centenary of Northern Ireland has taken place in Ballymena at the Peoples Park as part of Councils Northern Ireland Centenary Programme.

“There will be a number of opportunities throughout 2021 to mark the centenary year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Council’s Northern Ireland Centenary Working Group for spearheading this programme.”

The Mayor also welcomed Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, David McCorkell KStJ to officially hoist Mid and East Antrim’s Centenary Flag to mark 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland.

Council also lit three beacons in the borough to mark the occasion on Monday, May 3, - one of them at The Braid in Ballymena;

Throughout 2021, Council is hosting a number of events under the #NI100MEA umbrella as part of its Northern Ireland Centennial Programme, which is being co-ordinated by Council’s Centenary Working Group. To find out more visit midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ni100

Celebrating the NI Centenary in the borough