Alastair Donaghy Walks and Talks

10/06/2026

Apologies! The quiz scheduled for 26 June is postponed.

Revised date to follow . . .

10/06/2026

03/06/2026

Sorry folks! The Music and Trivia Quiz planned for Friday 26 June is postponed!

Revised date later . . .

03/06/2026

We are recruiting !! We are excited to be recruiting for a full-time or part-time Community Development Officer to lead our Empower Project in Mid and East Antrim.
Are you interested in to helping us build community connections, tackle loneliness, and support vibrant, age-friendly communities across Mid & East Antrim.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of the community, with older people's community groups, and creating meaningful impact every day.

Here's what we have to offer you :
💴 £26,320.14 per annum
📉Workplace Pension
📆38 days Annual Leave
🧠Dedicated Mental Health Leave Days
⏱️Flexible working options
🧑‍⚕️Health Cash Plan
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Family Friendly working benefits
📚 Personal Development opportunities

Visit www.meaap.co.uk/recruitment to make an application or call our office on 028 258 589604 for an application form

Closing Date Friday 5th June 2026

03/06/2026

After a few weeks touring across Ireland and Scotland for National Geographic and G Adventures it was great to be on 'home ground' for another local walking tour for a local Ballymena Methodist Church group.

We discussed Ballymena's 400th Anniversary, the legacy of the King Charles 1, the Ulster Plantation and the Adair Family.

We visited some of the 'Seven Towers', the old churchyard with it's Napoleonic war hero, and the many visitors to the Adair Arms Hotel over the years.

Here is one review:

"Alastair provided a walking tour of Ballymena for our Methodist Church group.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, combining local history with plenty of humour too.

Alastair brought the towns history to life in an engaging and light-hearted way, creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere throughout.

We found it to be educational as well as entertaining, and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about our town."

01/06/2026

Mapping our Industrial Heritage: Mills and Memories
Saturday 6th June 2026

Tickets available via the Braid Box Office on 028 256 35077 or online here
https://thebraid.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173672987

Tickets are free of charge - however booking is required

On Sat 6thJune come along to Mid-Antrim Museum at the Braid to find out more about mapping local mills - from corn mills, sawmills, spinning and weaving mills, there is a rich history to discover.

Each mill had its own unique history, charm and characters and we invite you to share your photographs, stories and memories with us. There will be a small display of museum artefacts featuring the Braidwater Mill, Phoenix weaving factory, and Raphael & Co.

Short presentations from Edwin Luke (local historian) and Sebastian Graham (Mills of Northern Ireland) will show how they have mapped mills and sites to uncover industrial development.

Approximate Run Time - 1 hour 30 Minutes

Suitable for - All Ages

29/05/2026

Being a tour guide is the best job in the world, spent the last few weeks guiding folks from Australia, Canada, USA, Germany, Sweden, and Peru around Scotland and Ireland for National Geographic and G Adventures . . . And meeting my fellow tour guides along the way is an added bonus!

08/05/2026

'Ballymena 400' History Walking Tour

Sunday 10 May 2.00pm

Tickets on Eventbrite

Discover Ballymena like never before with Alastair Donaghy’s Walks and Talks — immersive local history tours led by a passionate native guide. Born and raised in the town, Alastair brings Ballymena’s rich heritage to life with engaging storytelling and deep historical insight. Whet...

04/05/2026

'Ballymena 400' History walking tour to celebrate Ballymena's 400th Anniversary, the Royal Charter from Charles I, the Adair Family history, and the story of the 'Seven Towers'.

Sunday 10th May - tickets (inc. But One Get One Free!) available on Eventbrite page:





https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984901413560?aff=oddtdtcreator