Shaped by Sea and Stone

10/04/2025

Looking for unique family adventures this spring? Look no further! Mid & East Antrim has everything from a medieval castle and railway museum, to beaches and forests just waiting to be explored!

Read our family adventure itinerary at the link in our bio!

08/04/2025

This Friday, artists Lisa Ann Pulhofer and Seanna O’Boyle–Irvine will be in the exhibition gallery at Carrickfergus Museum, working away on their latest pieces.

Their exhibition, It’s Still Life, currently on show, explores different aspects of life through the eyes of these two individual artists.

You are highly encouraged to come down and experience this visual treat!

Lisa and Seanna will be available from 12–2 pm on Friday, 11th April.
The exhibition continues until 26th April.

07/04/2025

Immerse yourself in history, culture, and breath-taking scenery this Spring - Mid & East Antrim has it all!

Discover your spring itinerary here 👉 https://bit.ly/41MA2X0

07/04/2025

Ballymena Town Centre is the place to be for a fun-filled family day out!

📅 Friday 18th April
📍 Start Point: Wellington Court
🕛 Time: 12:00 - 15:00
🎨 Crafts, games, and face painting
🐰 Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bunny spotting

For further details click the event link below!

Join the Easter fun in Ballymena Town Centre on Good Friday, 18 April, from 12:00 - 15:00! Enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt, crafts, games, face painting,…

04/04/2025

Ready to make unforgettable memories this spring?

Explore ancient castles, stunning coastal walks and more in Mid & East Antrim!

Discover your next adventure n0w 👉https://bit.ly/41MA2X0

01/04/2025

Plan your perfect spring getaway with our curated itineraries for couples. Relax in luxurious surroundings, or discover adventure in every corner of our region. Mid & East Antrim has your perfect spring escape 👉 https://bit.ly/41MA2X0

01/04/2025

Hop over to our museums in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena this Easter for some springtime family fun activities!

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝'𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲
Monday 21st April 11am - 12.30pm Aged 5yrs - 8yrs
Larne Museum & Arts Centre

Join us for a whimsical journey down the rabbit hole! This interactive dance and drama session will bring the quirky characters of Lewis Carroll's beloved tale. Developing performance skills, learning new dance moves and building confidence, this 90 min session promises to be a delight for every aspiring performer. Don't be late for this very important date! £3 per child.

𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐆𝐨 𝐅𝐥𝐲 𝐀 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐞!
Monday 21 April 2pm-3pm
Larne Museum and Arts Centre

Learn how to make a beautiful kite in this family friendly caregiver and child workshop with Artist Janet Crymble. Once you have completed your kite go fly it in one of our nearby parks! Spaces are £3 each. Spaces are booked per child. Caregivers go free.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
Monday 21 April 11am-12pm
Carrickfergus Museum
£3 per child

Create Your Own Shadow Puppets – Design and craft puppets.
Bring Your Creations to Life – Learn the art of shadow puppetry and create fun shadow plays.

𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞
Monday 21 April 2pm-3pm
Carrickfergus Museum
£3 per person
If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise...

A curious young girl, a picnic in the woods, domesticated bears and lots and lots of porridge! A well-loved classic told in an imaginative and gentle way, through the use of puppetry, storytelling and object theatre. A perfect introduction to theatre for young children.
Parents/guardians must accompany their child for the duration of the show.
Approximate runtime 45 mins.
Suitable for 3-7 year olds

𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐞
Tuesday 22 April 11am - 12.30pm Age 0-4yrs
Larne Museum & Arts Centre

Join us for an Easter themed Baby Rave filled with music, sensory play, dancing and exploration. This event has been designed specifically for our tiniest party-goers and their caregivers to enjoy a mixture of upbeat tunes, gentle nursery rhymes and interactive sensory play that will help stimulate little minds. £3 per child.

𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐆𝐨 𝐅𝐥𝐲 𝐀 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐞!
Tuesday 22 April 2pm-3pm
Carrickfergus Museum

Learn how to make a beautiful kite in this family friendly caregiver and child workshop with Artist Janet Crymble. Once you have completed your kite go fly it in one of our nearby parks! Spaces are £3 each. Spaces are booked per child. Caregivers go free.

𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐞
Wednesday 23 April 11am - 12.30pm Age 0-4yrs
Mid-Antrim Museum at The Braid

Join us for an Easter themed Baby Rave filled with music, sensory play, dancing and exploration. This event has been designed specifically for our tiniest party-goers and their caregivers to enjoy a mixture of upbeat tunes, gentle nursery rhymes and interactive sensory play that will help stimulate little minds. £3 per child caregivers go free.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
Wednesday 23 April 11am-12pm
Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
Create Your Own Shadow Puppets – Design and craft puppets.
Bring Your Creations to Life – Learn the art of shadow puppetry and create fun shadow plays.

𝐄𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞
Wednesday 23 April 2pm-3pm
Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
£3 per person

There was once a poor shoemaker, who worked very hard, but still he could not earn enough to live upon. All he had in the world was gone; he only had enough leather to make on last pair of shoes… just when he thinks all is lost, help comes in a very unexpected way!
This adaptation of the much loved Brothers Grimm classic fairy tale uses puppetry, object theatre and original music. The story is set in a shoemaker’s shop and is told in a playful way with gentle audience participation.

Perfect for children 3+ and their families.
Approx runtime 45 min
A parent/guardian must accompany their child for the duration of the show.

To book one of our exciting workshops or performances head to thebraid.ticketsolve.com

30/03/2025

Uncover the beauty of the Mid & East Antrim's beaches and coastlines this Spring. Whether your after a family adventure or seeking a couples escape, discover our hidden gems this spring 👉 https://bit.ly/41MA2X0

28/03/2025

From ancient castles to stunning coastal walks, create unforgettable memories this spring in Mid & East Antrim 👉 https://bit.ly/41MA2X0

27/03/2025

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙊𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙞𝙙 & 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙢

As spring breathes new life into the landscapes of Mid & East Antrim, April 2025 unfolds with a diverse array of events, inviting you to delve into our region's rich heritage, vibrant arts scene, and community spirit. From historical explorations to artisan markets and exhilarating road races, there's an experience waiting for every visitor.

As spring breathes new life into the landscapes of Mid & East Antrim, April 2025 unfolds with a diverse array of events, inviting you to delve into our region's rich heritage, vibrant arts scene, and ..

17/03/2025

Once home to Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick, Slemish is a popular location for walkers from all over. Once you've admired the panoramic views from the summit, why not spend some time discovering even more memorable moments in the area?

Once home to Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick, Slemish is a popular location for walkers from all over. Once you've admired the panoramic views from the summit, why not spend some time…

26/02/2025

🍀 Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a climb up Slemish Mountain! 🍀

Did you know that Saint Patrick himself spent time on Slemish? This iconic peak in County Antrim isn't just stunning, it's steeped in history and legend! ⛰️

Our latest blog post dives into the history of Slemish Mountain, its connection to St. Patrick, and what to expect when you visit. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a meaningful way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Slemish is calling!

Here's what you'll find in the blog:

The geological history of this ancient volcanic plug.

The story of St. Patrick's time as a shepherd on Slemish.

Visitor info: what to expect on the 1.5km hike, facilities, and what wildlife you might spot!

Ready to plan your visit? Click the link below! 👇

https://bit.ly/4bebJV3

21/02/2025

Plan your next theatre outing at The Braid, Ballymena - where Northern Ireland's hottest theatre performances in music, comedy and drama await. Click here to discover what's on at The Braid 👉 https://bit.ly/4hMfROs

18/02/2025

Oona's cottage is a charming one bedroom cottage nestled in the beautiful countryside of County Antrim, close to Northern Ireland's many attractions. The cottage has modern amenities, private terrace/balcony, dedicated parking space and garden, located in a clachan - a cluster of historic Grade 2 listed buildings dating from the late 1700s. These buildings were fully restored in 2024

Oona's cottage is a charming one bedroom cottage nestled in the beautiful countryside of County Antrim, close to Northern Ireland's many attractions.

06/02/2025

Love is in the air, and there’s no better place to celebrate than in the heart of Mid & East Antrim. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, looking for unique couple activities, or indulging in a special meal, this region is brimming with options to make your Valentine’s Day unforgettable.

Read our blog here 👉 https://bit.ly/4aPAu9N

31/01/2025

Carrickfergus Castle - A Fresh Perspective from Italy!

Carrickfergus Castle isn't just a Northern Irish treasure - it's a story that captivates travellers from around the world! We're thrilled to share 's stunning exploration of our medieval marvel.

From Norman stone walls to breath taking coastal views, Paola's lens captures the magic that makes Carrickfergus Castle a must-visit destination. Her Italian wanderlust meets our rich Irish heritage in a blog post that'll make you want to pack your bags and discover our historic gem!

Carrickfergus Castle is an iconic Norman fortress in Northern Ireland, offering rich history, stunning architecture, and engaging activities.

31/01/2025

𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽: 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

📅Saturday 1st March
⌚10:30 - 12:30
📍Carrickfergus Museum

From your imagination, or an image of the coast, guided by our tutor, paint your own seascape the Arthur Armstrong way.

To celebrate the centenary of the Carrickfergus born artist, create your own painting inspired by Arthur Armstong's ideas.