13/11/2025
Funding Secured For Festive Lighting Scheme In Ballymena, Larne And Carrickfergus
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £150,000 investment for a Festive Lighting Scheme, which aims to significantly enhance the existing Christmas decorations in the town centres of Ballymena, Larne, and Carrickfergus.
The funding package is comprised of £135,000 from the Department for Communities and a £15,000 contribution from Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.
The initiative is designed to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors, supporting local businesses by encouraging footfall during the crucial festive shopping period. The investment complements the 10-metre artificial Christmas trees that were funded last year.
Specific improvements for each town include:
Ballymena: Updated lamppost lighting on Castle Street and Bridge Street, plus new lighting features for Alexander Street, Meeting House Lane, and Linenhall Street.
Larne: New and larger, more impactful festive lighting features on lampposts along Main Street and Upper Main Street.
Carrickfergus: Illumination of the Clock Tower and new Christmas lights along the Marine Highway promenade. Additionally, a new festive lighting trail will be created in Shaftesbury Park, open from 6 December to 11 December 2025.
Minister Lyons emphasised that the investment will help "transform our town centres into bright, attractive destinations that celebrate the festive season and support local economic activity".
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, added that the improvements are about more than just lights—they are about supporting local businesses and strengthening community spirit.
The funding package is comprised of £135,000 from the Department for Communities and a £15,000 contribution from Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.
The initiative is designed to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors, supporting local businesses by encouraging footfall during the crucial festive shopping period. The investment complements the 10-metre artificial Christmas trees that were funded last year.
Specific improvements for each town include:
Larne: New and larger, more impactful festive lighting features on lampposts along Main Street and Upper Main Street.
Carrickfergus: Illumination of the Clock Tower and new Christmas lights along the Marine Highway promenade. Additionally, a new festive lighting trail will be created in Shaftesbury Park, open from 6 December to 11 December 2025.
Minister Lyons emphasised that the investment will help "transform our town centres into bright, attractive destinations that celebrate the festive season and support local economic activity".
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, added that the improvements are about more than just lights—they are about supporting local businesses and strengthening community spirit.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.