Time Out - Adult reading group - Monthly on 1st Thursday of the month from 1.00pm-2.00pm.

t: 028 2563 3950

Baby Bounce - Every Wednesday from 10.30am - 11.00am for babies 0-18mths.  

Booking recommended. 
t: 028 2563 3950

Every Wednesday. 

Suitable for children aged 6+ years; children must be accompanied by an adult.

t: 028 2563 3950
e: ballymena.library@librariesni.org.uk

Every Friday from 11.00am - 12.00noon. For children aged 1-5 accompanied by an adult.

Come along and join us for a session of building fun! 

Every Friday. 

Suitable for children aged 4-10 years; please note that children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

t: 028 2563 3950
e: ballymena.library@librariesni.org.uk

Every Saturday, during term time only.

Rhythm and Rhyme is an exciting free programme to introduce children aged 0 - 4 years to the wonder of rhymes, songs and stories in the library. Rhythm and Rhyme is a great opportunity for children to have fun and learn in a relaxed venue while giving parents and carers the chance to socialise.

t: 028 2563 3950
e: ballymena.library@librariesni.org.uk

Every Saturday, during term time only.

t: 028 2563 3950
e: ballymena.library@librariesni.org.uk

 

This exhibition marks the 400th anniversary of the Derry Walls and showcases some of the oldest documents and images from the period held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). The exhibition explores many aspects of the plantation which transformed Ulster in the early 17th century.

Available during library opening hours.

Postcards from the Edge is an evocative exhibition of photographs by Northern Irish artist James Hughes, drawn from his extensive personal archive. Presented as picture postcards with captions, these images capture moments, places, and people from across Europe, Turkey, Morocco, Eastern Europe, and the United States — spanning decades of travel and observation.

Hughes’ work is lyrical and nostalgic, celebrating the beauty of people and place while reflecting on distance, memory, and what endures “on the edge.” The exhibition blends documentary and poetic sensibilities, offering a deeply personal reflection on connection and loss through the lens of time and geography.

Available during library opening hours.

Come for a chat stay for crafts.
Booking essential.
t: 028 2563 3950

Bingo, Scrabble and other board games to keep you busy and bring families together. 

Booking not required.

Discover how our ancestors merged ancient beliefs with new faiths in early
Ireland. This illustrated talk uncovers how burial traditions evolved from pre-
Christian to Early Christian times and is a fascinating glimpse into the rituals,
sites, and stories that shaped how people once viewed death and the afterlife.
 

Speakers:
Willie Drennan is a musician, storyteller and writer from County Antrim whose
work draws richly on Ulster-Scots heritage and folklore.
Ed Luke is a local historian mapping ancient sites across Mid and East Antrim
and the Causeway Coast and Glens, revealing the layers of belief embedded
in the local landscape.

Booking essential.

t: 028 2563 3950

Unleash your inner artist in this hands-on watercolour workshop led by a local artist and sponsored by the Northern Trust. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this session will guide you through the basics of watercolour painting—including brush techniques, colour blending, and simple compositions.

 All materials will be provided, and participants will leave with their own unique piece of art. 

Come ready to relax, explore your creativity, and get inspired by the flowing beauty of watercolour.

Thursday 18 November

Thursday 18 November

Thursday 2 December

Thursday 9 December

Thursday 16 December

Booking essential.

t: 028 2563 3950

Join us for a cosy book club session with hot chocolate, blankets, and autumnal reads.
 

For children aged 6-11 years, children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Bring a favourite poem to share, write your own or simply come along to listen while enjoying a warm cuppa.

Booking essential.

t: 028 2563 3950

Please note this event is now fully booked.

Unleash your inner artist in this hands-on watercolour workshop led by a local artist and sponsored by the Northern Trust. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this session will guide you through the basics of watercolour painting—including brush techniques, colour blending, and simple compositions.

All materials will be provided, and participants will leave with their own unique piece of art. Come ready to relax, explore your creativity, and get inspired by the flowing beauty of watercolour.

Booking essential.

t: 028 2563 3950

Pick up a Christmas colouring sheet, colour it in at home or in the library and return it by 17th Dec to enter our Christmas Colouring Competition. Winners will be announced on 19th Dec. 

For children aged 6-11 years available during library opening hours.

Come along to our letter writing station and write your letter to Santa - Post it in our special North Pole Post Box - Ages 4-11.

Available during library opening hours.

Count Down the Days, One Story at a Time. Check out our advent Calendar for some special Christmas reads. 

Available during library opening hours.

The importance of the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland cannot be overstated. The impact it had on future events makes it one of the most significant aspects of our recent history. The collections at The Linen Hall have a critical role to play in understanding Northern Ireland’s past, and crucial to this is the material held on civil rights. Inspired by the civil rights leaders in the United States and their example of peaceful, non-violent protest, civil rights protesters took to the streets full of ideas, hoping to end prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination in Northern Ireland and to create a fair, just, and non-sectarian society. Driven by community engagement with our unique archives, At the Crossroads: The Campaign for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland charts this ground-breaking movement for social change and trailblazing grassroots activism and asks us to reflect on a truly pivotal moment in our history.

Available during library opening hours.

Bring a favourite Christmas poem to share, write your own or simply come along to listen while enjoying a warm cuppa.

Booking advised.
t: 028 2563 3950

Come for a special Christmas story then help us decorate the Library with paper snowflakes. 

For children aged 6-11 years, children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Booking advised.

t: 028 2563 3950

Join us for a cosy Christmas craft session and learn how to make your own colourful bobble hat decorations. A fun, hands-on activity to add a homemade touch to your festive season.

For children aged 6-11 years, booking not required.

Make, Mingle and be Merry! Join us for creative Christmas crafts for adults.

Booking advised.

t: 028 2563 3950

Join us after a busy day shopping and settle in for Christmassy Stories and Hot Chocolate. 

Booking advised.

t: 028 2563 3950

Stories and Crafts from the first Christmas. Create a Nativity scene Christmas Tree decoration.

For children aged 6-11 years, children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by adult.

Booking advised.
t: 028 2563 3950