Your summer sorted across the borough

Welcome to issue #18 of the Antrim & Newtownabbey Post.

We’ve got a lovely week of weather ahead and there are plenty of great activities happening across the borough for both kids and adults to enjoy.

Here’s a preview of what’s waiting for you in this issue:

Hope you enjoy!

~ Mark McKnight, Editor.

P.S. If you enjoy this newsletter, please feel free to forward it to a friend’s email who might find it useful.

A new cross-border heritage trail is inviting visitors to discover Ulster's deep ties to America, launching alongside the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

In Antrim and Newtownabbey, the spotlight falls on Pogue's Entry Historical Cottage.

The childhood home of Alexander Irvine, who rose from humble beginnings here to become a missionary in New York's Bowery and pastor of a Fifth Avenue church.

His memoir, My Lady of the Chimney Corner, immortalises life in the cottage during the post-famine years.

The trail also links Pogue's Entry with four other ancestral homes, including the President Arthur Homestead and The Mellon Homestead, with storytelling, griddle baking and music events along the way.

👉 For more details about the trail, visit: https://ancestralcottagestrailni.com

School uniforms are pricey and kids outgrow them fast, so why let a perfectly good blazer sit in landfill?

Antrim & Newtownabbey's School Uniform Reuse Scheme connects families across the borough with local drop-off points to donate outgrown uniforms and pick up "new-to-you" ones for free.

Last year alone, over 3,000 quality items were rehomed through community groups like ROC Glengormley, Listening Ear and Carnmoney Church. Libraries in Antrim, Ballyclare, Glengormley and Rathcoole are also collecting PE kits. Look for the purple bin!

Find your nearest scheme and start the new school year sorted, sustainably and on a budget.

👉 Find a scheme near you.

ANBC has wrapped up a £100,000 improvement scheme at Stiles Community Centre, boosting accessibility, safety, and everyday user experience.

The works, running since January 2026, included full resurfacing and white-lining of the car park, upgraded pedestrian routes to both entrances, new low-energy lighting, and improved drainage.

The centre supports long-standing local services including Globe Afterschool Club and Home-Start.

Mayor Cllr Henry Cushinan praised the investment as proof of the Council's commitment to keeping community facilities "accessible, safe and fit for the future."

A welcome upgrade for the families, groups, and volunteers who rely on this well-loved local hub.

Every week, we shine a light on one of the brilliant independent businesses that make our community what it is. The hidden gems, the passionate makers, and the hardworking locals who keep our high streets alive.

Tucked into the heart of Ballyclare, at 11 The Square, sits a professional looking storefront with a name that says it all: Nest. This is a Northern Ireland estate agency built, in their own words, around what matters most to you, your home.

Run by Directors Cheryl McMaster and David McMaster, along with Property Assistant Victoria Thompson and Senior Negotiator Paula Gillen, the Nest team brings a combined 20+ years of property experience to sales, lettings, property management, and bespoke home sourcing across the whole of Northern Ireland.

Whether you're a first-time seller, a landlord juggling tenancies, or someone hoping to "fly the coop" to a new part of the country, they promise a friendly, professional approach at every stage.

What sets Nest apart? They've gone fully paperless. Every document, brochure, and listing is digital, which they say makes the process faster for buyers, sellers, and landlords while cutting down on waste.

Sellers get a genuinely generous marketing package too: free professional photography and floor plans, optional drone photography and video walkthroughs, and listings pushed across three major property portals plus their own eye-catching for-sale boards.

Need a mortgage sorted too? Sister company Smart Mortgages offers in-house financial advice, so you're not juggling multiple companies during a stressful move.

Thinking of selling? Nest offers free valuations, and you can pop into their Ballyclare store Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm, or reach them on 028 9343 8090.

Find your dream home at: nestestateagents.com

If this week's feature caught your eye, show them some love. Pay them a visit, spread the word, or give them a follow online.

Supporting a local business takes just a moment, but it makes a world of difference. If you want to feature your local business here and get it in front of 800+ subscribers for free, click the button below.

Antrim Castle Gardens is throwing the biggest party of the summer!

On Sunday 2 August, join a fun-filled afternoon of live tribute performances celebrating America's biggest music stars, all set against a USA 250 theme.

Grab a chair or blanket, gather the family, and sing along from 1pm–5pm. Tickets are just £2.50, with 50p from every ticket going to the Mayor's chosen charities.

All ages welcome, with free "Babe in Arms" tickets available for little ones under 18 months.

Don't forget, large umbrellas and gazebos should stay at home so everyone can enjoy the view!

📍 Antrim Castle Gardens | 📅 Sun 2 August | ⏰ 1–5pm | 🎟️ £2.50

👉 Grab your tickets now before they sell out!

Do the school holidays feel a bit long once the novelty wears off?

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has put together a whole season of things to do, so there's no need to run out of ideas.

Running through July and August, "Summer in the Borough" brings together events, workshops and activity camps across the council area.

Highlights include:

Most events are low-cost or free, and details and bookings are on the council's events page.

Whether you're planning days out with the kids, looking for a free evening activity, or want to pass details on to family, friends or a community group, there's plenty here to explore.

👉 Take a look at what's on and start planning your summer.

Fancy a fun, crafty morning for the whole family?

Head to Antrim Castle Gardens on Saturday 1st August for a hands-on decoupage workshop, decorating your very own bug hotel!

Using simple paper-and-glue techniques, you'll transform a mini insect abode into a colourful work of art, ready to welcome ladybirds, beetles, and other garden critters home.

All materials are provided by Let's Craft NI, and the session runs 10am–12pm, suitable for all ages. Tickets are £15. A lovely way to get creative outdoors and do a little good for local wildlife at the same time.

📅 Sat 1 August | ⏰ 10am–12pm | 📍 Antrim Castle Gardens | 🎟️ £15

👉 Book here

Lego Club | Glengormley Library | 10:00 AM. Children aged 4 to 10 build and create with Lego in a relaxed Saturday session; younger children need an adult with them, and booking is essential for a place.

Mindful Colouring | Greystone Library | 10:00 AM. Unwind with intricate colouring patterns designed to calm the mind and ease stress, in a relaxed Saturday session open to anyone seeking a peaceful start to the day.

Mad About Mammals Workshop | Antrim Castle Gardens | 10:30 AM. Join park rangers for a half day workshop exploring native mammals, their habits and habitats, followed by a guided walk around the grounds hunting for tracks and signs. Tickets cost £5.

Tabletop Games Club | Antrim Library | 10:30 AM. Pull up a chair for board games suited to kids, adults and families alike, no booking needed, just ask at the desk and join the fun whenever you like.

Knit and Natter | Greystone Library | 10:30 AM. Bring your knitting, crochet or cross stitch project and spend the morning swapping tips, patterns and stories with fellow crafters in a free, friendly and welcoming group.

Dungeons and Dragons Group | Glengormley Library | 1:30 PM. Roll the dice and dive into weekly fantasy adventures with fellow players aged 18 and over in this ongoing tabletop roleplaying group held every Saturday afternoon.

Ranger Led Tour | Antrim Castle Gardens | 2:00 PM. Stroll the historic gardens on an easy hour long ranger led tour uncovering centuries of Massereene family history and colourful characters, tickets are £5 and under 12s go free.

No events happening

No events happening

No events happening

Coole Club | Rathcoole Library | 10:00 AM. Settle in for a relaxed Wednesday morning of crafts, creative writing and puzzles, with tea, coffee and biscuits provided to keep the conversation flowing.

Mindful Colouring | Antrim Library | 11:00 AM. Adults can slow down and de-stress with calming colouring designed to sharpen focus and encourage present moment awareness, no booking required, just drop in whenever suits.

Knit and Natter | Glengormley Library | 2:00 PM. Knitters, crocheters and cross stitchers can swap patterns and pick up new skills in this free Wednesday afternoon group, phone ahead to book your spot.

Let's Go Walking | Randalstown Library | 2:15 PM. Lace up for a gentle walk that connects you with fresh air, nature and good company, a relaxed way to stay active each Wednesday, booking is essential.

Coole Gardening | Rathcoole Library | 11:00 AM. Get your hands dirty and share planting tips in this gardening focused get together at the library, a friendly space to grow your green fingered know how together.

Busy Hands and Bright Minds Group | Glengormley Library | 11:30 AM. This neurodivergent friendly group blends sensory stories and hands on play to spark imagination and build confidence, perfect for ages 6 to 11, booking essential and adults must accompany.

Big Summer Read 2026 – Storytime and Craft | Ballyclare Library | 2:00 PM. Sail into a lively pirate themed storytime followed by a hands on craft, perfect for ages 4 to 10, booking is essential for this Big Summer Read session.

Big Summer Read 2026 – Fantasy Adventure Lego Club | Antrim Library | 3:00 PM. Budding builders construct castles fit for royalty, then use quick thinking and imagination to rebuild after disaster strikes, suited to ages 6 to 11, no booking required.

Big Summer Sunshine Storytime and Song | Greenisland Library | 3:00 PM. Little ones can enjoy sunny seasonal stories and songs together in a cheerful summer session designed to spark imagination and get everyone singing along.

Bow Making Workshop | 23 Burn Road, Doagh, BT39 0RE | 10:00 AM. Learn traditional bow making from raw ash wood through to a finished long bow or flat bow with expert instruction, tools and camping included, priced at £295 per person.

Big Summer Read – Jewellery Making Workshop | Rathcoole Library | 3:00 PM. Design and craft your own jewellery pieces at this hands on summer workshop, a chance to try a new skill and take something special home.

Big Summer Read – Story Tree – You and Me | Randalstown Library | 3:30 PM. Gather round the Story Tree for a warm summer tale celebrating connection and togetherness, a cosy session for families to enjoy stories side by side.

Tour of the Nights Sky | Rathcoole Library | 2:30 PM. Look up and learn about the wonders above with an engaging tour of the night sky, perfect for curious stargazers keen to spot constellations and planets.

Do you have a local event coming up that you’d like to share with us?

That’s it for this issue. If you want to get in touch, just hit reply to this email and I’ll get back to you asap.

If you found this useful, feel free to share it with someone else around the Antrim and Newtownabbey area who might appreciate some new local events to try each week.

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Next edition will land at the same time next Friday.