Ballymena 400 storybook launch brings town’s history to life for young children

Mid and East Antrim Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tyler Hoey, pictured with author and illustrator Kelsey Carroll and children who took part in the workshop

A new children’s storybook celebrating Ballymena 400 has been officially launched at Mid-Antrim Museum in the Braid, offering young readers an engaging introduction to the town’s history.

The launch event took place on Saturday 7 February as part of the Playful Museums Festival, supported by the Northern Ireland Museums Council.

The book, The Tale of the Castle Cat and the Golden Dragon, is written and illustrated by Kelsey Carroll and is set in Ballymena Castle. The publication forms part of a wider programme of events marking the 400th anniversary of Ballymena.

Playful Museums Festival encourages families to explore heritage

The storytelling and craft workshop held during the launch introduced children to the new story in an interactive setting designed to inspire creativity and curiosity.

The Playful Museums Festival aims to strengthen relationships between families and their local museums. Supported by the Northern Ireland Museums Council, the initiative encourages child development through play while opening local museums to new audiences.

Young attendees were introduced to the imaginative tale set within the historic Ballymena Castle, blending storytelling with local heritage in an accessible format for early years audiences.

Ballymena Castle at the heart of the story

Ballymena Castle, depicted in the book, plays a central role in the narrative. The Scots baronial-style castle, with its distinctive seven-storey tower, was built for Sir Robert Adair (later 1st Baron Waveney) between 1865 and 1887.

The storybook uses this prominent landmark as a backdrop, helping children connect with a recognisable feature of their town while learning about its historical significance.

Marking 400 years of Ballymena

Mid and East Antrim Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tyler Hoey, pictured with author and illustrator Kelsey Carroll and her storybook ‘The Tale of the Castle Cat and the Golden Dragon’

Ballymena 400 commemorates 400 years since the Adair family were granted a patent by Charles I, giving them the right to hold a free weekly Saturday market and two fairs each year.

The anniversary programme aims to highlight the town’s heritage while engaging residents of all ages.

Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Tyler Hoey, said:

“This storybook is a fantastic opportunity to engage young children with local history in an inspiring and fun way, while also marking a significant milestone for Ballymena with the 400th anniversary.

“Events like the Playful Museums Festival are important as they support interaction with heritage from a young age, which in turn encourages return visits to museums as an adult.”

Further Ballymena 400 events planned

Additional Ballymena 400 events are scheduled throughout the year, including a workshop with Ballymena Integrated Nursery School and a family workshop for National Drawing Day in May.

Families can visit Mid-Antrim Museum to explore the new storybook and participate in upcoming activities.

For further details, contact the museum at E: BraidMuseum@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to celebrate Ballymena’s past while creating meaningful cultural experiences for the town’s younger generation.