Gracehill marks World Heritage anniversary with European Heritage Open Days celebrations

Gracehill, Ballymena

Gracehill Moravian Village, Northern Ireland’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, will host a packed weekend of events to celebrate the first anniversary of its World Heritage inscription as part of European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) 2025.

The Ballymena village, already known as Northern Ireland’s first Conservation Area, is opening its historic buildings to the public and welcoming visitors to explore its rich Moravian heritage.

Gracehill weekend programme

Gracehill, Ballymena (Photo: Six Mile Images)

• Saturday 13 September, 12pm–4.30pm – Gracehill Village

  
  

  A Heritage Open Day with free guided tours around the historic Moravian settlement, including rarely opened buildings such as the Old Shop and the Single Brethren House.

• Sunday 14 September, 2pm–4pm – Gracehill Square

  
  

  A World Heritage Community Celebration Picnic, with live music from the Antrim and Derry Fiddlers as part of the Summer Serenades series in partnership with Mid & East Antrim Borough Council. In the event of poor weather, the gathering will move into the Church Hall.

Gracehill venues open for EHOD

Gracehill, Ballymena (Photo: Six Mile Images)

Gracehill Moravian Church

(25 Church Road, BT42 2NL) – Saturday, 12pm–5pm

The church, completed in 1765, features a historic organ and an unusual tulip pulpit. Talks will take place every hour.

Gracehill Old Shop

(6 Montgomery Street, BT42 2NN) – Saturday, 12pm–5pm

This former shop once linked the village to the US postal system. Visitors can explore the original shelving and counters, as well as the attic hoist wheel.

Gracehill Single Brethren House

(8 Montgomery Street, BT42 2NN) – Saturday, 12pm–5pm

Built in 1819, this four-storey basalt house once provided accommodation for unmarried men, housed a school and operated as a bank. Guided tours will be given on the hour.

European Heritage Open Days 2025

Gracehill, Ballymena (Photo: Six Mile Images)

EHOD, organised by the Department for Communities, sees more than 260 historic buildings and heritage sites across Northern Ireland open their doors for free on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said:

“European Heritage Open Days are an opportunity to visit and engage with our local heritage and try out new experiences, all of which are free. The EHOD theme this year is ‘Architectural Heritage – Past Structures – Future Connections’, which focuses on bringing together the past and present through this heritage festival featuring architecture, workshops, talks, hidden spaces, walks and activities, with something to interest everyone, young and old.”

Other local highlights

Visitors to Mid & East Antrim can also enjoy:

• Arthur Cottage, Cullybackey – traditional soda bread baking demonstrations.

• St Patrick’s Church, Ballymena – guided tours of the parish church and old churchyard.

• Craigs Parish Church, Cullybackey – designed by Charles Lanyon, featuring famine graves and a Commonwealth war grave.

• Broughshane Museum – a collection of over 8,000 artefacts from rural life.

• Willow and Lore Heritage Farm, Martinstown – hands-on farming and craft skills (booking required at willowandlore.co.uk/events).

• Barbican Gatelodge, Glenarm – explore this miniature medieval-style castle.

• Whitehead Railway Museum – explore locomotives, carriages and a working signal box.

For the full programme and booking information, visit the EHOD WebApp or the Department for Communities’ website.