Derivation:
Bruach Sheáin: ‘Shane’s dwelling’

Potted history:
Three miles from Ballymena, Broughshane is known as the ‘Garden Village of Ulster’ because of its award winning flower displays. It has won many Best Kept Town awards and in 1994 it won the Ulster In Bloom, Britain In Bloom and Europe In Bloom competitions.

Houston’s Mill dates back to the early days of the Irish linen industry and was once an old Flax/Corn Mill. In 2001 it was restored to its original state and today is a community resource centre providing cottage accommodation and a community office.

The quaint village pub, The Thatch Inn was originally a planter’s house. The local Masonic Lodge used to meet upstairs in ‘The Thatch’. A Masonic Hall built in 1904 stands next to the pub.

Do not miss:
The Cycle Network is a popular scenic cycle pathway that links Broughshane with the Eco Environmental Centre in Ballymena.

A little local knowledge:
Thanks to help from NIE’s Eco Energy Fund, the water from the nearby Briad river is used as a renewable energy hydro system to make electricity for the Community Resource Centre at Houston’s Mill.

Famous folk:
Broughshane was the ancestral home of Field Marshal Sir George Stuart White VC, the hero of Ladysmith. The memorial in the Presbyterian Church graveyard is dedicated to him.

More from CultureNorthernIreland:
Tradition Bearers of North Antrim