Gateway to Northern Ireland

By land, air and sea, Mid and East Antrim is strategically positioned within Northern Ireland as a gateway for commercial activity.

We have close proximity to the two main airports; the Port of Belfast is on our doorstep; and we are home to the Port of Larne. With up to 20 sailings daily, Port of Larne is situated 2 hours 30 minutes from Dublin and less than 2 hours from Scotland, allowing immediate access to and from Great Britain.

Excellent road, rail and sea connectivity, places Mid and East Antrim as the perfect location for any ambitious business willing to embark on a new journey. Along with easy and instant access to new markets, we also house two main power stations, facilitating high tech data intensive companies searching for high quality power and transmission networks.

Our Borough incorporates the three main towns:

  • Carrickfergus; the starting point of the Causeway Coastal route; which was listed as Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Regions;
  • Ballymena, one of Northern Ireland’s top retail destinations;
  • and Larne, an award-winning port.

The Borough encapsulates a host of welcoming villages and rural communities, all of which are home to a population of 139,400 people.

Mid and East Antrim offers a high quality living environment, a sense of place, combining the charm of bustling, historic and modern towns, scenic mountains, a coastal route and a stepping stone into the calm serenity of a rich countryside. Our region covers over 400 square miles extending from the River Bann in the west to the picturesque Antrim coast in the east. Rich in tourism and heritage, our Borough forms part of the famous Glens of Antrim, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty alongside our additional assets: Carrickfergus Castle and Marina, the Garron Plateau, the Gobbins, Slemish mountain and Lough Beg/Lower Bann river corridor.

Our landscape provides a wide range of opportunities for sport and leisure, including: freshwater and sea fishing; water sports at marinas in Carrickfergus, Glenarm and Portglenone; golf, mountain climbing, rambling and much, much more.

Key Stats to the Belfast City Region Deal
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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Now is the time - Embrace the opportunity