This event celebrated a record-breaking year with 122 sites across Northern Ireland receiving Green Flag and Green Flag Community Awards, alongside seven Heritage Awards. An impressive 33 of those awards went to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council across its 23 Council-managed parks and 10 community green spaces, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to excellence in environmental management, visitor experience and community engagement.
This year's event highlighted the importance of creating safe and welcoming outdoor spaces for women and girls. Guest speakers, including Abigail Gaines and Junior Minister Joanne Bunting MLA, highlighted how parks and green spaces can support safety, wellbeing and inclusion. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA also addressed attendees, discussing the environmental and social importance of accessible, high-quality outdoor spaces.
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan, said,
“Congratulations to all the award recipients on their fantastic achievements. It was a pleasure to welcome Junior Minister Joanne Bunting MLA, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA and representatives from across Northern Ireland to our Borough.
"These awards recognise the dedication of our staff, volunteers and communities in maintaining our high-quality green spaces. Achieving 33 Green Flag Awards is a fantastic accomplishment, and I thank everyone involved for their hard work and commitment."
"A special thank you to Live Here Love Here and their sponsors for selecting Theatre at The Mill as the host venues for this year's awards."
Antrim and Newtownabbey's parks and open spaces are valued community assets that promote health, wellbeing, inclusion and biodiversity. Over the past few years, the Council has invested more than £2 million in improvements and refurbishment works across several play parks, most recently launching new equipment at King’s Park, The Diamond, The Sovereign Complex and Hazelbank Park.
The Council has also expanded opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors through its community-led 'Walking for All' programme, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to become more active while connecting with nature.
Green Flag Award-winning sites across Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough:
- Antrim Castle Gardens (Heritage)
- Antrim/Belmont & Six Mile Cemetery
- Antrim Lough Shore and TheGateway
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium
- Ballynure Old Graveyard
- Ballyclare Cemetery
- Crumlin Glen
- Kilbride Cemetery
- Jordanstown Loughshore Park, Hazelbank Park and Gideon’s Green
- Lilian Bland Park
- Mallusk Cemetery
- Mill Race Trail
- Monkstown Jubilee Centre
- Newtownabbey Way
- Randalstown Riverside Walk
- Rashee Cemetery
- Sentry Hill Historic House & Visitor Centre
- Sixmile Water Park
- Valley Park (V36 and Glas-na-braden Glen)
- Wallace Park
- Threemilewater Park
- Whiteabbey Glen