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  • Lyons announces £85,000 investment in Street Art to enhance town centres across Mid and East Antrim

    Date published: 14 August 2025

    Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced an £85,000 investment to support a new Street Art initiative across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne, aimed at enhancing the visual appeal of town centres, celebrating local identity and engaging communities through creative expression.

    Led by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC) and supported by the Department for Communities, the Street Art project will deliver over 40 new public artworks across the borough. This will include new artwork at Larne underpass, extending the work funded there last year, enhancement to the Carrickfergus Castle subway and further murals in Ballymena town centre.

    The project builds on the success of previous street art programmes delivered by the Council and Department, which have already improved and reinvigorated neglected spaces. The new phase of artwork will further contribute to town centre regeneration.

    Minister Lyons said: “I am pleased to support this exciting initiative. It aligns with my Department’s vision of building inclusive, vibrant places where people want to live, work and visit. Public art is a powerful tool for regeneration and this project will leave a lasting legacy across Mid and East Antrim.”

    The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said: “This renewed investment in street art is a celebration of our people and places. These artworks will not only bring our town centres to life but also reflect the unique stories and spirit of our communities. We are proud to support projects that foster creativity and connection across Mid and East Antrim.”

    Notes to editors:

    1. The project is being funded through a £76,500 contribution from the Department for Communities, with an additional £8,500 from MEABC.
    2. For media enquiries please contact the Press Office
    3. Follow the Department on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
    4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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