parks ballymena

The forest covers an area of 336 hectares and lies over two hills. Tardee (247 metres) and Carnearny (323 metres) with a shallow connecting valley. It is one of the older state forests being first planted in 1929. Prior to its afforestation the land was maintained by Lord Massereene for grazing and shooting. Today the forest is intensively utilised. Much of the first tree crop has been harvested and wood production has averaged 1500 toones per year over the last twenty years. The forest...

Historically Ballyboley has been used by man since early times and there is still the remains of a 'Boley House' in the south-west corner of the forest which was used when the cattle were brought up the hill for summer grazing. Today it is a good example of multiple land-use with its large catchment area supplying water to the surrounding communities and the forest with its 673 hectares growing raw material for the saw mills. The forest was first planted in 1957....

Attractive riverside walks beside the Bann. Augustine Henry Commemorative Grove. Bluebells a feature during May....