Broughshane


Broughshane is a village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is northeast of Ballymena and north of Antrim, on the A42 road. It is part of Mid and East Antrim District Council and had a population of 2,851 people in the 2011 Census.
Its name comes from the Irish for "Shane's dwelling", and seemingly refers to a castle of Shane mac Brian O'Neill, ruler of the Gaelic territory of Lower Clannaboy from 1595 to 1617, which formerly stood on the north side of the village street. The quaint pub, The Thatch Inn, has a thatched roof and is a Grade B+ listed building. It was originally a planter’s house. The local Masonic Lodge would meet upstairs in The Thatch. Now a Masonic Hall built in 1904 is adjacent to the pub.
Broughshane is known as the 'Garden Village of Ulster' with the motto 'People, Plants and Pride growing Together'. The village recently won Channel Four's 'UK Village of the Year', Ulster in Bloom, Britain in Bloom and Entente Floral. In 2007 and again in 2012, the village won 'Champion of Champions' award in the Britain in Bloom competition. It has also won the All Ireland Tidy Town Award.
Volunteers have established in the area around the village pond, a wildlife area which has some of every species of swan and many rare types of geese etc.

Notable people

Broughshane has two football teams.
Both clubs play their home matches at the village's football pitch at Knockan Road. Since 2008 the pitch has also been used as a venue for Milk Cup games.
Ballymena Golf Club is situated in the outskirts of Broughshane.
Ballymena R.F.C. rugby Grounds are on the road linking Ballymena to Broughshane.

Demography

2011 Census

It had a population of 2,851 people in the 2011 Census.
On Census day in 2011:
Broughshane is classified as an intermediate settlement by the .
On Census day there were 2,364 people living in Broughshane. Of these:
For more details see: