District council area in Northern Ireland
| Coordinates: | 54.87, -6.09 |
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The Mid and East Antrim borough occupies a slice of County Antrim on the east coast of Northern Ireland, combining rugged shoreline and rolling farmland. It runs from the seaside towns of Larne and Carrickfergus into the market hinterland centred on Ballymena, and sits within easy commuting distance of Belfast.
History is visible across the area: the Norman keep at Carrickfergus Castle and other small coastal strongholds and country houses tell of medieval and plantation‑era stories, while later shipbuilding and linen industries shaped towns and communities. Local music, agricultural shows and sporting clubs keep cultural life lively, reflecting a mix of urban and rural identities.
The economy mixes agriculture, light manufacturing and maritime trade - Larne harbour remains an important ferry and freight link to Scotland - and tourism around the coastline and coastal villages brings seasonal interest. Socially the borough feels both rural and suburban, with tight‑knit villages, larger market‑town amenities in Ballymena and commuter suburbs feeding into Belfast.