Broughshane

Broughshane ( brə-SHAYN, formerly spelt Brughshane, from Irish Bruach Sheáin) is a large village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) northeast of Ballymena and 13.8 miles (22.2 km) north of Antrim, on the A42 road. It is part of Mid and East Antrim District Council and had a population of 2,879 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 nearby pub, The Thatch Inn, has a thatched roof and is a Grade B+ listed building. Broughshane is known as the 'Garden Village of Ulster' with the motto 'People, Plants and Pride growing Together'. In 2018, the village won Channel Four's 'UK Village of the Year'. It has won Ulster in Bloom, Britain in Bloom and Entente Florale (Europe in Bloom). 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.