Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has organised an event in Ballymena to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the German air raids on Northern Ireland in 1941. The event, German Air Raids: A Mid Antrim Perspective, takes place at Ballymena Services Club on Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 7:30pm.

Civic Events Co-ordinator David Hume oversees the programme. Nigel Henderson of History Hub Ulster will deliver a talk on individuals from the former Ballymena Urban and Rural Districts who died in the raids. The presentation covers raid statistics and biographical details of those affected.

At least 20 people born in the Mid Antrim area died during the raids. The number reaches 33 when including spouses and children. Stories involve residents from Clough, Connor, Portglenone and Ballymena, such as an RUC constable in an unmarked grave, a soldier from Connor with no known grave, a family of four buried in Kells and an RAF serviceman who died in Belfast.

Sharon Dickson will perform storytelling based on a Belfast woman's experience during the raids. Geoff Hatt will provide songs from the era.

The Ballymena event belongs to a council series across the borough. Previous talks by Henderson occurred at Larne Museum and Carrickfergus Town Hall on East Antrim connections to the raids.