Discover Upper Ballinderry

Upper Ballinderry combines impressive church history with special insights into the landscape of Rams Island. Anyone looking for a place with specific discoveries rather than interchangeable sights for a family holiday will find historic buildings, memorial sites and an island programme here that can easily be planned as a day trip in its own right.

Church history spanning many eras

The local history includes Ballinderry Middle Church, also known as “Jeremy Taylor’s Church”. It is considered one of the finest examples of a Plantation church in Ulster. The church building stands on landscaped, raised grounds. Numerous stone and marble tomb monuments and box tombs can be found there, dating from the late 17th century to the present day. Ballinderry Middle Church was already recorded in the first Ordnance Survey for the Ballinderry area, carried out in 1832.

Ballinderry Middle Church also includes a lych gate built around 1902. The church was extensively restored in the same year. The church, the lych gate and the landscaped grounds each offer different points of historical interest.

Ballinderry Parish Church and special details

A second important stop is the present-day Ballinderry Parish Church. It was built in 1824 during the tenure of Rev James Stannus. Inside is a stained-glass window erected in 1862 by Thomas Walkington of Oatland Cottage in memory of his parents and in pious remembrance of his ancestor Edward Walkington, Bishop of Down and Connor in 1695.

Another striking detail is a large painting of the royal arms of Charles II. It was brought from the Middle Church to Ballinderry Parish Church in 1859. The former granaries and warehouses in Upper Ballinderry have been converted into two business premises: Ballinderry China is now located in the westernmost part, while the other houses Ballinderry Antiques. The Ballinderry War Memorial Hall commemorates the young men from the area who served in the First World War and, in some cases, lost their lives.

Rams Island: an island experience from Sandy Bay Marina

Rams Island also reveals another side of Upper Ballinderry. The Island Warrior ferry to Rams Island departs from Sandy Bay Marina. As part of the European Heritage Open Days 2026, the Rams Island programme includes guided walks along the island’s scenic paths. Visitors can also discover the island’s wildlife, including various bird species.

Rams Island EHOD 2026 takes place at Sandy Bay Marina, Shore Road, Ballinderry Upper, County Antrim, BT28 2LQ. This specific starting point is important when planning your day.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

A holiday apartment or holiday home in Upper Ballinderry is a suitable search direction if you would like to combine the historic churches, local history and the Rams Island programme. What matters is less a blanket classification of the area than your own focus: those interested in culture can devote more time to the churches and memorial sites, while nature and island experiences can shape the stay through the guided walks and wildlife observation on Rams Island.

If you are travelling with children, different interests can be spread over several days: historic buildings and special architectural details for curious explorers, followed by an excursion on the Island Warrior and the opportunity to discover various bird species.

More places for planning your trip

For additional ideas of places to visit, you can also include Hillsborough, Ravernet, Lisburn, Aghalee, Annahilt, Moira and Stonyford in your further search.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lisburn.