Antrim set to be submitted to UK Town of Culture competition

THE council has approved the submission of an expression of interest to the UK Town of Culture 2028 competition for Antrim Town.

The decision was made at a full monthly meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough on Monday night.

There is £3 million on offer to the winning town and £250,000 for two finalists.

It was proposed to submit a bid for Antrim to the Medium Town category. Expressions of interest must be submitted by 31 March 2026.

Shortlisted places will be announced in Spring 2026 and successful applicants will have until Autumn 2026 to develop a full application.

Finalists and winners will be announced in early 2027.

The move was proposed by Antrim Town DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop, who said he hoped it would be ‘high on the winning list’and that it would be ‘a great link to the history of the town’ and seconded by Antrim Town Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly, who said it was ‘great to see, especially at no cost to council!’.

See more details in the paper tomorrow (Tuesday).