Ballymena - Notable Natives

Notable Natives

  • Professor Darwin Caldwell, robotics expert and leader of iCub project
  • Alexander Campbell was from the town. Campbell was a leader in the Restoration Movement.
  • Sir Roger Casement, campaigner for the Congolese people and Irish revolutionary was educated in the town and his father buried there.
  • Ian Cochrane, novelist.
  • Sir Samuel Curran, physicist, inventor of the Scintillation Counter, and founder of Strathclyde University was born in Ballymena.
  • Steven Davis, Southampton F.C. and Northern Ireland International midfielder was born in Ballymena, though raised in Cullybackey.
  • Joseph Dyas, led the Forlorn Hope at the Storming of Badajoz on two occasions in 1811 whilst serving with 51st ( 2nd Yorkshire, West Riding) Light Infantry. He was buried in Ballymena in 1850.
  • Timothy Eaton, the Canadian businessman who founded the Eaton's department store, was born in Ballymena.
  • Graham Forsythe, the Canadian artist, was born in Ballymena.
  • Jackie Fullerton, BBC Sports broadcaster.
  • Jamie Hamilton, motorcycle racer.
  • Joanne Hogg, a vocalist, was born in Ballymena.
  • David Humphreys, Ulster and Ireland fly half is from this town.
  • Ian Humphreys, Ulster and Ireland fly half and brother of David.
  • David Kennedy, Ireland international cricketer and top order batsman for Ballymena CC.
  • Matt McCullough, Ulster and Ireland rugby lock.
  • James McHenry, signatory of the United States Constitution, was also from Ballymena.
  • Thomas "Tom" McKinney, Jed-Forest rugby union; Salford, Warrington, St Helens, Great Britain rugby league footballer.
  • George Millar, singer, founding member of musical group The Irish Rovers, born and raised in Ballymena.
  • Dr. Syd Millar, the former Ireland rugby player and current chairman of the IRB, was born in Ballymena and in 2004 was awarded the Freedom of the town.
  • Colin Murdock, Accrington Stanley F.C. and former Northern Ireland International.
  • Liam Neeson, the Oscar-nominated actor, was born and raised in Ballymena.
  • James Nesbitt, actor, born 15 January 1965 in Ballymena.
  • Ian Paisley, the Free Presbyterian Church minister and politician, was born in Armagh but raised in Ballymena.
  • Mary Peters, Northern Irish Olympian, was raised in Ballymena.
  • Joe Rea professional boxer, participant in Prizefighter.
  • Brian Eddie Reynolds lead singer, Creation's Tears
  • Nigel Worthington, the former Northern Ireland, Ballymena United and Sheffield Wednesday left back. As well as being the former International team manager.
  • Alexander Wright, a Victoria Cross recipient during the Crimean War, was born in the town.
  • Bryan Young, Ulster and Ireland international rugby player.

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