Ballymena is a town in Northern Ireland and has a population of 29,551. The town was built in 1626 on land given by King Charles I, with the condition that the town holds two annual fairs and a free market on Saturday. As of today, the Saturday market still runs. The town is a popular shopping hub and has an old centre with many historic buildings. The surrounding area has many attractions and locations worth a visit too, with highlights such like the Lissanoure Castle Estate, Slemish Mountain and the Glenarm Gardens, one of Ireland’s oldest walled gardens.