A new memorial is to be unveiled in Ballycarry this weekend in honour of local residents who lost their lives in the two world wars.
The memorial, which was made possible through financial support from members of the community and Larne Borough Council, will be officially dedicated at 3pm on Sunday, October 19 and is located at the amenity green near Templecorran Church.
Dignatories are expected to join the local community for the event, and there will be a parade from Ballycarry Community Centre to the village green at 2.45pm, led by Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band.
At the green, Killyglen Accordion Orchestra will provide musical accompaniment during the service and a piper and buglar from the Royal Irish Regiment will also participate.
Chairman of Ballycarry and District Community Association Valerie Beattie said invites have gone out to the Royal British Legion and other service organisations to take part, and everyone is welcome to attend.
“This is the realisation of a major project for the group, which had a number of difficulties over the years,” she added.
“We are delighted that the war memorial is in place and that it will now be officially unveiled and dedicated. It is fitting that in this 100th anniversary of the Great War we are able to have it erected in the village.
“The names of the war dead from the area will be read out during the ceremony and we will have the opportunity to reflect on their loss and the loved ones which they left behind,”Mrs Beattie said.
The war memorial plans were first mooted several years ago and the community group raised funds through a series of events, most significantly an annual Festival of Remembrance, which rotates around the three churches in the village.
Considerable research was carried out to ascertain those with connections to the community and the Association has recognized those who were born in Ballycarry, lived in the village or are mentioned on family gravestones in the local cemeteries.
In total 30 names are listed on the new memorial, including a family of seven, the Hutchinsons, were were victims of the Belfast Blitz of April 1941.
Local clergy will lead a religious service at the memorial on Sunday at 3pm, while teas will be provided afterwards in the local community centre at Fairhill.
Among those expected to attend are relatives of those who lost their lives in both wars while a wreath will be laid by the Mayor of Larne, Cllr. Martin Wilson, in addition to a community wreath laid on behalf of the Ballycarry and District Community Association.
“Everyone in the local community and beyond will be very welcome to attend the event, and we know that it will be a historic occasion for the area,” Mrs Beattie concluded.