Newtown-Crommelin
| Newtown-Crommelin | |
| County Antrim | |
|---|---|
 Newtown Crommelin | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 54°59’23"N, 6°12’58"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Ballymena |
| Postcode: | BT43 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Mid & East Antrim |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North Antrim |
Newtown-Crommelin, also written Newtowncrommelin is a small village in County Antrim, eight miles north of Ballymena. The main road up Glenravel and thence across the [{Antrim Hills]] and down Glenariff to Cushendun runs just south of the village, and this route to the coast gave the village its importance.
The village of Newtowncrommelin was founded in the early nineteenth century by the Crommelin family in the townland of Skerry (a townland since divided into Skerry West and Skerry East) and bears their name. The family were prominent in the linen weaving industry, descendants of Samuel De la Cherois Crommelin (whose name betrays his descent from Huguenot settlers), and they had developed the port at Cushendun,
The top of Skerry Rock, a hill accessible through private land, alongside the back of the Skerry Inn in Newtowncrommelin, gives a view of Ballymena, Cargan and Martinstown.
Most of the housing developments of Newtown-Crommelin are situated along the Skerry East, Skerry West, Windy Gap, Tullykittagh and Old Cushendun Roads.
The Orange Hall here was destroyed in 1996 by republicans.
History
The village was built in the early 1800s when the Crommelin family, purchased the townlands of Skerry East, Skerry West and Scotch Omerbane. Here the family invested in several speculative projects: mining, estate development, road building, smelting and others, but without great financial success. The family was also responsible for developing the port at Cushendun, which was in its time an important port. It is linked to Newtowncrommelin by road over the hills.
The Presbyterians here in conjunction with those in other neighbouring townlands held open air meetings in a field, preparing the way for a church. The Presbytery of Ballymena erected Newtowncrommelin Presbyterian Church as a separate charge in June 1826. Mr. Joseph Anderson was ordained as their first minister on 8th August