'It is a heartbreaking reality that we can't go on after our 103-year journey' - Movie star Liam Neeson revealed as a child he was treated there
Ice cream was being made in the McGroggan’s kitchen 103 years ago after a great great uncle of of Patricia McGroggan’s brought home an Italian wife to William Street.
Ballymena native Patricia McGroggan, 59, was selling ice cream from her father’s van when she was still at school.
And now there has been a massive outpouring of grief at news the ice cream shop in Ballymena will close tomorrow (May 30 ).
"We were making our own ice cream before everybody else,” said Patricia.
“At one stage we had four shops and supplied other shops, but between Brexit and the difficulty of getting ingredients, Covid, wages, rates and no parking outside the shop, it has battered us down.
“Sunday used to be our busiest day, but not now with parking and traffic wardens.
"We are a small business but we were good because our ice cream was always cold, whereas some ice creams now are more creamy than cold. I have not gone into the shop since it was announced.”
Patricia said she remembers “being picked up from school at 3.30pm and working in her father’s ice cream van to 9pm serving ice cream and diploma ices”
Silver screen actor Liam Neeson even paid tribute to McGroggan’s ice cream as being a childhood treat ‘when he was a good boy’ at the time he received the Freedom of the Borough of Ballymena.”
“Recently we ran out of ice cream because of the number of people coming in – and it takes 24 hours to make a new batch,” said Patricia.
A post on social media earlier this week said: ‘After a remarkable 103-year journey, it is with a heavy heart that we announce McGroggan's will be closing its doors on May 30th, 2026.
‘Our family is immensely grateful for the incredible community that has supported us.
‘Thank you to all of our wonderful customers for your loyalty, memories, and support throughout the years’.
But since the announcement, and after an upturn in trade, a later post said: Folks it has been so busy since we announced our closure we are running out of Ice cream.
‘Don't worry we are in the process of making more and this takes time so unfortunately it won't be ready until tomorrow.
‘Thank you for your understanding’.
Ulster Unionist Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows said: "I'm saddened by the closure of McGroggan's, an iconic family business that has been part of the fabric of Ballymena for over 100 years.
"Its closure is not just the loss of a shop; small businesses are the backbone of our communities, yet too many are crippled by rising costs, rates burdens and declining footfall.
"Northern Ireland needs a proper High Street Task Force to breathe new life into our town centres.
"Thank you to everyone at McGroggan's for the memories and the service they gave Ballymena over so many years."
Comments on social media underneath the sad closure message include:
Sinead Wallace Meisonnave – ‘This is so sad to read. Mcgroggans was a huge part of Ballymena. A treasure trove with the best ice cream ever and such a lovely family. You will all be hugely missed’
Angela Hoey – ‘Best ice-cream in town so sad to see it go. Liam Neeson said in his speech for Freedom of the Borough if he was a good boy he got a cone from McGroggans says it all big praise indeed’
Sharon Okane – ‘This is very sad news I have fond memories as a child getting ice cream sliders on a Sunday as a treat and did the same with my kids when we were in ballymena. You will be missed’
Liz Weir – ‘Another very sad loss to Ballymena. Thanks for all those years of service to the people of the town’
Nikki Hought – ‘103 years!?! Wow! Incredible. Best wishes for your retirement. Our family have enjoyed McGroggans ice cream for as long as I can remember. Thank you’
Adeline Alexander – ‘Sad to see another business closing in Ballymena. Ice Cream was the best and lovely Christmas Cards and paper every year not to mention the special toys and jars of sweets. A local family business that has served generations. Happy Retirement’
Fiona Agnew McC ooke – ‘So sad to see it closing. It has been part of my life which I have enjoyed for 75 years. Great memories of Joan and Johnny. Happy retirement’
Stephen Reynolds – ‘Thank you for the memories, and for your family's contribution to our local economy for more than a century. Absolute end of an era.
Sincere best wishes to the McGroggan family for the future’
Kieran Downey – ‘A huge loss to ballymena and the local small business community not to mention the ice cream eating community which I include myself in!
The sliders were the best- thanks for everything and good luck and best wishes for the future’