In October 2025 Ballymoney Museum curated a new exhibition, The Legacy of Sherwood Medical that explored the fascinating story of the Ballymoney factory,  Sherwood Medical, a company that played a vital role in the local economy and community, employing generations of people in the area.

Sherwood, originally opened in 1966 as Brunswick Corporation and later known as Argyle Medical Industries, produced disposable medical equipment, such as syringes and catheters. At its peak, it employed over 250 people and gained international recognition, including a Queen’s Award to Industry in 1972.

The factory played a vital role in humanitarian aid, sending hundreds of thousands of syringes abroad during global health crises, including cholera outbreaks and earthquake relief efforts.

But Sherwood was more than a workplace – it was a community. From football leagues and charity fundraisers to the popular Miss Sherwood beauty contests, the factory was a hub of social life in Ballymoney for over four decades.

Through photographs, artefacts, personal stories, and archival materials, the display captured the impact of Sherwood Medical on both the industrial and social life of Ballymoney and beyond.

Overall, we seen over 3,000 visitors to this exhibition which included a ‘Mini Professors’ Primary school workshop programme and a ‘Sherwood Stories’ reminiscence evening for past employees.

A publication featuring photographs given by the community as well as Ballymoney Museum collection was produced as well as a colouring sheet of the factory.

To discover more about the history of Sherwood Medical, Ballymoney and view the resources click on the links below.

The legacy of Sherwood Medical booklet: https://niarchive.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CCGBC_SherwoodMedicalFactory_WEB_DP_HR.pdf

Exhibition panels & Colouring page: https://niarchive.org/resources/?fwp_project=sherwood-medical-factory