Kennedy Kane McArthur was born in Dervock, Co. Antrim, before emigrating to South Africa as a young man, where he became a successful athlete. In 1912 he won the marathon at the Stockholm Olympics, while representing South Africa. But he didn't forget his birth town, and shortly after his victory, made a triumphant visit to Ballymoney.

This project enabled the development of a centenary exhibition featuring McArthur’s medals and trophies – loaned from the Potchefstroom Museum, South Africa – as well as 1912 Olympic-related artefacts from closer to his birth home. Educational workshops were delivered in local schools, and students were encouraged to take part in the production of a community play.

A high-profile historical re-enactment of McArthur’s return to Ballymoney, and the torchlight procession that led him to Dervock, was also staged, alongside public lectures and documentary screenings.

K K McArthur Centenary 1912-2012 helped raise awareness of Ballymoney’s local history. It generated a greater community appreciation of the borough’s heritage, and established long-term cultural links between Potchefstroom and Ballymoney.