NEWS

North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland pictured in Ballycastle Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has welcomed Ballycastle’s latest accolade as Northern Ireland’s best place to live, calling it a proud moment for the community and a reflection of the town’s unique spirit. The north Antrim seaside town secured the regional title in the 2026 edition of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live, standing out ahead of Dundrum and Ormeau in south Belfast — both of which were also recognis

From Freida McFadden’s gripping psychological thrillers to Easter-themed children’s favourites, Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books alongside half-price highlights, storytime fun and upcoming events for readers of all ages. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books Psychological suspense dominates this week’s chart, with Freida McFadden claiming both the top two spots as readers continue to devour her addictive thrillers. 1. The Tenant – Freida

Jim Allister MP takes to the platform at the TUV’s annual conference in Cookstown Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has delivered a scathing and wide-ranging critique of the Northern Ireland political landscape, warning that the region is being “sleepwalked out of the United Kingdom” under the current system. In a combative conference speech, Allister targeted the Windsor Framework, Stormont’s functioning, rival unionist parties, and the UK Government—framing the

Anyone planning a holiday or needing to renew their passport is being urged to act quickly, as new UK passport fees are set to come into force from 8 April 2026. The increases, subject to parliamentary approval, will affect almost every type of application — meaning waiting even a few weeks could cost applicants more. What’s changing? The new fee structure will see notable rises across online, postal, premium, and overseas applications: Standard online (UK): Adults: £94.50 →

(L-R): Laurentiu Ghisoiu from the National Trust, Sheena Dickson from Tourism NI, Oliver McMullan, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens and Mel McQuitty of Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust.   A spectacular stretch of Northern Ireland’s north coast has been chosen to host the region’s very first “Signature Walk” — a move designed to transform how visitors experience its most iconic landscapes. Launched by Tourism Northern Ireland in partnership with National Trust, Causewa

Families arriving at hospital in moments of crisis are being offered small acts of comfort thanks to a community initiative — but supplies are now running low. Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) has issued an urgent appeal for donations to help replenish its “comfort packs”, which are given to relatives who unexpectedly find themselves staying with a seriously unwell loved one. These packs, made up of basic everyday essentials, are designed to ease the immediate s

A murder investigation has been launched after a woman died following an incident at a property in Derry/Londonderry on Saturday morning. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team confirmed the woman was discovered injured at a house in the Summer Meadows Mews area of the city at around 10.20am on 21 March. She was taken to hospital by Northern Ireland Ambulance Service colleagues but later died from her injuries. Arrest made as enquiri

Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after two sheep were found dead in what is believed to be a deliberate act in the Glenarm area. Officers in Larne say the incident, reported on Tuesday, 17 March, has caused concern within the rural community, with early indications suggesting the animals were not killed by another animal but intentionally targeted. Describing the incident as “senseless and extremely cruel,” police are now seeking the public’s help to piece

Safety concerns raised by local residents have prompted action at a rural junction in north Antrim, with confirmation that improvements are now on the way. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed a response from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), outlining planned measures to improve visibility and safety at the junction of Glenleslie Road and Moneyduff Road, Clough. The move follows representations made by Mr Frew after constituents highlighted ongoing worries about th

A free two-day programme designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs take their first steps into business is returning to Cushendall next week, offering a rare opportunity for local people to turn ideas into action. Grow the Glens , in partnership with Catalyst Belfast , will host its second Hello Possible event at the Cushendall Innovation Centre on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 March. The initiative is aimed at anyone who has ever considered starting their own business — or simply

Pictured are Oliver Mars of Milwaukee Tools, Noah Downie, a Northern Regional College student, first-year Electrical Installation apprentice and Regional Skill Build finalist, and Iain McCart, Lecturer in Electrical Installation at Northern Regional College. Northern Regional College is set to bring a unique, hands-on industry experience to Ballymena next month after becoming the first college in the UK to host the Milwaukee Tools Roadshow. The global power tool manufacturer

The Marine Hotel in Ballycastle, County Antrim A landmark hotel on Northern Ireland’s north coast is set for a major new chapter, as the owners of the Marine Hotel Ballycastle announce a strategic partnership designed to secure its long-term future and unlock further growth. Claire Hunter and Colum McLornan have confirmed the appointment of Schulte European Group as the hotel’s new management operator, marking a significant shift after 13 years of hands-on ownership. A strat

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is pictured at the Giant’s Causeway. Visitor numbers from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland surged in 2025, delivering a major boost to the local economy with spending jumping by almost a third in a single year. New figures show a 15% rise in trips from the south, alongside a striking 31% increase in visitor spending — a trend being hailed as a powerful sign of growing cross-border tourism momentum. Strong growth in trips and sp

The local team outside KFC Ballymena before litter pick A team of local fast-food workers has swapped fryers for refuse bags—and come out on top—after KFC Ballymena was crowned litter-picking champion in a nationwide clean-up effort. During this year’s Great British Spring Clean, 11 team members from the KFC restaurant at Larne Road Link took to the streets of Ballymena, collecting an impressive 14 bags of rubbish in a determined bid to tidy their community. Local pride shine

Ballycastle on the Antrim coast. (All photos by local photographer Anne Kelly) Ballycastle has been named the best place to live in Northern Ireland, with judges praising its powerful sense of community, thriving food scene and stunning coastal setting. The north Antrim town took the top regional spot in the 2026 edition of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live , standing out for what judges described as its “big, beating heart” — a place where community life is visible every

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Leader Jon Burrows MLA, with party colleague, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA Northern Ireland must continue to show up on the global stage or risk being left behind, Ulster Unionist Leader Jon Burrows MLA has said, following what he described as a “high impact” visit to Washington DC aimed at promoting the region’s economic and strategic strengths. Representing both Northern Ireland and his party in the US capital, Burrows positioned the trip a

A major legal change aimed at protecting young people across Northern Ireland is now underway, as legislation to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 has been formally introduced at Stormont. Finance Minister John O’Dowd has brought forward the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, which will end the current provision allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent — a move he says is essential to safeguarding children and preventing harm. Stronger protections

Football fans across Ballymena are set for a rare treat this summer as two of Celtic’s most iconic figures, John Hartson and Jackie McNamara , come together for a special live event at the Tullyglass House Hotel. Taking place in June, An Evening with Celtic Legends promises a night of stories, laughter and behind-the-scenes insight from two players who helped define a successful era for the Glasgow club. A night of stories, silverware and survival John Hartson, who joined Cel

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has approved a business case for the purchase of nine new ultrasound scanners at a cost of almost £700,000. A report presented to the Trust board at its most recent meeting in January said: “This proposal aims to replace nine ultrasound scanners within radiology across the Trust. “The service covers a wide range of routine, planned, red flag and urgent examinations for both inpatients and outpatients, as well as unscheduled car

L-R: Bronwen Hall, Snr Consultant, The Workforce Development Trust, Kristine Graham, Group HR Manager, McKeever Hotels, Martin Toner, Director of People & Culture, McKeever Hotels A leading Northern Ireland hotel group is taking an unusually proactive step to tackle one of hospitality’s biggest headaches — staffing — just weeks before the busy summer season begins. Multi award-winning McKeever Hotels has become the first tourism and hospitality business in Northern Ireland to

The Ross family at The Showgrounds – home of Ballymena United A heartfelt community effort led by Ballymena United supporters has raised an extraordinary £90,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, transforming personal tragedy into a life-saving legacy. The fundraising campaign, launched in memory of lifelong fan Lydia Ross, has united players, staff, and supporters of the Sky Blues — and even rival clubs — in a show of solidarity that continues to resonate across the Irish

As spring arrives this week, dog owners across Ballymena are being urged to stay alert — with a warning that some of the season’s most popular flowers could pose a serious risk to pets. Dogs Trust Ballymena  has issued a timely reminder ahead of Friday, 20 March, highlighting the hidden dangers lurking in gardens, parks and woodland areas as blooms begin to flourish. While longer days and warmer weather are a welcome change, the charity says common spring plants — including d

Schools in Ballymena are calling for urgent, coordinated action after last summer’s unrest left classrooms empty, families fleeing, and some of the area’s most vulnerable children gone for good. At the centre of the appeal is a stark statistic: the equivalent of an entire classroom — 26 pupils — missing at the start of the September 2025 term following disturbances linked to so-called “anti-migrant riots” in Ballymena and Larne. Speaking ahead of the Ulster Teachers’ Union (U

34-year-old Niamh Kavanagh Police have named the woman who died following a late-night road traffic collision in Enniskillen as 34-year-old Niamh Kavanagh. Ms Kavanagh, originally from Galway and more recently living in Bundoran, died after a two-vehicle collision on the Marble Arch Road shortly before 10pm on Tuesday, 17 March. Investigation continues The collision involved two vehicles and prompted a significant emergency response. The driver of one of the vehicles was pron