NEWS

A planning application has been submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed new solar farm adjacent to Belfast International Airport. The proposal is for the installation and operation of a solar farm of up to 24MW, along with associated infrastructure, access routes and landscaping, on land located around one kilometre west of the main airport terminal building between Seacash Road and British Road, Crumlin. The application has been submitted by an ag

Volunteer Coordinator Sharon with volunteers, Helen and Clodagh and Macmillan Cancer Support’s Chief Executive Gemma Peters at the awards ceremony Four volunteers who help families through the heartbreak of losing a loved one to cancer at Antrim Hospital have been recognised for the compassion and comfort they provide during some of life’s most difficult moments. The Macmillan Unit Bereavement Call Service team at Antrim Hospital were named runners up in the Thanks To You Awa

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir launches major animal welfare reform consultation for Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has launched a major public consultation on new animal welfare reforms in Northern Ireland, including proposals to regulate rescue and rehoming organisations, tighten dog microchipping rules, ban certain training devices, and increase dog licence fees. The consultation mar

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick promotes her Party in the Parterre at Antrim Castle Gardens in aid of her chosen charities. Families across the borough are being invited to Antrim Castle Gardens later this month as the Mayor’s Party in the Parterre returns with an afternoon packed full of entertainment, activities and fundraising for local charities. The community event will take place on Saturday 30 May from 1pm to 4pm in the scenic surrounding

Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA launching the Assembly’s engagement events at the 2026 Balmoral Show. The Northern Ireland Assembly is set to bring major public policy discussions directly to thousands of visitors at the Balmoral Show next week, with Assembly committees launching a series of engagement sessions on issues ranging from health and renewable energy to marriage law and the Windsor Framework. The initiative will see Assembly Members and scrutiny c

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has approved significant changes to childcare regulations in Northern Ireland, paving the way for childminders to care for more children while easing some of the recruitment pressures facing the sector. The reforms, which follow a public consultation involving almost 500 responses, will alter adult-to-child ratios in both childminding and group day care settings and reduce the requirement for GP-signed health assessments for many childcare workers

Detectives investigating the attack on Lurgan Police Station in March have arrested three people in a significant development in the ongoing terrorism inquiry. A 48-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy were arrested on Wednesday, 6 May under the Terrorism Act and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning. A 39-year-old woman was later arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, obstructing police and assisting an offender. All three arrests were carri

Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director at Lidl Northern Ireland. Lidl Northern Ireland has announced a second major pay increase for staff in 2026, investing a further £756,000 into wages for frontline workers and Deputy Store Managers across its Northern Ireland operations. The latest increase, which came into effect on 1 May, will see hourly-paid colleagues earn at least £13.30 per hour — comfortably above the UK National Living Wage of £12.71 — while Deputy Store M

Brothers and keen farmers, Adam and Matthew, join Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) operations director, Rhonda Geary as they count down to this year's show and encourage visitors to travel by bus or train, with convenient, reliable and hassle-free services available throughout the event. Northern Ireland’s biggest celebration of farming, food and rural life is set to return next week, with thousands expected to descend on the Eikon Exhibition Centre for the 2026 Balm

Residents across the Borough can pick up a free bag of peat-free compost this week as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council launches a recycling reward initiative to mark International Compost Awareness Week 2026. From Monday 4 May until Saturday 9 May, households visiting any of the Council’s five Household Recycling Centres will be eligible to receive one complimentary bag of compost while stocks last. The offer is available to residents bringing recyclable items includin

Photo Credit: Emerson Miller/Paramount+ The next chapter in the Yellowstone universe is officially underway, with Paramount+ unveiling the first full trailer for Dutton Ranch — the highly anticipated spin-off centred on Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler. The new Paramount+ Original Series premieres globally on Friday, May 15 with two launch episodes, transporting the fan-favourite couple from the mountains of Montana to the dangerous and unforgiving landscape of South Texas. Set in

A North Antrim MLA has highlighted the vital role of an early years service in Ballymena after seeing first-hand how it is supporting young children and families across the area. Visit shines light on frontline support for families Jon Burrows visited Ballymena and Little Steps Antrim SureStart on the Doury Road, where he met staff, parents and children and observed a range of programmes currently being delivered on the ground. The service, operated by Action for Children, wo

Mayor Jackson Minford is pictured with Ballymena businessmen (L-R) William Calderwood of Arbuckle and Calderwood; Richard McLaughlin of Wyse Byse; James McNeill of James McNeill Hardware; Eugene Diamond of Diamonds Newsagents; and Thomas McKillen of McKillens. Retailers whose combined service spans more than three centuries have been recognised at a special mayoral reception celebrating Ballymena’s rich trading history. Honouring decades of local service The event, held at Th

The Committee and Volunteers from Sensory Kids A volunteer-led organisation supporting children, adults and families in Co Antrim has received the highest honour of its kind in the UK, recognising years of life-changing work for people with disabilities. Sensory Kids has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, a prestigious national recognition celebrating the impact of its inclusive programmes and community support. Prestigious honour presented at special ceremo

Students from Sead the Season at Cullybackey College celebrating being named ‘Company of the Year’ at the annual Young Enterprise NI Awards held in Belfast City Hall. Students from Cullybackey College have secured one of Northern Ireland’s top young enterprise honours after their student-run business was crowned ‘Company of the Year’ at a major awards ceremony in Belfast. The team behind Seed the Season impressed judges with a sustainability-focused business supplying seasona

Superfast VII - Belfast to Cairnryan route Stena Line is investing approximately £14 million to upgrade and modernise its Irish Sea fleet, with passengers and freight customers set to benefit from improved onboard comfort, expanded facilities and enhanced travel experiences across key routes. The major investment programme will see extensive refits carried out across vessels operating between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, reinforcing the ferry o

Ireland will host the largest-ever GAA World Games this July, with a record 115 teams from across the globe set to descend on Waterford for the five-day tournament. The international event, running from 13th to 17th July 2026, will bring together thousands of players competing in Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and LGFA, marking a major milestone in the global growth of Gaelic games. Europe drives surge in global participation Europe will form one of the strongest contingen

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Michael McDonnell, Choice Group Chief Executive; Lyndsay Carr and two of her children Jessica and Luke; and Nicole Lappin, Chair, Northern Ireland Housing Executive. A major increase in social housing delivery across Northern Ireland has been confirmed, with 1,765 new homes started in the past year following record levels of investment. The £210 million building programme for 2025/26 marks a significant step up in supply, delive

Ballymena Magistrates’ Court A dog owner has been prosecuted after a serious incident in which a dog strayed and attacked a child, prompting enforcement action and a court ruling in Ballymena. Owner prosecuted after child attacked by dog Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council brought the case under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended) following an investigation into the attack. Council enforcement officers identified Ms Geraldine Millen, from the Toome area, a

Members of the Northern Trust’s Palliative Care and Learning Disability Working Group pictured at an event to mark the launch of the bereavement information for adults with a learning disability. Talking about death remains one of life’s most avoided conversations—but a major regional campaign this week is aiming to change that, with new support, resources, and community events rolled out across the Northern Trust area to help people face it with greater confidence and compas

Briggs Equipment North West 200 Race Director, Mervyn Whyte, pictured with Rob Hodson and Storm Stacey who with both make their North West debuts at the famous north coast venue on May 4-9. (Photo credit: Stephen Davison) A rising British Superbike star is set to take on one of the most daunting challenges in road racing this week, as Storm Stacey prepares to make his debut at the Briggs Equipment North West 200. The 23-year-old arrives at the iconic Triangle circuit in Portr

Ainstable Hammer who sold for 30,000gns. One of the UK’s most respected Beltex sheep breeders is set to take centre stage at this year’s Balmoral Show, as top animals from across the region compete for honours in a key livestock showcase. Cumbrian breeder Brian Hall will judge the Beltex sheep classes on Wednesday, 13 May at 9:30am in the Sheep Rings, where exhibitors will present what is expected to be a high-calibre line-up of the popular terminal sire breed. Experienced b

Young Ballymena woman Ellen Macdonald running the London Marathon A young woman from Ballymena has turned personal heartbreak into powerful purpose, completing the London Marathon in memory of her father while raising thousands of pounds for charity. Ellen Macdonald, a former pupil of Ballymena Academy, crossed the finish line on 26 April in honour of her dad, Ewan Macdonald, and her ongoing efforts have now helped raise nearly £8,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK. Running through

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, councillor Jackson Minford cuts the ribbon at the newly developed Gibson Paving centre in Portglenone, with the Gibson family. A major £250,000 investment is set to reshape how homeowners across Northern Ireland plan their outdoor spaces, as Gibson Paving opens the doors to a newly redeveloped paving and outdoor living centre in Portglenone. The relaunch marks a significant moment for the long-established family business, blending more than four