NEWS

CGI artist’s impression of the proposed new i4C CleanTech Centre in Ballymena People in Ballymena will get their first opportunity this week to examine plans for a new four-storey Innovation and CleanTech Centre proposed for the former St Patrick’s Barracks site. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is beginning a statutory public consultation on its proposed i4C development, with an in-person event taking place at the ECOS Hub on Wednesday, 12 August. The project would create

A Ballymena war memorial has been vandalised for the second time in three days, with police now confirming they believe both attacks are linked and are treating them as sectarian-motivated hate crimes. Independent Ballymena Councillor Rodney Quigley said he was furious after the Queen Street memorial in Harryville was targeted again in the early hours of Monday, 10 August, with flags stolen and flag poles damaged. The latest incident came after the memorial was attacked early

The aftermath of the Ballymena Bombing, an IRA firebombing attack that killed 27-year-old mother of three Yvonne Dunlop on 9 October 1976. The perpetrator, Thomas McElwee, subsequently starved himself to death on hunger strike. Pictured, Yvonne Dunlop. TUV representatives have strongly criticised First Minister Michelle O’Neill after she attended a commemoration for IRA hunger striker Thomas McElwee, who was imprisoned for his involvement in the 1976 Ballymena firebombing in

St Patrick’s housing development in Ballymena A new community hub bringing health, welfare, housing and policing support directly to residents of Ballymena’s St Patrick’s development will officially open this week. Radius Housing will launch the new St Patrick’s Community Hub on Thursday 13 August, creating a dedicated space within the 135-home development where tenants can access regular advice clinics and community services close to home. The Hub has been developed followin

The scene of the vandalism, which police are treating as a hate crime, at a community memorial in the Harryville area of Ballymena A Ballymena memorial to local men who died at the Battle of the Somme has been vandalised for the second time in three nights — just hours after its flags were replaced following the first attack. Independent Ballymena Councillor Rodney Quigley confirmed on Monday morning, 10 August, that the Queen Street memorial in Harryville had again been targ

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans has taken the number one spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, leading a Top 10 that brings together contemporary fiction, science fiction, thrillers, Irish literary classics and poetry. There is plenty more for local book lovers to explore during August, with Waterstone’s Ballymena unveiling its latest Books of the Month across fiction, thriller, fantasy, non-fiction, Irish writing, children’s and young adult categories. The selection

An investigation is under way after an altercation during an Apprentice Boys feeder parade in Rasharkin on Saturday evening, with police reviewing body-worn camera footage to establish exactly what happened. The incident occurred as members of the local Apprentice Boys club and their accompanying band returned to the village on Saturday, 8 August, following the annual Relief of Derry celebrations. Police said a “short altercation” involving some band members and two males too

North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows talks with RetailNI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts during a visit to Fullan’s Foodhall in Portglenone North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has urged people to support independent retailers on their doorstep, saying local shops remain a vital source of jobs and community services at a time when many businesses are facing “significant pressures”. Mr Burrows made the comments following a visit to EUROSPAR Portglenone as part of Retail NI’s High Street Heroes c

The community memorial after it was vandalised on Saturday morning in Ballymena. Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley has said he is “absolutely disgusted” after a memorial dedicated to Queen Street men who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme was vandalised and flags stolen overnight. The flagpole at the community memorial in the Harryville area of Ballymena was torn down and two Somme memorial flags stolen in an incident understood to have happened overnig

A public consultation on proposals for two new dog exercise areas in Mid and East Antrim has been approved by councillors. The sites identified by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are at Wilson Crescent in Ballymena and Eden Playing Fields outside Carrickfergus, with the proposals intended to provide secure areas where dogs can exercise off-lead. However, councillors have raised questions over the locations, parking, potential equipment and safety, while one Ballymena repr

(L-R): Paul Frew MLA, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, Paula Campbell of Fullan’s Food Hall Portglenone, RetailNI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts and Jon Burrows MLA. People across Ballymena and the wider Mid and East Antrim area are being encouraged to put their favourite shops, retail workers and high streets in the running for recognition on the Northern Ireland stage. The public vote is now open for the High Street Heroes Awards 2026, giving customers th

Immigration officers have carried out more than 100 visits targeting suspected illegal working across Northern Ireland in the first half of 2026, resulting in 123 arrests as enforcement activity reaches record levels. New Home Office figures show released today, Friday, August 6, Northern Ireland Immigration Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) teams carried out 103 visits across Northern Ireland during the first six months of the year — a 43% increase — while arrests rose by 16%

Cyclists from across Northern Ireland are being invited to take on one of the region’s most scenic charity rides next weekend, with every mile helping to raise money for people affected by dementia. The Bann Valley Road Club Tour of the Glens Charity Sportive, supported by Clarke, returns on Saturday 15 August, offering riders the choice of 40-mile or 60-mile routes through the spectacular Glens of Antrim. With all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Society Northern Ireland, organ

Families still searching for summer holiday activities need look no further, with Ballymena 400 offering a packed programme of FREE family events throughout August. At the heart of the programme are two interactive Adventure Quests, transforming Ballymena town centre into a giant outdoor game where families become detectives, explorers and storytellers as they solve clues, complete challenges and meet colourful characters. But the quests are only the beginning. From a town ce

Jenni Barkley, Belfast Harbour & Fern Keeney, Live Here Love Here 6 August 2026 Families across Mid and East Antrim are being encouraged to make the most of the region’s coastline this month as a popular environmental campaign returns with a packed programme of free and low-cost activities designed to help people reconnect with the sea while highlighting the growing problem of marine litter. The Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds campaign, organised by Live Here Love Here, is back

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly joined the programme as mentors Thirty-seven students from Ballymena have been recognised as part of a leadership and mentoring programme that has seen more than 750 young women deliver hundreds of community projects, benefiting almost 18,000 people across Northern Ireland. Students from Slemish College, Ballymena Academy and St Louis Grammar School took part in the 2025–26 SistersIN programme, joi

Some services provided by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council could face disruption later this year after local government staff rejected a 3.3% pay offer, councillors have been told. Members of the council’s Corporate Resources Policy and Governance Committee received an update on the 2026/27 pay award negotiations at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Monday evening. The report covered pay negotiations for council chief executives, chief officers (directors) and staff em

Wednesday, 5 August 2026 Motorists across North Antrim are being urged to plan ahead this weekend, with extensive road closures in place as the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally returns to the area. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued travel advice ahead of the two-day event, warning that road users should expect delays on Friday 7 August and Saturday 8 August as rally stages take place across Mid and East Antrim. While diversions will be in operation, drivers ar

Six times Northern Ireland Rally Champion Jonny Greer in action. (All images: www.neillpics.com ) Fresh from securing a record-equalling sixth Northern Ireland Rally Championship title, Jonny Greersays the return of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally to Ballymena was too good an opportunity to miss. The 37-year-old Toyota Gazoo Racing driver admits this year’s route – featuring iconic stages including Torr Head, Glendun and Cairncastle – was the deciding factor in committing to th

Waiting on the chinook for extraction… Alan Barr serving with the Intelligence Corps in Afghanistan Tuesday, 4 August 2026 Military veterans, armed forces personnel, and frontline emergency service workers across Mid and East Antrim will now be able to access discounted memberships at the borough’s leisure centres under a new council scheme aimed at recognising their service. Eligible veterans as well as those currently serving, PSNI officers and staff, Northern Ireland Fire