NEWS

A leading County Armagh historian will visit Broughshane this week to give a public presentation examining one of the most significant events in Irish and British history ahead of the annual Relief of Derry commemorations next month. The Broughshane Branch of the Apprentice Boys of Derry is hosting historian Quincey Dougan for an evening exploring the Siege of Derry and the history of the Apprentice Boys, with the talk taking place on Wednesday 29 July at Broughshane Orange H

Inset: North Antrim MP Jim Allister Northern Ireland should introduce its own university training programme for dental hygienists and therapists to help ease pressures on dental services, according to North Antrim MP Jim Allister. The Traditional Unionist Voice leader has written to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt calling for the creation of an undergraduate Dental Hygiene and Therapy degree, arguing that the absence of any local training route is contributing to workforce short

Electrical recycling point at one of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Household Recycling Centres (HRC) Residents across Mid and East Antrim are being urged to take extra care when disposing of batteries, vapes and electrical items after a series of potentially dangerous fire incidents at the borough’s Household Recycling Centres. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council says several recent near-misses have been caused by items being placed in the wrong recycling containers,

A model of Lightning McQueen, commissioned by Disney Pixar will make a visit to Ballymena this week Families across Ballymena will have the chance to meet a real-life Lightning McQueen this week as a remarkable Disney-commissioned replica of the much-loved Pixar character arrives at Raceview Karting for a special charity fundraising event. The famous fibreglass car, which was originally created in the United States as a promotional vehicle for the Cars 2 film premiere and lat

Inset: Alliance councillor for Braid, Chelsea Harwood Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has committed to providing all elected members with training on violence against women and girls (VAWG), including the harmful effects of victim blaming, after Alliance councillor Chelsea Harwood raised the issue at Monday night’s council meeting (27 July) following recent remarks by DUP councillor Reuben Glover. The confirmation came in response to a question submitted by Councillor Har

A husband-and-wife team who transformed a Ballymena warehouse into one of Northern Ireland’s most popular family attractions are about to do it again. This August, Chris and Joanna Robinson, the founders of the hugely successful Honeybees Playtown, will open the doors to LEVEL UP Entertainment Centre — a brand new attraction designed to bring children, teenagers and adults together for a completely different kind of family day out. Opening next door to Honeybees in Pennybridg

Dr Denis Martin Hopkins Tributes have been paid following the death of former Ballymena GP Dr Denis Martin Hopkins, who cared for generations of local families during a long medical career in the town. Dr Hopkins, who died peacefully at his home in Sheepshill, Ballymena, on Monday (27 July), was widely known and respected within the local community, having practised medicine alongside his father before continuing his work from Ballymena Health Centre. A familiar figure in loc

Visitors looking for a taste of local creativity, fresh produce and community spirit can find it all at Glenarm Community Market, which returns on the first Saturday of every month. Held in the heart of the historic village, in the Eglinton Yard Barn, the free market has become a popular stop for both locals and tourists exploring the Antrim Coast, offering everything from handmade crafts and artwork to locally reared food in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. A showcase for

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, is pictured alongside Ross Oliver of Galgorm Castle Golf Club ahead of the NI Legends event coming to the borough from the 2 to 6 September 2026. Northern Ireland’s biggest names in senior professional golf will return to Galgorm this September as the NI Legends tournament brings Major champions, Ryder Cup stars and international players back to Mid and East Antrim. The tournament, part of the Staysure Legends Tour, takes

A community leader has spoken out against graffiti appearing around Ahoghill, saying there is “no place” for vandalism in the village and urging people to show pride in their community instead. The statement was issued by Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William Flute Band after its chairman, Stephen McCooke, spent Sunday morning (26 July) removing graffiti from locations around the village. The band said the graffiti included references to proscribed organisations and described it as

From Alice Feeney’s latest psychological thriller to Jamie Oliver’s ultimate barbecue cookbook, Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled this week’s Top 10 bestselling books, alongside exciting new releases, popular book club events and a special back-to-school offer. Whether you’re looking for a page-turning thriller, a literary classic, a romance or the perfect summer read, the latest chart from Waterstone’s Ballymena offers something for every kind of reader. This week’s Top 10

Four centuries of Ballymena’s creative heritage will be celebrated this August as local people are invited to step inside the world of traditional craftsmanship at a free evening showcase featuring live demonstrations, hands-on workshops and an exhibition exploring the town’s rich making tradition. The Traditional Crafts Showcase, hosted by Midtown Makers Gift Shop on Thursday 20 August, forms part of both Ballymena’s 400th anniversary celebrations and August Craft Month—Irel

John Broderick, Director and Optometrist, and the team at Fitzsimons Opticians in Ballymena. Burning, watery or gritty eyes are often dismissed as a minor annoyance, but a Ballymena optician is encouraging people to seek help rather than simply putting up with symptoms that could affect their everyday quality of life. During Dry Eye Awareness Month, Fitzsimons Opticians is highlighting a condition that affects around one in three adults in the UK and can make everyday activit

Georgie Briota, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection is pictured with the Warriors. Netball NI has announced the extension of its partnership with Galgorm Collection. Netball Northern Ireland’s national team has received a timely boost ahead of the Commonwealth Games after Galgorm Collection agreed to extend its sponsorship for a further three years. The renewed partnership will provide continued financial support for the governing body, helping clubs across No

Farmers’ Choir NI performing at their Spring Concert in the Braid Arts Centre Music, friendship and support for rural communities have helped make it another memorable year for Farmers’ Choir NI, with the group raising more than £5,000 for charities and Young Farmers’ Clubswhile preparing for a new season of concerts this autumn. The registered charity, which brings together members from farming communities across Northern Ireland, says rehearsals will resume in September fol

Inset: UUP councillor for Braid, Alan Barr, and the busy junction impacted by new signage on the A26 Lisnevenagh Road. Motorists using a busy stretch of the A26 near Ballymena should soon see potentially hazardous road signs relocated after concerns were raised that they were obstructing drivers’ visibility at a junction on a carriageway with a history of serious collisions. The issue centred on newly installed Department for Infrastructure (DfI) signs at the Valley Road and

Katie McKay, from Rathkenny, outside Ballymena, who shares her experience with thyroid cancer. A routine appointment for blood tests turned into a life-changing cancer diagnosis for a woman from Rathkenny – and she is now urging others not to ignore unexpected changes or delay getting them checked. Ahead of World Head and Neck Cancer Day on Sunday, July 27, Katie McKay has shared her experience after a nurse spotted a lump on her neck during a visit to her GP surgery, despite

Tennis Talent: 10-year-old Emma Mezei from Ballymena A 10-year-old tennis player from Ballymena has secured a place among Ireland’s top young talents after qualifying for the prestigious AerCap Tennis Ireland Junior Kids Finals. Emma Mezei, who trains at Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club, will compete at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin this August after finishing among the top eight junior players in Ireland through the national Road to Fitz qualifying series. The achievement

A Ballymena property investment company has strengthened its growing retail portfolio with the acquisition of one of Derry’s best-known retail parks in a move that underlines continued confidence in Northern Ireland’s retail warehouse market. Magmel (Ballymena) Limited, headed by Ryan Walker and owners of Fairhill Shopping Centre and Braidwater Retail Park in Ballymena, as well as Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine, completed the purchase of Faustina Retail Park in Derry last

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Dawn Huggins, is pictured with Rohan Roy and Ronan O'Donnell from Maiden City, and Levi Weir and Archie Muir from Ballymena United, who will compete in the Minor Section of the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI. Causeway Coast and Glens is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors from around the world as the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI returns next week, bringing six days of elite youth football and a significa