NEWS

The Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough, County Antrim Less than a year after reopening following a major redevelopment, Carnlough’s Harbourview Hotel has been named the best place to stay in Northern Ireland in the prestigious Best Places to Stay 2026 guide by The Times and The Sunday Times . The recognition places the seafront hotel firmly among the UK’s standout hospitality destinations, with judges praising what they described as Ireland’s first whisky hotel for its “live mus

Passengers across Northern Ireland are being urged to plan ahead for travel this St Patrick’s Day, as public transport services switch to holiday timetables. Translink has confirmed that buses and trains will operate altered schedules for the St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday on Tuesday, 17 March, affecting services across the network. The changes mean many routes will run reduced or alternative timetables typically used during weekends or school holidays. For bus passengers, Uls

A consultation is launching on the proposed site of mix use development on former publicly owned land at Ballee Playing Fields, in Ballymena . A new chapter in the long-running debate over the future of Ballee Playing Fields in Ballymena is about to begin, after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council approved a Planning Application Notice (PAN) for a major mixed-use development on the site. The land off Ballee Road West — formerly owned by the council — could be transformed into

Saturday 7 February 2026 Welcome to this week’s news, reviews and all-things-books from the team at Waterstone’s Ballymena. From dark crime fiction to charming children’s stories and practical lifestyle reads, this week’s Top 10 reflects the wonderfully varied tastes of local readers. Top 10 for this week 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A darkly comic and thought-provoking novel exploring masculinity, belief and modern disillusionment. 2. A Schooling in Murder — Andrew Tayl

Randalstown YFC who will perform at the Farmers’ Choir NI Arts Festival Showcase in Ballymena Music, drama and laughter will take centre stage in Ballymena later this month as Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland prepares to host a special Arts Festival Showcase celebrating the creativity and talent of young people from rural communities. The event will take place on Thursday 19 March at 8:00pm at Ballymena Academy and will feature performances by members of Finvoy, Garvagh and R

TUV Bannside councillor Anne Henry Thousands of women across Northern Ireland are enduring years of debilitating pain before they even see a specialist, a Mid and East Antrim councillor has warned, as new figures expose the scale of waiting lists in gynaecology services. Data released by the Department of Health in June 2025 shows tens of thousands of women are currently waiting for their first outpatient appointment with a gynaecology consultant across the region. The figure

Well-known Ballymena businessman John Wilson has sadly passed away. Tributes have been paid following the sudden passing of well-known Ballymena businessman John Wilson, a respected figure in the local motor trade and a familiar face in the community. Mr Wilson, who lived at Ardnabreen on the Galgorm Road, helped lead the family-run vehicle dealership Wilson’s of Rathkenny alongside his brother Darren. The business was founded by their father, the late John Wilson Snr, and ha

Emma Wilson, Bra Fitting Coordinator at Cancer Focus NI Women in Ballymena affected by breast cancer will soon have the chance to take part in a dedicated wellbeing event designed to rebuild confidence and offer practical support during recovery. Next month, Cancer Focus NI will deliver a series of Breast Cancer Body Confidence Events across Northern Ireland, including a session in Ballymena, aimed at helping women navigate the emotional and physical challenges that can follo

A much-loved Ballymena bakery is preparing to close its doors after seven years, with the family behind the business sharing an emotional message of gratitude to the community that supported their dream. The Old Mill Bakery , located on Mill Street in Ballymena, will cease trading on Saturday 4 April 2026, bringing to an end a journey that began with a simple ambition: to create honest, handcrafted food for the local community. Owners Marta and Tomasz Gomula announced the de

Sandra Currie (left), Store Manager, and Andrew Thompson (right) Assistant Manager at McNeill’s ViVOXTRA, Broughshane celebrate 70 years of their business with James and Margaret McNeill (centre), alongside shoppers and the local community. A Broughshane family grocery business that began with a delivery van in the mid-1950s is celebrating an extraordinary 70 years serving local households — a milestone that reflects not just business success, but deep roots in community life

Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott and TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston along with members of North Ballymena Rangers FC Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott has welcomed a major milestone for North Ballymena Rangers FC after the club officially received the keys to Lamont Park Football Stadia on Thursday evening (March 5), under a long-term lease agreement. The venue — more commonly known locally as Smithfield — will now serve as the club’s permanent home ground, br

Football and books came together in Ballymena this week as players from Ballymena United Football Club swapped the pitch for the classroom to help inspire a love of reading among local pupils. The club joined pupils and staff at Dunclug Primary School on Thursday (March 5) to celebrate World Book Day 2026, turning the usual school routine into an energetic mix of football, storytelling and lively questions from curious young fans. First team players Donal Rocks and Brad Wade

Councillor Alan Barr Residents in Drumtara who have waited years for long-promised housing upgrades now face the prospect of further delays — or even cancellation — as mounting budget pressures threaten planned improvement schemes. Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has raised alarm after being informed in recent days that renovation works in the area may not proceed as expected. The planned improvements include new kitchens and bathrooms for homes, but uncertainty ha

Households across Ballymena and more than 30 surrounding towns are set for another drop in their gas bills, as firmus energy Supply confirms a further double-digit tariff cut from April. The Newtownabbey-based supplier today (Thursday 5 March 2026) has announced it will reduce domestic tariffs for all customers in the Ten Towns Network area by 10.1% from 1 April 2026 — a move expected to save households an average of over £92 per year. It marks the third consecutive reductio

Donnolly Group celebrates long service milestone at with Lisa Gormley at their Ballymena showroom Fifteen years in one workplace is an increasingly rare milestone — but at Donnelly Group ’s Ballymena showroom, it’s being celebrated as a mark of loyalty, experience and long-term career growth. Lisa Gormley has reached her 15-year landmark with the company, a significant achievement within one of Northern Ireland’s leading employers and the region’s largest independently owned

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at the launch of the Northern Ireland Football Fund Grassroots Facilities Programme Pilot Scheme with players and the Chairman of Wellington Rec Football (l-r) Royce Balmer, Rachael-anne Seymour, Kenny Thompson (chairman) and Ben Tilney. A £9million funding injection aimed at transforming grassroots football facilities across Northern Ireland has been unveiled by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons  — with grants of up to £1.5million n

Inset: Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt Northern Ireland’s hospital waiting lists for outpatients, inpatients, and diagnostics have recorded small but meaningful reductions, a rare positive shift amid years of mounting demand. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the latest figures and credited healthcare staff for their “tremendous effort” in improving patient access to care. Minister praises incremental improvements Speaking alongside the publication of the qu

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with Councillor Anna Henry to announce the Community Toilet Scheme which has launched in Portglenone. Portglenone village is making life a little easier for residents and visitors, thanks to a new Community Toilet Scheme launched by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with local businesses. The initiative allows anyone to use participating businesses’ toilet facilities free of charge during norm

Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton in Clough Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr and party representative Sam Patton have issued a stark warning over dangerous speeding in Clough and Rathkenny, saying it is only a matter of time before a serious injury or fatality occurs unless urgent action is taken. The issue emerged while the pair were leafleting in the area, where residents expressed frustration and fear over vehicles travelling at

(L-R) Eva Lilly Beckett and Taleen Eldris, pictured with Ballymena Academy Principal Mr Stephen Black, and school netball coach, Julie-Anne Cairns Two Ballymena Academy pupils are set to step onto the European stage this week — and they are doing it in an Ireland dress. Taleen Eldris and Eva Lilly Beckett have been selected to represent Ireland at the upcoming Netball Europe event in Aberdeen, taking place from Friday 6 March to Sunday 8 March 2026. The international tournam