NEWS

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

Thousands of eligible farm businesses across Northern Ireland are being given one final opportunity to register for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) before missing out could result in reduced Farm Sustainability Payments from 2027. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that a final “mop-up” registration phase will open on Wednesday 5 August and close at midnight on Monday 7 September 2026. The deadline is significant because,

Ulster Unionist MLA Dr Steve Aiken The Windsor Framework continues to present practical challenges for consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland, according to Ulster Unionist MLA Dr Steve Aiken, who has highlighted a series of unresolved issues ranging from online shopping charges to steel imports and VAT on household energy. Speaking after a meeting of the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee on Thursday (23 July), Dr Aiken said members examined several emergin

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

South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann has renewed calls for a reduced rate of VAT for Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector after the UK Government announced fresh business rates relief for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England. The Ulster Unionist MP said the new measures for England highlight the need for similar support tailored to Northern Ireland, arguing local businesses continue to face rising costs while competing with significantly lower hosp

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

A growing partnership with Transport for Wales (TfW) has delivered another boost for Ballymena-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus, with a new fleet of buses now carrying passengers across Wales and further electric vehicles already on order. The latest milestone sees 14 new Wrightbus double-deck diesel buses enter service on the TrawsCymru network, while the company has also secured a contract to build six zero-emission single-deck electric buses for delivery in 2027. For Wrigh

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured with Anna Tait, owner of Ahoghill based business EJs Country Kitchen who had secured grant funding from an earlier round of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. An Ahoghill family-run food business that expanded its kitchen and introduced new dining experiences with the help of a rural development grant is being highlighted as more local businesses are encouraged to apply for funding of up to £7,500. EJs

One of Northern Ireland’s best-known celebrations of heritage, machinery and country life returns to Ballymena this week as the Ballymena Steam Rally gets under way with three days of steam engines, vintage vehicles, road runs and family attractions. The Ballymena Steam Rally runs from Thursday 23 July to Saturday 25 July at Ballymena Livestock Market, bringing together historic machinery, classic vehicles, traditional crafts and family entertainment before culminating in Sat