NEWS

Ballymena Academy pupils Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly who are through to the final stage of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Ballymena Academy has secured a place in the final of the prestigious ABP Angus Youth Challenge, with two Year 11 pupils set to take on an innovative project aimed at advancing genetic literacy in beef production. The announcement was made today via YouTube , where pupils Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly learned that their school had qualified for

Ballymena’s 7 Towers Burgers is rapidly becoming one of Northern Ireland’s most talked-about emerging food brands after securing two major accolades at the NI Food To Go Awards 2025 and continuing to build impressive momentum both online and in the local community. The smash-burger specialist, based in Ballee Community Square, was crowned Newcomer of the Year and received Highly Commended in the Best Burger To Go category. The wins follow their earlier success at the Ballym

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales World-leading zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has capped its most successful year to date with another major international accolade — this time for innovation in mobility at the ADS Federal Conference in Germany. The Ballymena-based firm was recognised for its significant advances in hydrogen technology, including its record-breaking fleet currently operating across Germany. The latest honour joins a growing collection of awards presente

Pictured from left is Peter McCool, owner, The Phoenix Maxol in Ballymena with Brian Donaldson, CEO, The Maxol Group.  Two Northern Ireland service stations have been recognised among the best in the Maxol network after standout performances at the Maxol Excellence Awards 2025, held during the company’s annual Retail Conference at The K Club. Phoenix Maxol Ballymena Named Store of the Year The Phoenix Maxol in Ballymena is celebrating a major achievement after being crowned S

Sentenced: Harvey Shaw (20) A 20-year-old man has been handed a prison sentence for his involvement in large-scale disorder in Ballymena earlier this year. Harvey Shaw, also known as Harvey John Lee Shaw, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Monday 24 November to 24 months in custody after being convicted of Riot. Shaw, from Ballymena, was arrested for his role in the sustained “race-motivated disorder” that took place in the town on Tuesday 10 June 2025. Police described

Graduates of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School have doubled within the last year as support from the private sector also almost doubles. Pictured during the School’s graduation ceremony at Galgorm Resort are, from left, Djann Balmes, a former Bar Academy graduate who now manages the Conservatory and Gin Library at Galgorm Resort, Ashley Douglas, Northern Ireland Hospitality School Director of Operations and Brenda McGale, Britvic Ireland.  The Northern Ireland Hospitali

One of Ballymena’s oldest and best-loved butcher shops will open its newly expanded premises on Tuesday 25 November, marking a major milestone for the long-established family business. Barr’s Family Butchers – first opened by master butcher George Barr in 1878 – has been a cornerstone of Ballymena town centre for nearly 147 years. Located on Ballymoney Street, the historic butchery has served generations of local families and remained in the Barr family across five generation

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday falling on 28 November and 1 December this year, shoppers across Northern Ireland are gearing up for some of the biggest online retail events of 2025. Many retailers have already launched early discounts, but the Consumer Council is warning that delivery delays, lost parcels and damaged goods remain common issues for online shoppers. Fra Maguire, Head of Postal Services at the Consumer Council , highlighted the scale of online shopping in No

The Silnavogie Sheepdog Trial organisers and committee presenting a cheque to Air Ambulance NI The annual Shilnavogie Sheep Dog Trial once again united competitors, families, and supporters on Saturday 13 September, raising an impressive £1,502.50 for Air Ambulance NI. Held at the farm of Mr John Davison in Shilnavogie, the friendly, strictly amateur event drew 25 competitors and their highly trained dogs for a day focused on skill, participation, and community spirit. Despit

Dougies Goodies, one of Northern Ireland’s best-loved bakery brands, has officially launched in the Aelia Duty Free store at Belfast International Airport, giving departing passengers the chance to enjoy a “taste of home” before they fly. The Ballymena-born bakery — recognisable for its vibrant pink branding and famous iced treats — now offers its signature cakes, traybakes and bakes to travellers looking to take a little piece of Northern Ireland with them on their journey.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is now looking for new Community Health and Wellbeing Champions to join its volunteer community. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has launched a new volunteer drive, appealing to members of the public with a passion for improving health outcomes in their local communities. The Trust is now seeking Community Health and Wellbeing Champions who will work alongside staff to help share information, services and resources aimed at

L-R Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland and Lidl Northern Ireland; Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland Lidl Northern Ireland has confirmed a combined spend of more than £5.5 million on goods and services sourced from suppliers and business partners across both the Mid and East Antrim and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council areas, according to its newly published Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report. The latest annu

(L-R) Denise McVeigh from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's Parks and Open Spaces team, PSNI Inspector Colin Ash, PCSP Chair Cllr Lauren Gray, PCSP Vice Chair Sharon Maxwell, and Local Neighbourhood PSNI Officer Julie McKeown. (Images: Steven McAuley) Women across Mid and East Antrim are being encouraged to take part in a special night-time personal safety walk in Larne this December, as part of a partnership initiative between the borough’s Policing and Community Safety

Classroom Assistants at Castle Tower School, Hong Cassley, Gemma Moore and Vicky Balmer, with Maggie Anderson, team leader at SPAR Grove Road, Steven Henry, store manager at SPAR Grove Road and assistance dogs Percy and Nico.   SPAR Grove Road has continued its commitment to supporting local education by donating 165 chocolate bars to Castle Tower School in Ballymena as part of its Classroom Assistant Appreciation Day celebrations. The gesture is the latest in an ongoing part

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew at Chestnutt Hall North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed the completion of long-awaited road and footpath works at the Chestnutt Hall development in Ballymena, following concerns raised by local residents. Mr Frew said he had been approached by a number of homeowners in the estate who reported issues including raised ironworks and incomplete road and footpath surfaces. After visiting the site, he said it was clear the situation was causing difficu

Farmers’ Choir at their 2024 Christmas Concert The Farmers’ Choir is set to bring festive cheer to communities in Kilrea and Ballymena this December, as it prepares to deliver two special Christmas performances filled with music, Scripture and seasonal celebration. The Choir will open its December schedule with a traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Tuesday 2 December at 8pm in St Patrick’s Church, Kilrea . Audiences can expect a reflective and uplifting evening

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with Galgorm Golf Club representatives and junior players. The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford , has hosted a special reception recognising the outstanding achievements of Galgorm Golf Club’s junior players following a record-breaking season for the club. Junior representatives from the Ballymena club were welcomed to The Braid after two Galgorm teams – the Junior Cup side and the Fred

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH, Head of Springboard Northern Ireland The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford , has officially welcomed Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH , Head of Springboard Northern Ireland , to his parlour at The Braid to celebrate her receiving the Institute of Hospitality’s prestigious Fellows’ Outstanding Contribution Award

A Northern Ireland school will receive an extra-special festive surprise this December as local Full Fibre broadband provider Fibrus launches its new ‘Christmas Classroom’ competition. The initiative invites schools across Northern Ireland to nominate their Primary One, Primary Two, or P1/P2 composite classes for the chance to win a magical Christmas visit from Santa and the Fibrus Tinsel Team. The winning classroom will be treated to a sack filled with some of the most sough

Pictured launching the new ‘Perfect for…’ range of potatoes are (from l-r): chef, Stephen Ferris, Mary McKillop, Glens of Antrim Group, and potato grower, Stephen Christie who farms in Newtownards. Glens of Antrim Group has unveiled a major £250,000 investment in a new retail potato range designed to remove the confusion many shoppers face when choosing the right potato for their favourite dishes. The Cushendall and Ballymena-based agri-food group – which produces potatoes, c