NEWS

McDonald’s Ballymena where McHappy Day will be celebrated this upcoming weekend Wednesday 23 September 2026 Northern Ireland has emerged as one of the UK’s most generous regions in a new survey released ahead of the first McHappy Day in the UK and Ireland this weekend. McDonald’s commissioned the research before the fundraising day on Saturday 26 September, when £1 from every qualifying main meal sold will be donated to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Irela

Emmerdale stars, Lisa Riley (left) and Dominic Brunt (right) present Johnny and Corrina McAleese, Founders of Noah’s Story, with their Overcoming Adversity Award. Also pictured is Duvessa Cochrane (right) from category sponsor, A Aesthetics. Wednesday 23 September 2026 Johnny and Corrina McAleese, the north Antrim couple who turned the devastating loss of their young son into a mission to help other bereaved families, have been honoured at the Spirit of Northern Ireland Award

Some of the e-scooters seized by police in a targeted operation over the weekend Police are continuing action against the illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters after 65 were seized during a major weekend operation in Belfast. Police said machines were taken from both adults and children, with the youngest rider aged just six years old. Those involved now face a range of criminal justice outcomes. 65 e-bikes and e-scooters seized The three-day ‘Weekend of Action’

CGI giving an impression of what the new CRS Ballymena base could look like when constructed. Tuesday 22 September 2026 Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is considering a planning application for a new purpose-built training centre and station in Ballymena for the Community Rescue Service (CRS). The proposal would see a single-storey building constructed at Kernohan’s Lane, around 70 metres from the Ecos Centre, together with 28 car parking spaces and covered cycle parking.

Monday 21 September 2026 McDonald’s customers in Ballymena will be able to help families with seriously ill children simply by ordering a qualifying meal this Saturday, as the restaurant chain brings McHappy Day to Northern Ireland for the first time. The fundraising day takes place on Saturday 26 September, with £1 from every qualifying main menu meal sold at participating restaurants donated to Ronald McDonald House charities. Money raised will help provide free accommodati

Monday 21 September 2026 Dogs – with the exception of assistance dogs – look set to be banned from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council buildings under a new policy approved by councillors. The council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, which met at The Braid in Ballymena last week, agreed the policy following an increase in people bringing animals onto council premises and requests involving dogs, birds and reptiles. The policy must still be ratified by the full coun

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Brendan McAleer, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Diaspora and International Development Officer, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins pictured before a meeting of partners and stakeholders involved in delivering Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. Monday 21 September 2026 Belfast is already turning its attention to an even bigger Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2027 after this summer’s event

L-R: Jenny Marshall, Executive Director for Community Programmes, William McCaughey, Vice Chair of Agewell, Cora McQuillian, Dots Sales & Marketing Officer, Nigel McKeown, Dots Gardening Home & Life Assistant A new gardening and outdoor maintenance service has launched in Ballymena, offering practical help to older people and other local residents who may struggle to keep on top of their gardens. The service has been introduced by Dots, the social enterprise operated by Agewe

Carly Heggarty, Equality and Wellbeing Manager at Northern Regional College and Shannon Murphy Education Support Co-Ordinator pictured with the Autism NI Award Monday 21 September 2026 Northern Regional College has achieved Autism NI’s Impact Award for Education after introducing practical measures designed to make college life more accessible and supportive for autistic and neurodivergent students. The recognition follows tailored Autism NI training for staff and the develop

Ballymena Business Centre is marking the achievements of two highly successful projects, Enabling Enterprise and 4i Innovation, funded by The Gallaher Trust. Pictured are, from left, Stephen Scullion, Ballymena Business Centre Manager, Ryan Burton from Peak Shaving, Ian Paisley, Chairman of The Gallaher Trust, Taig Brookes, from Airtac and Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE, Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre. Monday 21 September 2026 Two Ballymena business support programme

The historic White House building Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Community Development Committee has approved a further one-year lease for the historic White House in Newtownabbey. The Dalaradia Group, a men’s community group, has leased the landmark from the council since 2021, delivering historical interpretation and visitor services as well as providing training and meeting facilities. Centuries of local history The White House is one of the area’s oldest surviv

Sunday 20 September 2026 More than £148,000 has been awarded to eight projects working across Mid and East Antrim to help prevent violence against women and girls, with initiatives involving young people, families, schools, sport and community organisations. The latest round of the Local Change Fund will support grassroots work aimed at challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours, promoting healthy relationships and addressing some of the root causes of gender-based violence

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at Atlas Women’s Centre, which is being supported through the NI Community Infrastructure Fund. Sunday 20 September 2026 A further 68 community projects across Northern Ireland are in line to receive funding for repairs and improvements to buildings used by local organisations, following an additional £1.97million investment in the Community Infrastructure Fund. The new allocation increases the overall value of the programme to £10.2

Irish Beltex Premier Show & Sale: Judge Andrew Baillie and Sophie McAllister with Overall Show Champion, Artnagullion Major. Sunday 20 September 2026 Kells sheep breeder Elizabeth McAllister secured the overall championship, reserve male championship and highest shearling ewe price at the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s Premier Show and Export Sale in Dungannon. Her homebred ram lamb, Artnagullion Major, won the top show honour before selling for 4,500gns to Douglas Nisbet

ProMetNI Founders Scot and Helen Nelson received assistance from Go Succeed A family-run County Antrim metal fabrication business is setting its sights on growth beyond Northern Ireland as it builds on more than two decades of industry experience. ProMetNI, based at Dennison Industrial Estate, Ballyclare, is exploring new markets and expanding its range of products and services after receiving business support through the Go Succeed programme. Founded in 2022 by husband-and-w

Anne Irwin, Regional President; Mary Waide, National Vice President; and Anne McLarnon, Regional Vice President; are pictured at the launch of a volunteer recruitment campaign which aims to encourage people from across the Region to join the Society and make a difference in their local communities. Friday 18 September 2026 People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to give some of their time to supporting people and families experiencing poverty and social exclusion,

(L-R) Caroline McKenna, Foodies Spokesperson, Eimear O'Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland Primary schools across County Antrim can now register for a new free food education programme aimed at helping young children build healthy eating habits and become more confident about fruit and vegetables. Lidl Foodies is open to schools across Northern Ireland and provides teachers of children aged four to seven with ready-made lesson plans, activit

Hannah Buchanan, Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist Blood cancer can affect people of all ages and its symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other illnesses, prompting the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to urge people to know the warning signs and seek medical advice if something does not feel right. September marks Blood Cancer Awareness Month, with health professionals using the campaign to highlight symptoms including unusual bruising or bleeding, extreme tire

Team Harryville Primary School ahead of their Dragon Boat Race challenge this weekend. Staff from Harryville Primary School in Ballymena have raised more than £2,500 so far for Northern Ireland Hospice — with donations still coming in ahead of their Dragon Boat challenge on the River Lagan this weekend. The school team will take to the water in Belfast on Saturday, September 19, as part of the charity’s Dragon Boat Race, joining teams from businesses, clubs and organisations

Together for Families launch at St Comgall's Belfast. L-R: Paul Sweeney, Northern Ireland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund; Naomi Long MLA Minister of Justice; Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director, The National Lottery Community Fund; Robbie Butler MLA Minister of Health; Jacinta Linden, Together for Families Co-Director; Eilis McDaniel, Director of Social Care Reform, Department of Health; Dame Julia Cleverdon, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, Emma Li