NEWS

DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew Saturday 17 October 2026 Residents of a housing development in Broughshane have seen road surfacing work completed following complaints about the condition of roads and footpaths in their neighbourhood. North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew said the work at Knowehead Close followed his intervention with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads and NI Water after residents raised concerns about delays in completing the surfaces. The MLA welcomed th

Ballymena Primary School teachers David Murray and Rachel McKinley-Smith Friday 16 October 2026 There is double the reason to celebrate at Ballymena Primary School after two of its teachers were named among Northern Ireland’s best at a prestigious education awards ceremony in Belfast — marking what the school says is a first for the event. Mrs McKinley-Smith and Mr Murray each received a Best Teacher Award at the Local Women Magazine Education Awards, held at the Europa Hotel

Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley Saturday 17 October 2026 Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has been urged to turn its commitment to Ballymena’s recovery into meaningful action, amid questions over funding, progress and support for communities affected by last summer’s riots. Ballymena Independent Councillor Rodney Quigley has called for greater clarity on what has been achieved since the council approved a recovery plan last November, warning that residents

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins opened this weekend’s National Brick Events spectacular in Coleraine, promising LEGO fun for all ages. Friday 16 October 2026 Coleraine is preparing for a weekend of extraordinary creations, colourful displays and family fun as one of the UK’s major LEGO-themed event organisers brings its spectacular brick-building experience to Northern Ireland for the very first time. National Brick Events will take over three venue

Friday 16 October 2026 Ballymena town centre is preparing for a frightfully fun afternoon this Halloween, with free treats, spooky characters, fancy dress and family entertainment all part of a popular event returning for 2026. The Ballymena Halloween Trail is back on Friday 30 October, this time with a Haunted Harvest theme that will send families exploring the town centre, collecting treats from participating businesses and showing off their best Halloween costumes. Organis

Friday 16 October 2026 Police have launched investigations into six processions held without the required notification across Northern Ireland this week, with incidents reported in Belfast, Dunloy, Bangor, Newtownabbey and Derry/Londonderry. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that enquiries are ongoing into the gatherings, which took place without the advance notification required under legislation governing public processions. The investigations cover si

Friday 16 October 2026 The future of family farming in Northern Ireland is under growing pressure, with almost nine in ten farmers reporting increased stress over inheritance tax changes and more than four in ten already cutting back on investment, according to a major new survey. The findings, published by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), reveal deep concerns about whether farms built up over generations can survive being passed from parents to children, with some families a

Thursday 15 October 2026 Nearly 900 children and young people are in care across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area, with numbers continuing to rise despite a substantial reduction in children on the Child Protection Register. New Department of Health statistics show that 899 children were in care across the Trust area, which includes Ballymena, Antrim, Coleraine and surrounding communities, at 31 March 2026 – an increase of 20 compared with the previous year. At

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is pictured with Louise Taylor, Founder of Little Forget Me Nots Trust, at an event in Lurgan to remember babies and children who have died. Thursday 15 October 2026 Families affected by pregnancy and baby loss in Northern Ireland now have access to new workplace rights and formal recognition of their loss, following the introduction of two significant support measures earlier this year. The changes include up to two weeks of miscarriage

Thursday 15 October 2026 Eighteen farms across Northern Ireland have been awarded more than £130,000 to improve facilities and accessibility for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, helping provide opportunities to build confidence, develop practical skills and connect with others through everyday farming activities. The funding, announced by Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir, will support the development of social farming, an alte

Ballymoney Train Station Thursday 15 October 2026 Passengers using Ballymoney Train Station are facing difficulties accessing the station building and toilet facilities, prompting calls for action after local residents complained about arriving to find them closed. Concerns have been raised about the impact on people travelling to work, education and medical appointments, particularly parents with young children who may need access to toilets while waiting for trains. Ulster

The scene on the Bridge Street area of Ballymena during the June riots of 2025 Thursday 15 October 2026 Forty-one children never returned to Harryville Primary School following the June 2025 riots in Ballymena, while 90% of surveyed residents who fled the town say they do not intend to return, according to a major new report exposing the devastating human cost of the violence and serious concerns about failures in public services and political leadership. The report reveals t

Pictured are (L-R): Men’s Advisory Project Chief Executive Rhonda Lusty, the Housing Executive’s Steve Anderson, John McCandless, Dixie-Jo McNally, Elaine McMeekin, DCI Colin Neill from the PSNI and Karen Devlin from Women’s Aid NI. Wednesday 14 October 2026 The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is bringing together housing providers, police and specialist support organisations for a week of events aimed at tackling domestic abuse, highlighting its links to homelessness and

Principal of Buick Memorial Primary School, Rikki Peters, named Northern Ireland Primary Principal of the Year Wednesday 14 October 2026 The principal of Buick Memorial Primary School in Cullybackey has been named Northern Ireland Primary Principal of the Year, recognising a decade of leadership and her commitment to helping children reach their full potential. Rikki Peters received the prestigious honour at the Local Women Magazine Education Awards, held at Belfast’s Europa

Asda Antrim Customer and Community Champion Ashley Ricthie and Service Colleague Mary Letch Tuesday 13 October 2026 A colourful fundraising event at Asda Antrim has raised £358.46 for breast cancer charities, bringing customers and colleagues together to support a cause that has touched the lives of many families. The store hosted a ‘Spin to Win’ game and merchandise stall as part of Asda’s annual Tickled Pink campaign, with shoppers trying their luck at winning prizes while

Pictured is store owner Elaine McCosh with Anthony Brown, Carl Wilson, Mark Kilpatrick and Danny Ramsey, Club Chair at Twin Village Football Club. Tuesday 13 October 2026 Twin Village Football Club has received a welcome boost after local retailer McCosh’s SPAR Kells stepped forward to sponsor the team’s new football kit. The sponsorship strengthens the connection between the village football club and a business whose owners and customers are part of the same local community.

Tuesday 13 October 2026 Antrim Castle Gardens will be transformed into a spectacular festive wonderland this December as the popular Enchanted Winter Garden returns with new rides, dazzling light displays and a host of Christmas attractions for families. Running from 2 to 28 December, the event will also offer discounted tickets for Antrim and Newtownabbey residents, dedicated inclusive evenings and free shuttle buses to help visitors enjoy the festivities. With tickets start

Models (ACA) who lit up the catwalk on Friday night at the Ballymena Fashion Show Tuesday 13 October 2026 Ballymena Town Centre took centre stage on Friday evening as more than 200 fashion enthusiasts gathered for a sold-out Autumn/Winter Fashion Show, celebrating local retailers while raising £1,340 for charity. Returning to The Braid on 9 October for its fourth year, the popular event brought together independent boutiques, department stores and high street favourites to sh

Ballymena hairdresser Chloe Houston wind prestigious national award Tuesday 13 October 2026 Ballymena hairdresser Chloe Houston has beaten some of the biggest names in British hairdressing to claim a prestigious national award, adding another major achievement to her growing reputation in the industry. The talented stylist from Houston Hair on Ballymoney Road won the Creative Image Award at the Creative HEAD Most Wanted Awards, held at Drumsheds in London before an audience o

Tuesday 13 October 2026 A free two-day Halloween event in Ballymena will include a dedicated day for children and young people with additional needs, alongside pumpkin picking, a disco and a sensory corner. Turning Point NI’s Halloween Inclusive Spooky Bash takes place in the Des Allen Suite at Ballymena Showgrounds on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October, with activities for residents and families from the Ballymena Borough. Monday’s sessions are exclusively for children and you