NEWS

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

Sophie Murray; First Minister Michelle O’Neill; Moira Doherty, Interim Permanent Secretary, The Executive Office; deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly; Marissa Callaghan MBE. Women whose quiet work strengthens families, neighbourhoods and organisations across Northern Ireland were placed firmly in the spotlight at Stormont as political leaders marked International Women’s Day. First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly hosted a specia

(L-R): Tracy Duffy (City of Derry Airport), Breige Mulholland (Air Ambulance NI), Carlus McWilliams (H&A Group), Steve Frazer (City of Derry Airport), Ian Crowe (Air Ambulance NI Trustee), Mareanne Bradley (H&A Group), Martin Collins (H&A Group) and Maressa McWilliams (City of Derry Airport). An airport runway will once again become a racetrack for a life-saving cause this spring as runners and walkers prepare to take on the Air Ambulance NI 5K Runway Run at City of Derry Air

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

(L-R) Joleen Cunningham, Carers NI; Oscar winning actor Dr. James Martin MBE; Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick; Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julie Gilmour and Prof Suzanne Martin at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s special International Women’s Day celebration shining a light on carers. Carers from across the borough were placed firmly in the spotlight on Friday morning as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council hosted a powerful Internationa

Four pupils, Demi Timperley and Aimee Dillon from Cross and Passion College, accompanied by Mrs Anna McKay, and Carragh Rafferty and Jenna Brennan from Ballycastle High School, accompanied by Mrs Heather Dalzell, are pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Oliver McMullan, outside Cloonavin as part of the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative marking International Women’s Day. Four Co Antrim schoolgirls were given a rare behind-the-scenes look at civic leadership this wee

Entrance to the Massereene Barracks site in Antrim, and inset, Sappers Patrick Azimkar (left) and Mark Quinsey (right), who were shot dead outside the Barracks gates in 2009. Seventeen years on from one of the most shocking acts of violence in post-Agreement Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist Party will marked the anniversary of the Massereene Barracks attack, on Saturday (7 March), remembering two soldiers killed and others wounded in the 2009 shooting in Antrim. On 7 Mar

North Antrim MP Jim Allister with Ballymoney man James McVicker A Ballymoney man is travelling thousands of miles to the Falkland Islands to help transform the daily life of the islands’ only deaf child — by teaching sign language not just to him, but to his classmates and community. James McVicker , an accomplished British Sign Language interpreter, is visiting the Falklands to assist young resident Thomas, who is currently the only deaf child living on the islands. During h

(L-R) Sonya McMullan, Women’s Aid Federation; Maureen Ritchie, DoH; Catherine Magennis, PHA; Health Minister Mike Nesbitt; Amanda Mairs, NHSCT; Justice Minister Naomi Long; Sonia Glendinning, DoH; Amber McCloughlin, PHA; Martina Moore, DoH. New regional guidance designed to help nurses and midwives identify and respond to domestic abuse has been launched across Northern Ireland, aiming to strengthen early intervention and ensure victims receive the support they need sooner. T

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

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