NEWS

One of the North Coast’s most eagerly anticipated community events is officially back, with organisers confirming that the Portrush RNLI Raft Race 2026 will take place on Saturday 23 May. The much-loved annual fundraiser, which draws rafters, families and spectators from across the area, is once again being staged in aid of RNLI Portrush, with entries now officially open. Organisers say the event is “all systems go” , with extensive planning already under way behind the scene

Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter (Hannah and Arthur Nelson) as they help launch this year’s Spring Fair at Malone House. Belfast’s popular Spring Fair is set to return later this month, with families invited to step “down the rabbit hole” for a free Alice in Wonderland-themed celebration at Malone House and Barnett Demesne. The much-loved annual event, organised by Belfast City Council, will take place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026, running from 1.30pm until 5

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest weekly round-up, with bestselling fiction, a strong children’s chart and an eagerly anticipated author event all helping to keep the town’s reading community buzzing this spring. From historical intrigue and psychological suspense to family-friendly storytime sessions and new literary releases, this week’s update offers something for readers of every age. Adult Top 10 This Week A diverse range of genres dominates this week’s best

Retired Irish League footballers Jeff Hughes Patients receiving care at Holywell Hospital are taking part in a new 12-week football coaching programme designed to support mental health recovery, build resilience and reduce social isolation. The initiative, launched by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust , is giving service users meaningful time away from the ward through structured coaching sessions led by former Irish League footballers and fully qualified coaches. The

Mid and East Antrim Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford Mid and East Antrim Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford led tributes to former first citizen PJ McAvoy following his recent death, before councillors stood in the chamber to observe a one-minute silence. Speaking at a full meeting of the borough council at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, Cllr Minford said: “I was very saddened to learn of the passing of the former mayor of Ballymena Borough Council, PJ McAvoy.” The mayor sa

A Carrickfergus apprentice has been recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s brightest emerging engineering talents after being crowned Apprentice of the Year at the NI Apprenticeship Awards 2026, before going on to secure a second major accolade on the very same day. Paula Bamford, who is employed by Caterpillar , was honoured at the awards ceremony held at Titanic Hotel Belfast , in recognition of her outstanding technical ability, professionalism and commitment throughout h

Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena Early risers across Ballymena are being invited to start their day with purpose later this month as Turning Point NI hosts a community 5km Sunrise Walk in support of its vital mental health services. The walk will take place on Saturday 25th April , with participants gathering for a 5am start at ECOS Nature Park. Organisers are encouraging people from across the community to come along and take part in what promises to be a meaningful and uplifting

For many users of Mounjaro, it became known online as the “golden dose” — the small amount of liquid often left in the KwikPen after the fourth and final prescribed injection. Now, that leftover medicine is effectively being designed out. Eli Lilly is introducing an updated version of its Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) KwikPen® in the UK from April 2026, in a move widely understood to bring an end to the unofficial practice of attempting to extract a fifth dose from a pen intended t

Lilianna McKeown and Mollie McCrea (Cliftonville), Ava Upritchard and Alice Shaw (Crusaders), Maci Davidson and Megan McCabe (Linfield), and Aleah Neill and Sophia Currie (Glentoran) are pictured at Coronation Garden, Hazelbank Park, as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms its 2026 Girls’ Sections line-up. Liverpool will make a landmark first appearance in the Girls’ Premier section of this summer’s Budget Energy SuperCupNI, in what is shaping up to be one of the tournament’

Championing the cause… Marian Maguire, Chairperson of Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association and winner of the Community Champion award in the Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards. A woman whose dedication has helped shape and strengthen communities across rural County Antrim for more than two decades has been recognised with one of Northern Ireland’s top grassroots volunteering honours. Marian Maguire, Chairperson of the Glenravel & District Communi

Co Antrim woman Aisling Gallagher shares her personal story of bowel cancer A County Antrim woman has shared her deeply personal experience of bowel cancer in the hope it encourages others to seek help early and potentially save lives. As April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has teamed up with social media influencer Aisling Gallagher from Crumlin to raise awareness of the symptoms people should never ignore and the importance o

A milestone year for one of Randalstown’s best-loved community organisations has turned into a powerful act of generosity, with Randalstown ARCHES Association raising £5,500 for two cancer charities during its 30th anniversary celebrations. The funds, raised through a series of events across the anniversary year, have been shared equally between Marie Curie and Charis Cancer Care, with each organisation receiving £2,750. The charities were chosen for deeply personal reasons —

Winnie with her three daughters pictured outside Winnie’s 1975, in Broughshane. A much-loved Broughshane café and gift shop is entering a new chapter this week as the family behind Winnie’s 1975 prepares to hand over the keys after ten years at the heart of village life. In an emotional statement issued today, Wednesday 1 April, Winnie, owner of Winnie’s 1975 on Main Street, confirmed that the family has made the difficult decision to step away from the business, with new ow

Samuel and Elaine Caldwell (right) with Thomas and Sam Wright (left) and Ballymaconnelly Iceman who was the top price at the Dorset Diamonds Sale making 4,600gns. The 11th annual Dorset Diamonds Spring Sale delivered another standout day for Northern Ireland’s sheep breeding community, with local flocks commanding impressive prices and Ballymena once again at the heart of the action. Held at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Saturday, 28 March 2026, the prestigious sale saw a strin

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with DEA Officer Karen Brownlow for the launch of World Autism Acceptance Month. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is marking World Autism Acceptance Month this April by reaffirming its commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible community for autistic people and their families. In partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the council says it will continue to expand support throug

Local councillor Anna Henry proposed a motion this week calling for urgent action to tackle lengthy delays in diagnosis and treatment across Northern Ireland Thousands of women living with chronic pain and prolonged uncertainty have moved back into sharp focus after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council formally recognised the growing crisis in gynaecology services during Endometriosis Awareness Month. In a follow-up development to growing concern around women’s health waiting

Eight-year-old Daisy Doherty In a world that can often feel a little heavy, one young girl from Broughshane is bringing a powerful reminder of kindness, compassion and hope. Eight-year-old Daisy Doherty, a pupil at Broughshane Primary School , is preparing to take on a remarkable challenge this July as she donates her hair to help create a wig for a child who has lost theirs through illness. Inspired by the work of Little Princess Trust, the charity which provides real-hair w

Families across Northern Ireland are being urged to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of meningitis as students return home for the Easter break. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has used the holiday period to remind parents, young people and students to check they are up to date with their MenACWY vaccination, while also raising awareness of the potentially life-threatening symptoms that require urgent medical attention. The warning comes after a recently repo

Pictured at the Child Development Centre at the Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ballymoney are back row, left – right, Steven Johnston, Stevie Lennon, Mark Morrow, Joe Gillan from the Robinson Memorial Trust Board, Ronnie Blair, Bamber McKay. Front row, left to right, Paddy Graffin, Kori Gault, James Archer and David Robinson, President of the Robinson Memorial Trust Board. Children and families attending Ballymoney’s Child Development Centre are now being welcomed into a signi

TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston The political fallout over Northern Ireland’s special educational needs summer schemes deepened today after TUV MLA Timothy Gaston launched a blistering attack in the Assembly, accusing ministers and officials of failing some of the most vulnerable children in society. In a strongly worded address, the North Antrim MLA said the decision to cancel the schemes — before a subsequent reversal — was “not simply an administrative mis-step” but