NEWS

Inset: Interim chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Valerie Watts The interim chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has indicated the local authority previously faced the prospect of a “hefty fine” over delays in responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Speaking at a recent meeting of the borough council, Valerie Watts told members the council’s FOI performance had been “lagging behind” in the past. During discussion of the

Norman McBurney OBE at the renamed home stand in the main arena at Ballymena Showgrounds, in his honour. The home stand at Ballymena Showgrounds has been officially renamed the Norman McBurney OBE Stand, marking a significant civic tribute to one of Mid and East Antrim’s most influential business and sporting figures. The formal naming ceremony took place on Thursday, 23 January 2026, celebrating the lifetime contribution of the Co Antrim businessman whose impact has spanned

Helping to launch the new initiatives alongside Titanic Belfast’s Head of Operations, Paula Bradley is Niamh Givens. Titanic Belfast has unveiled a range of new accessibility initiatives aimed at ensuring every visitor can enjoy the world-renowned attraction in a comfortable, welcoming and inclusive environment. The new measures include the introduction of Sensory Backpacks and Quiet Sessions, further strengthening the attraction’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion fo

Planning permission has been approved for the construction of a £3.5 million cancer support centre at Antrim Hospital, members of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board have been told. Paddy Graffin, the Northern Trust’s Divisional Director of Infrastructure, informed members at a meeting held at Antrim Hospital on Thursday that permission has been granted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for the proposed new facility. The centre is being funded through a p

Robin Swann MP South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to take a stronger and more ambitious lead in protecting the Common Swift, warning that continued habitat loss is contributing to a worrying decline in the species across Northern Ireland. The Common Swift, designated the borough’s official ‘Bird of the Borough’ in 2015, is a cavity-dwelling bird that depends on small gaps in older buildings for nesting. However, modern renovatio

Inset: Cairndhu House, Larne Police in Larne have issued a public safety warning following a rise in reports of people entering derelict and abandoned buildings across the district, highlighting the serious risks associated with so-called “urban exploring”. Officers say the trend, which often involves individuals accessing disused industrial sites, vacant homes or former commercial premises, can carry life-threatening dangers and potential legal consequences. Larne Neighbourh

Ballymena Elim Church is set to host a special evening of reflection and inspiration this weekend as former Ballymena United and Crusaders manager Roy Walker shares his life story with the local community. The latest instalment of the church’s Life Stories series will take place on Sunday 25 January at 6:30pm , offering the opportunity to hear first-hand from one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable sporting figures. Roy Walker is widely known across Northern Ireland’s spo

The site of the approved housing development in Ballymena A planning application has been submitted seeking non-material amendments to a previously approved housing development at Crebilly Road in Ballymena. The proposal relates to a residential scheme that received planning approval from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in June 2021 for the redevelopment of a 1.3 acre site at 115 Crebilly Road, opposite the Ballykeel 2 estate. The approved development consists of 16 famil

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with a group of students participating in the Activate Your Curiosity event More than 400 young people from across Northern Ireland were given a hands-on insight into the world of science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) as the flagship Activate Your Curiosity (AYC) event returned to Ballymena. The fourth AYC event took place at The Braid, Ballymena, on Tuesday 20 January, welcoming Year 10 stud

Judy Nelson (Lifeboat Press Officer RNLI), John Moore (Author), Jane Booth (General Manager White House), Bob Milton (Chair Fundraising team RNLI), Val McDonald (chair of REACH). A new book celebrating the rich social history of Portrush has proved a remarkable success, selling out within weeks of its launch and raising £1,600 for two much-loved local charities. Portrush Reflections, written by local author John Moore, was launched on 26 November last year and had completely

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Northern Ireland, with forecasters warning of potential flooding and transport disruption throughout Thursday. The warning is in effect between 10:00 and 23:59 on Thursday 22 January 2026 , covering County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone. Periods of persistent rain are expected to affect much of the region during the day. Weather officials say 15 to 25mm of rainfall is likely to fal

A special charity event celebrating the lives of two young women while raising vital funds for emergency medical care will take place in Ballymena this spring. Bingo Music Bonanza 2026 will be held on Saturday 7 March at the Tullyglass Hotel , with all proceeds going to the Air AmbulanceNorthern Ireland . The event is being organised in memory of Naomi Lynn and Lydia Ross , who tragically lost their lives in separate car accidents. Presented by Ritchie Entertainments, the ev

Robin Swann MP speaking in the House of Commons South Antrim MP Robin Swann has warned that thousands of vulnerable people in Northern Ireland could lose vital support as a result of a looming “funding cliff-edge” linked to changes in Government funding streams. Mr Swann raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, pressing the Government on the potential impact of the transition away from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which he said would result

Digitally composed views of the Spa at the Amphitheatre, Carrickfergus, once refurbishment is completed. A £1 million refurbishment of the Spa at Carrickfergus Amphitheatre is now underway, marking a major investment in local leisure and wellbeing facilities and reinforcing the venue’s long-term role at the heart of the community. The Spa area has closed to the public to allow essential works to begin on what council officials have described as a “Spa-tacular” upgrade. Once c

Plans are being developed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Ballymena in 2026, following confirmation from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council that work is under way to mark the town’s historic milestone. North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew said he had received confirmation from the Council after writing to senior officials to enquire about preparations for the anniversary year. The landmark date marks 400 years since King Charles I granted the Ballymena Estate to the Adair f

Pictured at the President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey are David Gilliland, Ulster-Scots Agency; Richard Hanna, Cullybackey Community Partnership; Jonathan McGrandle, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council; and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. A major heritage project in Cullybackey, centred on the ancestral home of a former US President, has been awarded funding as part of a wide-ranging programme to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence

A special meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council was held at Mossley Mill on Tuesday 20 January as elected members intensified pressure on Bryson Recycling over ongoing waste and recycling collection problems affecting residents across the borough. The meeting was convened at the request of councillors to allow members to formally raise residents’ concerns in advance of a scheduled Full Council Meeting on Monday 26 January , which will be attended by the Chief Exe

(L-R) Samantha Peden, Cullybackey Community Partnership; Valerie Guthrie, Alzheimer’s UK; Daniel McCurdy, Libraries NI; Marjorie Hawkins, Chair MEA Loneliness Network; Debbie Chestnutt, Good Morning Ballymena; Sabrina Lynn, NHSCT. (Image: Bernie McAllister) Four individuals have been formally recognised for their commitment to tackling loneliness and social isolation across Mid and East Antrim, as the local Loneliness Network welcomed four new Loneliness Champions. Daniel McC

A 36-year-old man has been arrested in the Antrim area on suspicion of a number of drug-related offences following police searches in Randalstown and along the Ballymena Road. The arrest followed the search of a vehicle on the Ballymena Road shortly before 2.00pm on Tuesday, 20 January. During the search, officers seized a quantity of suspected Class B controlled drugs along with a sum of cash. Police then carried out a further search at a residential property in The Parade a

Cast Jo Donnelly, Catriona McFeely, Clare McMahon, Susan Hoffmann A Ballymena actor is set to take centre stage in a major new theatrical reimagining of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, as Tinderbox Theatre Company prepares to unveil its latest production at the MAC in Belfast. Jo Donnelly, who hails from Ballymena and has built an extensive career across stage, screen and radio , stars in the bold new adaptation, which will receive its world premiere from 18 to 28 February 2026.