NEWS

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, has hosted a reception for local Junior Drum Major champion Lydia Todd. Included in the photo are members of the McNeillstown Pipe Band . The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, has hosted a special reception to honour local talent Lydia Todd, who recently claimed three major Drum Major titles on the international stage. The 14-year-old Dalriada School pupil secured the 2025 Scottish, E

The photo accompanying this release features participants who have successfully completed this latest academy, alongside key individuals from the project: Hayley Barr and Rhonda Lynn from Mid & East Antrim Labour Market Partnership (MEALMP), and Hannah Wilson and Naomi Hutchinson from Northern GP Federation Support Unit. The Northern GP Federation Support Unit (NFSU) has marked the successful completion of another Medical Administration Academy, delivered in partnership wi

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew during a visit to Thornbrooke in Ahoghill North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew has renewed his call for the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to urgently address the ongoing removal of street lighting across the North Antrim area, warning that the lack of illumination poses serious safety and security risks as the darker winter months approach. Mr Frew said he has been engaging with residents in several affected communities and visiting areas where

Belfast City Council has today (Friday October 24) completed the purchase of the historic Assembly Rooms, rear extension and adjacent assets in Cathedral Quarter as part of its ongoing city centre regeneration drive. Belfast City Council has completed the purchase of the city’s historic Assembly Rooms, marking a major milestone in its ongoing city centre regeneration strategy. The deal, finalised today (Friday 24 October), includes the Grade B1 listed Assembly Rooms, its rear

Image: Ken Cox The adrenaline-fuelled Knock Club Beach Race is making a triumphant return to Portrush’s East Strand in October 2025, promising an unforgettable weekend of high-speed motorsport on Northern Ireland’s stunning North Coast. Taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025 , the Knock Ramore Beach Race Portrush will feature two action-packed days of competition, with racing scheduled from 11:00 to 15:00 each day. Spectators are invited to attend free of

Beneficiary Ballycraigy Primary School PTA Community groups across County Antrim have received a welcome funding boost from a long-established local business dedicated to supporting good causes. Bairds of Antrim Funeral Directors, which has proudly served the community since 1870, has announced the latest round of grants from its Community Assistance Programme, providing funding to four local organisations. The latest beneficiaries include: Friends of Antrim Castle Gardens ‘C

Sport Certificate in Horse Care Management learners received their qualifications at the Equine Awards Ceremony at Enniskillen Campus. Pictured are Abbie Thompson from Antrim , Aine Sweeney from Burtonport, Co Donegal, Alisha Cooper from Kells and Maria Elliott from Ballinamallard along with CAFRE Equine Lecturer, Dr Rachel Annan. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) hosted its annual Awards Ceremony on Friday 17 October 2025, celebrating the outstan

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department The Department of Health (DoH) has published new Emergency Care Waiting Time Statistics for July to September 2025, showing that while overall attendances at emergency departments (EDs) in Northern Ireland increased slightly, long waits remain a significant challenge. According to the quarterly statistical bulletin, 203,230 people attended emergency departments across Northern Ireland during the three-month period — a 2.5% rise on the

Johnny Hunter, Commercial Director, Dougie’s Goodies and Stella Grant, Group Procurement Manager, McKeever Hotels sample the delicious treats which will be served to customers of McKeever Hotels across Northern Ireland. A Ballymena-based bakery with over 40 years of sweet success has landed its first major food service contract — with one of Northern Ireland’s best-known hotel groups. Dougie’s Goodies, founded in 1983, will now supply its range of handmade traybakes, pastries

Randalstown ARCHES Association Directors at the 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner with presentation cheque. (L-R) William Allen (Treasurer); Martin Hackett; Liam Hurrel; Eileen Ingram (Secretary); Peter Boyle (Chairman); Leanne Murray; Eugene McKeever; Anne Delaney; Pete Burbidge; and Suzanne Lawrence. Randalstown ARCHES Association has celebrated three decades of community achievement with a glittering Gala Dinner and announced a significant £46,727 grant from The National Lotter

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena A “significant” number of complaints received by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council during the last financial year related to the cleanliness and disrepair of its leisure centres, a committee report has revealed. The Annual Complaints Report 2024/25, presented to the council’s Corporate Resources, Policy and Governance Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, stated that maintenance work had been carried out at the spa f

Northern Regional College Staff and Level 3 Creative Media Practice students at the showcase of their short film Love Later Life. Northern Regional College’s Creative Media students have teamed up with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to produce a moving short film that celebrates the power of positive ageing. The film, titled Love Later Life, was officially launched on Tuesday 30 September, showcasing the talents of the College’s Level 3 Creative Media Practice students.

Dogs Trust Ballymena Rehoming Centre Dog lovers are in for a treat this spooky season as Dogs Trust Ballymena hosts a special ‘Howl-oween Experience Day’ on Saturday 25th October. The event, running from 10am to 12pm, offers visitors a rare behind-the-scenes look at life inside the charity’s rehoming centre — home to around 70 dogs currently being cared for by the Ballymena team and its dedicated volunteer foster carers. Tickets are free and can be booked via Eventbrite , but

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed action taken by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to remove illegally dumped materials and a burnt-out vehicle from rural roads near Corkey and Glenaan. The DUP representative said he had been contacted by local residents concerned about the growing problem of illegal dumping along the Altnahinch Road, including discarded electrical goods and piles of waste, as well as a burnt-out vehicle along the Glenaan Road and the repeated d

Award-winning bakery launches festive dessert range earlier than ever to give customers a head start on Christmas cheer The countdown to Christmas has officially begun at Dougies Goodies, as the award-winning Northern Ireland bakery unveils its Christmas Dessert Range earlier than ever before — giving dessert lovers plenty of time to plan, pre-order, and indulge in the sweetest season of the year. From indulgent pavlovas and yule logs to melt-in-your-mouth roulades, each dess

IGNITE participant, Jenna Louise Dowds from Slemish College, pictured with Paula Bittles, Business Support Executive at Belfast City Airport and Gerry Kelly, CEO of NICSSA Belfast City Airport has launched the sixth year of its acclaimed IGNITE youth leadership programme, reaffirming its dedication to inspiring and empowering young people from across Greater Belfast and Northern Ireland. Originally designed to support 100 students, the IGNITE initiative has now successfully e

Stephen Walker’s latest book David Trimble: Peacemaker, and pictured are Stephen Walker (right) and former BBC colleague Mark Devenport Acclaimed Ballymena author Stephen Walker is set to launch his highly praised new biography, David Trimble: Peacemaker , at the Old Courthouse Theatre in Antrim on Thursday 30 October at 7.30pm. The event will see Walker joined on stage by his former BBC colleague Mark Devenport , as the pair discuss the life and political legacy of Norther

Children dressed up for Halloween can enjoy a free meal at all 205 Asda Cafés nationwide on 31 October – with no adult spend required. This Halloween, families across the UK can look forward to a treat that won’t scare their wallets. On Friday 31 October, Asda is inviting children in fancy dress to eat for free in any of its 205 cafés nationwide, as part of its popular Kids Eat for £1 initiative. The offer coincides with half-term week, providing much-needed relief for parent

The bell ringing ceremony for the Larne RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy 13-58 at the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole. The ceremony was attended by donor Michael Cameron and several crew members from Larne lifeboat station. (Images: Nathan Williams) A new Shannon class lifeboat is on its way to Larne RNLI, marking the beginning of a new era in lifesaving for the coastal community after 25 years of dedicated service from its outgoing Trent class lifeb

Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William Flute Band who were one of the locals bands to recieve funding Six local bands from across Mid & East Antrim are among 134 individuals and groups to receive funding from the Department for Communities’ £1.1 million Musical Instruments Programme for 2025/26. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed that the latest round of grants will help bands, performing groups and professional musicians across Northern Ireland to purchase or replace musica