NEWS

Ant & Dec, hosts of ITV’s Limitless Win An associate principal from Ballymena is set to take centre stage on national television this weekend as David Radcliffe of Gracehill Primary School appears on the latest series of Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win, ITV’s flagship primetime quiz show. Hosted by Britain’s best-loved presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the hit entertainment format returns for a fifth series, promising higher stakes, bigger risks and the chance for c

Hannah Currie Northern Regional College (NRC) is celebrating the inspiring achievements of engineering graduate Hannah Currie, whose determination, talent and generosity of spirit are helping to reshape perceptions of STEM careers across Northern Ireland. Originally from Randalstown, Hannah recently graduated at the College’s Higher Education & Access Graduation, marking the culmination of a remarkable journey that has taken her from returning adult learner to WorldSkills UK

Murdered: Glenn Quinn Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have renewed their appeal for information into the murder of Carrickfergus man Glenn Quinn, marking six years since his death. The renewed appeal, issued yesterday, Friday 9 January, is backed by a reward of up to £40,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mr Quinn’s murder. Mr Quinn was found dead inside his home in the Ashleigh P

BBC Radio Ulster’s much-loved choral celebration, BBC Sing!, is set to return in 2026 with a brand-new four-part series recorded at venues across Northern Ireland. The programme, which brings together community choirs from right across the region, will feature four special recording events taking place in Ballymena, Newry, Omagh and Newtownabbey . Each event will see a local BBC community choir take centre stage, celebrating the power of collective singing and the unique spir

The Met Office has issued successive yellow weather warnings for strong winds across Northern Ireland, warning of potential disruption from Sunday through into Monday. The first warning is in force from 00:00 until 21:00 on Sunday, 11 January 2026 , and covers County Antrim, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone. A second warning follows immediately afterwards, running from 21:00 on Sunday, 11 January, until 12:00 on Monday, 12 January 2026 , and applies to County

Ulster Unionist MP for South Antrim, Robin Swann Ulster Unionist MP for South Antrim, Robin Swann, has secured a seat on the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, strengthening Northern Ireland’s representation on one of Westminster’s most significant scrutiny bodies. Mr Swann has taken up one of the Government positions on the committee, a move which reflects his cross-party approach at Westminster and the working relationships he has developed with MPs across the House

A recovery plan has been agreed between Bryson Recycling and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in a bid to address missed bin collections across the borough. Bryson Recycling reported a “positive meeting” with the council’s chief executive, Richard Baker, earlier this week to discuss ongoing problems with the collection service. A spokesperson for Bryson Recycling said: “We discussed the issues being raised and also the actions required to get our service back to a st

A 44-year-old man has been charged in connection with a burglary at licensed premises in the Ballyginniff Road area of Aldergrove, near Crumlin. Police confirmed the charges follow an incident reported in the early hours of Friday, 9 January, when officers were alerted to what was described as an ongoing burglary. The man has been charged with burglary and going equipped for burglary and is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 10 January. As is stand

Tray bakes – a staple of local bakeries across Northern Ireland – have become the latest focus of criticism over the continued application of EU law in the region, according to North Antrim MP Jim Allister. In a statement issued this week, the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader said that a bakery in his constituency has been forced to relabel its tray bakes to comply with EU allergen requirements that go beyond those required under UK law. Mr Allister said the situation

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for Northern Ireland, with icy conditions expected to develop overnight on Friday and into Saturday morning. The warning is in force from 5pm on Friday 9 January until 11am on Saturday 10 January , covering much of the region during a period when temperatures are forecast to drop sharply below freezing. Forecasters say clear spells on Friday evening and overnight will allow temperatures to fall quickly, leading to the

Sammy Small Tributes have been paid following the death of respected Ballymena businessman and family man Sammy Small, whose vision and dedication helped build the well-known flooring business Smallcost from humble beginnings into a trusted household name across Northern Ireland. Mr Small passed away peacefully on 6 January 2026 at Carnmoyne Residential Home in Ahoghill, surrounded by his loving family. In a heartfelt family statement , his loved ones paid tribute to a man wh

Mid and East Antrim could ring in a new era for public telephones if a series of planning applications submitted to the borough council are given the go-ahead. Applications have been lodged by New World Payphones Limited for the installation of phone kiosks on public footpaths at: • 1A Glynn Road, Larne • 1A Victoria Road, Larne • 134A The Roddens in Larne • 70 Dunluskin Gardens, Carrickfergus • 1 Pattersons Row, Carrickfergus • 86 Cushendall Road, Ballymena • 12–14 Antrim Ro

Image: Anne Kelly Ferry passengers travelling to Rathlin Island and across Strangford Lough will face increased fares from 1 February 2026, following confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure. The Department has announced that the revised charges will apply to both the Ballycastle–Rathlin Island ferry service and the Strangford–Portaferry ferry service, with the increases aligned to Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation. According to the Department for Infrastructur

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice covering all of Northern Ireland, with hazardous conditions expected overnight and into Friday morning. The warning will be in effect from 12.00am until 11.00am on Friday, 9 January 2026 , as temperatures fall and wintry showers create icy patches on roads and pavements. According to the Met Office, “clearing skies and scattered wintry showers” are expected to develop through the night, increasing the risk of ice, p

Site location highlighted in red for proposed 57 apartment development in Galgorm, Ballymena A planning application has been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for 57 new apartments outside Ballymena. The application has been submitted by an agent on behalf of David McGroggan of Galgorm Homes Limited. The proposal seeks permission for 57 apartments with associated car parking on a vacant site opposite Galgorm Industrial Estate, located between the River Maine and

Ulster Unionist Party North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows speaking at the party’s annual conference in 2025 Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA for North Antrim Jon Burrows has formally announced his candidacy for the leadership of the party, setting out an agenda of renewal, reform and what he describes as “straight-talking, service-driven” politics aimed at reconnecting with voters across Northern Ireland. In a statement issued on Thursday, 8 January 2026, Mr Burrows said his decisio

Applications for pre-school and Primary One (P1) places for children starting education in September 2026 have officially opened through the Education Authority’s (EA) online EA Connect portal. More than 40,000 applications are expected across Northern Ireland for the incoming academic year, making this one of the most significant annual processes for families preparing children for their first step into formal education. Parents and guardians have until 12 noon on Tuesday, 2

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the Infrastructure Minister to review the Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI) Roads policy on grit provision, warning that the current approach risks undermining community efforts to improve safety during winter weather. The intervention follows recent snow and icy conditions, during which many communities relied heavily on grit to help keep roads and footways passable. Mr Swann said residents have expressed a willingness to take p

Oldstone Coffee and Play… a hidden gem tucked away in the Antrim countryside Tucked away in the Antrim countryside, just a 13-minute drive from Ballymena town centre, a former church built in 1872 has been given a thoughtful new lease of life. Oldstone Coffee and Play , located in Clough village , is the latest example of how rural spaces can be reimagined to serve modern communities — without losing their warmth, character or sense of history. The idea was born from a simpl

CGI showing proposed extension at Robinson Hospital The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has been given an update on the proposed refurbishment of the Robinson Hospital on Newal Road, Ballymoney. Robinson Hospital, which opened in 1933, provides care for patients requiring rehabilitation, palliative care or further assessment following an acute hospital admission. A report presented to Trust board members at a recent meeting said the project will deliver a new-buil