NEWS

Irish Children’s Laureate/Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde answering questions from children at St Colmcille's and  Carniny Primary School as part of the Whole Wild World North tour. Ahead of World Book Day on Thursday, 5 March 2026, children from Carniny Primary School and St Colmcille’s Primary School welcomed Irish Children’s Laureate/Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde , along with a team of authors and illustrators to Carniny Primary School as part of the Whole Wild World Nort

Minister Kimmins is pictured with Sarah Schaefer, ESG Director and John McLeister, Managing Director of Sales for the UK and Ireland The push to decarbonise Northern Ireland’s transport network took centre stage in Ballymena this week as Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins  visited Wrightbus  to see first-hand how the sector is shaping the journey to net zero. Touring the factory floor, the Minister met staff and viewed progress on zero-emission bus technology that is already

One motorist returned a roadside breath test result of over twice the legal drink-drive limit. A targeted police operation in Ballycastle has led to a drink-driving charge, two uninsured vehicles being seized and a motorist detected at 108mph in wet conditions — as Northern Ireland’s road death toll rises to 15 before the end of February. Officers from the Maydown Road Policing Interceptors carried out a morning of focused patrols in the town on Friday, February 27. Multiple

Hillwalkers and visitors to Slemish Mountain for St Patrick’s Day in 2025, with large crowds expected again in 2026. A centuries-old tradition will once again bring hundreds of people to the slopes of Slemish Mountain this St Patrick’s Day, as families from across County Antrim prepare to take part in the annual uphill climb. Held on Tuesday 17 March, the popular St Patrick’s Day ascent blends local legend, shared history and outdoor adventure in one of the borough’s most rec

farmdrive co-founders - Gareth Gordon, CTO, and Gareth McDonald, CEO A fast-growing agri-tech company founded by two men from the Ballymena area has secured a major six-figure investment to accelerate its next phase of growth — with new jobs and export expansion firmly in its sights. Antrim-based farmdrive has received £690,000 in equity funding through Techstart Ventures, part of Invest NI’s Access to Finance programme. The investment will support the development of its live

Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with literary classics, gripping crime fiction and contemporary Irish writing all featuring strongly this week. From Emily Brontë and John Steinbeck to Jo Nesbo and Jan Carson, the list reflects an eclectic mix of reader favourites and fresh releases. Top 10 for This Week 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A sharp, darkly comic novel exploring masculinity, belief and modern disillusionment with wit and bit

A €7.5 million cross-border initiative designed to tackle isolation, inactivity and poor wellbeing in rural communities has been officially launched — with Mid & East Antrim and Causeway Coast & Glens set to play a key role. Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust has welcomed the introduction of the new ‘Walking for All’ programme, supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by Special EU Programmes Body , and led by Outscape . The programme was launched on Friday, 27 February 2026 at

A Northern Ireland-wide phone app has left a Lisburn patient in medical distress following claims that a “serious condition” was revealed before a doctor could present her test results. Northern Ireland is the first UK region to fully roll out the ‘My Care’ app through the Encompass IT system, with a Co Down councillor raising concerns about a potential system “blip”. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s recent full council meeting heard that a local resident claimed she h

A stretch of the Kells Water River has been given a new lease of life after volunteers rolled up their sleeves and removed a startling haul of waste in just a matter of hours. On Saturday, February 28, members of Kells, Connor & Glenwherry Angling Club carried out their first river clean-up day — and the scale of what was uncovered highlights both the pressures facing local waterways and the power of community action. By the end of the session, the team had removed more than

The location of a proposed HMO property on Galgorm Road, Ballymena A proposed change of use from a dwelling to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 46 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, has been refused. The application was turned down by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Thursday, despite a recommendation to approve. A planning officer told the meeting the proposal involved the change of use of a five-bedroom, three-st

Broughshane woman Norma Craig who has raised a phenomenal donation from her latest efforts for Air Ambulance NI by hosting a series of raffles at her workplace, Ballygally Castle Hotel. A Broughshane woman’s determination to make a difference has raised more than £14,000 for Northern Ireland’s air ambulance service — and she’s not slowing down. Since 2020, Norma Craig has raised an impressive £14,530 for Air Ambulance NI , supporting its vital role in responding to traumatic

The BMW car ended up in a field outside Ballymena after a teenage driver attempted to flee from police and evade arrest A dramatic police pursuit that began on one of Ballymena’s busiest arterial routes ended in a field — and an arrest — after a teenage driver allegedly attempted to flee officers at speed. Road Policing Interceptors based at Sprucefield attempted to stop and speak to the driver of a silver BMW on Friday, 27 February, in the Cushendall Road area of Ballymena a

Pictured at Ulster Farmers' Union headquarters following the stakeholder meeting (L-R) Sergeant Ross Hakin, Inspector Sorcha Irwin, Brian Megahey (UFU), Deputy President Glenn Cuddy, Policy Officer Daniel Toft, Dr Lizzy Pinkerton (Belfast Hills Partnership) Illegal scramblers, broken gates, frightened livestock and farmers left feeling intimidated on their own land — that is the stark reality behind renewed calls for action in the Belfast Hills. The Ulster Farmers’ Union  (UF

A living symbol of remembrance now stands in the heart of Ballymena after a ‘Tree of Hope’ was planted in People’s Park to commemorate the millions murdered during the Holocaust. The commemorative cherry tree, accompanied by an inscribed plaque, was planted on Friday 27 February 2026 during a special civic ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford , alongside pupils from Cambridge House Grammar School . Set against the backdrop of People’

Plans for a new 3G pitch and stand at Ballymena Showgrounds A planning application for a new full-size 3G football pitch and spectator stand at Ballymena Showgrounds has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee. A planning officer told the committee, which met at The Braid in Ballymena on Thursday, that the existing grass pitch (number seven) is one of several within the Ballymena Showgrounds complex. In addition to upgrading the pitch to a 3G

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew The battle over funding at Kirkinriola Early Years has intensified, with DUP MLA Paul Frew declaring the rural Ballymena unit “is here to stay” and pledging to fight what he described as a “daft policy” by the Education Authority (EA). Mr Frew visited the school on Friday morning to meet staff at the Early Years Unit, reinforcing the message that both the unit and Kirkinriola Primary School are thriving despite the shock decision to withdraw p

Nineteen towns and villages across Northern Ireland — and one in County Donegal — will host the 2026 Twelfth of July demonstrations, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) has confirmed. The annual celebrations, which date back more than 230 years, remain a central fixture in the cultural calendar, drawing participants and spectators from across the United Kingdom and further afield. Announcing the venues, the Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. Harold Henning , reflected on the e

Kirkinriola Primary School A rural pre-school on the outskirts of Ballymena has been left reeling after the Education Authority (EA) confirmed it is withdrawing funding for the year ahead — a decision described as “completely unacceptable” by those at the heart of the setting. Kirkinriola Early Years (KEY), based at Kirkinriola Primary School , was informed on Monday 23 February that funded pre-school places would be removed for the 2026/27 academic year. The move affects a

Specialist Nurse Julie Donnelly and Dr Beckett from the Northern Trust’s Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) Paediatric Clinic, which provides a specialist service for children newly diagnosed with FH. A new specialist clinic in Northern Ireland is changing the outlook for children born with a hidden but potentially life-threatening genetic condition — offering families earlier answers, expert support and a clearer path forward. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has l

Knockan Road Play Park in Broughshane on Tuesday, January 27, when Storm Chandra brought heavy rainfall leading to the River Braid bursting its banks. Four weeks after floodwater tore through Broughshane, families are still waiting for their local play park to reopen — and questions are now being asked at Stormont level. North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew  has raised concerns over the continued closure of Broughshane Play Park on Knockan Road following severe storm damage last mo