NEWS

Children from Braidside Primary School, Ballymena, were joined by Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, as they enjoyed a Forest School session recently. Primary school pupils from across the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area are embracing nature as part of this year’s Forest Schools Programme, funded by Council and delivered by the Northern Ireland Forest School Association (NIFSA). With support from the Council’s Parks and Open Spaces team, the in

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed confirmation from Environment Minister Mary Creagh MP that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are now assisting Northern Ireland officials following the first confirmed sighting of an Asian Hornet. Minister Creagh confirmed to Mr Swann that DEFRA and APHA had “worked closely with officials from Northern Ireland to help them prepare and publish a contingency pl

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will come into effect across Northern Ireland from 00:01 on Saturday 1 November 2025, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has announced. The new measures, which place a legal requirement on all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity rules, are being introduced to help prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) during the winter migration season. Whether keeping pet birds, a small backyard flock, or a large commerci

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

Alix Mulholland, Co-founder of Co. Down-based home fragrance company FieldDay, joins Dawn Miskelly, CEO of Ulster Wildlife, and Maureen Carvill, Wildlife Gardening Officer at Ulster Wildlife, to celebrate a new partnership to inspire 5,000 households across Northern Ireland to make space for nature in their garden Local County Down fragrance company FieldDay has joined forces with conservation charity Ulster Wildlife to inspire 5,000 households to take part in the Let Nature

The Kells, Connor and Glenwherry Angling Club has expressed “deep disappointment and frustration” after the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) once again refused to grant permits needed to reopen their river hatchery — a conservation project aimed at restoring dwindling salmon and Dollaghan trout populations in the Kellswater River system. The group said the hatchery could have played a vital role in protecting native fish and educating local sc

The Asian Hornet nest that was successfully removed today. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has confirmed the successful removal of the first Asian Hornet nest ever discovered in Northern Ireland. The controlled operation took place in Dundonald today (18 October), close to the site where the invasive insect was first reported on 10 October. The Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina) is considered a serious environmental threat, preying on honeybees and native pollinator

Translink’s MPV leaf busting train keeping Northern Ireland rail passengers moving As autumn takes hold, Translink has launched a major seasonal operation to tackle the annual “Leaf Fall” challenge, aiming to keep passengers across Northern Ireland moving safely and on time. Every year, fallen leaves combined with wet weather and train movement create a slick film on railway tracks — a problem similar to black ice on roads. This slippery residue reduces train traction, affect

Image: Anne Kelly The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across Northern Ireland this weekend, warning that the conditions may cause some disruption overnight on Saturday 18 October into Sunday 19 October. The warning is in place from midnight until midday on Sunday (00:00 – 12:00 BST), with forecasters predicting that the heaviest rain will fall in the southeast of the region, particularly around the Mourne Mountains. A Met Office spokesperson sai

the Asian hornet The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has confirmed further sightings of the Asian hornet in the Dundonald area of Belfast, just days after the first confirmed identification of the invasive species in Northern Ireland. The latest reports, confirmed by NIEA officials, suggest that a nest may be present in the area, raising concerns over the potential establishment of the species, which poses a serious threat to native honeybees and pollinators. The i

Invasive species: The Asian hornet, otherwise known as a yellow-legged hornet was discovered for the first time in Northern Ireland. South Antrim MP Robin Swann has written to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir seeking urgent clarification on Northern Ireland’s response to the confirmed presence of an Asian hornet, warning that the invasive species poses a serious threat to local honeybees, pollinators, and biodiversity. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) confirmed last w

The Asian Hornet, also yellow-legged hornet The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has confirmed the first-ever record of an Asian hornet in Northern Ireland, following the capture of the invasive insect in Dundonald, Belfast, on 10 October. The insect, also known as the yellow-legged hornet, was reported by a vigilant member of the public, triggering a swift response from NIEA officials. Originating from East Asia, the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) was first recorded

Emily, aged 11, from Ahoghill, was one of eight young artists selected from over 1,000 entries across Northern Ireland for Translink’s Climate Action ‘Brand A Bus’ competition. A young artist from Ahoghill has seen her creative vision come to life in spectacular fashion — on the side of a Translink double-decker bus. 11-year-old Emily is one of eight talented young artists from across Northern Ireland whose artwork was selected from more than 1,000 entries in Translink’s inau

Kinecx Energy Chairman Dr David Dobbin (second from left) and Kinecx Energy Chief Executive Officer Niall Martindale (second from right)...

As the slurry season draws to a close on 15 October 2025, NI Water is reminding farmers across Northern Ireland to take extra care to...

Altnahinch Dam, County Antrim (IMAGE: Lauren Penman) Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council members have voiced concerns over the...

As autumn leaves begin to fall, Dogs Trust is urging owners to stay alert during walks — warning that conkers and acorns could make dogs...

Disease control measures have been implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) following a...

Heavy rain on Friday morning across County Antrim. (IMAGE: Anne Kelly) The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a public...

An emergency early closure of schools has been ordered across parts of Northern Ireland today (Friday 3 October) as Storm Amy brings the...