NEWS

Broughshane village celebrating a previous year’s popular Mini Twelfth parade. (Photo: Brian Millar) Broughshane is set to welcome hundreds of spectators this week as one of the village’s best-known annual traditions returns with the Mini Twelfth and Arch Opening. The popular event, organised by Broughshane LOL 503, will take place on Wednesday evening, July 8, bringing marching bands and members of the Orange family together for a colourful parade through the heart of the vi

The Galeón Andalucía A floating museum that has sailed some of the world’s greatest oceans is preparing to drop anchor in Coleraine later this month, giving visitors a rare opportunity to step aboard a full-scale replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon. For just five days, from July 15 to July 19, the Galeón Andalucía will open its decks to the public at Coleraine Harbour, offering an experience that transports visitors back to the age of exploration, trade routes and globa

Hilton Car Sales, based in Ballymena, is returning as sponsor of the Next Generation Supersport 1 race. Pictured are, from left, William Munnis, AMRRC Clerk of Course, Conor Cummins, road racer and Andy Hilton, owner of Hilton Car Sales. One of the biggest names in local road racing sponsorship is returning to the grid for another year, with Hilton Car Sales confirming its support for the Armoy Road Races for a seventh consecutive year. The Ballymena-based quality used car re

Classic literature, contemporary fiction and gripping thrillers continue to prove popular with readers at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s bestseller chart showcasing an eclectic mix of modern favourites and timeless classics. Alongside the latest Top 10, the Ballymena bookshop is also highlighting half-price offers, family storytime and upcoming book club meetings for local readers. Top 10 this week 1. The Correspondent — Virginia Evans A quietly charming and deeply

Cullybackey is set to swap County Antrim for Nashville and New York for an afternoon as an all-American community celebration arrives in the village on Saturday with live music, food, family entertainment and a packed programme of attractions. The Cullybackey Community Festival, organised by Cullybackey Community Partnership, will take place on today Saturday, July 4, at Cullybackey College from 1pm until 6pm, bringing together tribute performances, competitions, craft stalls

A summer of giant games, silent discos, street parties, secret surprises and birthday celebrations is set to transform Ballymena town centre as the community comes together to mark one of the biggest milestones in the town’s history. This year marks 400 years since Ballymena was granted its charter in 1626, and organisers BALLYMENA BID, in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, are promising an unforgettable programme of events designed to celebrate four centur

The unmistakable sound, colour and character of one of Britain’s most iconic cars will return to the grounds of Glenarm Castle this weekend as hundreds of enthusiasts gather for the second annual Minis at the Castle. The good news for local families and motoring enthusiasts is that the event is completely free for the general public to attend. Following a hugely successful debut event in 2025, organisers are preparing to welcome another impressive turnout of classic Mini owne

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon launches the council’s part of the ‘Immersive Ancestral Cottage Trail’ with Robert Stewart at its President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey. Mid and East Antrim is set to play a central role in a new international tourism initiative designed to strengthen historic links between Northern Ireland and the United States while attracting visitors from around the world to local heritage sites. A new immersive ancestral cottage tr

Don’t miss paw-some fun this weekend as Barket returns to The Junction, Antrim Thousands of visitors and their four-legged companions are expected to descend on Antrim this weekend as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest pet-friendly events returns for a third year. Barket will take over The Junction Retail and Leisure Park on Saturday, July 4, transforming the popular destination into a celebration of pets, animal lovers and local independent businesses. Running from 11am until

Ballymena United Girls Academy is giving aspiring young footballers across the area the opportunity to take their game to the next level with the launch of a free four-week open training programme this summer. The academy is inviting girls born in 2010 and 2011 to take part in a series of Under-16 open training sessions beginning this week at Ballymena Showgrounds. Designed for players who are serious about developing their abilities and progressing within the game, the initi

Motorists travelling through parts of Causeway Coast and Glens on Wednesday evening are being urged to plan ahead, with significant traffic disruption expected as a series of large parades take place across four towns across the borough. The largest events are expected to attract substantial numbers of participants and spectators to Cloughmills, Garvagh, Coleraine and Limavady, with police warning that delays are likely throughout the evening. For many drivers travelling betw

Political, military and community representatives gathered at the Knockagh Monument on Sunday to commemorate the Battle of the Somme. (All photos: Steven McAuley / McAuley Multimedia) The sacrifice of thousands of soldiers who lost their lives during one of the First World War’s bloodiest battles was remembered on Sunday (June 28) as veterans, military personnel, civic leaders and community representatives gathered high above County Antrim for a poignant commemoration at Knoc

A mixture of thrillers, literary fiction, graphic novels and contemporary drama dominates the latest bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, as readers continue to embrace an eclectic mix of genres heading into the summer months. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, family storytime sessions and a host of acclaimed new releases, including several titles shortlisted for the prestigious Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. Th

Construction of the Silent Valley ‘overflow bell-mouth’ as part of the reservoir scheme built between 1926 and 1932 A magical gateway into one of Northern Ireland’s most treasured landscapes will open this weekend as a packed programme of walks, tours and family events invites visitors to experience the Mournes in a whole new way. From the hidden history of Water Town to the engineering marvel of the Mourne Wall and behind-the-scenes access to vital water infrastructure, from

The community of Glenravel are inviting the public from near and far to browse everything from handcrafted ceramics and woodwork to brownies, books and South African flavours as the Glenravel Summer Market returns to Martinstown Parish Hall this weekend. The community event takes place on Sunday, June 28, running from 11am until 4pm, and will bring together a diverse mix of local makers, artists, bakers and small businesses from across the area and beyond. With more than 20 t

Broughshane actor James Nesbitt will join a spectacular line-up of supercars, family attractions and fundraising activities this weekend as Clarke prepares to stage its biggest-ever Charity Car Show in Ballymena. The much-loved local event returns on Saturday 27th June at Clarke HQ on Raceview Road and organisers believe this year’s show could be the largest and most ambitious since it first launched three years ago. With a Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari Enzo and multiple Lamborghin

Football, family entertainment and the chance to meet Ballymena United’s newest signings will all be on offer when the club hosts a free community fun day at the Ballymena Showgrounds next month. With free admission for everyone, the event on Saturday 4 July is designed to bring supporters, families and local residents together for an afternoon packed with activities both on and off the pitch as excitement builds ahead of the new season. Visitors can look forward to face pain

Thousands of music fans heading to see Zach Bryan in Belfast this week are being urged to plan their journeys carefully, with significant road closures and traffic restrictions expected around Boucher Playing Fields on both concert nights. The American country music star will perform at Boucher Playing Fields on Tuesday 23 June and Wednesday 24 June, with traffic disruption anticipated across the surrounding area between 5pm and midnight on both evenings. Motorists, concertgo

Children enjoy one of the many events at Ballymoney Museum Ballymoney Museum has been shortlisted for one of the UK’s most respected heritage awards after being recognised by families as one of the country’s most welcoming places to visit. The museum, located in Ballymoney Town Hall, has secured a place on the shortlist for the 2026 Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award and is the only museum in Northern Ireland to make the final selection. The annual award, which has

Thousands of people packed the streets, parks and riverside of Coleraine on Saturday as Armed Forces Day 2026 transformed the town into a celebration of military service, community pride and national remembrance. From solemn acts of reflection at the War Memorial to dramatic parachute displays above the town and a packed programme of entertainment throughout the day, residents and visitors turned out in huge numbers to honour serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets an