NEWS

Maggie O’Farrell’s Land remains at the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, as readers continue to gravitate towards a mix of literary fiction, romance, mystery and crime. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, family storytime sessions and a host of acclaimed new titles, including several books shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize. Top 10 this week A varied selection of bestselling fiction do

Thousands of people lined the streets of Coleraine on Saturday morning as more than 500 military personnel took part in a major Armed Forces Day parade under clear blue skies. The town centre was awash with spectators as service personnel, veterans, civic leaders and military representatives gathered to honour the contribution of the UK’s Armed Forces in what is one of the largest events of its kind ever hosted in the borough. The celebration, which continues throughout the d

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Coleraine this Saturday as Armed Forces Day 2026 transforms the town into one of Northern Ireland’s largest civic celebrations, featuring military displays, flypasts, live performances and a packed programme of family entertainment. Around 25,000 visitors are anticipated to attend the event on Saturday 20 June, with organisers describing it as a major opportunity to recognise the service and sacrifice of serving personnel, vetera

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly joins Kohen McLaughlin and Eadie McErlean to launch the return of the Summer Rose Fair at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. Thousands of roses will burst into bloom as one of Belfast’s most colourful summer events returns next month, bringing three days of live entertainment, family activities, food, music and floral displays to one of the city’s best-loved parks. The annual Summer Rose Fair will take place at Sir Thomas and

Motorists and town centre visitors are being advised to expect traffic disruption in Ballymena this Saturday as Mid and East Antrim Pride returns to the town, with road closures, a parade through the town centre and a heightened police presence planned throughout the afternoon. The event is due to take place on Saturday, June 20, with participants assembling in the Waveney Road area from approximately 1pm before the parade begins at 2pm. Police have confirmed that a number of

Green flag for Armoy Road Races 2026. Pictured at Dunluce Castle are, from left, Gareth McAuley, AMRRC Chairman, Bill Kennedy MBE, AMRRC Director, William Munnis, Clerk of Course (seated), alongside road racer, Marcus Simpson and Trevor Kane, title sponsor and owner of Bayview Hotel. The countdown is officially underway for the 2026 Armoy Road Races, with organisers expecting thousands of spectators from across the world to descend on the County Antrim village next month for

For many men, ADHD can go unrecognised for years, leaving them struggling with work, relationships, confidence and mental health without fully understanding why. A major event in Belfast this week, organised by ADDNI Children’s Charity, aims to change that by opening up a conversation that organisers say has been overlooked for far too long. Men & ADHD: Let’s Start the Conversation will bring together clinicians, mental health professionals and men with lived experience for a

Derry’s iconic waterfront will be transformed into a spectacular illuminated riverscape this month as a brand-new night-time attraction brings glowing Tall Ships, maritime legends and artistic light installations to the banks of the River Foyle. Visitors to the 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival will be able to experience Sails of Solas, a striking after-hours spectacle that will see the festival’s Tall Ships bathed in light from 10pm until 3am across three nights. The new addition

CAFRE’s online and short courses offers the best of both worlds to develop your knowledge and skills For people working in the equine industry, balancing education with employment, family commitments and the demands of horse care can be a significant challenge. CAFRE is aiming to bridge that gap with a range of flexible online and blended-learning equine courses designed to fit around busy lives. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is encouraging pro

Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel Land continues to lead the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, as readers flock to a diverse range of literary fiction, fantasy adventures, crime thrillers and non-fiction titles. The latest update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, Father’s Day gift inspiration, family storytime sessions and a strong line-up of newly released books from award-winning and bestselling authors. Top 10 this week A br

Joan Whittaker and Elizabeth Connor at the Home and Garden Show Ireland Visitors turned out in force as Home and Garden Show Ireland 2026 opened its gates at Antrim Castle Gardens on Friday, marking the start of a packed weekend celebrating gardening, food, home living and outdoor inspiration. The event, formerly known as Garden Show Ireland, has returned this year with a significantly expanded format and one major improvement that quickly proved its worth on opening day — a

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins with Coleraine FC Captain Lyndon Kane and Coleraine Football Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Dale Pryde-MacDonald, Johnny Fielding, Chairman of Coleraine Connect, Alderman Mark Fielding and Councillor Tanya Elder. Coleraine FC’s Irish Cup-winning season will be celebrated with a major family-friendly event in the heart of the town next month, giving supporters the chance to honour the players, staff and community th

Vintage tractors, roaring motorcycles and classic engines will roll back into Craigywarren this weekend as one of Mid Antrim’s best-known rural rally events prepares for two packed days of family entertainment, road runs and community celebration in memory of Jackie McLaughlin. The Craigywarren Vintage Rally returns on Friday 12 June and Saturday 13 June, bringing together vintage vehicle enthusiasts, bikers, traders and families from across Northern Ireland for a busy progra

Members of the carers walking group pictured in Antrim Castle Gardens with Claire Campbell and Louise Feeney from the Northern Trust’s Carer Hub. Unpaid carers across the Northern Trust area are being offered new support through a wide-ranging programme of wellbeing classes, peer support groups and activities designed to help them look after their own physical and mental health. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has launched its latest Carer Support Programme during C

James McHenry (1817-91) pictured in Paris on railroad business, 1861. (Image: Carte de visite, James McHenry, 1861 – Allegheny College Library Special Collections) A powerful 19th century financier who once moved in the same circles as some of the biggest names in American industry has been largely erased from history for more than a century — but groundbreaking new research is now bringing his extraordinary story back into the spotlight. Historian Dr Barry Henderson is se

Pictured: South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann is set to host a public conservation event in Toome focused on protecting native swifts as concern grows over the future of the birds across Northern Ireland. The free event will take place between 1pm and 2pm on Friday 12 June at the Lock Keeper’s Cottage in Toome as part of the upcoming Great Big Green Week. Mr Swann will be joined by local swift conservationists, including representatives from the RSPB Antri

(L-R): Ralph McLean (BBC Radio Ulster), Daniel Coulter, Luke Bell and Páidí Muldoon (last year’s winners, 4AM Club), Chris Nelmes (The Boulevard Banbridge), and Alderman Stephen Moutray, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Musicians, singers and street performers from across County Antrim are being urged to grab their instruments, warm up their voices and head for Banbridge later this month as Buskfest 2026 returns with its biggest prize fund y

(L-R) Judy Nelson (RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer), Ruby & Sam (RNLI Lifeguards), Ivor Paul (RNLI Launch Authority), Perry Walton (RNLI Coxswain), Garth Anderson (The Causeway Shantymen Engagement Officer and Event Lead), Chris Millar (The Causeway Shantymen Chairman and Musical Director) Northern Ireland’s coastline will ring with sea shanties, maritime storytelling and traditional music this summer as The Causeway Shantymen prepare to host a major cross-country Shanty Weekend

Bestselling literary fiction, psychological thrillers and fantasy adventures are continuing to dominate the shelves at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel climbing to the top of this week’s bestseller chart. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena store also highlights Father’s Day gift ideas, upcoming book clubs and a fresh selection of new paperbacks and major new releases arriving in time for summer reading season. Top 10 this week This week’s

Motoring enthusiasts, families and supporters of two vital mental health charities are set to descend on Ballymena Showgrounds this weekend as the Ballymena Charity Vehicle Show returns with one of its biggest events yet. The popular community event, taking place on Saturday 6 June from 11am to 3pm, will transform the Showgrounds into a huge celebration of vehicles of every kind — from classic cars and modern performance machines to tractors, motorcycles, HGVs and vans — whil