NEWS

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with a group of students participating in the Activate Your Curiosity event More than 400 young people from across Northern Ireland were given a hands-on insight into the world of science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) as the flagship Activate Your Curiosity (AYC) event returned to Ballymena. The fourth AYC event took place at The Braid, Ballymena, on Tuesday 20 January, welcoming Year 10 stud

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Northern Ireland, with forecasters warning of potential flooding and transport disruption throughout Thursday. The warning is in effect between 10:00 and 23:59 on Thursday 22 January 2026 , covering County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone. Periods of persistent rain are expected to affect much of the region during the day. Weather officials say 15 to 25mm of rainfall is likely to fal

A special charity event celebrating the lives of two young women while raising vital funds for emergency medical care will take place in Ballymena this spring. Bingo Music Bonanza 2026 will be held on Saturday 7 March at the Tullyglass Hotel , with all proceeds going to the Air AmbulanceNorthern Ireland . The event is being organised in memory of Naomi Lynn and Lydia Ross , who tragically lost their lives in separate car accidents. Presented by Ritchie Entertainments, the ev

Digitally composed views of the Spa at the Amphitheatre, Carrickfergus, once refurbishment is completed. A £1 million refurbishment of the Spa at Carrickfergus Amphitheatre is now underway, marking a major investment in local leisure and wellbeing facilities and reinforcing the venue’s long-term role at the heart of the community. The Spa area has closed to the public to allow essential works to begin on what council officials have described as a “Spa-tacular” upgrade. Once c

Plans are being developed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Ballymena in 2026, following confirmation from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council that work is under way to mark the town’s historic milestone. North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew said he had received confirmation from the Council after writing to senior officials to enquire about preparations for the anniversary year. The landmark date marks 400 years since King Charles I granted the Ballymena Estate to the Adair f

Pictured at the President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey are David Gilliland, Ulster-Scots Agency; Richard Hanna, Cullybackey Community Partnership; Jonathan McGrandle, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council; and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. A major heritage project in Cullybackey, centred on the ancestral home of a former US President, has been awarded funding as part of a wide-ranging programme to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence

(L-R) Samantha Peden, Cullybackey Community Partnership; Valerie Guthrie, Alzheimer’s UK; Daniel McCurdy, Libraries NI; Marjorie Hawkins, Chair MEA Loneliness Network; Debbie Chestnutt, Good Morning Ballymena; Sabrina Lynn, NHSCT. (Image: Bernie McAllister) Four individuals have been formally recognised for their commitment to tackling loneliness and social isolation across Mid and East Antrim, as the local Loneliness Network welcomed four new Loneliness Champions. Daniel McC

Cast Jo Donnelly, Catriona McFeely, Clare McMahon, Susan Hoffmann A Ballymena actor is set to take centre stage in a major new theatrical reimagining of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, as Tinderbox Theatre Company prepares to unveil its latest production at the MAC in Belfast. Jo Donnelly, who hails from Ballymena and has built an extensive career across stage, screen and radio , stars in the bold new adaptation, which will receive its world premiere from 18 to 28 February 2026.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has agreed to press ahead with the renaming of Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus, despite legal advice. A report to councillors indicated that the local authority does not currently have a street naming or renaming policy, and that the council’s legal team has advised a policy should be developed and approved before the renaming of Prince Andrew Way proceeds. In November, the borough council agreed to drop the street name following an Alli

Emma Agnew and Ben Glass from Portglenone, Co Antrim, winners of Roe Valley Resort’s £10,000 ‘Win a Wedding’ competition, pictured celebrating on a rooftop in Nashville, where Ben proposed during a bucket-list trip to the US. The County Antrim couple will host their dream wedding at Roe Valley Resort in 2027. A County Antrim couple have been announced as the winners of Roe Valley Resort’s highly anticipated Win a Wedding competition, securing a luxury wedding package worth up

CGI of the new Ballymena Health and Leisure Centre recently approved by Planners at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Plans for a new leisure centre in Ballymena have taken a significant turn, with construction costs now estimated at £54 million—more than double the original projection—prompting Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to openly seek private sector involvement to deliver the long-awaited project. While full planning permission for the proposed centre at St Patri

Around 700 senior pupils at St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena took part in a powerful and emotive road safety experience this month as the Ballymena Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) attended the award-winning Roadsafe Roadshow. The event, held on Thursday, January 15, brought together the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and a range of partner organisations to deliver a hard-h

Police are appealing for information following a one-vehicle road traffic collision on the A26 Crankill Road in Ballymena in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Officers received a report of the incident shortly before 4.30am on Tuesday, January 20. Police attended the scene alongside colleagues from other emergency services. Two people were taken to hospital for treatment. There is no immediate update on the extent of their injuries. The A26 Crankill Road was closed for a pe

Proposed south elevation of new sports pavilion A planning application has been submitted for the development of a new two-storey indoor sports pavilion within the grounds school in Ballymena, marking a significant investment in modern sporting facilities for pupils and the wider community. The proposal, lodged for Ballymena Academy on Galgorm Road, seeks full planning permission for a purpose-built sports facility designed to replace existing temporary modular buildings curr

Plans reveal the new design proposal for Broughshane Community Centre; (inset) the current facility in the village. Fresh planning proposals have been submitted for the construction of a new community centre at Knockan Road in Broughshane, setting out detailed designs for a modern, energy-efficient facility intended to serve the village for generations to come. The plans include a new community hall, playgroup facility, sports changing areas, associated car parking and extens

Mrs O'Neill (Principal) and Declan Wright (Board of Governors) cut the ribbon to officially open the new Science Rooms along with Darragh Brennan (Head Boy) and Dearbhla O'Neill (Head Girl) St Louis Grammar School has officially opened two new purpose-built Science rooms, marking a significant investment in STEM education and the future opportunities of its pupils. The state-of-the-art facilities provide modern laboratories and flexible teaching spaces designed to support hig

(L-R) Valeria Watts, Interim Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, David Nichol, HSENI Board Member, Elise Logan, Lead Environmental Health Officer,  Laura Hughes, HSENI Inspector,  Mayor Councillor Jackson Miniford, HSENI Deputy Chief Executive Nicola Monson, Clement Kennedy, Environmental Health Manager, John McVeigh, Interim Director of Community at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and HSENI Chief Executive Robert Kidd. Mid and East Antrim Borough Coun

Pupils from Castle Tower School, Ballymena on an adventure of a lifetime to the ski slopes of Falgoria, Italy. Pupils from Castle Tower School have returned home with new skills, renewed confidence and memories that will last a lifetime following a memorable ski excursion to Italy. Last week, Castle Tower School joined a Core Kids group made up of Rosstulla, Ballycarricmaddy, Thornfield and Carnalridge for a ski trip to Falgoria, Italy. The experience marked a series of impor

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, literary fiction and practical health titles dominating readers’ choices this week. The list reflects strong demand for gripping page-turners alongside acclaimed novels and lifestyle releases, as book lovers settle into their January reading routines. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books… 1. Nesting — Roisín O’Donnell A powerful and intimate novel exploring motherhood, displ

Residents across Ballymena and the surrounding area are being encouraged to prioritise their mental health this January as a free community wellbeing event returns to the town. Radius and Triangle Housing Associations , working in partnership with Turning Point NI , will host their annual Wellbeing Monday event on 19 January , offering a welcoming space for anyone who may be struggling with the post-Christmas slump or simply in need of a boost. Taking place at the Adair Arms