NEWS

Sean McLaughlin, Darren & Avah McGinty What began with a single all-terrain wheelchair is now becoming something far bigger — a £600,000 vision to transform how families living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus experience rest, recovery and time together in Ballymena. For many children with complex mobility needs, something as simple as a walk in the park has long come with barriers. That is beginning to change thanks to Quadrix, a state-of-the-art all-terrain wheelchair pr

Bertie McNeilly from Cullybackey Community Partnership, Richard Hanna from Cullybackey Community Partnership, Paul Christie from Cullybackey Community Partnership and Jonathan Fulton from Cullybackey Community Partnership are presented the Regional Champion Runner-Up from Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Tyler Hoey (centre) Volunteers from Cullybackey Community Partnership were praised at the 2026 Live Here Love Here Community Awards, celebrating grassroots act

Saturday 21 February 2026 Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with contemporary Irish fiction, gripping thrillers and even a literary classic making this week’s chart. From bold new voices to beloved authors, the list reflects a wide range of reading tastes across Ballymena — with strong interest in both page-turning suspense and thoughtful literary storytelling. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A sharp

The site for a proposed boat shed at Bay Road, Carnlough on the Antrim coast. A planning application for the construction of a boat shed in Carnlough has been refused by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The proposal sought retention of a concrete slab and permission to erect a boat shed to replace an existing store at Bay Road. The proposed structure would measure approximately 5 metres by 2.8 metres and stand 2.85 metres high. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Rive

TUV agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle Northern Ireland’s farming community is being “failed” by Stormont, according to TUV agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle , who used a West Tyrone fundraising breakfast to launch a sweeping critique of agricultural policy, bovine TB controls and the Windsor Framework. Addressing party members on Saturday (February 21), Cllr Kyle painted a picture of mounting pressure on farmers — from disease outbreaks and slurry st

What began as a tribute between friends became a remarkable show of community strength, determination and love — and by the time the final whistle approached in Coleraine, more than £10,000 had been raised in Lydia Ross’s memory. On Friday 20 February, members of Block F Supporters Club completed the “Derby Day Dander”, walking almost 28 miles from Ballymena Showgrounds to Coleraine Showgrounds ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off between Ballymena United and Coleraine FC. The walk w

Tributes have been paid following the passing of former Ballymena Mayor and long-serving councillor PJ McAvoy, a respected public figure who dedicated three decades to serving the people of the town. Mr McAvoy, who sadly passed away on Thursday 19 February, was widely recognised for his commitment to public life and his efforts to foster cooperation and mutual respect within local government. Three decades of public service The former SDLP councillor was first elected to Ball

Pictured at the Veteran Information Roadshow event in Ballymena are (L-R) Charlie Marno, Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone and Tricia Robinson, Royal Armed Medical Core Serving personnel, veterans and their families in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a new dedicated advice service designed to help them access the support and entitlements available to them. The announcement was ma

Children from Carniny Primary School and St. Colmcille’s Primary School taking part in the Top Children's Author Election in 2025 Almost 1,800 primary school pupils across Mid and East Antrim will head to the polls on World Book Day as part of a special ‘Top Children’s Author Election’ marking Democracy Week 2026. Seventeen primary schools from across the borough are participating in the initiative, which sees ten Northern Ireland children’s writers vying for the votes of you

Julie Martin from Northern Ireland Hospice with Mittlè McFadden and Jennifer Gardiner and members of Farmers’ Choir NI Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland has raised £2,200 for Northern Ireland Hospice and Rural Support following its Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held at St Patrick’s Parish Church, Kilrea last December. The fundraising total was generated through a freewill offering at the seasonal carol service, which drew strong support from local farmers, families and me

Ballymena could become the site of Northern Ireland’s first grid-scale hydrogen-to-power (H2P) system, as BS Holdings Ltd confirms plans to partner with POWERHOUSE ENERGY GROUP PLC in a zero-emission energy project aimed at supporting the National Grid. The proposed development, which is dependent on support from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, would combine renewable electricity with hydrogen production to provide back-up power when wind generation drops and

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council looks set to join a neighbouring authority in restricting commercial use of household recycling centres (HRCs). The issue was discussed behind closed doors at Monday’s meeting of the borough council at The Braid in Ballymena. At last month’s meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee, councillors were asked to “reinstate the system used during Covid” , which restricted access by commercial vehicles and limited use of househo

Alderman Stewart McDonald welcomes the confirmation of resurfacing works on Sand Road, Galgorm Resurfacing works on Sand Road, Galgorm are expected to commence soon after confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), with short-term disruption anticipated while the improvement scheme is carried out. TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald welcomed the update, describing the long-awaited road maintenance as necessary and beneficial for the area. “I welcome confirmation fro

Ballymena teen Eva-Lilly Beckett selected to represent Ireland at the 2026 Europe Netball Under 17 Championships A Ballymena Academy pupil has been selected to represent Ireland at the 2026 Europe Netball Under 17 Championships, with Eva-Lilly Beckett earning a place in the Ireland U17 squad following a competitive international trial process. Eva-Lilly, who is from Ballymena and plays her club netball with Antrim Ladies Netball Club , will compete at the prestigious tournam

The former Ruby’s Bar on Old Glenarm Road, Larne Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the demolition of a public house and the construction of new housing on Old Glenarm Road in Larne. The development proposal by applicant Harry Diamond of Ruby Homes (NI) Ltd relates to the site of Ruby’s Bar and includes a mix of social and private “market” housing. The scheme proposes 24 dwellings comprising 12 three-bedroom houses, eight one-bed

Young Greenisland FC U12 players Alfie, Josh, Teddy, Jake, Zach and Theo are pictured as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms the elite international academies who will travel from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Central America to compete in the 2026 Boys’ Minor Section of the tournament. Eight elite international academies from across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Central America have been confirmed for the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI Boys’ Minor

Michaela McBurnie from the Meadows Equestrian Centre with students Emma Brow (Hillsborough) and Ellie Getty (Cloughmills). The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has brought industry and education together at its Enniskillen Campus, hosting an Opportunities in Equine Careers Fair as part of its annual Careers Day to support students planning their future in the equine sector. The Opportunities in Equine Careers Day was designed to help students develop

Jill Stewart (Jill Bakes) with her perfectly fluffy pancakes With Pancake Day falling on Tuesday, February 17, home bakers across Ballymena will be reaching for their mixing bowls in preparation for one of the tastiest days of the year. And according to local food blogger Jill Stewart , known to her thousands of followers on Instagram as Jill Bakes , mastering a good pancake recipe is a true kitchen game changer. “I’m Jill,” she says, “trying to help you be better in the kitc

‘Machiko Nancy‘ – a new £2.7 million Shannon class lifeboat to serve with Larne RNLI (Image: Jason Bain / RNLI) A new £2.7 million Shannon class lifeboat has arrived at Larne RNLI, marking a significant milestone for the County Antrim station as it prepares to replace its long-serving Trent class lifeboat, Dr John McSparran. The state-of-the-art all-weather lifeboat reached Larne at 1358hrs (1.58pm) on Sunday 15 February — timed to coincide with the number displayed on its hu

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice across Northern Ireland from 8pm on Monday 16 February 2026 until 10am on Tuesday 17 February 2026 , with motorists and pedestrians urged to take extra care as temperatures fall to or below freezing. According to the national forecaster, wintry showers throughout Monday will leave many surfaces wet into the evening. As skies clear overnight and temperatures drop, untreated roads and pavements are at risk of becoming i