NEWS

Passengers travelling on the Dublin, Bangor, Larne and Derry~Londonderry rail lines are being urged to plan ahead as Translink confirms a series of essential engineering works across two weekends in February. The planned works will affect services on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February , and again on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March , with rail replacement bus services operating on impacted routes. The programme of works, coordinated with Irish Rail, will result in temp

Jane Rea on the family farm in Shilnavogy in the Antrim hills. (All Images: BBC NI / Below The Radar TV) Jane Rea’s Bloomin’ Wild, a new four-part farming series set on a family farm in Shilnavogy, County Antrim, begins this week on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer. The series follows the changing seasons in the Antrim Hills, exploring food, craft and Ulster-Scots culture woven into everyday rural life. Filmed on Jane Rea’s family farm in the small townland of Shilnav

A 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged following a burglary at Boots pharmacy at Ballymena Health and Care Centre on the Cushendall Road in Ballymena, police have confirmed. The alarm was raised on Thursday morning, February 12, when damage was discovered at the pharmacy premises within the health centre. Police confirm arrest and charges A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Police investigating a burglary of a pharmacy in Ballymena on Th

Young Ballymena woman Chloe Mitchell who was brutally murdered in the town. The Chloe Mitchell trial will proceed after Justice Minister Naomi Long and representatives of the Criminal Bar Association reached agreement following talks aimed at resolving the current impasse within the criminal justice system. In a joint statement issued on Sunday (15 February), the Minister and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) confirmed that an accelerated review of the fees structure will co

Eugene and Catherine McKeever, who founded the McKeever Hotel Group 40 years ago and have overseen its growth from Corr’s Corner in Newtownabbey in 1986 to a dynamic family business with seven hotels employing a 600-strong team. McKeever Hotels is celebrating 40 years in business with a 12-month anniversary programme, marking four decades of growth from a single Newtownabbey restaurant to a seven-hotel hospitality group employing 600 people across the island of Ireland. The f

Pilgrim’s Europe Technical Apprentice Stephanie Millar pictured at the company’s Ballymena site. Pilgrim’s Europe has shone a spotlight on Ballymena-based apprentice Stephanie Millar during National Apprenticeship Week, recognising her progression from farm life in Coleraine to a skilled technical role within the food industry. Stephanie, who works as a Technical Apprentice at the company’s Ballymena facility, joined Pilgrim’s Europe’s apprenticeship programme after deciding

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, heartwarming romance and children’s favourites all performing strongly in store this week. Freida McFadden returns to the top spot, while Dav Pilkey claims two places in the chart, and Rachel Reid continues her winning streak with not one but two romance titles in the list. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. The Housemaid — Freida McFadden The addictive psychological th

Carolyn Tailford, Founder, Senior Director and Chair of A Safe Space to be Me . Adults with ADHD in Northern Ireland are being left without diagnosis, medication and support, according to mental health charity A Safe Space to Be Me, which has responded to the publication of the Department of Health’s long-awaited ADHD Needs Assessment. The report, published on Thursday, 12 February 2026, by the Department of Health, confirms significant gaps in provision for both children and

Fantastic fun at the Belfast Brunch Co. Party in 2025! The event returns next month to Tullyglas Hotel in Ballymena. Belfast Brunch Co. will return to Ballymena on Friday 13 March 2026, bringing its high-energy brunch party to the Tullyglass House Hotel in support of Northern Ireland Hospice and its Children’s Hospice services. The adults-only event follows strong public demand after £21,000 was raised during last year’s fundraiser, with organisers promising to bring the fee

Elevations of proposed apartment complex Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s planning department is considering two separate housing proposals in the town centre area of Ballymena. A planning application has been lodged with the local authority for the construction of a four-storey apartment building to the rear of Broughshane Street. The application has been submitted by an agent on behalf of Galgorm Developments for four two-bedroom apartments, a communal hallway and amen

Audry the spaniel from Dogs Trust Ballymena is seeking her loving forever home A 12-year-old Spaniel crossbreed is searching for a loving forever home this Valentine’s Day at Dogs Trust Ballymena , after being returned to the charity’s care due to a change in circumstances. Audry, described as a “sensational Spaniel” by staff, first came into the care of Dogs Trust Ballymena as a young pup in 2014 and was quickly adopted. After spending 11 years in a loving home, she was ret

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice across Northern Ireland, with hazardous travel conditions expected from 8pm on Friday 13 February 2026 until 10am on Saturday 14 February 2026. The warning covers County Antrim, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone , where sub-zero temperatures combined with wintry showers could lead to icy surfaces and difficult driving conditions overnight. Forecasters say wintry showers may fall onto freezing ground du

Mid and East Antrim Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tyler Hoey, pictured with author and illustrator Kelsey Carroll and children who took part in the workshop A new children’s storybook celebrating Ballymena 400 has been officially launched at Mid-Antrim Museum in the Braid, offering young readers an engaging introduction to the town’s history. The launch event took place on Saturday 7 February as part of the Playful Museums Festival, supported by the Northern Ireland Museums Counci

L-R John Megaughin, Managing Director at Clearbox, Chris Selwood, Ballymena United Chairman and Neil Coleman, Client Director at Clearbox Ballymena United, one of the leading clubs in the Sports Direct Premiership, has appointed communications consultancy Clearbox to support the club’s marketing and communications campaigns as it looks to strengthen its brand and increase match ticket sales. The NIFL Premiership club confirmed that Clearbox will lead the development and imple

The scene of the collision in Ballymena on Wednesday evening. Police are appealing for information following a two-vehicle collision in Ballymena on Wednesday, 11 February, which resulted in three people being taken to hospital. The crash occurred at approximately 7pm at the junction of Larne Road Link and St Patrick’s Link Road, involving a black BMW X3 and a red Vauxhall Grandland. Emergency services attended the scene. Emergency services attend Ballymena crash Sergeant Mc

Inset: Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott has explained why he voted against Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s decision to strike the district rate for 2026/27 at a special council meeting, citing concerns over City Deal costs, long-term financial pressures and potential alternative savings for residents. On Monday night at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in The Braid, Ballymena, elected members voted 19 to 17 in

McKillen’s on Church Street, Ballymena launches its closing down sale on Wednesday morning as customers queue up looking for a bargain and taking one last opportunity to visit the much-loved local business Ballymena BID has said it is “deeply saddened” by news regarding McKillen’s of Ballymena, as the long-established Church Street retailer reaches its 100th year at the heart of the town centre. The Business Improvement District has urged the community to support the business

Elected members of the DUP party group on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Party says below-inflation rise safeguards services and delivers long-term investment The DUP has defended its decision to vote in favour of a 2.95% rates increase at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, arguing the move was necessary to protect frontline services while enabling significant long-term investment across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne. The DUP party group includes elected members R

21-year-old Chloe Mitchell who was murdered in June 2023 in Ballymena North Antrim elected representatives have called on the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) to grant a dispensation in its ongoing strike action to allow the trial of the individual charged with the murder of Chloe Mitchell to proceed as planned. The appeal comes as a deadline to prevent further delays in the Chloe Mitchell trial is fast approaching. Six representatives — Sian Mullholland MLA, Timothy Gaston MLA

The Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland Committee Members The Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland has marked a year of continued growth, strong community engagement and musical success at its fourth Annual General Meeting, held recently at Ballymena Academy. Members gathered to reflect on a busy and productive year for the choir, which has continued to expand its audience reach while strengthening its role as a social and cultural outlet for people from rural and farming backgrounds