NEWS

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

Commuters across Northern Ireland are facing major disruption tonight after Translink announced the suspension of all evening bus and rail services amid fears of unrest linked to expected protests. The unprecedented move means no bus departures will operate after 5pm on Wednesday evening, while all train services will stop departing after 6pm as transport operators brace for potential disorder. The decision is expected to impact thousands of passengers travelling home from wo

TUV Ballymena councillor Matthew Armstrong A peaceful protest in Ballymena over immigration and border concerns has been praised by TUV representatives, who claimed hundreds of people gathered at the Seven Towers Roundabout without violence following days of heightened tension across Northern Ireland. The statement from TUV Ballymena councillor Matthew Armstrong comes after widespread condemnation of disorder and violence linked to protests elsewhere, including ongoing fallou

McDonald’s Ballymena Ballymena’s McDonald’s restaurant is set to reopen tomorrow following a major £1.1 million transformation that has expanded the site, modernised operations and created 20 new jobs in the town. The popular restaurant at Braidwater Retail Park has been closed for six weeks while builders moved in for an extensive refurbishment designed to tackle one very modern fast-food problem — too many delivery drivers, too little space, and customers wondering where ex

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

Views across Tullygarley bridge toward the proposed housing development site near the River Braid Planning officers have recommended approval for a controversial housing development beside Ballymena’s Braid River Walk despite months of fierce opposition from residents, environmental concerns and a petition backed by hundreds of people. The proposal, which has triggered one of the most emotionally charged local planning disputes in Ballymena in recent years, would see 28 new h

Pictured staff from Kirkinriola Primary School, Ballymena: (L-R) Viola Stewart SEN classroom assistant, Emily McCaffrey Principal, Emma Laird SEN classroom assistant, Chloe Parr teacher, Gillian Todd classroom assistant, Emma Lee Adams SEN classroom assistant, Jodi Crawford teacher and Naomi Quaite SEN classroom assistant. A Ballymena school community is preparing to walk, scoot and rally together this week in support of a nine-year-old pupil facing the fight of her life aft

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 (left to right) are Colin Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Galgorm Collection, and Laura McCorry, Chief Executive, Tourism NI, at Roe Valley Resort, as Galgorm Collection announces the latest phase of its £20 million transformation programme for the North West destination. A major transformation of Roe Valley Resort is accelerating this summer as Galgorm Collection presses ahead with a £20 million redevelopment programme designed to reshape the Limavady destination

Women’s Aid Seeks Skilled Finance and Communications Professionals for Board Image. Pictured is Women’s Aid ABCLN CEO Gillian Robinson Women and children experiencing domestic abuse across the Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey areas could soon benefit from strengthened leadership at one of Northern Ireland’s frontline support charities, as Women’s Aid ABCLN launches a recruitment drive for two key voluntary Board positions. The organisation is seeking e

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

Adrian Davis of Ballygally based consultancy firm AD Sustainability which is planning to double in size as it expands into the Republic of Ireland as demand for sustainability expertise continues to surge. The company received assistance from the Go Succeed business support service A County Antrim environmental consultancy is preparing to double the size of its business as growing pressure on companies to cut costs, reduce emissions and meet stricter sustainability expectatio

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is pictured at the unveiling of the UNESCO plaque at Gracehill along with (L-R) Sarah Groves, former Bishop of Gracehill Moravian Church, outgoing Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tyler Hoey, outgoing Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, Alderman William McCaughey, Alderman Thomas Gordon, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell and Chair of Gracehill Old School Trust, Dr David Johnston OBE. Northern Ireland’s first cultu

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows The Ulster Unionist Party has moved to steady internal nerves and project unity after a bruising week of political turmoil, with party leader Jon Burrows insisting the party “will not allow” recent criticism and media characterisations to define its future. In a direct message to members and supporters, the MLA acknowledged frustration within the party following the departure of former leader Doug Beattie MC MLA, describing recent days

A man has been charged to court following one of two overnight incidents in Ballymena linked to suspected drugs offences and the recovery of a knife. Police confirmed the 41-year-old has been charged with possession of a Class B controlled drug, possession of a Class C controlled drug, and possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place. The charges follow an incident in the Crebilly Road area during the early hours of Friday, June 5, when officers on patrol

Nuala O’Connell, a Ward Sister at Antrim Area Hospital A nurse leading one of Northern Ireland’s busiest hospital teams has been recognised for transforming both staff wellbeing and patient care after introducing a workplace support initiative designed to help struggling colleagues reach out in confidence. Nuala O’Connell, a Ward Sister at Antrim Area Hospital, was named winner of the Team Manager Award at the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards, with four other Nor

Police in Ballymena have arrested two men during separate overnight incidents linked to suspected drugs offences, dangerous driving, and the recovery of a knife. The arrests were made during the early hours of Friday, June 5, following patrols by officers in the town. One of the incidents began after police observed a car being driven erratically on the Antrim Road shortly after 1am, while a second unfolded less than two hours later in the Crebilly Road area when a man allege

Ballymena United supporters are being promised cheaper football, exclusive rewards and a smoother matchday experience after the club officially launched season tickets for the 2026/27 campaign with prices frozen across every category. In a move likely to be welcomed by fans facing continued cost-of-living pressures, the club confirmed there will be no increase in season ticket prices ahead of the new NIFL Premiership season, while introducing a new ticketing platform and a pa

A 13-year-old has been cautioned by police after officers seized an e-scooter in Ballymena amid ongoing concerns over the illegal use of the devices in public spaces. Neighbourhood Policing Team officers were conducting enquiries in the Dunvale area of the town on Thursday afternoon, June 4, when they observed a number of young people riding e-scooters. Police confirmed one teenager was cautioned for driving offences including having no licence and no insurance before the e-s

Well done girls: L-R: Jenna McErlain, Dayah Doherty. Willow Currie, Isabel McErlean, Rebekah Rice, Cassie Evans, Maisie Hamill, and Anna Rose Caskey. Eight young gymnasts from Toome are preparing to take centre stage on the national level after qualifying to represent Northern Ireland at the National Finals in London later this year. The athletes from Elite Gymnastics Academy secured their places following a series of strong performances throughout the British Gymnastics-back