NEWS

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced further measures to support students. The additional support has been welcomed by NUS-USI President (pictured) Ben Friel. Thousands of students across Northern Ireland are set to receive increased financial support next year as the Executive moves to ease mounting cost-of-living pressures facing those in higher education. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced a package of measures for the 2026/27 academic year

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

Sales views sought: Housing Executive Chair Nicole Lappoin, (right) is joined by the organisation’s Assistant Director, Strategic Housing Authority, Ailbhe Hickey, at the launch of the new public consultation on changes to the House Sales Scheme. The future of Northern Ireland’s long-running House Sales Scheme is under review amid growing pressure on social housing, with the Housing Executive launching a major public consultation on proposed changes that could reshape how ten

(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

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick pictured alongside the son of Stoker Sammy Bannister, Andy Bannister at a special memorial plaque at Hazelbank Park. A deeply personal chapter of Northern Ireland’s naval history has been permanently commemorated in County Antrim following the unveiling of a new memorial honouring local sailors caught up in one of the Royal Navy’s most dramatic post-war incidents. Family members travelled from across the UK and beyo

Design drawing showing elevations of proposed new social homes in Antrim A planning application has been lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed new social housing development in Antrim’s Ballycraigy estate. The application for full planning permission has been submitted by an agent on behalf of 10 Main Street Ltd for the demolition of Hazeldene Flats at Newpark Road South and the construction of 30 new units. If approved, the development will consi

Benone Holiday and Coastal Park A major expansion of caravan and motorhome provision at Benone Holiday and Coastal Park has moved a step closer after Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council backed plans to explore space for an additional 70 touring pitches. The proposal comes amid growing demand for caravan tourism across the north coast, with councillors saying the current Benone site becomes overcrowded during busy periods and now risks falling behind expanding private hol

Cottage Wood just off Ballybrack Road, Cushendall A woodland on the edge of Cushendall known for its red squirrels, winding paths and sea views is set to become an immersive outdoor heritage attraction after councillors approved plans for a new art and storytelling trail at Cottage Wood. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has backed proposals from Cushendall Development Group to transform parts of the 10-acre woodland into a family-focused heritage experience celebratin

Farmers allowing calving seasons to drift over long periods are quietly losing efficiency, calf weight and profitability, according to a new warning from CAFRE beef and sheep adviser Jack Friar. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise says maintaining a compact calving pattern remains one of the clearest indicators of reproductive performance in suckler herds — with late-calving cows creating a knock-on effect that can become increasingly difficult to reverse. M

Radio presenter Carolyn Stewart One of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable radio voices has announced her departure from U105 after more than two decades on air, telling listeners she is “no longer a presenter” at the Belfast-based station. Carolyn Stewart confirmed the news in a social media statement published on Sunday, 7 June, bringing an abrupt end to a broadcasting career at U105 that spanned the station’s entire existence. In the post, Carolyn wrote: “I regret to info

Kilrea-born football manager Martin O’Neill Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is to consider conferring the Freedom of the Borough on Kilrea-born football manager Martin O’Neill. During June’s council meeting, members were presented with a motion by Sinn Féin Councillor Sean Bateson seeking to award the Freedom of the Borough to Mr O’Neill in recognition of his distinguished football career and contribution to the sport. A ceremonial plaque in Kilrea has also been prop

Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O'Neill with Philip McGuigan MLA, Chair of the Health Committee and Danny Donnelly MLA, Deputy Chair of the Health Committee. Expanding community mental health support and tackling mounting pressure on crisis services have emerged as urgent priorities after frontline organisations warned politicians about growing strain across Northern Ireland’s mental health system. More than 50 people from across the sector gathered at Parliament Bui

Alongside midwifery-led unit is under construction at Antrim Area Hospital. The interim chief executive of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has warned that “financial challenges can be expected to continue into the financial year”. Suzanne Pullins was speaking at last week’s meeting of the Trust board at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. In an update on the Northern Trust’s financial position, Stevie Lennon, interim director of finance, told board members the Trust had

(L-R) George Best and Pelé. ©Getty Images American showmanship, global superstars and packed stadiums helped reshape modern football decades before the Premier League boom — and a new BBC Northern Ireland series is set to revisit the extraordinary rise, collapse and rebirth of soccer in the United States. Pitch Invasion: How The USA Changed Soccer tells the story of how America helped transform the global game, from the glitzy rise of the North American Soccer League (NASL) i

Patients across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to recognise the family doctors and practice teams who have made a real difference to their lives as nominations open for the Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland’s GP and Practice Team of the Year Awards 2026. The annual awards, launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland (RCGPNI), aim to shine a spotlight on GPs and surgery teams who have gone “above and beyond” to support p

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

(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

Belfast City Council has warned Stormont that it is “undermining” animal welfare by introducing new legislation without providing funding to support enforcement services across Northern Ireland. The council has agreed to write to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), stating it is “concerned that introducing additional animal welfare responsibilities, without providing adequate resources, risks undermining both existing enforcement activity and

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

A Northern Ireland health trust has reported average ambulance “turnaround” times of 74 minutes at Antrim Hospital and 82 minutes at Causeway Hospital during April 2026. The figures were presented in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Board Performance Report for April during last week’s meeting of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. During the same month, 250 patients arriving by ambulance at Antrim Hospital waited more t