NEWS

Dairy farmers across Northern Ireland are being urged to return to basics and refocus on grass and grazing as falling milk prices and rising costs begin to squeeze farm incomes in 2026. Despite a strong performance last year, experts warn that the early months of this year have already exposed vulnerabilities in farm profitability — with challenging weather and market uncertainty testing the resilience of producers. Conail Keown, Senior Dairy Adviser at the College of Agricul

Alan Morton pictured with his wife Gail at a celebratory party held in Antrim Area Hospital’s Renal Unit to mark the 50th anniversary of his kidney transplant. A Larne man is marking an extraordinary milestone that few could ever imagine — living half a century with a donated kidney that gave him the chance to grow up, build a family, and live a full life. Alan Morton was just 15 years old when he underwent a pioneering kidney transplant. Fifty years on, he is still living wi

Pictured are, from left, Andrew Jenkins, Project Coordinator, Sorcha Mallen, deafblind specialist, Jillian Tullis, service user, Lauren McAteer, a Trustee of The Gallaher Trust, Cllr Jackson Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and James McVicker, Sensory Support Officer. A vital new funding boost is set to open doors, build confidence and tackle isolation for dozens of people living with deafblindness in Ballymena. Deafblind UK has been awarded £3,700 from T

A remarkable double discovery in County Tyrone is shining new light on Ireland’s ancient past—while safeguarding its future. Within weeks of each other, a previously unknown burial cairn dating back up to 5,000 years and a 5,500-year-old Neolithic court tomb have both been uncovered and preserved near Omagh, as part of environmental and conservation work led by NI Water and local partners. The finds are not only archaeologically significant—they reveal how modern environmenta

Drugs seized by police in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena A routine patrol in Ballymena has led to a major drugs seizure worth an estimated £450,000, in what police have described as a “substantial disruption” to illegal activity in the area. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stopped and searched a suspicious vehicle in the Ballykeel area on Thursday, 26 March 2026. What they discovered inside was far from routine. Approximately 30 kilos of suspecte

It was a packed hall with 1000 guests attending EA’s Music Spring Gala hosted in partnership with Ulster University in the Diamond Hall at its Coleraine Campus. More than 500 young musicians from across north Antrim and mid Ulster have taken to the stage in a powerful celebration of music, community, and collaboration — marking a major milestone for youth music in the region. The EA Music Spring Gala 2026, held on Thursday 26 March at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus, bro

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has today published the Northern Ireland’s first Aviation Policy for consultation. Pictured (L-R) are Katy Best, Chief Commercial Officer, Belfast City Airport, Dan Owens, CEO, Belfast International, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Steve Frazer, Managing Director, City of Derry Airport. A major new aviation policy designed to strengthen Northern Ireland’s global connections and drive economic growth has been launched — with ambi

Marks & Spencer has reaffirmed its long-standing support for Northern Ireland’s farming community, announcing its return as Platinum Sponsor of the Balmoral Show — a move that reinforces the retailer’s deep ties with local producers and the agri-food sector. With more than 25 years of backing behind it, the partnership signals continued investment in an event widely regarded as the heartbeat of rural life in Northern Ireland, bringing together farmers, food producers and thou

A new generation of young entrepreneurs has taken its first bold step into the world of business — selling products, pitching ideas, and impressing judges in a high-stakes, Dragons’ Den-style challenge in Ballymena. Primary school pupils from across Mid and East Antrim swapped classrooms for commerce as they launched their own mini companies, culminating in a lively trading event at the Fairhill Centre and a competitive pitch finale at The Braid. The initiative, part of the B

Pictured are the four UK farming union presidents, Andrew Connon, NFU Scotland, Tom Bradshaw, NFU, William Irvine, UFU and Abi Reader, NFU Cymru pictured at today’s Summit. Geopolitical tensions thousands of miles away are now hitting home for UK farmers — and the consequences could soon be felt on dinner tables across the country. Farming leaders from across the UK gathered in Newry for urgent talks, warning that escalating global instability — particularly in the Middle Eas

North Coast based lifeguard supervisor Michael Jess. (Photo credit: Nathan Williams) A familiar face on the North Coast is now telling the story of lives saved at sea, as the RNLI marks a major milestone with a new podcast — just as lifeguards return to local beaches ahead of the Easter break. Portrush-based lifeguard supervisor Michael Jess is the narrator of We Are Lifeguards , a five-part series launched this week to celebrate 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding across the UK a

McKillen’s on Church Street closed its doors earlier this month after 100 years of trading as a family business in Ballymena town centre Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is being urged to establish a taskforce to develop a strategic action plan aimed at supporting the borough’s three main town centres. The proposal is due to be brought before a full meeting of the council at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening by Coast Road DUP Councillor Andrew Clarke , seconded by p

Manage tyre pressure and axle loads when carrying out field operations. Farmers across Northern Ireland are being warned that decisions made in the coming weeks could have lasting consequences for crop yields, grazing performance, and long-term soil health—after one of the wettest winters in recent memory left land in a vulnerable state. According to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, many soils are entering spring “fragile” and at risk of damage, despite

Communities across Northern Ireland are being urged to shine a spotlight on the people who quietly make a difference every day, as the BBC officially opens nominations for its 2026 Make a Difference Awards. From volunteers and young heroes to neighbours who go above and beyond, the awards celebrate the everyday acts of kindness that often go unnoticed — but shape communities in powerful ways. A UK-wide celebration of community spirit The awards bring together BBC radio statio

Stephanie Scott, Age Friendly Coordinator, and newly appointed Walking for All Officer, Colleen Martin, with participants from Cloughmills Community Action Team during a session promoting Age Friendly and Walking for All initiatives. A renewed push to help older people stay active, connected and heard is gathering pace in Cloughmills — with new efforts focused on turning the village into a truly age-friendly community. In a joint initiative led by Causeway Coast and Glens Bor

Golf Ireland outgoing President Michael Evans and new President Fiona Delargy at the Golf Ireland AGM in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. (Photo credit: Bryan Keane / Inpho.) A proud moment for the north coast — and a landmark for women in sport — as Cushendall’s Fiona Delargy has been appointed President of Golf Ireland, becoming the first Ulster woman to take on the prestigious role. Her appointment was confirmed at the organisation’s 2026 National AGM, held on Saturday (Marc

Pupils at Harryville Primary School, Ballymena learned how to look after their eyes during a visit from the team at Fitzsimons Opticians A Ballymena optician is taking eye care education straight into the classroom — with a clear goal: make eye tests feel normal, not frightening, for the next generation. Children as young as four at Harryville Primary School were given a hands-on introduction to eye health this week, as local optician John Broderick set out to “take the fear

L-R: Declan McAleer MLA, Deputy Chair of the AERA Committee; Robbie Butler, MLA, Chair of the AERA Committee; Kathleen McBride, CEO of Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co‑Operative Society; Michelle McIlveen MLA, AERA Committee member and Dr Janice Thompson, Committee Clerk. The scale of the crisis engulfing Lough Neagh was laid bare this week as Stormont committee members heard stark warnings from local fishers who say their industry is “dying” amid environmental decline, collapsing

A pioneering, youth-led programme giving Ballymena pupils real power over funding decisions has scooped a major all-Ireland award — and in doing so, showcased a new model of democracy in action. The Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme was named winner of the Community Champions Award at the Chartered Institute of Housing All-Ireland Housing Awards in Belfast on Friday evening, recognising its transformative impact on young people and local communities. A

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, pictured with Winnie Mellet, President of Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce, alongside representatives from Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce, CAN (Compass Advocacy Network), Lislagan Farm and FUSE FM at the launch of the 2026 Ballymoney Spring Fair. Ballymoney is preparing to burst into life this April as a colourful carnival, live music, and a packed programme of family-friendly events transform the town for a three-d