NEWS

Saoirse Stacey and Oran Masterson with Irish Minister Michael Healy-Rae at Carrigduff National School, Bunclody, Wexford at the launch of the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador School Programme. Primary schools across County Antrim are being urged to step beyond the classroom and become leaders in farm safety, as a nationwide initiative opens for enrolment ahead of an April deadline. Irish Rural Link has launched its AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador School Programme, inviting sch

Northern Ireland’s overall sense of wellbeing has remained steady over the past year — but beneath the surface, new figures reveal a stubborn undercurrent of anxiety and loneliness affecting thousands of people. Fresh data published recently by The Executive Office shows that while life satisfaction, happiness and feelings of purpose remain high, around one in five people continue to experience high levels of anxiety , and nearly 18% report feeling lonely at least some of the

The newly discovered seagrass (known as eelgrass) meadow – Zostera marina A remarkable environmental discovery has been made in Northern Ireland’s waters, as a previously unrecorded seagrass meadow has been identified in Strangford Lough — offering fresh hope for climate action and marine conservation. The find was made by Queen’s University Belfast PhD student Rebekah Bajkó , who used innovative technology from DAERA’s Coastal Observatory to spot unusual patterns beneath the

(L-R) Investors John Demakas and Chris Fechter on a visit to Carrickfergus, pictured with local Alliance councillor for Knockagh, Aaron Skinner Mid and East Antrim councillor Aaron Skinner (Knockagh) has led the praise for Carrick Rangers after a landmark weekend that brought 150 American investors to Carrickfergus—shining an international spotlight on the town and its football club. The visitors, part of a wider group of more than 2,200 investors backing the club, travelled

Patrick Connor (standing) with Musical Director Andrew Robinson. A Ballymena performer is set to shine under the spotlight next month as one of the standout voices in a major musical theatre showcase on the North Coast. Patrick Connor, from Buckna , will take centre stage in Ballywillan Drama Group’s upcoming production, The Best of Broadway and the West End 3 , running at Portrush Town Hall from April 14–18. The award-winning group is already deep in rehearsals for the hi

Antrim & Newtownabbey Crematorium There were 1,407 cremations at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s crematorium during 2025, the latest figures show. Of these, 491 were residents and 916 were non-residents. The figures were detailed in a bereavement services quarterly update presented behind closed doors at last month’s meeting of the council’s Operations Committee. The highest monthly total occurred in January 2025, when 143 cremations were recorded. The committee rep

North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland pictured in Ballycastle Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has welcomed Ballycastle’s latest accolade as Northern Ireland’s best place to live, calling it a proud moment for the community and a reflection of the town’s unique spirit. The north Antrim seaside town secured the regional title in the 2026 edition of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live, standing out ahead of Dundrum and Ormeau in south Belfast — both of which were also recognis

Jim Allister MP takes to the platform at the TUV’s annual conference in Cookstown Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has delivered a scathing and wide-ranging critique of the Northern Ireland political landscape, warning that the region is being “sleepwalked out of the United Kingdom” under the current system. In a combative conference speech, Allister targeted the Windsor Framework, Stormont’s functioning, rival unionist parties, and the UK Government—framing the

Anyone planning a holiday or needing to renew their passport is being urged to act quickly, as new UK passport fees are set to come into force from 8 April 2026. The increases, subject to parliamentary approval, will affect almost every type of application — meaning waiting even a few weeks could cost applicants more. What’s changing? The new fee structure will see notable rises across online, postal, premium, and overseas applications: Standard online (UK): Adults: £94.50 →

(L-R): Laurentiu Ghisoiu from the National Trust, Sheena Dickson from Tourism NI, Oliver McMullan, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens and Mel McQuitty of Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust. A spectacular stretch of Northern Ireland’s north coast has been chosen to host the region’s very first “Signature Walk” — a move designed to transform how visitors experience its most iconic landscapes. Launched by Tourism Northern Ireland in partnership with National Trust, Causewa

Families arriving at hospital in moments of crisis are being offered small acts of comfort thanks to a community initiative — but supplies are now running low. Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) has issued an urgent appeal for donations to help replenish its “comfort packs”, which are given to relatives who unexpectedly find themselves staying with a seriously unwell loved one. These packs, made up of basic everyday essentials, are designed to ease the immediate s

A murder investigation has been launched after a woman died following an incident at a property in Derry/Londonderry on Saturday morning. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team confirmed the woman was discovered injured at a house in the Summer Meadows Mews area of the city at around 10.20am on 21 March. She was taken to hospital by Northern Ireland Ambulance Service colleagues but later died from her injuries. Arrest made as enquiri

Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after two sheep were found dead in what is believed to be a deliberate act in the Glenarm area. Officers in Larne say the incident, reported on Tuesday, 17 March, has caused concern within the rural community, with early indications suggesting the animals were not killed by another animal but intentionally targeted. Describing the incident as “senseless and extremely cruel,” police are now seeking the public’s help to piece

Safety concerns raised by local residents have prompted action at a rural junction in north Antrim, with confirmation that improvements are now on the way. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed a response from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), outlining planned measures to improve visibility and safety at the junction of Glenleslie Road and Moneyduff Road, Clough. The move follows representations made by Mr Frew after constituents highlighted ongoing worries about th

A free two-day programme designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs take their first steps into business is returning to Cushendall next week, offering a rare opportunity for local people to turn ideas into action. Grow the Glens , in partnership with Catalyst Belfast , will host its second Hello Possible event at the Cushendall Innovation Centre on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 March. The initiative is aimed at anyone who has ever considered starting their own business — or simply

Pictured are Oliver Mars of Milwaukee Tools, Noah Downie, a Northern Regional College student, first-year Electrical Installation apprentice and Regional Skill Build finalist, and Iain McCart, Lecturer in Electrical Installation at Northern Regional College. Northern Regional College is set to bring a unique, hands-on industry experience to Ballymena next month after becoming the first college in the UK to host the Milwaukee Tools Roadshow. The global power tool manufacturer

The Marine Hotel in Ballycastle, County Antrim A landmark hotel on Northern Ireland’s north coast is set for a major new chapter, as the owners of the Marine Hotel Ballycastle announce a strategic partnership designed to secure its long-term future and unlock further growth. Claire Hunter and Colum McLornan have confirmed the appointment of Schulte European Group as the hotel’s new management operator, marking a significant shift after 13 years of hands-on ownership. A strat

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is pictured at the Giant’s Causeway. Visitor numbers from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland surged in 2025, delivering a major boost to the local economy with spending jumping by almost a third in a single year. New figures show a 15% rise in trips from the south, alongside a striking 31% increase in visitor spending — a trend being hailed as a powerful sign of growing cross-border tourism momentum. Strong growth in trips and sp

The local team outside KFC Ballymena before litter pick A team of local fast-food workers has swapped fryers for refuse bags—and come out on top—after KFC Ballymena was crowned litter-picking champion in a nationwide clean-up effort. During this year’s Great British Spring Clean, 11 team members from the KFC restaurant at Larne Road Link took to the streets of Ballymena, collecting an impressive 14 bags of rubbish in a determined bid to tidy their community. Local pride shine

Ballycastle on the Antrim coast. (All photos by local photographer Anne Kelly) Ballycastle has been named the best place to live in Northern Ireland, with judges praising its powerful sense of community, thriving food scene and stunning coastal setting. The north Antrim town took the top regional spot in the 2026 edition of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live , standing out for what judges described as its “big, beating heart” — a place where community life is visible every