NEWS

The photo accompanying this release features participants who have successfully completed this latest academy, alongside key individuals from the project: Hayley Barr and Rhonda Lynn from Mid & East Antrim Labour Market Partnership (MEALMP), and Hannah Wilson and Naomi Hutchinson from Northern GP Federation Support Unit. The Northern GP Federation Support Unit (NFSU) has marked the successful completion of another Medical Administration Academy, delivered in partnership wi

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew during a visit to Thornbrooke in Ahoghill North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew has renewed his call for the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to urgently address the ongoing removal of street lighting across the North Antrim area, warning that the lack of illumination poses serious safety and security risks as the darker winter months approach. Mr Frew said he has been engaging with residents in several affected communities and visiting areas where

Belfast City Council has today (Friday October 24) completed the purchase of the historic Assembly Rooms, rear extension and adjacent assets in Cathedral Quarter as part of its ongoing city centre regeneration drive. Belfast City Council has completed the purchase of the city’s historic Assembly Rooms, marking a major milestone in its ongoing city centre regeneration strategy. The deal, finalised today (Friday 24 October), includes the Grade B1 listed Assembly Rooms, its rear

Image: Ken Cox The adrenaline-fuelled Knock Club Beach Race is making a triumphant return to Portrush’s East Strand in October 2025, promising an unforgettable weekend of high-speed motorsport on Northern Ireland’s stunning North Coast. Taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025 , the Knock Ramore Beach Race Portrush will feature two action-packed days of competition, with racing scheduled from 11:00 to 15:00 each day. Spectators are invited to attend free of

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced that APCOA has been appointed to manage parking services across Northern Ireland, under a new contract that comes into effect on 1 November 2025. Under the new agreement, Traffic Attendants will continue to wear the familiar red uniforms, ensuring they remain easily recognisable to the public. The uniform design has received a modern refresh, with updated fabrics aimed at improving comfort and practicality. Responsibilitie

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will come into effect across Northern Ireland from 00:01 on Saturday 1 November 2025, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has announced. The new measures, which place a legal requirement on all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity rules, are being introduced to help prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) during the winter migration season. Whether keeping pet birds, a small backyard flock, or a large commerci

Beneficiary Ballycraigy Primary School PTA Community groups across County Antrim have received a welcome funding boost from a long-established local business dedicated to supporting good causes. Bairds of Antrim Funeral Directors, which has proudly served the community since 1870, has announced the latest round of grants from its Community Assistance Programme, providing funding to four local organisations. The latest beneficiaries include: Friends of Antrim Castle Gardens ‘C

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined his Digital ID plans during a visit to Barclays Bank in London Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans for a new national digital ID system designed to simplify how people prove their identity, access essential services, and interact with businesses and government. Speaking during a visit to a Barclays Bank branch on Thursday, Mr Starmer said the initiative would “cut paperwork, save time, and help people access services q

Wanted: Ray Lee Police have issued appeals to help trace three men who are co-defendants in the same case and have all previously pleaded guilty to fraud-related offences. Raymond (Ray) Lee, Elijah Lee, and Mark Millar are all awaiting sentencing in connection with a series of courier frauds committed between 2020 and 2021. Ray Lee – failed to return from compassionate leave Police are appealing for information to help locate 32-year-old Raymond (Ray) Lee, who is in breach of

Richard Gilpin, Head of Farm Operations, Gilfresh Produce and Lorraine Drennan, Customer Service Manager, Asda Portadown As Halloween approaches, Co Armagh-based Gilfresh Produce is gearing up for its biggest pumpkin season yet, supplying over 70,000 pumpkins to all 17 Asda stores across Northern Ireland – including two new seasonal showstoppers: the pale and eerie Ghost Pumpkin and the giant XL Pumpkin, perfect for carving or autumnal displays. Founded in 1965 by Thomas Gil

Cross-border Enterprise train Translink passengers are being advised of significant travel changes on the cross-border Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin due to Irish Rail engineering works taking place from Saturday 25th to Monday 27th October. The line will be closed between Drogheda and Dublin Connolly for three days while essential engineering works are carried out by Irish Rail. As a result, bus substitutions will be in operation for the affected section of th

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued an Urgent Safety Alert warning parents and caregivers to stop using baby self-feeding products immediately and dispose of them safely, citing a serious risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia. Businesses have also been ordered to remove all such products from sale as they cannot meet safety requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Baby self-feeding products are designed to allow infants to b

South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the UK Government to urgently provide clarity on the future of charity funding in Northern Ireland, warning that uncertainty over the new Local Growth Fund risks leaving vital community programmes without support. Mr Swann raised the issue with the Cabinet Office in the House of Commons, highlighting growing concern among charities and disability organisations who depend on UK Government funding to deliver

Sport Certificate in Horse Care Management learners received their qualifications at the Equine Awards Ceremony at Enniskillen Campus. Pictured are Abbie Thompson from Antrim , Aine Sweeney from Burtonport, Co Donegal, Alisha Cooper from Kells and Maria Elliott from Ballinamallard along with CAFRE Equine Lecturer, Dr Rachel Annan. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) hosted its annual Awards Ceremony on Friday 17 October 2025, celebrating the outstan

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department The Department of Health (DoH) has published new Emergency Care Waiting Time Statistics for July to September 2025, showing that while overall attendances at emergency departments (EDs) in Northern Ireland increased slightly, long waits remain a significant challenge. According to the quarterly statistical bulletin, 203,230 people attended emergency departments across Northern Ireland during the three-month period — a 2.5% rise on the

Australian pop-rock quartet 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) have confirmed their highly anticipated return to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as part of their upcoming Everybody’s A Star! World Tour. The band will play the SSE Belfast Arena in Belfast on 26 March 2026, followed by the 3Arena in Dublin on 27 March 2026. Tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Friday 31 October. The tour announcement comes amid the band entering a new chapter with their sixth studio album,.

Johnny Hunter, Commercial Director, Dougie’s Goodies and Stella Grant, Group Procurement Manager, McKeever Hotels sample the delicious treats which will be served to customers of McKeever Hotels across Northern Ireland. A Ballymena-based bakery with over 40 years of sweet success has landed its first major food service contract — with one of Northern Ireland’s best-known hotel groups. Dougie’s Goodies, founded in 1983, will now supply its range of handmade traybakes, pastries

Randalstown ARCHES Association Directors at the 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner with presentation cheque. (L-R) William Allen (Treasurer); Martin Hackett; Liam Hurrel; Eileen Ingram (Secretary); Peter Boyle (Chairman); Leanne Murray; Eugene McKeever; Anne Delaney; Pete Burbidge; and Suzanne Lawrence. Randalstown ARCHES Association has celebrated three decades of community achievement with a glittering Gala Dinner and announced a significant £46,727 grant from The National Lotter

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena A “significant” number of complaints received by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council during the last financial year related to the cleanliness and disrepair of its leisure centres, a committee report has revealed. The Annual Complaints Report 2024/25, presented to the council’s Corporate Resources, Policy and Governance Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, stated that maintenance work had been carried out at the spa f

Northern Regional College Staff and Level 3 Creative Media Practice students at the showcase of their short film Love Later Life. Northern Regional College’s Creative Media students have teamed up with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to produce a moving short film that celebrates the power of positive ageing. The film, titled Love Later Life, was officially launched on Tuesday 30 September, showcasing the talents of the College’s Level 3 Creative Media Practice students.

Dogs Trust Ballymena Rehoming Centre Dog lovers are in for a treat this spooky season as Dogs Trust Ballymena hosts a special ‘Howl-oween Experience Day’ on Saturday 25th October. The event, running from 10am to 12pm, offers visitors a rare behind-the-scenes look at life inside the charity’s rehoming centre — home to around 70 dogs currently being cared for by the Ballymena team and its dedicated volunteer foster carers. Tickets are free and can be booked via Eventbrite , but

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed action taken by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to remove illegally dumped materials and a burnt-out vehicle from rural roads near Corkey and Glenaan. The DUP representative said he had been contacted by local residents concerned about the growing problem of illegal dumping along the Altnahinch Road, including discarded electrical goods and piles of waste, as well as a burnt-out vehicle along the Glenaan Road and the repeated d

(L-R) Dr Orla McBride, Study Lead for Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health, Northern Ireland and Beccy Shipman, Deputy Director of Data Strategy and Infrastructure at ESRC pictured at the official Northern Ireland launch of the landmark UK-wide birth cohort study Generation New Era (GNE). Ulster University launches UK-wide project to track childhood and family life for generations to come Nearly half o

Alix Mulholland, Co-founder of Co. Down-based home fragrance company FieldDay, joins Dawn Miskelly, CEO of Ulster Wildlife, and Maureen Carvill, Wildlife Gardening Officer at Ulster Wildlife, to celebrate a new partnership to inspire 5,000 households across Northern Ireland to make space for nature in their garden Local County Down fragrance company FieldDay has joined forces with conservation charity Ulster Wildlife to inspire 5,000 households to take part in the Let Nature