NEWS

TUV Bannside councillor Anne Henry Thousands of women across Northern Ireland are enduring years of debilitating pain before they even see a specialist, a Mid and East Antrim councillor has warned, as new figures expose the scale of waiting lists in gynaecology services. Data released by the Department of Health in June 2025 shows tens of thousands of women are currently waiting for their first outpatient appointment with a gynaecology consultant across the region. The figure

Front and side elevation of the proposed tourist accommodation facility at a former rectory in Armoy Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has received plans for tourist accommodation at a former rectory in Armoy. The council recently received a planning application seeking permission to convert and reuse existing stables, including the addition of an extra floor, to create two two-bedroom tourist accommodation units near Ballinlea Road in the village. According to an acco

Pictured (L-R) at the launch of Lidl Northern Ireland’s landmark fibre commitment are Elaine O’Connor, Head of Sustainability at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, and Registered Dietician Orla Walsh. A major supermarket initiative aimed at tackling what experts describe as a growing “fibre crisis” has been announced by Lidl Northern Ireland, with the retailer pledging to significantly increase the amount of fibre in the food it sells over the next five years. The supermarket

Well-known Ballymena businessman John Wilson has sadly passed away. Tributes have been paid following the sudden passing of well-known Ballymena businessman John Wilson, a respected figure in the local motor trade and a familiar face in the community. Mr Wilson, who lived at Ardnabreen on the Galgorm Road, helped lead the family-run vehicle dealership Wilson’s of Rathkenny alongside his brother Darren. The business was founded by their father, the late John Wilson Snr, and ha

(L-R) Joleen Cunningham, Carers NI; Oscar winning actor Dr. James Martin MBE; Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick; Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julie Gilmour and Prof Suzanne Martin at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s special International Women’s Day celebration shining a light on carers. Carers from across the borough were placed firmly in the spotlight on Friday morning as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council hosted a powerful Internationa

Police have arrested a 25-year-old man following a report of a male with a gun at a shopping centre in Antrim — while also confirming a completely separate misconduct investigation involving an off-duty probationer police officer. The developments, both linked to incidents on Sunday 1 March, prompted commentary online suggesting a connection between the two matters. However, the PSNI has moved to firmly dispel that claim. Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton confirmed the

Four pupils, Demi Timperley and Aimee Dillon from Cross and Passion College, accompanied by Mrs Anna McKay, and Carragh Rafferty and Jenna Brennan from Ballycastle High School, accompanied by Mrs Heather Dalzell, are pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Oliver McMullan, outside Cloonavin as part of the ‘Mayor for a Day’ initiative marking International Women’s Day. Four Co Antrim schoolgirls were given a rare behind-the-scenes look at civic leadership this wee

Entrance to the Massereene Barracks site in Antrim, and inset, Sappers Patrick Azimkar (left) and Mark Quinsey (right), who were shot dead outside the Barracks gates in 2009. Seventeen years on from one of the most shocking acts of violence in post-Agreement Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist Party will marked the anniversary of the Massereene Barracks attack, on Saturday (7 March), remembering two soldiers killed and others wounded in the 2009 shooting in Antrim. On 7 Mar

North Antrim MP Jim Allister with Ballymoney man James McVicker A Ballymoney man is travelling thousands of miles to the Falkland Islands to help transform the daily life of the islands’ only deaf child — by teaching sign language not just to him, but to his classmates and community. James McVicker , an accomplished British Sign Language interpreter, is visiting the Falklands to assist young resident Thomas, who is currently the only deaf child living on the islands. During h

(L-R) Sonya McMullan, Women’s Aid Federation; Maureen Ritchie, DoH; Catherine Magennis, PHA; Health Minister Mike Nesbitt; Amanda Mairs, NHSCT; Justice Minister Naomi Long; Sonia Glendinning, DoH; Amber McCloughlin, PHA; Martina Moore, DoH. New regional guidance designed to help nurses and midwives identify and respond to domestic abuse has been launched across Northern Ireland, aiming to strengthen early intervention and ensure victims receive the support they need sooner. T

Emma Wilson, Bra Fitting Coordinator at Cancer Focus NI Women in Ballymena affected by breast cancer will soon have the chance to take part in a dedicated wellbeing event designed to rebuild confidence and offer practical support during recovery. Next month, Cancer Focus NI will deliver a series of Breast Cancer Body Confidence Events across Northern Ireland, including a session in Ballymena, aimed at helping women navigate the emotional and physical challenges that can follo

Travellers from Northern Ireland are being urged to carefully check their rights before cancelling holidays as escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to trigger widespread disruption to global air travel. Thousands of flights have already been cancelled as airspace across parts of the region remains heavily restricted, creating uncertainty for passengers and leaving tens of thousands of UK citizens stranded in Gulf countries while they await evacuation. Holidaymaker

A much-loved Ballymena bakery is preparing to close its doors after seven years, with the family behind the business sharing an emotional message of gratitude to the community that supported their dream. The Old Mill Bakery , located on Mill Street in Ballymena, will cease trading on Saturday 4 April 2026, bringing to an end a journey that began with a simple ambition: to create honest, handcrafted food for the local community. Owners Marta and Tomasz Gomula announced the de

Sandra Currie (left), Store Manager, and Andrew Thompson (right) Assistant Manager at McNeill’s ViVOXTRA, Broughshane celebrate 70 years of their business with James and Margaret McNeill (centre), alongside shoppers and the local community. A Broughshane family grocery business that began with a delivery van in the mid-1950s is celebrating an extraordinary 70 years serving local households — a milestone that reflects not just business success, but deep roots in community life

Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott and TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston along with members of North Ballymena Rangers FC Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott has welcomed a major milestone for North Ballymena Rangers FC after the club officially received the keys to Lamont Park Football Stadia on Thursday evening (March 5), under a long-term lease agreement. The venue — more commonly known locally as Smithfield — will now serve as the club’s permanent home ground, br

Football and books came together in Ballymena this week as players from Ballymena United Football Club swapped the pitch for the classroom to help inspire a love of reading among local pupils. The club joined pupils and staff at Dunclug Primary School on Thursday (March 5) to celebrate World Book Day 2026, turning the usual school routine into an energetic mix of football, storytelling and lively questions from curious young fans. First team players Donal Rocks and Brad Wade

Pictured left to right are Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Hugh Cormican, CEO of Cirdan, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Alison Currie, Chief Development Officer, Invest NI. A £12.9 million investment by Cirdan Imaging is set to create 72 highly skilled jobs while strengthening Northern Ireland’s growing reputation as a centre for life and health sciences innovation. Announced by the First Minister, deputy First Minister an

Helping to announce details of the Sperrins Festival 2026 were, from left, Broadcaster Joe Mahon, Zoe Ramsey from Far and Wild and Ciara Toner Sperrins Partnership. A new three-day festival celebrating one of Northern Ireland’s most distinctive landscapes will launch this spring, bringing guided walks, storytelling, music and heritage experiences to the heart of the Sperrins. Running from 20–22 March 2026, the Sperrins Festival will take place across the Sperrin Area of Outst

Lisa Dorrian, who was from Bangor, was last seen alive in February 2005 More than two decades after Lisa Dorrian vanished without trace, detectives investigating her disappearance and murder have made a further arrest as they continue their long-running search for answers. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team arrested a 48-year-old man in the Craigavon area earlier this morning, Thursday 5 March. He was arrested on suspicion of murde

Paddy Graffin, Northern Trust Director of Infrastructure, Lynne McCartney, Northern Trust Interim Director for Surgery and Clinical Services, Mike Nesbitt, Health Minister, Jane Hughes, Programme Lead, Implementation Team with Macmillan Cancer Support, and Peter Carson, Director MSM Contracts Ltd, pictured at the site of the new Macmillan Information and Support Centre at Antrim Area Hospital.  A major new support facility for people living with cancer is now under constructi

Councillor Alan Barr Residents in Drumtara who have waited years for long-promised housing upgrades now face the prospect of further delays — or even cancellation — as mounting budget pressures threaten planned improvement schemes. Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has raised alarm after being informed in recent days that renovation works in the area may not proceed as expected. The planned improvements include new kitchens and bathrooms for homes, but uncertainty ha

Gas customers across Ballymena and the wider Ten Towns network are set to see their bills fall again from April after Northern Ireland’s energy regulator completed its latest tariff review. The Utility Regulator has confirmed a 10.1% decrease to the regulated gas tariff for Firmus Energy customers in the Ten Towns area. The reduction, which comes into effect on 1 April 2026, is expected to reduce the average annual bill by around £94 for domestic and small business customers.

Households across Ballymena and more than 30 surrounding towns are set for another drop in their gas bills, as firmus energy Supply confirms a further double-digit tariff cut from April. The Newtownabbey-based supplier today (Thursday 5 March 2026) has announced it will reduce domestic tariffs for all customers in the Ten Towns Network area by 10.1% from 1 April 2026 — a move expected to save households an average of over £92 per year. It marks the third consecutive reductio

Channel 4's Location, Location, Location –a property show hosted by experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer Channel 4’s flagship property show Location, Location, Location is heading back to Northern Ireland — and this time, it’s the house hunters who are being called to step forward. The long-running primetime programme is casting for its 2026 series and is actively looking for individuals, couples and families across Northern Ireland who are ready to buy this May. For anyo