NEWS

Katie McNeilly and Samantha Dunlop of Ballymena Academy are winners of the 2026 ABP Angus Youth Challenge. They are pictured with the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Cup and ABP’s Managing Director in Northern Ireland, George Mullan, guest speaker Sophie McAllister, Teacher Laura Clotworthy and Charles Smith, General Manager of Certified Irish Angus. Sunday 25 October 2026 Two Ballymena Academy pupils have been crowned overall champions of the 2026 ABP Angus Youth Challenge after i

Ulster Wildlife’s marine conservation team joins volunteers at Carrickfergus oyster nursery to celebrate winning Biodiversity Initiative of the Year at the 2026 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards. Saturday 24 October 2026 A pioneering project helping to restore endangered native oysters to Northern Ireland’s coastal waters, including Carrickfergus and Glenarm, has won a prestigious all-Ireland biodiversity award. Ulster Wildlife has been named Biodiversity Initiative of the Ye

Megan Wright, Galgorm Collection Director of Revenue and Sales, and Lynsey Gordon, Galgorm Collection Chief Operating Officer, being presented with the award for Global Winner for Luxury Spa Village by World Luxury Awards Assistant Manager Adri Bradbury. Thursday 22 October 2026 Galgorm has secured six prestigious titles at the 2026 World Luxury Awards, including three global wins recognising the Ballymena resort’s golf, spa and wellness facilities among the best in the inter

Ballymena United have tapped into a younger demographic of fans this season with TicketCo Monday 19 October 2026 Ballymena United are enjoying a surge in support both on and off the pitch, with shirt sponsorship sales soaring by 222% and average home attendances rising as the Sky Blues build momentum in the 2026/27 season. The club has also reported a 128% increase in shirt sponsorship revenue and a 10.2% rise in season ticket income, despite keeping prices frozen at last sea

All geared up to take part in the Dragon Boat Race on the River Lagan in Belfast in aid of the NI Hospitality School. Monday 19 October 2026 Businesses from across the Ballymena area have joined forces to raise £12,500 for the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, swapping their workplaces for dragon boats in a spirited charity race on the River Lagan. Ten teams took to the water for the fourth annual Dragon Boat Race, combining friendly rivalry with fundraising to help people

Saturday 17 October 2026 A team of adventurous colleagues from Asda Antrim have raised more than £5,000 for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke (NICHS), taking on a daring skydive and the Belfast Half Marathon to support a cause close to their hearts. The fundraising effort saw staff leap from an aircraft over County Londonderry before swapping their parachutes for running shoes to tackle a 21.1km course through Belfast. For one colleague, the challenge was particularly

Ballymena Primary School teachers David Murray and Rachel McKinley-Smith Friday 16 October 2026 There is double the reason to celebrate at Ballymena Primary School after two of its teachers were named among Northern Ireland’s best at a prestigious education awards ceremony in Belfast — marking what the school says is a first for the event. Mrs McKinley-Smith and Mr Murray each received a Best Teacher Award at the Local Women Magazine Education Awards, held at the Europa Hotel

Dr Emily Wray, a Planning Assistant with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Friday 16 October 2026 A Coleraine planning professional is celebrating national recognition after being named among the UK finalists for a prestigious award honouring the next generation of talent in the planning profession. Dr Emily Wray, a Planning Assistant with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, has been shortlisted for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Young Planner of the Ye

Principal of Buick Memorial Primary School, Rikki Peters, named Northern Ireland Primary Principal of the Year Wednesday 14 October 2026 The principal of Buick Memorial Primary School in Cullybackey has been named Northern Ireland Primary Principal of the Year, recognising a decade of leadership and her commitment to helping children reach their full potential. Rikki Peters received the prestigious honour at the Local Women Magazine Education Awards, held at Belfast’s Europa

Asda Antrim Customer and Community Champion Ashley Ricthie and Service Colleague Mary Letch Tuesday 13 October 2026 A colourful fundraising event at Asda Antrim has raised £358.46 for breast cancer charities, bringing customers and colleagues together to support a cause that has touched the lives of many families. The store hosted a ‘Spin to Win’ game and merchandise stall as part of Asda’s annual Tickled Pink campaign, with shoppers trying their luck at winning prizes while

Ballymena hairdresser Chloe Houston wind prestigious national award Tuesday 13 October 2026 Ballymena hairdresser Chloe Houston has beaten some of the biggest names in British hairdressing to claim a prestigious national award, adding another major achievement to her growing reputation in the industry. The talented stylist from Houston Hair on Ballymoney Road won the Creative Image Award at the Creative HEAD Most Wanted Awards, held at Drumsheds in London before an audience o

Wednesday 07 October 2026 Nine people with learning disabilities and complex needs in Ballymena are enjoying greater independence in their own homes — with the service supporting them now receiving double award recognition just 18 months after opening. Praxis Care’s Ballymena Supported Living Service received both the Co-production Award and CEO Award at the charity’s Annual Staff Awards, recognising an approach designed to give residents greater choice and control over their

The Champion Beltex at the Omagh Show and Sale was from Elizabeth McAllister Sunday 11 October 2026 A shearling ram from Elizabeth McAllister’s Artnagullion Flock in Kells has claimed the championship at the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s Omagh Show and Sale, while a ram from Glenarm breeders Hugh and Eddie O’Neill secured the highest price of the evening at 1,450 guineas. The event, held at Beatties Pedigree Livestock Centre on Friday 25 September, saw judge Cathaoir O’C

Entrepreneur Siobhan Kearney celebrates with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon after she won the Mid and East Antrim Ultimate Pitch final in Larne Town Hall, securing her place in the regional final with her business Menopause ChangeMaker®, that helps companies support employees experiencing menopause Saturday 10 October 2026 A Portglenone entrepreneur helping employers better support women experiencing menopause has won £1,000 in business investment and se

Entrepreneur Sharon Gault celebrates with Cllr Dawn Higgins, Mayor, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, after she won the Causeway Coast and Glens Ultimate Pitch final, securing her place in the regional final with her business Kingsbarn Farm, which rears grass fed additive free meat Friday 09 October 2026 A traditional farm outside Dunloy has secured £1,000 in investment and a place in a Northern Ireland-wide business competition final after impressing judges with its

Staff at Ballymena Station are celebrating after winning a Gold SPIRIT of Translink Facility Award 2026. Celebrating the Gold Award at Ballymena Bus Station are (L-R): Enda Sheridan (Translink), Christopher Allen (Translink), Anna Green (Live Here Love Here) Thursday 08 October 2026 Ballymena’s bus and railway stations have both earned Gold recognition in the 2026 SPIRIT of Translink Facility Awards, celebrating the work of staff to maintain safe, environmentally responsible

Ulster Unionist Larty Leader & North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, with Ahoghill racer Reuben Kernohan Tuesday 06 October 2026 Ahoghill teenager Reuben Kernohan has been praised on the floor of the Northern Ireland Assembly after a remarkable run of motorsport success which will see the 18-year-old represent Ireland on the world stage in Portugal next month. Ulster Unionist Party North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows described the young driver as “one of the most talented and dedicated youn

Alex O’Hara, centre, from The Castle Kitchen and Bar, Galgorm Collection, was crowned Cocktail Bartender of the Year at the inaugural Northern Ireland Hospitality School Cocktail Competition. Alex is pictured alongside judges, from left, Ashley Douglas, Director of Operations at the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, Paula McIntyre, celebrity chef, Paul Flynn, MCM Spirits and Giffards and Ryan Brown, Edward Dillon. Monday 05 October 2026 A Galgorm bartender has been crowne

Five-year-old Maggie Black Monday 05 October 2026 Five-year-old Maggie Black’s name will be carried on Air Ambulance NI’s new aircraft after a Glenarm darts team raised another £3,740 in her memory. The Coast Road Dart Team’s third annual fundraiser has taken its total support for the charity to £13,400 — an amount Air Ambulance NI says is enough to help provide pre-hospital care at the scene for at least three patients attended by the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HE

Saturday 03 October 2026 Farmers’ Choir NI has been crowned Making Music UK Group of the Year 2026 after winning a public vote, bringing national recognition to a choir which has become an important source of friendship and connection for farming and rural communities. The cross-community choir, whose members travel to weekly rehearsals at Ballymena Academy, was selected from five groups shortlisted by a Making Music panel before receiving the most votes from the public. Maki