NEWS

Hannah Currie Northern Regional College (NRC) is celebrating the inspiring achievements of engineering graduate Hannah Currie, whose determination, talent and generosity of spirit are helping to reshape perceptions of STEM careers across Northern Ireland. Originally from Randalstown, Hannah recently graduated at the College’s Higher Education & Access Graduation, marking the culmination of a remarkable journey that has taken her from returning adult learner to WorldSkills UK

(L-R) Jennifer Welsh, Chief Executive of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Mrs Rachel Canning, Sister of Belfast City Hospital Day of Surgery, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Ms Katja Hartmann, Deputy Sister of Belfast City Hospital Day of Surgery. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has praised staff at the Day of Surgery Unit at Belfast City Hospital following the unit’s receipt of an Elective Care Recognition Award, recognising excellence in innovation, improved practice and

John McLeister, front left, and Phil Owen, with members of the sales team. Wrightbus has made a confident start to 2026 by strengthening its senior sales and leadership structure, with the company’s sales organisation alone now representing more than 200 years of combined service at the Ballymena-based manufacturer. The zero-emission bus builder says the appointments underline both continuity and deep-rooted expertise within the business, at a time when competition from overs

L-R Suzanne Kennedy, Elizabeth Craig and Mandy Corr Members of the Causeway Hospital Partnership Board have praised the success of a community-based model of care that is delivering joined-up, neighbourhood services for people across the Causeway Coast and Glens area. At its latest meeting, the Board received an update on the work of the Causeway multidisciplinary team (MDT), a partnership initiative jointly run by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Causeway GP

Peter Willis will line up in the Pirelli British Sportbike Championship next season, joining the CFMOTO Sportbike team, after many successful competing in the R&G British Talent Cup. Teenage racing prospect Peter Willis has been confirmed as the latest addition to the CFMOTO Sportbike team for the 2026 British racing season, marking a significant step up in his rapidly progressing motorsport career. The 17-year-old rider from Cullybackey, County Antrim, joins the team after s

L-R: Junior Minister, Aisling Reilly MLA, joins Rosie’s Trust celebrity ambassador, James Nesbitt, and Chair, Aileen Martin, together with deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, at Parliament Buildings for a special celebration to mark the charity’s tenth anniversary. Rosie’s Trust, Northern Ireland’s only charity dedicated to caring for people by caring for their pets, has marked its tenth anniversary by honouring its longest-serving volunteers at a special celebration

Tom presenting the Christmas Window Dressing - Hospitality Award to Kim from Shot Coffee Shop Festive creativity and community spirit were centre stage across Ballymena this Christmas as the Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2025 Christmas Window Dressing Competition. Organised by Ballymena Chamber of Commerce , the long-running competition attracted a record number of entries this year, reflecting growing enthusiasm among local businesses to create eye-catchin

Some of the Farm Families Health Checks Team at Balmoral Show earlier this year. Farm Families Health Checks will return to livestock marts across Northern Ireland this January, continuing its mission to bring vital healthcare directly to farming families following a year of significant impact and national recognition. As 2025 draws to a close, the team has highlighted its continued commitment to improving health and wellbeing across rural and farming communities. The award-w

BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson, left, presents Rory McIlroy with the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year award for 2025 Masters Champion Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 , capping a remarkable season that has already secured his place among golf’s all-time greats. The Holywood man enjoyed a year for the ages, headlined by a dramatic play-off victory at the Masters in Augusta in April. That win saw McIlroy

Sarah and Paul Thompson, owners of Ballymena-based embroidery business Ted & Stitch, and co-founders of Tedberry Market Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector has received a significant boost following the latest Tedberry Market, which helped participating businesses generate an estimated £650,000 in combined sales. Running for the first time over a three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday, the event attracted more than 9,000 visitors, according to a post-event survey of

Belfast International Airport awarded Platinum level by BITC’s 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey. BITC’s MD Lisa McIlvenna presents the award to Belfast International Airport’s Evan Black and Kevin Napier. Belfast International Airport has been recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most sustainable organisations after securing a prestigious Platinum rating in the 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey. The Airport, which is part of the VINCI Airports global netwo

90 years young: Ernie O’Hara (Images: David A. Scott Photography) Glarryford Young Farmers’ Club has paid tribute to one of its most devoted members, Ernest (Ernie) O’Hara, as the club came together to celebrate his 90th birthday and honour more than seven decades of unbroken service. The milestone celebration was held on Wednesday 29 November 2025, bringing together past and present office bearers to recognise a man whose commitment has helped shape the club for generations.

The JAQ Group team, from left to right, including Lucie Boal, Calvin Martin, with Claire McGimpsey from Cash for Kids, Connor Martin, Genevieve Martin, Jackie Kilpatrick, Mollie Walker and Alex Macalintal.    A County Antrim-based fragrance company has donated £55,000 in funding and products to support Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas campaign, helping ensure vulnerable children across Northern Ireland receive gifts this festive season. The JAQ Group, headquartered in Randals

WWF Award NI group photo L-R: Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison (NPCC National Lead for Wildlife Crime and Rural Affairs), Dr Jon Lees (Northern Ireland Environment Agency), Emma Meredith (PSNI Wildlife and Animal Welfare Officer), Mark Wright (WWF), Kevin Lacks-Kelly (National Wildlife Crime Unit). A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) wildlife and animal welfare officer has been recognised at a national level for her role in safeguarding one of Northern Irela

Pictured at the Northern Trust Recovery College 10-year-anniversary event are Jacqui Armstrong, Transformation Lead for Intermediate Care and Integrated Discharge, Petra Corr, Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Psychological Services, Janice Gray, Service Manager, Joy Hammond, Head of Service, Mental Health & Recovery Services and Jen Hood, Interim Assistant Director. The Northern Trust Recovery College is marking a decade of supporting mental health and wellb

Tienán Heffron on stage Performing at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, this week for The King’s Trust Carol Concert Celebrities, supporters and rising musical talent gathered at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, this week for The King’s Trust Carol Concert in partnership with Cunard, with 25-year-old County Antrim singer Tiernán Heffron taking to the stage alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment. The event, filled with festive readings, l

Veronica Jackson, Level 4 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience graduate and Northern Regional College staff member, pictured at the College’s Higher Education Graduation. Northern Regional College has celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 at its Higher Education and Access Graduation Ceremony, held on Thursday 4 December at Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena. The event brought together students, families, staff, govern

Midwife Shelley Sheppard and Sister Elaine O’Boyle from Antrim Area Hospital maternity team The Northern Trust has enhanced its maternity services to better support autistic women and neurodivergent families, becoming the first maternity team in Northern Ireland to receive an autism-friendly accreditation. The Trust’s maternity team has implemented a series of improvements designed to make pregnancy, birth and early parenting more accessible, calmer and more personalised for

Northern Trust’s Farm Families Health Check team The pioneering work of Northern Trust’s Farm Families Health Check team has been recognised at the 2025 NI Farming Awards, with the programme receiving the prestigious Farm Safety Affiliate Award. The accolade highlights the team’s commitment to bringing accessible healthcare directly into the heart of rural communities, and its efforts to raise awareness of how personal health is closely linked to farm safety. For years, the F

Gavin and Elaine Lowry, with sons Timmy (left) and Joshua (right) A Ballymena family is rallying behind a much-loved father, husband, and classroom assistant as they take on an extraordinary endurance challenge to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and vital funds for the charity NIPANC (Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer). The event, organised by Gavin Lowry’s daughter-in-law Megan with support from wider family and friends, has already raised more than £3,000 — with hope