NEWS

*Stock image A dog owner has been banned from keeping dogs for 20 years after a series of attacks involving an unlicensed French Bulldog left three women injured — including victims who suffered severe facial injuries. The case, which was brought before Laganside Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, followed three separate attacks between October 2024 and April 2025 that triggered a major investigation by enforcement officers from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Co

Colman Byrne, Laura Murray and Michael Graham invite you to Discover CAFRE during Open Farm Weekend at Greenmount Campus, Antrim and Enniskillen Campus. Families across Northern Ireland are being invited to step behind the scenes of rural life next month as CAFRE opens two of its major campuses to the public for a free weekend packed with hands-on activities, food experiences and live farming demonstrations. From sheep shearing and tractor simulators in Antrim to equestrian d

Robin Swann MP with Randalstown and District Beekeepers Association South Antrim MP Robin Swann has marked World Bee Day by highlighting the critical role pollinators play in Northern Ireland’s food production, farming industry and countryside biodiversity. The former Stormont Health Minister used the international awareness day to praise the work of local volunteer beekeepers, warning that protecting pollinators remains essential for both the environment and the local econom

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick made a special visit to Creavery Primary School where children from the school and Creggan Primary School took part in a fun Healthy Kids session. Children from two primary schools came together for an energetic Healthy Kids session this week as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council confirmed the programme has now reached more than 30 schools across the borough. The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillo

Children across the borough will once again be able to take part in a packed summer of sports, games, creative activities and outdoor adventures as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council officially launches its 2026 Summer Schemes programme. Running throughout July and August, the annual schemes are set to return to leisure centres, community venues and the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens, with families already being encouraged to plan ahead amid expectations of high demand

Dr Martin Hanna, Consultant Paediatrician; Lesley Kennedy, Paediatric Asthma & Allergy Nurse Specialist and Anne Marie Campbell, Allergy Dietitian. Children waiting for specialist allergy care in the Northern Trust area are being seen faster after a series of additional evening clinics helped tackle lengthy paediatric waiting lists at Antrim Area Hospital. The extra clinics, funded by the Department of Health, were introduced specifically to reduce delays for children needing

School leaders listening to presentations from staff and students Ballyclare Secondary School has opened its doors to school leaders from across Northern Ireland to demonstrate what life looks like without mobile phones during the school day — and staff say the results have been “remarkable”. The County Antrim school has been operating a phone-free system since August 2025 using lockable Yondr pouches, becoming one of the first schools in the area to adopt the approach amid g

A brand-new beer festival is coming to Antrim Castle Gardens this summer, bringing more than 40 beers, cocktails, wines, live entertainment and food vendors to one of Northern Ireland’s most scenic outdoor venues. The first-ever Antrim Castle Gardens Beer Festival will take place across two days on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June 2026, running from 12 noon until 10pm each day. Organisers say the new event is aimed at lovers of craft beer, cider, wine and cocktails, with the fe

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer for Fibrus Group with Ronan Conlon, Founder of FitMinds Coach, and FitMinds programme participants. Children of all abilities across Northern Ireland are set to take part in a major programme of inclusive summer activity camps after FitMinds Coach announced plans to welcome more than 1,000 young children to sessions across 20 locations this summer. The one-day camps, designed for children aged three to six, will run throughout July and Au

A planning application has been submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed new solar farm adjacent to Belfast International Airport. The proposal is for the installation and operation of a solar farm of up to 24MW, along with associated infrastructure, access routes and landscaping, on land located around one kilometre west of the main airport terminal building between Seacash Road and British Road, Crumlin. The application has been submitted by an ag

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick promotes her Party in the Parterre at Antrim Castle Gardens in aid of her chosen charities. Families across the borough are being invited to Antrim Castle Gardens later this month as the Mayor’s Party in the Parterre returns with an afternoon packed full of entertainment, activities and fundraising for local charities. The community event will take place on Saturday 30 May from 1pm to 4pm in the scenic surrounding

Residents across the Borough can pick up a free bag of peat-free compost this week as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council launches a recycling reward initiative to mark International Compost Awareness Week 2026. From Monday 4 May until Saturday 9 May, households visiting any of the Council’s five Household Recycling Centres will be eligible to receive one complimentary bag of compost while stocks last. The offer is available to residents bringing recyclable items includin

A North Antrim MLA has highlighted the vital role of an early years service in Ballymena after seeing first-hand how it is supporting young children and families across the area. Visit shines light on frontline support for families Jon Burrows visited Ballymena and Little Steps Antrim SureStart on the Doury Road, where he met staff, parents and children and observed a range of programmes currently being delivered on the ground. The service, operated by Action for Children, wo

The Committee and Volunteers from Sensory Kids A volunteer-led organisation supporting children, adults and families in Co Antrim has received the highest honour of its kind in the UK, recognising years of life-changing work for people with disabilities. Sensory Kids has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, a prestigious national recognition celebrating the impact of its inclusive programmes and community support. Prestigious honour presented at special ceremo

Ballymena Magistrates’ Court A dog owner has been prosecuted after a serious incident in which a dog strayed and attacked a child, prompting enforcement action and a court ruling in Ballymena. Owner prosecuted after child attacked by dog Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council brought the case under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended) following an investigation into the attack. Council enforcement officers identified Ms Geraldine Millen, from the Toome area, a

An investigation into recurring blue-green algae in Lough Neagh is set to focus on the shoreline at Rea’s Wood in Antrim. A report due to be presented to the Operations Committee of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council at a meeting in Antrim Civic Centre on Tuesday evening (5 April) states that, following a preliminary site assessment, a company has identified Rea’s Wood as “a particularly suitable location for the deployment of its equipment during the summer months”. Th

Action for Children staff Rosie Moore, Lorna Ballard and Franci Simpson with Jon Burrows MLA A North Antrim MLA has praised the “real difference” being made by a local early years service after seeing its impact first-hand during a visit to Ballymena. Jon Burrows visited Ballymena and Little Steps Antrim Sure Start on Doury Road on Friday, 1 May, where he met staff, parents and young children benefiting from the programme. The service, which operates across three sites in the

Official opening and ribbon cutting with Kate Sherry, Chief Commercial Officer, Belfast International Airport; Patrick Ntareme, General Manager, Flax & Soda, SSP UK & Ireland; Alistair Caldwell, Operations Manager, SSP UK & Ireland; and Richard Attwood, Director of Business Development, SSP UK & Ireland Passengers travelling through Belfast International Airport are being offered a new all-day dining experience with the opening of Flax & Soda, a major new restaurant at the he

Dunsilly Ulster Unionist councillor Stewart Wilson Dunsilly Ulster Unionist councillor Stewart Wilson has welcomed a decision by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to approve the installation of CCTV at Neillsbrook Community Centre in Randalstown. Cllr Wilson confirmed the decision on social media after the issue was discussed behind closed doors at a meeting at Mossley Mill on Monday evening. Commenting online, he said: “This is a positive step, but it’s important to re

A new charitable Trust Fund has been established in memory of Lynda Bentham, aiming to support families navigating the realities of Multiple Sclerosis by helping them access practical support and create meaningful shared experiences. Lynda, who passed away in 2024 due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis, is remembered for her deep love of life, people, music, sport and travel. Sunshine holidays held a special place in her life, but as her condition progressed, finding su