NEWS

A talented local student is celebrating national recognition after her artwork claimed top honours at one of Ireland’s most prestigious youth art competitions. Ballymena Causeway Credit Union has marked a proud moment for the local community after Eimear McGuckien was crowned first place winner in the 11–13 Additional Needs category at the Credit Union Art Competition National Final, held at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday. Eimear’s artwork progressed through the local and reg

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, has announced Creative Industries Week 2026 which will run from the 16 February with a programme of events taking place. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the return of its Creative Industries Week, a borough-wide celebration of creativity, innovation and opportunity, running from 16 February 2026. Designed to support people at every stage of their creative journey, the week will feature a diverse progr

Audiences are being invited to step into the past and explore shared cultural journeys through a new heritage programme at The Old Courthouse Theatre, presented by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Titled Journeys , the series brings together live performance, music and storytelling to reflect on culture, place and movement through time, offering a varied programme designed to resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Counci

Cast Jo Donnelly, Catriona McFeely, Clare McMahon, Susan Hoffmann A Ballymena actor is set to take centre stage in a major new theatrical reimagining of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, as Tinderbox Theatre Company prepares to unveil its latest production at the MAC in Belfast. Jo Donnelly, who hails from Ballymena and has built an extensive career across stage, screen and radio , stars in the bold new adaptation, which will receive its world premiere from 18 to 28 February 2026.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with Joan Burney Keatings MBE with cast and crew from Cinemagic Placement Insights Programme. Young filmmakers from across Mid and East Antrim have taken centre stage after seeing their work showcased on the big screen at a special short film screening held at the Ecos Hub. A group of 23 talented young people, aged between 17 and 24, attended the screening of The Friendship Garden, an original short film develo

As the festive season gets into full swing, Dale Farm has announced its continued support for Northern Ireland’s most celebrated Christmas tradition, renewing its sponsorship of the Grand Opera House pantomime for the ninth consecutive year. The dairy cooperative’s long-running partnership with the iconic Belfast theatre underlines its ongoing commitment to championing the region’s arts sector, while also encouraging family enjoyment and festive togetherness. This year’s prod

Pictured are Anne O’Reilly, Chairperson Northern Trust, Jackie Burns, Ethel Glasgow, Iris Burns and Suzanne Pullins Chief Executive Northern Trust Cookstown woman and former nurse Ethel Glasgow, aged 93, has been announced as the winner of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s 2025 Christmas card competition, after her hand-drawn festive design captured the hearts of judges. Mrs Glasgow, who attends Cookstown Day Centre, created a charming winter scene featuring a robin

Mural artists Friz (Marian Noone) and Gerry Norman with the new mural unveiled at the Telegraph Building in Donegall Street A vibrant new mural celebrating Belfast’s musical heritage has been unveiled on Donegall Street, marking four years since the city became a UNESCO City of Music – the only city in Ireland to hold the prestigious title. The large-scale artwork, commissioned by Belfast City Council, was created by acclaimed artists Friz (Marian Noone) and Gerry Norman. Str

Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford, pictured with Margaret Cowie Carrickfergus Museum came alive with colour and creativity as it hosted Margaret’s Later Life Hobby Exhibition and a special Paint with Numbers Workshop on Saturday 25 October, celebrating wellbeing, connection, and lifelong learning as part of Positive Ageing Month. The exhibition showcased a stunning collection of paintings by Margaret Cowie , whose passio

Derry Girls and Bridgerton actor Jamie Beamish delivers a workshop to performing arts students at St Patrick's College in Ballymena....

(L-R) Michelle Gilmore, Linda Wray and (seated) Jill Lamberton, representatives from Ballymena Modern Dance Festival organising...

The cast of the Ad Hoc Theatre Group performing in John Godber’s acclaimed black comedy Lucky Sods A Ballymena-based amateur theatre...

Bellaghy Bawn Planning permission has been granted for the alteration of the historic Bellaghy Bawn in Bellaghy, which will soon offer a...

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, Women’s Aid ABCLN Arlene Creighton, Actor and Playwright Tom Moore.   A...

Street art on buildings in Ballymena town centre Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed an £85,000 investment in a new Street...

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with musicians, band members and schoolchildren who have benefitted from the Musical...

A much-loved summer tradition is set to return this August as Theatre in the Park once again graces the green spaces of Ballymena and...

Adrian McNally, General Manager at Titanic Hotel Belfast, is pictured with artist Peter Strain and his illustration ‘Maiden Voyage’ which...

Slemish Players recently performing The Night Alive at The Braid, Ballymena Ballymena’s acclaimed amateur dramatics group, the Slemish...

L-R: Gill Saunders, Curator for the V&A’s Lucian Freud’s etching exhibition; Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast and...