NEWS

The former Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle town centre Seventeen months on, a closed street and an unresolved building safety issue are now threatening the future of a £2million investment designed to rejuvenate Ballycastle town centre. Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim, Philip McGuigan , has called for urgent collaboration between the owner of the Antrim Arms and statutory organisations to address structural safety and planning concerns that have left Fairhill Street closed —

From Ballycastle to Carryduff, communities across Northern Ireland are being urged to step forward as Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) launches a major On-Call Firefighter recruitment campaign. Branded ‘Your Town, Your Team, Your NIFRS’ , the three-week drive is seeking enthusiastic and committed individuals who live or work within five minutes of their local On-Call Fire Station — people willing to carry a pager, respond at short notice and help protect their c

The derelict Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has said it will initiate further legal proceedings in relation to the potential demolition of the historic Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle. The listed building, elements of which are more than 400 years old, was declared a dangerous structure by the council last year. At February’s meeting of the Environmental Services Committee, Alliance councillor Lee Kane put forward a motion seeking

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council  has agreed a below-inflation District Rate increase of 3.35% for the 2026/27 financial year, following a Special Council meeting held on 12 February 2026. The decision means householders in the borough will pay an additional £20.58 per year — equivalent to £0.40 per week — based on a domestic property with a rateable value of £124,728. The Council said both officers and elected members had “worked diligently” to deliver a smaller tha

Ronnie Duncan from Ballycastle encourages other farmers to compare their business with others through using the CAFRE Benchmarking Tool. Farm businesses that have a clear understanding of where they are performing well – and where improvements are needed – are better placed to strengthen profitability and resilience, according to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). While farmers cannot control external pressures such as weather conditions, volatile

Mrs McCloskey's classroom celebrating with Papa Elf.  Festive cheer was delivered in style at Ballycastle Integrated Primary School after its Primary One class was named the winner of the Fibrus ‘Christmas Classroom’ competition. Local Full Fibre broadband provider Fibrus surprised pupils when Papa Elf and the Fibrus Tinsel Team arrived at their classroom bearing a sack filled with presents for every child. Papa Elf, a familiar festive figure who has brought Christmas cheer

Work taking place on the Glenshesk Road, Ballycastle over the last months following a landslide. (Image: Anne Kelly) Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed that the Glenshesk Road in Ballycastle will reopen to traffic by 5pm on Monday 1 December, marking a significant milestone after months of disruption caused by severe weather damage. The route, which has been partially closed between Glenbank Road and Greenan Road since last year, suffered a serious embankment f

Santa arriving in Limavady. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has announced a packed programme of festive celebrations set to bring Christmas magic to Ballymoney, Limavady, Ballycastle and Coleraine later this month. The Council says the events aim to “spread festive cheer this Christmas season” with a series of family-friendly activities, parades and Santa appearances designed to mark the start of the borough’s Christmas calendar. Four towns, four festive switch-ons

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is set to explore the possibility of using silent fireworks or drone shows during future celebrations in the borough. At November’s Environmental Services Committee meeting, members agreed that potential changes to council-organised firework displays should be discussed at a future meeting of the Leisure and Development Committee. TUV Councillor Jonathan McAuley said he had received correspondence from several constituents in the week

North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland has praised Ballycastle bathing waters as they have once again achieved the highest possible rating for water quality.  Environment Minister Andrew Muir has announced the 2025 bathing water classification results, revealing that Ballycastle Beach has once again achieved the highest possible rating for water quality. The annual assessment, published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), confirms that Ballycast

The Rathlin Ferry. (Image: Nicole McGinn) The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced its intention to increase fares on the ferry services to Rathlin Island and across Strangford Lough, with a statutory 30-day notice period to commence on today, Monday 27 October 2025. Background & Context Rathlin Island is Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island and falls under the wider Rathlin Island Policy, a Northern Ireland Executive policy aimed at ensuring “conti

Kevin and Tracey McAuley at their wedding in Holy Trinity Church, Ballycastle In a heartwarming celebration of love and generosity,...

Waves crashing into the Antrim coast at Ballycastle during Storm Éowyn which caused extensive damage to Pans Rock Bridge (IMAGES Cathy...

Pictured: 81-year-old Beatrice Higgins The woman who tragically died following a two-vehicle collision in Glarryford on Sunday, 28...

Ballycastle beach, County Antrim (Image: Anne Kelly) A person has been rescued after getting into difficulty in the water off Ballycastle...

All photos: McAuley Multimedia The Ballycastle Branch of the Royal British Legion has planted a Royal Oak at Ballycastle Presbyterian...

A County Antrim farmer has been taken to hospital after an incident involving a slurry pit on a farm near Ballycastle. Emergency services...

Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have deferred a decision on proposed changes to this year’s civic Christmas festivities. The borough...

James Mulholland, Tracey McAuley, and Julina Butler from Moyle Community First Responders accept a cheque for £7899.00 from David Lennox,...

Una and Tom McMillan A County Antrim couple who have been prominent in raising awareness of a chronic lung condition were welcomed to a...