NEWS

Des McKeown and other members of Back in the Game Ballymena, welcomes Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford. Back in the Game Ballymena welcomed a special guest to their annual presentation morning this week, as the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford, attended the event during the group’s weekly football session. The presentation morning took place on Thursday morning, February 5, bringing together players and supporter

Rescue dog Tyson, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was involved in a collision with a vehicle A senior rescue dog named Tyson is facing the loss of a leg after being struck by a car while straying in Ballymena, prompting an urgent fundraising appeal by local not-for-profit rescue The Half Way Dog House to cover his life-saving veterinary treatment. Tyson, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is currently being held in a local pound and is expected to be released to The Half Way Dog Ho

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with contemporary literary fiction, gripping thrillers and a hugely popular romance title dominating readers’ choices this week. The list highlights a broad range of tastes, from Anne Tyler’s quietly observant storytelling to Freida McFadden’s addictive psychological suspense, alongside strong demand for Irish fiction and prize-winning literary works. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. Three Days in

Two Ballymena schools have secured funding for new synthetic sports pitches following successful applications to the Department of Education, a move welcomed by North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew as a significant boost to sports provision in local schools. Cambridge House Grammar School and Slemish College have both been approved for new facilities under Department of Education capital programmes, aimed at strengthening physical education, sport and wider wellbeing as part of t

Artist’s impression of the new building for Mary Queen of Peace Primary School in Glenravel, County Antrim. Confirmation that a contractor has been appointed to deliver the new £7.28 million school building for Mary Queen of Peace Primary School in Glenravel has been welcomed as a major milestone for the local community. The rural primary school in the Glens of Antrim has faced a lengthy journey to reach this stage, with the announcement bringing renewed optimism for pupils,

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA hails a new chapter for Unionism in Northern Ireland, pictured with deputy leader Diana Armstrong MLA during the recent Party leadership ratification At a time when questions continue to be raised about whether current funding levels are sufficient to meet Northern Ireland’s growing political, economic and social challenges, Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA has said that resources alone will not secure the future of th

Principal Alastair Beacom, Dunclug Primary School in Ballymena, honoured at Westminster this week for their work in international education - receiving a British Council International School Award, from Colm McGivern, Director of the British Council Northern Ireland At a time when schools across Northern Ireland continue to face mounting financial pressures and concerns that funding is not sufficient to meet the scale of educational challenges, a Ballymena primary school has

Broughshane retail legend, James McNeill At a time when independent retailers across Northern Ireland are under intense pressure — facing rising operating costs, staffing challenges and competition from national chains — one family-run business in Co Antrim is marking a milestone that speaks to resilience, community and quiet determination. This weekend, Broughshane shopkeeper James McNeill will celebrate an extraordinary 70 years in business, a rare achievement in modern re

The winning Seven Towers Senior 1 netball team with coach, Lauren Walsh Seven Towers Senior 1 netball team have secured promotion to the Netball Northern Ireland Senior 2 League after a dramatic extra-time victory in a high-pressure play-off against Westside 2 on Wednesday evening. Proudly sponsored by Howdens Kitchens, Seven Towers were taken to the limit in a fiercely contested match, with the sides level at full time. With promotion on the line, the Senior 1 squad showed c

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is pictured in his office signing the Northern Ireland Football Fund Letter of Offers. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced the first funding offers under the Northern Ireland Football Fund (NIFF), bringing a welcome boost to football clubs across Northern Ireland. Among the 20 clubs progressing through the Performance Programme, Ballymena United, Larne FC , and Carrick Rangers are set to receive crucial support to refine their b

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across Northern Ireland, with heavy and persistent rainfall expected to cause localised flooding and travel disruption over the next two days. The warning came into effect at 12:00 on Thursday 5 February 2026 and is scheduled to remain in place until 23:59 on Friday 6 February 2026 , covering the majority of the region. According to the Met Office, areas of rain will continue to spread north-westwards across Norther

The Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena marks 180 years The Adair Arms Hotel is celebrating nearly 180 years of continuous service in Ballymena, marking a remarkable milestone for one of Northern Ireland’s oldest hotels and a landmark that has stood at the centre of town life since 1846. Founded by Sir Robert Adair and designed by renowned architect Sir Charles Lanyon at a cost of £3,650, the Adair Arms was built at a time when Ballymena was emerging as an important industrial and ci

Police investigating reports of suspicious activity and fraud involving tradespeople have charged a man following an arrest in the Mid and East Antrim area. A 34-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, 4 February, on suspicion of fraud by false representation. Police have confirmed that he has since been charged and is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 26 February. The investigation forms part of ongoing efforts by police to tackle so-called “rogu

A 1970s County 1254 Ballymena is set to take centre stage in the international vintage machinery market as Europe’s leading agricultural machinery auctioneer, Cheffins , brings one of its flagship Vintage and Classic Tractor sales to Northern Ireland. The high-profile auction marks only the third time in Cheffins’ 200-year history that the firm has taken a major machinery sale across the Irish Sea, underlining both the significance of the event and the growing reputation of N

Lucy McAleese was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease when she was a toddler. The disease is rare, affecting around 8 in every 100,000 children under the age of 5 in the UK. A young woman from Ballymena is speaking publicly for the first time about growing up with a rare and potentially life-threatening heart condition, in a bid to raise awareness that heart disease does not only affect older people. Lucy McAleese , 22, has lived with Kawasaki disease since she was a toddler — a

Ballymena comedian Gary Pollock pictured at The Braid auditorium where he will host his debit solo show in May. Ballymena-born comedian Gary Pollock is set to return home for the biggest performance of his career to date, with his debut solo show Bucket List already reaching almost half capacity at The Braid Arts Centre—four months ahead of the curtain rising. The much-anticipated hometown show will take place on Friday 22 May 2026, and with close to 200 tickets already sold,

Lisnamurrican YFC members Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel visited Air Ambulance NI headquarters to present the cheque for an incredible £15,000 Members of Lisnamurrican Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) have proudly presented a cheque for £15,000 to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, marking a major fundraising achievement during the club’s 85th anniversary year. A group of club members — Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel — travelled to the charity’s headquarters in Lisbur

Pictured with tenant Doreen (second from left) is Alpha Housing Chief Executive Cameron Watt, Councillor Anna Henry of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston. The first tenants have moved into Alpha Housing’s £4.4 million residential development in Cullybackey, marking a significant milestone in the regeneration of the County Antrim village less than two years after construction began. Keys were officially handed over this week at the Main Str

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

Clive Fulton, of Clive Fulton Eyecare, announcing the special Nuance Audio Glasses demonstration morning on Wednesday 11 February Clive Fulton Eyecare (Galgorm) has announced the arrival of an innovative new hearing solution designed to transform how people with mild to moderate hearing loss experience sound in everyday life. Nuance Audio Glasses combine advanced hearing technology with modern, stylish eyewear, offering discreet hearing support without the appearance or fee