NEWS

Deputy First Minister Little-Pengelly with Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales Zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has showcased its dramatic revival and global success story to Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, during a visit to the company’s Ballymena headquarters. The visit on Wednesday offered an insight into how the company has transformed from administration just six years ago into a global powerhouse of green transport innovation. Since 201

Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH, Head of Springboard Northern Ireland with her award Ballymena woman Caitriona Lennox FIH, Head of Springboard Northern Ireland, has been named winner of the Institute of Hospitality’s prestigious Fellows’ Outstanding Contribution Award 2025 — the first time this esteemed recognition has been bestowed on anyone from Ballymena. The award, presented at the annual Institute of Hospitality (IoH) Fellows’ Dinner held on 27 October at The Waldo

Emergency Services at the scene of the incident at Glarryford, outside Ballymena A COURT heard it was a "miracle" nobody was killed after a van driver's careless driving ended up with a lorry crashing down an embankment onto the A26 dual-carriageway at Glarryford near Ballymena. The van driver - Patrick Fitzpatrick (56), from the Dunloy area -  pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention at Station Road, Glarryford, around 5.45pm on March 20 this year. Footage o

Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Mayor, Jackson Minford, joins Sonic the Hedgehog, Kevin the Minion, at a community celebration event at St Patrick's Housing development, along with Loma Wilson, Radius Housing, and Grainne Mullin, NIHE.  Residents of the new St Patrick’s shared housing development in Ballymena came together this week for a special Tenants Welcome Event to celebrate the completion of the new homes and the beginning of a vibrant new community. Held on Wednesday 29th

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the return of its popular Shop Front Revitalisation Grant Scheme for a third consecutive year, offering a major boost to local businesses in town centres across Ballymena, Larne, Carrickfergus and Greenisland. The initiative, backed by £604,000 in funding from the Department for Communities, aims to transform the appearance of shop fronts and revitalise high streets throughout the Borough. Building on the success of previous s

As Halloween approaches, Dogs Trust Ballymena is urging pet owners to keep their canine companions safe during what can be a spooky and stressful time for dogs. With over half of UK dogs reacting to knocks at the door or outdoor noises, Halloween festivities can easily overwhelm even the calmest pets. Costumes, sweets and constant doorbell rings can quickly turn the night from “spook-tacular” to stressful for our four-legged friends. Dogs Trust Ballymena is sharing simple ste

Ballymena’s own Jack Mitchell has quite literally taken fundraising to new heights after completing a daring aeroplane wing walk to raise money for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (NI). On October 4th, Jack travelled to Bristol to take on the bucket-list challenge with AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, experiencing the thrill of being strapped to the top of a flying aircraft for a breathtaking ten-minute flight. Despite stormy weather and challenging winds, Jack’s adventure went ah

Mid and East Antrim In Bloom Community Awards Winners and Runners-Up Mid and East Antrim’s green-fingered residents, schools, and community groups have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the Borough’s beauty and biodiversity at this year’s In Bloom Community Awards. The special awards ceremony, hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford , took place at Larne Market Yard and celebrated 19 winners and runners-up for their creativi

The new Wrightbus StreetDeck Ultroliner model, built in Ballymena, entering service on the Isle of Man The Isle of Man’s public transport network is set for a major upgrade as six new cutting-edge diesel buses built by Wrightbus prepare to enter service, replacing vehicles that have been serving the island’s communities for up to 14 years. The new StreetDeck Ultroliner models, designed and manufactured by the leading Ballymena-based engineering firm, will join the Bus Vannin

Children from Braidside Primary School, Ballymena, were joined by Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, as they enjoyed a Forest School session recently. Primary school pupils from across the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area are embracing nature as part of this year’s Forest Schools Programme, funded by Council and delivered by the Northern Ireland Forest School Association (NIFSA). With support from the Council’s Parks and Open Spaces team, the in

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the cancellation of its popular annual ‘Hallowena’ event at Ballymena’s People’s Park due to forecasted high winds and heavy rain. The decision was made following Met Office warnings of gusts of up to 56mph and persistent downpours on Thursday 30 October, which would make conditions unsafe for both attendees and council staff. A Council spokesperson said the difficult decision was based on public safety concerns: “With such h

Councillor Alan Barr during a site visit to Carnlough Road, Broughshane, where there are community concerns over the speed of vehicles. Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has called for urgent action to address serious road safety concerns on the Carnlough Road, Broughshane, following repeated complaints from residents about speeding vehicles and unsafe conditions for pedestrians. The stretch of road, located just outside the 30mph zone, currently carries a 60mph spee

Back row, from left, Matt Robinson, Volunteer Coordinator at ReStore Ballymena, Greg McKinley, Director of Operations at The Gallaher Trust and James Perry MBE, a Trustee of The Gallaher Trust. Pictured at the foreground is Isobel Kerr, ReStore Ballymena Manager.   The Gallaher Trust has announced a £170,000 commitment over the next three years to support Habitat for Humanity Ireland’s new Retail Ready at ReStore initiative in Ballymena — a project designed to equip local peo

Ballymena’s business community turned out in record numbers on Thursday night for the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards, marking a landmark year for the prestigious event. More than 480 guests packed into the Tullyglass House Hotel for the 22nd annual gala, which saw a record number of entries — including 37 businesses entering for the first time. Organised by the Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry , the awards were once again sponsored by Mid and East An

McDonnell Shields for Head Boy and Head Girl presented to students Ruairi Hendron and Aleena Shiji St Patrick’s College, Ballymena has celebrated the achievements of its pupils during the 2024–25 academic year at its annual prizegiving ceremony, which featured an inspiring address by past pupil and businesswoman Mrs Johanna Montgomery . Mrs Montgomery, who trained as a kitchen designer before expanding into wider areas of home design, shared insights from her career journey a

Olivia and her cousin who made and sold bracelets to raise funds to support The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity through The Spooky Gardens Ballymena Young fundraiser Olivia Rose Mark inspires visitors as Halloween attraction returns to raise funds for vital children’s charity A young Ballymena girl has captured hearts this Halloween after raising £280 for The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity through her own handmade creations. Olivia Rose Mark, who previously donated money she r

U is for Upside-Down Pineapple Cake! It's a retro 80s throwbacks for 'U'! This is a really moist sponge (know you all love that word S), and I actually think it's an underrated bake. Enjoy! Jill Stewart ( @jillbakes_ ) INGREDIENTS… For the upside down part: 50g butter, room temp 50g light soft brown sugar 7 pineapple rings in syrup or own juice, drained and keep 2 tbsp of the pineapple juice/syrup 7 glacé cherries For the cake: 200g butter, room temp 200g golden caster sugar

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston taking part in a debate at Queen’s University North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has said unionism is “stronger with variety” and warned that calls for a single unionist party would “weaken us in the long term.” Mr Gaston was reflecting on his participation in a Queen’s University Belfast Literific Society debate earlier this week on the motion “A Single Unionist Party.” The MLA said it was his first time at Queen’s and his first experi

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has warned that it may be “difficult to provide all services whilst managing the expected increase in demand for unscheduled or critical care” as it launches its 2025/26 Winter Plan. Outlining the plan to board members during a meeting at Antrim Hospital on Thursday, Gillian Traub, Director of Operations , acknowledged that staff are “very anxious” about the coming months. She said planning

Remembering: Mrs Anna Irons A much-loved figure behind one of Ballymena’s most cherished family businesses has sadly passed away. Irons Home Bakery, a longstanding institution in the town, announced the death of Mrs Anna Irons on Sunday morning, 26 October. In a heartfelt statement, the bakery said: “Due to the passing of Mrs Anna Irons this morning, Irons Home Bakery will be closed until Wednesday as a mark of respect. “We aim to reopen on Thursday but we will update this pa