NEWS

Friday 25 September 2026 Alex Warren, the chart-topping US singer behind global smash hit “Ordinary”, has announced a major Belfast show as part of his new UK and European outdoor tour for summer 2027. The Grammy-nominated artist will headline Belsonic on Monday 21 June 2027, with special guests still to be announced. Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 2 October through Ticketmaster Ireland. Eight-date summer run across UK and Europe Belfast will be the second stop

Some of the e-scooters seized by police in a targeted operation over the weekend Police are continuing action against the illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters after 65 were seized during a major weekend operation in Belfast. Police said machines were taken from both adults and children, with the youngest rider aged just six years old. Those involved now face a range of criminal justice outcomes. 65 e-bikes and e-scooters seized The three-day ‘Weekend of Action’

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Brendan McAleer, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Diaspora and International Development Officer, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins pictured before a meeting of partners and stakeholders involved in delivering Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. Monday 21 September 2026 Belfast is already turning its attention to an even bigger Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2027 after this summer’s event

Sunday 20 September 2026 One of Belfast’s best-known landmarks has been significantly damaged in an overnight incident, with police arresting a 44-year-old man nearby. Police were called to the Big Fish sculpture at Donegall Quay after receiving a report at around 12.30am on Sunday that someone had been seen causing damage to the landmark. Significant damage to sculpture Sergeant Kelly said officers attended the scene and found that “significant damage” had been caused to the

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Queen's University Belfast on Wednesday where she met with midwifery students, lecturers and midwives. Student midwives preparing to care for women and babies across Northern Ireland have shown The Princess Royal how simulated practice helps them build clinical skills and confidence before facing the demands of maternity care. Princess Anne met students, lecturers and midwives at Queen’s Unive

Students heading into Freshers’ Week are being urged to look out for each other and know when to call for emergency help as universities welcome a new intake across Northern Ireland. Alcohol and drug charity ASCERT says the start of university life can bring new friendships, nights out and social events, but for some young people it may also be the first time they have consumed alcohol or faced pressure to drink more — or more quickly — than they normally would. The charity i

Students arriving in Belfast for the new academic year will see a visible police presence around accommodation areas as a safety campaign gets under way, with advice on accessing help during nights out and protecting themselves and their belongings. The PSNI is also highlighting the Ask for Angela initiative, which offers a discreet way to seek help at more than 400 participating bars and clubs across Northern Ireland if someone feels vulnerable. Launched today, Wednesday 9 S

Suzanne Garuda of Garuda Design and Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast are pictured as the world-famous visitor attraction announces the completion of the first phase of an investment programme in its event spaces, with the iconic Titanic Suite reopening this week following a major refurbishment. Titanic Belfast’s Grand Staircase event suite is reopening this week after a major refurbishment, as the venue prepares to host 60 events between September and Dec

The late poet Seamus Heaney Tuesday 8 September 2026 A landmark collection that transformed Seamus Heaney from a young Co Derry writer into one of the most recognisable poetic voices of his generation will be celebrated at a free two-day conference in Belfast this week. Digging at 60: From the Archives will take place at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September. The event marks 60 years since the publication of Death of a N

Belfast City Hall A debate intended to highlight the persecution and killing of Christians around the world descended into a bitter political clash at Belfast City Hall this week, as councillors traded accusations over Northern Ireland’s own troubled past. A DUP motion focused specifically on the persecution of Christians — including thousands of reported killings in Nigeria — was ultimately replaced by a Sinn Féin amendment broadening Belfast City Council’s position to conde

Superintendent Alistair Hagan urging festival-goers to prioritise their safety when attending outdoor music events Festival-goers heading to outdoor music events across Northern Ireland are being urged to plan their journey home, stay with friends and avoid illegal drugs as police intensify operations during the summer concert season. The Police Service of Northern Ireland says high-visibility patrols and stop-and-search activity will form part of its policing operation at ma

(L-R) – Ciaran Long, Forward, Belfast Giants; Jordan Kawaguchi, Forward, Belfast Giants; David Goodwin, Forward, Belfast Giants; and Scott Conway, Forward, Belfast Giants. Belfast Giants have unveiled four new jerseys for the 2026/27 season as the reigning Elite Ice Hockey League champions prepare to return to the ice — with O2 appearing on the front of the team’s shirts for the first time. The new home, away, alternate and Challenge Cup designs mark the beginning of O2’s ti

CGI of new multi-purpose berthing facility for cruise ships to the city at land on Airport Road West in the Harbour Estate. Belfast’s facilities for welcoming cruise passengers are set to be expanded after councillors approved amended plans for a multi-purpose berthing facility within the Harbour Estate. Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee gave the application from Belfast Harbour Commissioners the green light on Tuesday evening, 18 August. The development, on land at A

Aerial CGI visualisation of the approved redevelopment A largely vacant former BT headquarters in Belfast city centre is set for a major transformation after plans were approved for a 135,931 sq ft office and retail development. Capital House, prominently positioned at the corner of Wellington Place and Upper Queen Street, will be extended and completely reclad to create 97,393 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation alongside three ground-floor retail units. The Belfast City C

Motorists travelling through Belfast are being warned to allow extra time over the next three weekends as major maintenance work on the M3 Lagan Bridge brings slip-road closures, lane restrictions and lengthy diversions. The first restrictions begin at 9pm tomorrow, Friday 14 August, and remain in place until 6am on Monday 17 August, with drivers heading from the Sydenham Bypass towards the Westlink, north Belfast and west Belfast among those affected. Further weekend closure

People across Northern Ireland are set to witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events visible here for decades this evening, when the Moon obscures around 93% of the Sun. The high-coverage partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August 2026 will provide the best eclipse coverage Northern Ireland is expected to experience until 2090. To mark the occasion, the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast is hosting a free public viewing event from 6pm un

The success of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has strengthened plans for more pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre, with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins confirming that proposals will go before the public within weeks. More than 1.6 million visits were recorded across the eight-day festival, when a number of city centre streets were closed to traffic to accommodate crowds, performances and events. The temporary arrangements have intensified the debate over how Belfast’

Five men have been arrested after detectives seized around 14kg of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of more than £1.1 million during an organised crime operation in Greater Belfast. The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch also recovered suspected herbal cannabis worth approximately £15,000 as part of the operation carried out across Monday, 10 August and Tuesday, 11 August. Detectives said enquiries into the seizures remain ongoing. Fiv

The crowded streets of Belfast city centre during the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann The success of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has become a “tipping point” for the debate over greater pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre, a councillor has claimed, amid growing calls for some of the temporary traffic restrictions to lead to permanent change. Belfast Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth says the “bottom line” is that the Fleadh “would not have worked without pedestrianisation in th

Thousands of musicians, dancers and visitors are converging on Belfast today as the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann reaches a major weekend of competition — with people being urged to leave the car outside the city centre and use dedicated Park & Ride services. Around 5,000 musicians and dancers from 22 countries are taking part in competitions across Belfast on Saturday 8 August, adding to what has already been an exceptionally busy week in the city. Competition judging begins at