NEWS

CAFRE trained Apprentice, Jack Johnson from Belfast secured his first Point-to-Point win having recently achieved his Jockey’s Licence. The upcoming Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week (2–6 February) is providing an opportunity to spotlight the achievements of a rising local talent, as former CAFRE Equine Apprentice Jack Johnson celebrates a remarkable journey from classroom to racetrack success. Staff at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have pr

The derelict Crumlin Road Courthouse in Belfast Plans to transform Belfast’s historic Crumlin Road Courthouse into a Neurodiversity Campus have reached an important milestone after a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was formally accepted by planners at Belfast City Hall. The PAN, submitted by BBE (NI) Ltd and considered on Monday 26 January, relates to the future redevelopment of the long-derelict courthouse on the Crumlin Road, a landmark building that has stood vacant a

Missing 21-year-old woman, Kayleigh Girvan Police have issued an urgent public appeal as concern continues to grow for the welfare of a missing 21-year-old woman who has links to the Ballymena area. Kayleigh Girvan was reported missing and is believed to have travelled to Belfast, specifically the Great Victoria Street area, on Sunday, 25 January. Officers say they are increasingly worried about her wellbeing and are asking the public to remain vigilant. While Kayleigh is tho

View of the new central Culture Hub from the main entrance The Ulster Folk Museum is set for a major transformation after Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced a £50 million investment aimed at securing its future for generations to come. The funding will support delivery of the Reawakening Project, a large-scale redevelopment designed to modernise facilities, improve access to nationally significant collections and strengthen the museum’s role in helping people connect

A lethal fungal pandemic once blamed for driving amphibians towards extinction may now be losing its grip in tropical regions, according to a major new global study led by Queen’s University Belfast. The research suggests that many tropical amphibian species have evolved resistance to chytridiomycosis – the most destructive wildlife disease ever recorded – raising cautious optimism that some populations may be stabilising or even beginning to recover. Chytridiomycosis, caused

Missing man: Gary Bain from Belfast An extensive multi-agency search is continuing today for missing Belfast man Gary Bain, as police renew their appeal for public assistance. Gary, aged 37, was last seen in the Ormeau Bridge area on Wednesday morning, 21st January, and officers say searches will continue throughout the area as efforts intensify to trace his whereabouts. The operation, now entering its second day, is being led by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

Helping to launch the new initiatives alongside Titanic Belfast’s Head of Operations, Paula Bradley is Niamh Givens. Titanic Belfast has unveiled a range of new accessibility initiatives aimed at ensuring every visitor can enjoy the world-renowned attraction in a comfortable, welcoming and inclusive environment. The new measures include the introduction of Sensory Backpacks and Quiet Sessions, further strengthening the attraction’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion fo

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.

Tugboats perform a traditional water salute to mark the arrival of Stena Connecta at Belfast Harbour. Stena Line has strengthened freight capacity between Northern Ireland and Britain with the arrival of Stena Connecta at Belfast Harbour, marking a major milestone in a £100 million investment programme on the busy Belfast–Heysham route. The newly commissioned vessel, purpose-built for freight operations in the Irish Sea, is due to enter commercial service on 23 January 2026,

Stena Futura Stena Line has recorded its highest ever freight volumes on its Belfast services, underscoring the city’s growing importance as a key logistics and transport hub linking Northern Ireland and Great Britain. During 2025, almost 600,000 freight units were shipped across Stena Line’s three Belfast routes to Cairnryan, Liverpool (Birkenhead) and Heysham, representing a 1.0% year-on-year increase and marking another record-breaking year for the ferry operator. The mile

(L-R) Jennifer Welsh, Chief Executive of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Mrs Rachel Canning, Sister of Belfast City Hospital Day of Surgery, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Ms Katja Hartmann, Deputy Sister of Belfast City Hospital Day of Surgery. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has praised staff at the Day of Surgery Unit at Belfast City Hospital following the unit’s receipt of an Elective Care Recognition Award, recognising excellence in innovation, improved practice and

Marking work starting on the £5 million redevelopment of Cathedral Gardens are (from left to right): Professor Duncan Morrow from Ulster University, Tzvetelina Bogoina from Cathedral Quarter BID, Reverend Cameron Mack from St Anne’s Cathedral and Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly. Work has officially begun on the £5 million redevelopment of Cathedral Gardens, marking a significant milestone in Belfast City Council’s long-term vision to regenerate the city centre. Loca

Missing since 2006: Belfast man Martin Kelly Police have renewed their appeal for information on the disappearance of Belfast man Martin Kelly, marking 20 years since he was last seen. Martin, who worked as a plumber and part-time barman at the Priory Inn in Holywood, went missing in January 2006 after a night out with friends over the New Year period. Despite extensive police investigations, searches and appeals, his whereabouts remain unknown. Detective Inspector Stephen Ha

Police have charged a 41-year-old man following his arrest after a vehicle pursuit linked to the Antrim area which ended on the M2 on Monday evening, 29 December. Sergeant Wallace explained how the situation escalated rapidly across several locations, posing serious risks to other road users. “At around 9.15pm, officers were attending a report in the Antrim area when they observed a white Audi A4 acting suspiciously,” he said. “A short time later, the same vehicle was repor

Members of Alliance Amateur Swim club, winners of the £1000 Hafner’s Sports Grant. Alliance Amateur Swim Club has been awarded £1,000 through the Hafner’s Sausages Sports Fund 2025, as part of a £5,000 initiative supporting grassroots sport across Northern Ireland. The Antrim-based club is one of five local organisations to receive the funding, alongside North Down Softball Club in Bangor, St Patrick’s Football Club in Castlederg, Redmond O’Hanlon’s GAC in Poyntzpass , and E

A man has been arrested and a significant quantity of suspected Class A drugs seized following a dramatic police pursuit that began in the Antrim area and ended near Templepatrick on Monday evening, 29 December. Police say the incident unfolded shortly after 9pm when officers attending an unrelated report in Antrim observed a white Audi A4 behaving suspiciously. Sergeant Wallace explained how the situation escalated rapidly across several locations, posing serious risks to o

Police have issued an urgent appeal for information as concern grows for the welfare of a missing 85-year-old man. John Burnim was last seen in the Crumlin Road area of north Belfast at around 9am on Tuesday, 30 December. Officers say they are increasingly concerned for his wellbeing and are asking the public to remain vigilant. At the time he was last seen, John is believed to have been wearing a grey jumper, dress trousers and combat boots. Given his age, any information, n

Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti has made a highly anticipated return to Belfast, marking her first solo tour in a decade with a special performance at the Ulster Hall — now set to reach audiences across the UK and Ireland through a major Sky Arts broadcast. The concert, filmed last week at the iconic Belfast venue, will air as Nicola Benedetti & Friends on Monday, 29 December at 7.30pm on Sky Arts , with the pro

Belfast Zoo joins the Lord Mayor, Cllr Tracy Kelly, to spread festive joy Belfast Zoo has helped bring festive cheer to young patients at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, joining the Lord Mayor of Belfast on a special Christmas visit aimed at lifting spirits during the holiday season. The Zoo joined Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly on Monday (15th December) as part of her visit supporting local charity Little Heroes, which works closely with children and familie

Officers from Belfast Harbour Police with the rescued cockapoo puppies Ten cockapoo puppies rescued from an illegal smuggling operation at Belfast Harbour are now thriving in loving new homes, as DAERA Minister Andrew Muir urges the public to think carefully before buying a pet this Christmas. The puppies, discovered in February while being trafficked through Belfast Port, were intercepted following a multi-agency operation involving Harbour Police, Stena Ferry staff, DAERA P