NEWS

The Giant’s Causeway, on Northern Ireland’s North Antrim coastline. Thousands of coins wedged into the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway have now been removed after experts warned the long-standing visitor tradition was causing lasting damage to one of Northern Ireland’s most famous natural landmarks. The National Trust has confirmed that a major conservation project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site has been completed, with specialists removing 20.5kg of coins — around

Aerial view of the existing Guest House complex. A long-established guest house on the outskirts of Ballymoney could be converted back into a private family home after a planning application was lodged with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The application seeks permission to change the use of Harmony Hill Guest House and Restaurant, at 60–64 Balnamore Road, from guest accommodation to a single domestic dwelling. A return to the building’s original purpose Planning do

The array of solar panels positioned on the roof of Causeway Hospital in Coleraine Causeway Hospital has saved almost £142,000 on electricity costs in the first year since installing Northern Ireland’s largest solar roof on a Health and Social Care building, according to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. The hospital’s 2,300 rooftop solar panels generated enough renewable electricity during 2025-26 to offset electricity costs by around £141,700, while also preventing

Two men have been arrested after police carried out coordinated searches at eight properties across Portrush and Portstewart, recovering suspected drugs with an estimated street value of more than £50,000. The planned operation took place on Thursday morning, 16 July, as part of an ongoing Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation into the suspected supply of illegal drugs in the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Suspected drugs, cash and paraphernalia seized Polic

Jane Martin (centre) from Mencap presents the Employer of the Month award to Ann O’Neill (left) and Linda Saunders (right) from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. A team at Causeway Hospital has been recognised with a national award after creating a workplace where people with learning disabilities are supported to build confidence, develop new skills and secure meaningful long-term employment. The hospital’s Corporate Support Services team has been named Mencap’s Emp

Rasharkin Orange Hall was attacked with sectarian graffiti overnight. Rasharkin Orange Hall has again been targeted in what unionist representatives have described as a sectarian attack, after graffiti referencing the IRA was sprayed on the building overnight. The latest incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, July 14, has prompted calls for a police investigation and condemnation from political representatives, who say the attack is the latest in a se

Red Bay lifeboats. (Image: Colin King) A lone kayaker who became stranded in rough seas off the County Antrim coast was rescued by RNLI volunteers late on Sunday night after spending around six hours on the water. The kayaker had set off at approximately 6.30pm on Sunday (July 12) but got into difficulty around one-and-a-half miles north of Cushendun when his kayak became swamped by heavy sea swells, leaving him unable to paddle back to shore. Cold and exhausted, he managed t

The walkway at the side of Ballycastle’s police station. (Images: Anne Kelly) Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has agreed to seek information on the ownership of a popular pedestrian walkway in Ballycastle. The decision follows a motion put forward by Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane at the June Corporate Policy and Resources Committee meeting, requesting that council officers contact Greer Hamilton Gailey Solicitors, Ballymoney, to seek any available information reg

Detectives have launched an attempted murder investigation after several shots were fired at a house in County Antrim while two people were inside. The attack happened at a property in the Craigahullier area of Portrush shortly before 11pm on Thursday, 9 July. No injuries were reported, despite bullets striking two bedroom windows and the front door of the house. Burnt-out car may be connected Police were alerted at around 11.25pm and officers subsequently searched the surrou

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has acknowledged “higher than usual absence rates” within its maternity services team over recent months after concerns were raised by campaign group SOS Causeway Hospital. SOS Causeway Hospital recently met with senior Department of Health officials to highlight what it described as “severe pressures within Antrim maternity services following the centralisation of births”. All hospital births in the Northern Trust have taken place at

Machinery moved in around midnight to demolish The Antrim Arms, a derelict listed building in the middle of Ballycastle, County Antrim. (Photos: McAuley Multimedia) The overnight demolition of the former Antrim Arms Hotel has marked the end of one of Ballycastle’s most recognisable historic buildings, as Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council investigates whether the work was legally carried out. Machinery moved in toward midnight on Wednesday night, July 8, with much of th

North West 200 Event Director Mervyn Whyte MBE celebrates after receiving an Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) from Ulster University at its Coleraine campus today. Mervyn Whyte MBE has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Ulster University in recognition of more than 50 years of service to motorsport and his role in helping turn the North West 200 into one of Northern Ireland’s most important sporting events. The North West 200 Event Director received an Honorary Doctor of S

PSNI custody photo: Derek McManus, aged 54 A Limavady man has been jailed after a woman was severely beaten, locked inside his house overnight and left needing emergency brain surgery. Derek McManus, aged 54, was sentenced yesterday at Laganside Crown Court for domestic abuse offences, including grievous bodily harm with intent and common assault. McManus was handed a sentence of three years and two and a half months in prison, followed by three years and two and a half month

Senior RNLI Lifeguard Annie Jagoe A swimmer was rescued from a dangerous rip current on the Antrim coast after getting into difficulty outside the designated bathing area, prompting a rapid emergency response from RNLI lifeguards, the Coastguard and the ambulance service. The incident happened at around 5pm on Monday, 7 July at Portrush West Strand, when lifeguards were alerted by a member of the public to a woman struggling against strong surging waves beyond the red and yel

Alliance North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has welcomed the announcement that Ballycastle will host the 2027 Ulster Fleadh, describing it as a landmark achievement that will deliver lasting cultural and economic benefits for the town and the wider Causeway Coast and Glens. The prestigious week-long festival is one of the largest celebrations of traditional Irish music, song, dance and language in the province and is expected to attract tens of thou

The Essence Vault is set to sponsor the Open Race at this year’s Armoy Road Races. Pictured at the firm’s headquarters in Randalstown are, from left, Neil Kernohan, road racer, Bill Kennedy MBE, AMRRC Director, Connor Martin, The Essence Vault Managing Director and William Munnis, AMRRC Clerk of Course. A fast-growing County Antrim business with a global customer base has signed up to support one of Northern Ireland’s best-known motorcycle road racing events, with The Essenc

County Antrim man Paul Ross picked up the Fundraising Volunteer Group of the Year award at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland Awards. The loss of his daughter changed Paul Ross’s life forever. What followed has changed countless others. Just over two years after 21-year-old Lydia Ross tragically lost her life in a road traffic collision, the County Antrim father has transformed unimaginable grief into one of Northern Ireland’s most remarkable grassroots f

The Galeón Andalucía A floating museum that has sailed some of the world’s greatest oceans has dropped anchor in Coleraine, giving visitors a rare opportunity to step aboard a full-scale replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon. For just five days, from today, July 15, to July 19, the Galeón Andalucía will open its decks to the public at Coleraine Harbour, offering an experience that transports visitors back to the age of exploration, trade routes and global discovery. The i

The scene at Ballycastle Golf Club where a car crashed and overturned before being destroyed by fire. (Photo: McAuley Multimedia) A vehicle was destroyed by fire after leaving the road and crashing into the grounds of Ballycastle Golf Club in the early hours of Sunday morning. The dramatic incident happened on the Cushendall Road in Ballycastle, where the vehicle came to rest on its side after ploughing through boundary structures before it was engulfed in flames. Photographs

Hilton Car Sales, based in Ballymena, is returning as sponsor of the Next Generation Supersport 1 race. Pictured are, from left, William Munnis, AMRRC Clerk of Course, Conor Cummins, road racer and Andy Hilton, owner of Hilton Car Sales. One of the biggest names in local road racing sponsorship is returning to the grid for another year, with Hilton Car Sales confirming its support for the Armoy Road Races for a seventh consecutive year. The Ballymena-based quality used car re