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NEWS


Nearly five decades of service: Sam Moore steps back as Ballymena firm takes the reins
Sam Moore of S&T Moore, Coleraine A long-established Coleraine menswear retailer is entering a new chapter after nearly half a century, as owner Samuel Moore prepares for retirement and the business is taken over by Wallace’s of Ballymena. In a statement released this today (Tuesday 13 January 2026), S & T Moore confirmed that Samuel Moore will be stepping back after 48 years at the helm of the business — a store that began as a small local shop and went on to become a famili
Jan 13


How a former quarry could become a new Eco Village on the Antrim coast
Plans for a new lakeside Eco Village near Portrush are offering a detailed look at a holiday development designed to sit naturally within a former quarry landscape while delivering sustainable accommodation and local jobs. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has now received a full planning application from White Rock Eco Parks for a 45-unit Eco Village on a 4.72-hectare site at a disused quarry close to Ballybogey Road. The proposal includes self-contained holiday lod
Jan 13


Northern Trust colleagues honoured in King’s New Year’s Honours for service to communities
(L-R): Current Northern Trust staff member Alison Irwin from Portstewart, and former colleague Yvonne Carson from Cloughmills. Two colleagues from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust have been recognised in The King’s New Year’s Honours List, with one current staff member and one retired colleague awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their outstanding contributions to health and social care. Yvonne Carson , a current member of staff, and former colleague Alison Ir
Jan 12


Rathlin Island and Strangford Lough ferry fares to rise from February 2026
Image: Anne Kelly Ferry passengers travelling to Rathlin Island and across Strangford Lough will face increased fares from 1 February 2026, following confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure. The Department has announced that the revised charges will apply to both the Ballycastle–Rathlin Island ferry service and the Strangford–Portaferry ferry service, with the increases aligned to Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation. According to the Department for Infrastructur
Jan 8


Cross-party backing for new bridge in Kilrea as Bann bridge struggles with modern traffic
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has called for a new bridge in Kilrea in the wake of the prolonged closure of the village’s Bann bridge. At January’s full council meeting, members approved a cross-party motion proposed by UUP councillor Richard Holmes and seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Sean Bateson and DUP alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan . The motion stated: “This council notes the recent closure of Kilrea’s Bann Bridge due to maintenance issues and the detri
Jan 8


£1.7m Robinson Hospital upgrade moves closer as Northern Trust receives progress report
CGI showing proposed extension at Robinson Hospital The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has been given an update on the proposed refurbishment of the Robinson Hospital on Newal Road, Ballymoney. Robinson Hospital, which opened in 1933, provides care for patients requiring rehabilitation, palliative care or further assessment following an acute hospital admission. A report presented to Trust board members at a recent meeting said the project will deliver a new-buil
Jan 7


Elderly man sadly dies after single-vehicle collision in County Antrim
A man in his eighties has sadly died following a single-vehicle road traffic collision in Bushmills, County Antrim, police have confirmed. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, 3 January, in the Carnbore Road area of the town. Chief Inspector Simpson, from the Collision Investigation Unit , said police received a report at approximately 2.35pm. “Police received a report at around 2.35pm on Saturday afternoon of a one-v
Jan 4


Police appeal for information after aggravated burglary in Co Antrim
Detectives are appealing for information following a violent aggravated burglary at a residential property in Ballymoney late on Thursday night, 1 January. Police were called to an address on Charlotte Street shortly after 11.40pm after reports that a number of men had forced entry to a home and assaulted the occupant. The victim sustained serious injuries during the attack and was taken to hospital, where he remains under medical care. Detective Inspector Ballentine said the
Jan 2


Council considers renaming Co Antrim park to honour local historian and a US President’s local roots
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has put forward a motion to rename a park in Dervock. At December’s Leisure and Development Committee meeting, a motion proposed by TUV councillor Allister Kyle , and seconded by TUV councillor Jonathan McAuley , called for Riverside Park in Dervock to be renamed McKinley Park, in memory of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, and to “commemorate the deep ancestral ties between Dervock and the McKinley family”. Th
Jan 1


Plans submitted to extend Causeway Hospital car park amid ongoing parking pressures
Aerial view of the Causeway Hospital site in Coleraine Plans to extend the car park at Causeway Hospital have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The application, which was recently lodged via the council’s planning portal, seeks permission to extend the existing car parking area in a bid to alleviate ongoing parking pressures at the site. The proposals also include associated access and circulation works, new lighting, landscaping, and provision for f
Dec 31, 2025


Community-led care praised as Causeway MDT delivers joined-up services across 17 GP practices
L-R Suzanne Kennedy, Elizabeth Craig and Mandy Corr Members of the Causeway Hospital Partnership Board have praised the success of a community-based model of care that is delivering joined-up, neighbourhood services for people across the Causeway Coast and Glens area. At its latest meeting, the Board received an update on the work of the Causeway multidisciplinary team (MDT), a partnership initiative jointly run by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Causeway GP
Dec 31, 2025


‘He’s just my brother’: A sibling’s story of how Day Opportunities change lives
Stephen Fillis with his younger brother Jonathan. For many families, navigating adulthood can be challenging. For those supporting a loved one with a learning disability, those challenges are often accompanied by uncertainty, concern and difficult questions about the future. A powerful personal account from Coleraine is now shining a light on how the right support can transform not just one life, but an entire family. Stephen Fillis has shared his family’s journey as part of
Dec 30, 2025


Rising abuse against health workers sparks fresh call for respect in Emergency Departments
Sara Smyth, a clinical sister in Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department Healthcare staff across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Trust) are urging the public to treat frontline workers with respect and understanding, as new figures reveal a sharp rise in violence and aggression towards staff. With Emergency Departments becoming increasingly busy and wider health services under sustained pressure, the Trust says incidents of abuse are placing further stra
Dec 19, 2025


‘A gift beyond words’: Co Antrim family joins NI Children to Lapland journey
Courtney and Corrin Kennedy (7) from Dunloy, Co. Antrim. For seven-year-old Corrin Kennedy from Dunloy, Co Antrim , this Christmas will be unlike any other. Instead of hospital appointments and medical routines, Corrin and his mum, Courtney, are travelling to Lapland on a magical, once-in-a-lifetime journey made possible by the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust. Corrin, who has cerebral palsy (left-sided hemiplegia), epilepsy and is registered a
Dec 16, 2025


Santa surprise as Fibrus crowns Ballycastle school Christmas Classroom winner
Mrs McCloskey's classroom celebrating with Papa Elf. Festive cheer was delivered in style at Ballycastle Integrated Primary School after its Primary One class was named the winner of the Fibrus ‘Christmas Classroom’ competition. Local Full Fibre broadband provider Fibrus surprised pupils when Papa Elf and the Fibrus Tinsel Team arrived at their classroom bearing a sack filled with presents for every child. Papa Elf, a familiar festive figure who has brought Christmas cheer
Dec 16, 2025


Planning application lodged for valet parking in Cushendall linked to Glens Hotel
Former Ulsterbus parking site in Cushendall Plans for valet parking at a former Ulsterbus parking site in Cushendall have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The proposal seeks a change of use at the former parking site on Ballyemon Road in the village and has recently been lodged via the council’s planning portal. According to an accompanying Design and Access Statement, the proposal is linked to separate plans for alterations and an extension to th
Dec 14, 2025


Northern Trust Recovery College marks 10 years of supporting community wellbeing
Pictured at the Northern Trust Recovery College 10-year-anniversary event are Jacqui Armstrong, Transformation Lead for Intermediate Care and Integrated Discharge, Petra Corr, Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Psychological Services, Janice Gray, Service Manager, Joy Hammond, Head of Service, Mental Health & Recovery Services and Jen Hood, Interim Assistant Director. The Northern Trust Recovery College is marking a decade of supporting mental health and wellb
Dec 13, 2025


Lifesaving is a family affair for Portrush RNLI volunteer on call this Christmas
L-R: Jan McCrudden, her son Portrush RNLI lifeboat volunteer Roo McCrudden and Roo’s granny Pat Torbitt As the RNLI launches its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, volunteers across the UK and Ireland are preparing to spend the festive season on call — including Portrush RNLI crewmember Richard “Roo” McCrudden , for whom lifesaving is very much a family tradition. Roo will remain on standby throughout the Christmas period, while his mother Jan and 92-year-old grandmother
Dec 10, 2025


UUP’s Richard Holmes warns Kilrea businesses are being “passed around like a grenade” over bridge closure
Kilrea Bridge UUP councillor Richard Holmes has expressed concern that responsibility for supporting local businesses affected by the closure of Kilrea Bridge is “being passed around like a grenade” among government departments. In late September, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) announced the bridge’s closure due to concerns about the structural stability of a retaining wall on the approach to the structure. DfI has since said it is working with a specialist contrac
Dec 3, 2025


Glenshesk Road to reopen following major repair works, Minister confirms
Work taking place on the Glenshesk Road, Ballycastle over the last months following a landslide. (Image: Anne Kelly) Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed that the Glenshesk Road in Ballycastle will reopen to traffic by 5pm on Monday 1 December, marking a significant milestone after months of disruption caused by severe weather damage. The route, which has been partially closed between Glenbank Road and Greenan Road since last year, suffered a serious embankment f
Nov 28, 2025
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