NEWS

Emer Maguire, ambassador for Good Relations Week 2026, pictured with Arteska performers Surya Prakash Dontham and Weihong Tu as she calls on the public to explore this year’s programme and take part. Sunday 11 October 2026 People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to step outside their usual circles and connect with others as the biggest-ever Good Relations Week gets under way tomorrow, Monday 12 October, with more than 330 events taking place across all 11 council

Galgorm Collection has announced a five-year partnership with Ballymena Runners. Pictured alongside Georgie Briota, centre, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection are, Raymond Ruck, Chair of Ballymena Runners and Teresa Mark, Committee Member. Sunday 11 October 2026 Ballymena Runners have secured a new five-year partnership with Galgorm Collection, providing long-term sponsorship for the 370-member club and its popular all-female Ballymena Belles 5 Mile race. The

Sunday 11 October 2026 People living with diabetes or at risk of developing the condition in Larne can now access free local support, with new figures highlighting a higher rate of diagnosed diabetes in the East Antrim area than the Northern Ireland average. Diabetes UK Northern Ireland launched its latest Live Well Hub at Larne Marketyard on Thursday 8 October, offering residents access to healthcare advice, practical information and opportunities to meet others managing the

Sunday 11 October 2026 Jobseekers across Northern Ireland have the opportunity to apply for Christmas work with Marks & Spencer as the retailer launches a recruitment drive for 11,000 seasonal colleagues across its stores. Applications are now open, with roles paying £13.41 per hour and the first successful candidates due to begin work from 25 October. The recruitment campaign comes as M&S prepares for one of its busiest trading periods, with additional staff needed to suppor

The Champion Beltex at the Omagh Show and Sale was from Elizabeth McAllister Sunday 11 October 2026 A shearling ram from Elizabeth McAllister’s Artnagullion Flock in Kells has claimed the championship at the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s Omagh Show and Sale, while a ram from Glenarm breeders Hugh and Eddie O’Neill secured the highest price of the evening at 1,450 guineas. The event, held at Beatties Pedigree Livestock Centre on Friday 25 September, saw judge Cathaoir O’C

Taking shape: Work progressing at the new Ballycastle Leisure Centre. Saturday 10 October 2026 Ballycastle’s new leisure centre is taking shape, with its swimming pool, climbing wall and outdoor facilities reaching significant construction milestones as work progresses on the major development at Quay Road. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has confirmed that the pump track is now complete, the bouldering wall has been installed and most of the tiling in the swimming p

Northern Ireland’s Unionist party leaders (L-R): Gavin Robinson MP (DUP), Jim Allister MP (TUV), and Jon Burrows (UUP). Saturday 10 October 2026 A deepening political dispute over Drumcree has exposed sharply different approaches within unionism, with DUP leader Gavin Robinson defending his party’s decision to remain in government, TUV leader Jim Allister accusing him of failing to deliver meaningful consequences, and Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows demanding police accoun

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Cllr Thomas Gordon is pictured with staff and volunteers during a visit to Vincent’s to learn about the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Ballymena and the need for more volunteers to join SVP. Saturday 10 October 2026 People in Ballymena are being encouraged to give a few hours of their time to help neighbours facing poverty, hardship and social isolation, as the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) launches a new volunt

Entrepreneur Siobhan Kearney celebrates with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon after she won the Mid and East Antrim Ultimate Pitch final in Larne Town Hall, securing her place in the regional final with her business Menopause ChangeMaker®, that helps companies support employees experiencing menopause Saturday 10 October 2026 A Portglenone entrepreneur helping employers better support women experiencing menopause has won £1,000 in business investment and se

Charlie, a therapy dog who makes weekly visits to the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital, pictured with his owner Ivan. Saturday 10 October 2026 Eight-year-old collie Charlie has been recognised for bringing comfort and companionship to patients receiving cancer care at Antrim Area Hospital, as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust appeals for more dogs, cats and their owners to join its volunteering programme. Charlie and his owner Ivan make weekly visits to the hosp

Friday 09 October 2026 Families who have experienced the loss of a baby or child are being invited to come together for a series of remembrance events across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area during Baby Loss Awareness Week, from 9–15 October. Causeway Hospital in Coleraine will be illuminated in blue and pink to mark the annual awareness campaign, which offers families opportunities to remember precious lives, share memories and find support. Events include a sp

Friday 09 October 2026 Staff at Dalriada Urgent Care have been made aware of impending redundancies after two Health Trusts gave formal notice that their Phone First contracts will end next month. A concerned member of staff told Love Ballymena that employees have been made aware of impending redundancies following the decision by the Northern and South Eastern Health Trusts to terminate contracts with effect from the end of November. Dalriada Urgent Care provides the call ha

Sentenced: 45-year-old Stephen Kennedy Friday 09 October 2026 A Belfast man who attacked a woman with a hatchet when she tried to hide from him has been sentenced to eight years at Laganside Crown Court. Stephen Kennedy, 45, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent aggravated by domestic abuse before his case reached trial. He was sentenced today. The woman, who was 49 at the time of the attack, suffered skull fractures, serious wounds to her head and back, and extensive blo

Ballymena woman Gemma O’Hara pictured with North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland Friday 09 October 2026 North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland has welcomed the introduction of a new 24/7 stroke treatment service across Northern Ireland, following her efforts to highlight the experience of Ballymena mother of four Gemma O’Hara, whose recovery was transformed by the specialist procedure. Gemma, 40, suffered a brain stem stroke in September 2025 and underwent a thrombectomy, a procedure th

Entrepreneur Sharon Gault celebrates with Cllr Dawn Higgins, Mayor, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, after she won the Causeway Coast and Glens Ultimate Pitch final, securing her place in the regional final with her business Kingsbarn Farm, which rears grass fed additive free meat Friday 09 October 2026 A traditional farm outside Dunloy has secured £1,000 in investment and a place in a Northern Ireland-wide business competition final after impressing judges with its

Friday 09 October 2026 Police have launched an investigation following a suspected petrol bomb attack on a house in Ballymoney during the early hours of Friday morning, 9 October, warning that the incident could have endangered neighbouring residents and their homes. One person was inside the property in the Carnany Drive area when the attack occurred. No injuries were reported, although the fire caused smoke damage to the house. Police received a report at around midnight th

DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart Friday 09 October 2026 DUP MP Carla Lockhart has called on Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to act on new research into bovine tuberculosis (bTB), warning that farmers cannot continue to shoulder the financial and emotional burden of a disease which has affected Northern Ireland's cattle industry for decades. The Upper Bann MP has welcomed an independent evidence review by AgriSearch examining DAERA’s proposed wildlife intervention options, ar

Friday 9 October 2026 Patients in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area have faced waits of more than four years for an adult autism assessment, as a landmark independent review warns that people are being left without timely support because help is too often dependent on securing a diagnosis. The major UK Government-commissioned review, published on Friday 9 October, calls for fundamental changes to mental health, ADHD and autism services in England, arguing that pe

Thursday 08 October 2026 Gracehill welcomed heritage professionals from across the UK this week, giving visitors an opportunity to explore the historic Moravian village near Ballymena and learn how its internationally recognised heritage is being protected for future generations. The visit formed part of the 2026 World Heritage UK Conference, held in Portrush on 5 and 6 October, and brought delegates to one of Northern Ireland’s most distinctive historic settlements. Designat

Ribbon cut by Aldergrove’s day one colleagues as transformed M&S store opens Thursday 08 October 2026 Shoppers at M&S Aldergrove can now enjoy a significantly bigger food store, with more than 2,000 additional products, a larger bakery and a new frozen food range following a major transformation that has increased the store’s size by 50%. The expanded store officially opened its doors at 9am on Thursday 8 October, with four familiar faces given the honour of cutting the ribbo