NEWS

The community memorial after it was vandalised on Saturday morning in Ballymena. Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley has said he is “absolutely disgusted” after a memorial dedicated to Queen Street men who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme was vandalised and flags stolen overnight. The flagpole at the community memorial in the Harryville area of Ballymena was torn down and two Somme memorial flags stolen in an incident understood to have happened overnig

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

TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC, and UFU president John McLenaghan Pressure on DAERA over the euthanising of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown has intensified ahead of a special Stormont meeting, with farming representatives warning the Department cannot be seen to “investigate itself” while North Antrim MP Jim Allister has challenged its interpretation of the court order at the centre of the controversy. The Ulster Farmers’ Union is calling for an independent expert

The scene of the collision in Co Antrim where emergency responders feared the worst upon arrival A driver escaped without life-changing injuries after being thrown through the sunroof of a car during a violent crash on a narrow rural road in Co Antrim. Police described the outcome as a “miracle” after officers from Ballymoney and Moyle arrived to find the badly damaged vehicle in a field, with clothing and personal belongings scattered around the scene. The single-vehicle col

Police Dogs (PD) Kodi and Larry helped with today’s searches in Antrim Detectives investigating suspected criminal activity linked to the Belfast INLA have arrested a 29-year-old man after drugs were allegedly found hidden in a young child’s bedroom during a search in Antrim. The Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) said officers also recovered cash during the operation earlier today, Friday 7 August. The man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class

A public consultation on proposals for two new dog exercise areas in Mid and East Antrim has been approved by councillors. The sites identified by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are at Wilson Crescent in Ballymena and Eden Playing Fields outside Carrickfergus, with the proposals intended to provide secure areas where dogs can exercise off-lead. However, councillors have raised questions over the locations, parking, potential equipment and safety, while one Ballymena repr

More than one million passenger journeys have been made across Northern Ireland’s public transport network during the first five days of the Fleadh, as Translink prepares for another surge in demand for the festival’s final weekend in Belfast. The operator says the figure represents around 275,000 additional passenger journeys compared with the equivalent period last year, highlighting the extraordinary impact of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on bus and rail travel. With the fest

(L-R): Paul Frew MLA, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, Paula Campbell of Fullan’s Food Hall Portglenone, RetailNI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts and Jon Burrows MLA. People across Ballymena and the wider Mid and East Antrim area are being encouraged to put their favourite shops, retail workers and high streets in the running for recognition on the Northern Ireland stage. The public vote is now open for the High Street Heroes Awards 2026, giving customers th

Immigration officers have carried out more than 100 visits targeting suspected illegal working across Northern Ireland in the first half of 2026, resulting in 123 arrests as enforcement activity reaches record levels. New Home Office figures show released today, Friday, August 6, Northern Ireland Immigration Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) teams carried out 103 visits across Northern Ireland during the first six months of the year — a 43% increase — while arrests rose by 16%

Cyclists from across Northern Ireland are being invited to take on one of the region’s most scenic charity rides next weekend, with every mile helping to raise money for people affected by dementia. The Bann Valley Road Club Tour of the Glens Charity Sportive, supported by Clarke, returns on Saturday 15 August, offering riders the choice of 40-mile or 60-mile routes through the spectacular Glens of Antrim. With all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Society Northern Ireland, organ

Families still searching for summer holiday activities need look no further, with Ballymena 400 offering a packed programme of FREE family events throughout August. At the heart of the programme are two interactive Adventure Quests, transforming Ballymena town centre into a giant outdoor game where families become detectives, explorers and storytellers as they solve clues, complete challenges and meet colourful characters. But the quests are only the beginning. From a town ce

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Professor Mark Taylor with the Belfast Trust Validation Team People waiting for hospital treatment in Northern Ireland are being urged to keep their contact details and medical information up to date as part of a renewed effort to reduce lengthy waiting lists and ensure appointments are not wasted. The appeal comes after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Validation Team at Belfast City Hospital, w

Jenni Barkley, Belfast Harbour & Fern Keeney, Live Here Love Here 6 August 2026 Families across Mid and East Antrim are being encouraged to make the most of the region’s coastline this month as a popular environmental campaign returns with a packed programme of free and low-cost activities designed to help people reconnect with the sea while highlighting the growing problem of marine litter. The Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds campaign, organised by Live Here Love Here, is back

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows, and (inset) Law Society Chief Executive David Lavery Victims of crime must come before protecting professional reputations, Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has said as he renewed calls for the Chief Executive of the Law Society of Northern Ireland to resign. The North Antrim MLA has written to Law Society Chief Executive David Lavery urging him to step down, arguing that public confidence in the legal profession has been dama

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly joined the programme as mentors Thirty-seven students from Ballymena have been recognised as part of a leadership and mentoring programme that has seen more than 750 young women deliver hundreds of community projects, benefiting almost 18,000 people across Northern Ireland. Students from Slemish College, Ballymena Academy and St Louis Grammar School took part in the 2025–26 SistersIN programme, joi

Some services provided by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council could face disruption later this year after local government staff rejected a 3.3% pay offer, councillors have been told. Members of the council’s Corporate Resources Policy and Governance Committee received an update on the 2026/27 pay award negotiations at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Monday evening. The report covered pay negotiations for council chief executives, chief officers (directors) and staff em

Wednesday, 5 August 2026 Motorists across North Antrim are being urged to plan ahead this weekend, with extensive road closures in place as the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally returns to the area. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued travel advice ahead of the two-day event, warning that road users should expect delays on Friday 7 August and Saturday 8 August as rally stages take place across Mid and East Antrim. While diversions will be in operation, drivers ar

Dáithí Mac Gabhann as he continues his recovery in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Wednesday, 5 August 2026 Someone in the UK will die today waiting for an organ transplant. That stark reality is behind a new appeal from the Public Health Agency (PHA), which is urging people across Northern Ireland to register their organ donation decision—and, just as importantly, make sure their family knows what they want. The campaign supports a UK-wide challenge by NHS Blood and Transplant to encour

Six times Northern Ireland Rally Champion Jonny Greer in action. (All images: www.neillpics.com ) Fresh from securing a record-equalling sixth Northern Ireland Rally Championship title, Jonny Greersays the return of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally to Ballymena was too good an opportunity to miss. The 37-year-old Toyota Gazoo Racing driver admits this year’s route – featuring iconic stages including Torr Head, Glendun and Cairncastle – was the deciding factor in committing to th

Northern Ireland's first floating oyster reef has been launched at Glenarm Marina in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The innovative floating reef provides a sheltered home for more than 10,000 young native European oysters, helping to restore a lost marine habitat and support healthier seas. (All images and video © Ulster Wildlife) Northern Ireland’s first floating oyster reef has been launched at Glenarm Marina, creating a new home for thousands of nati