NEWS

Brendan Gallagher, Key Account Executive, Diageo; ​Steven ​Davidson, Commercial Investment ​Manager, Diageo; Megan ​Armstrong, General ​Manager, ​Belfast International ​Airport; ​Chris ​Annon, Company Director, Mount ​Charles. Passengers travelling through Belfast International Airport are increasingly choosing a final taste of familiar Irish brands before take-off, with sales of Guinness, Rockshore and other Diageo draught products surging by 53% at the airport’s Northern Qu

North Antrim MP Jim Allister, and inset, former Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson Questions have been raised over payments totalling almost £12,000 made by the Ministry of Defence to former Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson while he was serving as a sitting Member of Parliament. The issue has been brought into the spotlight by North Antrim MP and TUV leader Jim Allister, who said the payments were made for consultancy work connected to peace efforts in Cameroon at a time whe

Pupils from Ballymena Dance Academy are set to take centre stage next week to compete at the Dance World Cup 2026 in Dublin following a sponsorship boost from local hospitality group, Galgorm Collection. Pictured with the pupils are (L) Lynsey Gordon, Chief Operating Officer at Galgorm Collection and (R) Greg Warner from Logans Executive Travel. Fifty-one young dancers from Ballymena are preparing to compete against some of the best talent from around the globe after receivin

Businesses across Northern Ireland are reporting lower levels of concern about their energy bills and greater confidence in their suppliers, according to new research published by the Utility Regulator. However, despite signs of improvement, around one in five businesses remain worried about the cost of energy, underlining the continued pressure facing many firms as prices remain significantly higher than they were before the pandemic. The findings come from the Utility Regul

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

The scene today as Larne RNLI volunteers were tasked to a fishing boat drifting in the shipping lane close to the Port of Larne. (Images: Alex Morris) A small fishing boat found drifting unattended in a busy shipping channel close to the Port of Larne was safely recovered on Sunday afternoon after volunteers from Larne RNLI were called into action. The alarm was raised at 4.44pm on Sunday, July 5, when the volunteer crew of Larne RNLI were requested by HM Coastguard to launch

Amy Barr from Broughshane, Co Antrim was awarded with the Erne Veterinary Group Cup. Congratulating Amy is Jane Elliott, Head of Equine, CAFRE. Students from across Northern Ireland have marked the culmination of years of study, early mornings and hands-on industry experience as CAFRE’s latest cohort of equine graduates celebrated their achievements at a special graduation ceremony. Among those recognised was Broughshane student Amy Barr, who received one of the event’s stand

(L-R) Anne Bell, Chair of Agewell, Ivy Goddard of Mid & East Antrim Inter Ethnic Forum, Jenny Marshall of Agewell Northern Ireland’s approach to helping people talk more openly about death, dying and bereavement has received international recognition after Agewell’s work was featured in a major new global publication exploring compassionate communities. The organisation has contributed to Compassionate Communities in Action: Global Stories of Care, Loss and Connection, a newl

A planning application has been lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed second phase of a solar farm at Dublin Road, outside Antrim, which developers say could generate enough electricity to power more than 5,000 homes. The proposal is for a 20MW solar farm and associated infrastructure, including ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on support frames, two transformer cabins, fencing, CCTV cameras, an internal service road, landscaping, and

Dogs Trust foster carer Janet Millar, with dog Jeff For Janet Millar, opening her home to rescue dogs waiting for their forever families has brought companionship, routine and purpose — and now the County Antrim woman is encouraging others to consider doing the same. The Parkgate resident says becoming a foster carer for Dogs Trust Ballymena was “the best decision I’ve ever made”, as the charity launches an appeal for more volunteers across Northern Ireland to help meet growi

My Care app users, County Antrim couple Roy (80) and Gloria Lowry (79) An inspiring couple from Carrickfergus are encouraging others not to be put off by technology after discovering how a digital health app has helped them stay informed, reduce anxiety and take greater control of their healthcare. At 80 and 79 years old respectively, Roy and Gloria Lowry say the health service’s My Care app has transformed the way they access appointments and medical information, proving tha

Police arrested a man in his 40s following reports of suspicious activity involving vehicles in a residential area of Ballymena on Saturday night. Witnesses reported seeing a significant police presence in the Trostan Avenue area at around 9pm on Saturday, July 4, prompting concern among local residents. The Police Service of Northern Ireland later confirmed officers had arrested a man aged in his 40s on suspicion of a number of offences, including interference with vehicles.

CAFRE Land-based Engineering students visited D.A. Forgie, Limavady building their industry knowledge of machinery sales. Students considering careers in agricultural engineering were given a behind-the-scenes look at one of Northern Ireland’s leading machinery dealerships during an educational visit designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry experience. A group of students studying the Level 3 Land-based Engineering programme at the College of Agricul

Classic literature, contemporary fiction and gripping thrillers continue to prove popular with readers at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s bestseller chart showcasing an eclectic mix of modern favourites and timeless classics. Alongside the latest Top 10, the Ballymena bookshop is also highlighting half-price offers, family storytime and upcoming book club meetings for local readers. Top 10 this week 1. The Correspondent — Virginia Evans A quietly charming and deeply

A planning application has been lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed new social housing development comprising 14 dwellings in Toomebridge. The application for full planning permission has been submitted by an agent on behalf of JAMDAC Developments Ltd, of Hillhead Road, Toomebridge, for lands to the rear of 36-42 Main Street. The proposal includes the demolition of an existing property at 42 Main Street and the creation of a new access road to s

The site off the Dans Road being cleared with local residents reporting the removal of ‘several ancient trees’ Opponents of a controversial housing development beside Ballymena’s Braid River Walk say their campaign is far from over after holding a community information night this week following the recent planning decision that approved the scheme in principle. Residents and campaign supporters gathered at the Leighinmohr House Hotel on Thursday evening, June 2, to hear updat

Girls in Northern Ireland could soon be guaranteed the right to wear trousers to school under proposed legislation progressing through the Assembly, with North Antrim MLA and Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows describing the move as a matter of “common sense and personal choice”. The UUP leader and the party’s education spokesperson welcomed the Bill’s progress after supporting its Second Stage debate in the Assembly on Wednesday, July 1. The legislation seeks to ensure

Cullybackey is set to swap County Antrim for Nashville and New York for an afternoon as an all-American community celebration arrives in the village on Saturday with live music, food, family entertainment and a packed programme of attractions. The Cullybackey Community Festival, organised by Cullybackey Community Partnership, will take place on today Saturday, July 4, at Cullybackey College from 1pm until 6pm, bringing together tribute performances, competitions, craft stalls

Ambulance handover times have shown “some improvement” across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, board members have been told. Presenting a performance report for May at a meeting at Antrim Hospital last week, Neill Martin, Divisional Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and ICT, said that 11.8 per cent of patients arriving by ambulance were handed over to medical staff within 15 minutes at Antrim Area Hospital, compared with 8.6 per cent at Causeway Hospital i