NEWS

(L-R) Judy Nelson (RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer), Ruby & Sam (RNLI Lifeguards), Ivor Paul (RNLI Launch Authority), Perry Walton (RNLI Coxswain), Garth Anderson (The Causeway Shantymen Engagement Officer and Event Lead), Chris Millar (The Causeway Shantymen Chairman and Musical Director) Northern Ireland’s coastline will ring with sea shanties, maritime storytelling and traditional music this summer as The Causeway Shantymen prepare to host a major cross-country Shanty Weekend

Bestselling literary fiction, psychological thrillers and fantasy adventures are continuing to dominate the shelves at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel climbing to the top of this week’s bestseller chart. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena store also highlights Father’s Day gift ideas, upcoming book clubs and a fresh selection of new paperbacks and major new releases arriving in time for summer reading season. Top 10 this week This week’s

Adrian Davis of Ballygally based consultancy firm AD Sustainability which is planning to double in size as it expands into the Republic of Ireland as demand for sustainability expertise continues to surge. The company received assistance from the Go Succeed business support service A County Antrim environmental consultancy is preparing to double the size of its business as growing pressure on companies to cut costs, reduce emissions and meet stricter sustainability expectatio

A Northern Ireland health trust has reported average ambulance “turnaround” times of 74 minutes at Antrim Hospital and 82 minutes at Causeway Hospital during April 2026. The figures were presented in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Board Performance Report for April during last week’s meeting of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. During the same month, 250 patients arriving by ambulance at Antrim Hospital waited more t

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is pictured at the unveiling of the UNESCO plaque at Gracehill along with (L-R) Sarah Groves, former Bishop of Gracehill Moravian Church, outgoing Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tyler Hoey, outgoing Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, Alderman William McCaughey, Alderman Thomas Gordon, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell and Chair of Gracehill Old School Trust, Dr David Johnston OBE. Northern Ireland’s first cultu

A young people’s group is to be given a key role in helping shape plans for a new skate park in Antrim. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has approved proposals for a new “granite-style skate plaza” with floodlighting at the Peace Play Park beside Antrim Forum. Councillors backed the project during a meeting of the local authority’s Operations Committee last month. A report presented behind closed doors said the project would “adopt the design and engagement approach us

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows The Ulster Unionist Party has moved to steady internal nerves and project unity after a bruising week of political turmoil, with party leader Jon Burrows insisting the party “will not allow” recent criticism and media characterisations to define its future. In a direct message to members and supporters, the MLA acknowledged frustration within the party following the departure of former leader Doug Beattie MC MLA, describing recent days

A man has been charged to court following one of two overnight incidents in Ballymena linked to suspected drugs offences and the recovery of a knife. Police confirmed the 41-year-old has been charged with possession of a Class B controlled drug, possession of a Class C controlled drug, and possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place. The charges follow an incident in the Crebilly Road area during the early hours of Friday, June 5, when officers on patrol

Nuala O’Connell, a Ward Sister at Antrim Area Hospital A nurse leading one of Northern Ireland’s busiest hospital teams has been recognised for transforming both staff wellbeing and patient care after introducing a workplace support initiative designed to help struggling colleagues reach out in confidence. Nuala O’Connell, a Ward Sister at Antrim Area Hospital, was named winner of the Team Manager Award at the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards, with four other Nor

Police in Ballymena have arrested two men during separate overnight incidents linked to suspected drugs offences, dangerous driving, and the recovery of a knife. The arrests were made during the early hours of Friday, June 5, following patrols by officers in the town. One of the incidents began after police observed a car being driven erratically on the Antrim Road shortly after 1am, while a second unfolded less than two hours later in the Crebilly Road area when a man allege

Ballymena United supporters are being promised cheaper football, exclusive rewards and a smoother matchday experience after the club officially launched season tickets for the 2026/27 campaign with prices frozen across every category. In a move likely to be welcomed by fans facing continued cost-of-living pressures, the club confirmed there will be no increase in season ticket prices ahead of the new NIFL Premiership season, while introducing a new ticketing platform and a pa

A 13-year-old has been cautioned by police after officers seized an e-scooter in Ballymena amid ongoing concerns over the illegal use of the devices in public spaces. Neighbourhood Policing Team officers were conducting enquiries in the Dunvale area of the town on Thursday afternoon, June 4, when they observed a number of young people riding e-scooters. Police confirmed one teenager was cautioned for driving offences including having no licence and no insurance before the e-s

A man armed with a knife was subdued with a police Taser after officers responded to a violent altercation involving weapons at flats in north Belfast during the early hours of Friday morning. Police say two men were allegedly attacking each other with weapons inside the communal area of Brookfield Mill flats in the Crumlin Road area shortly after midnight on Friday, June 5. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 44-year-old man with a head injury who was allegedly

Well done girls: L-R: Jenna McErlain, Dayah Doherty. Willow Currie, Isabel McErlean, Rebekah Rice, Cassie Evans, Maisie Hamill, and Anna Rose Caskey. Eight young gymnasts from Toome are preparing to take centre stage on the national level after qualifying to represent Northern Ireland at the National Finals in London later this year. The athletes from Elite Gymnastics Academy secured their places following a series of strong performances throughout the British Gymnastics-back

A planning application has been submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed children’s go-kart fun ride area at Carnfunnock Country Park, outside Larne. The application was lodged by an agent on behalf of Ian and Christopher Lough, operators of Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone, which operates independently within the country park grounds. Ian said the proposal, currently under consideration by the council’s planning department, would be situated beside the exis

Police have seized suspected Class A and Class B drugs, large sums of cash, fireworks and suspected fake cosmetic products following a major series of searches across Ballymena on Thursday. Officers from Ballymena’s District Support Team, alongside other policing colleagues, carried out coordinated searches at four properties, one business premises and three vehicles as part of an ongoing operation targeting the local drugs trade. A 41-year-old woman remains in police custody

Motoring enthusiasts, families and supporters of two vital mental health charities are set to descend on Ballymena Showgrounds this weekend as the Ballymena Charity Vehicle Show returns with one of its biggest events yet. The popular community event, taking place on Saturday 6 June from 11am to 3pm, will transform the Showgrounds into a huge celebration of vehicles of every kind — from classic cars and modern performance machines to tractors, motorcycles, HGVs and vans — whil

Pupils from Armoy Primary School Children at Armoy Primary School have been learning a startling lesson about one of the world’s most essential resources after discovering that just 1% of the planet’s water is drinkable. The eye-opening fact formed part of a visit by NI Water’s education team, which delivered a series of interactive sessions focused on water conservation and the importance of using water responsibly. Pupils took part in games, practical demonstrations and act

CAFRE staff, Lori Hartman and James Crawford, welcome visitors to Greenmount Campus, Antrim, for Open Farm Weekend. Enjoy exploring the campus and browse a wide selection of plants available to purchase throughout the event. Families, food lovers, aspiring students and farming enthusiasts are set to get rare behind-the-scenes access to one of Northern Ireland’s leading agricultural campuses later this month as CAFRE Greenmount opens its gates for Bank of Ireland Open Farm Wee

Caroline Martin, Dale Farm pictured with Sixth Form pupils from Cullybackey College One of Northern Ireland’s best-known food producers has been strengthening its connection with young people in Ballymena through a year-long partnership designed to give pupils real insight into careers beyond the classroom. Through the ‘Adopt a School’ initiative run alongside Dale Farm and Business in the Community Northern Ireland, students at Cullybackey College have been given hands-on ex