NEWS

Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after two sheep were found dead in what is believed to be a deliberate act in the Glenarm area. Officers in Larne say the incident, reported on Tuesday, 17 March, has caused concern within the rural community, with early indications suggesting the animals were not killed by another animal but intentionally targeted. Describing the incident as “senseless and extremely cruel,” police are now seeking the public’s help to piece

Safety concerns raised by local residents have prompted action at a rural junction in north Antrim, with confirmation that improvements are now on the way. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed a response from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), outlining planned measures to improve visibility and safety at the junction of Glenleslie Road and Moneyduff Road, Clough. The move follows representations made by Mr Frew after constituents highlighted ongoing worries about th

A free two-day programme designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs take their first steps into business is returning to Cushendall next week, offering a rare opportunity for local people to turn ideas into action. Grow the Glens , in partnership with Catalyst Belfast , will host its second Hello Possible event at the Cushendall Innovation Centre on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 March. The initiative is aimed at anyone who has ever considered starting their own business — or simply

Pictured are Oliver Mars of Milwaukee Tools, Noah Downie, a Northern Regional College student, first-year Electrical Installation apprentice and Regional Skill Build finalist, and Iain McCart, Lecturer in Electrical Installation at Northern Regional College. Northern Regional College is set to bring a unique, hands-on industry experience to Ballymena next month after becoming the first college in the UK to host the Milwaukee Tools Roadshow. The global power tool manufacturer

The Marine Hotel in Ballycastle, County Antrim A landmark hotel on Northern Ireland’s north coast is set for a major new chapter, as the owners of the Marine Hotel Ballycastle announce a strategic partnership designed to secure its long-term future and unlock further growth. Claire Hunter and Colum McLornan have confirmed the appointment of Schulte European Group as the hotel’s new management operator, marking a significant shift after 13 years of hands-on ownership. A strat

The local team outside KFC Ballymena before litter pick A team of local fast-food workers has swapped fryers for refuse bags—and come out on top—after KFC Ballymena was crowned litter-picking champion in a nationwide clean-up effort. During this year’s Great British Spring Clean, 11 team members from the KFC restaurant at Larne Road Link took to the streets of Ballymena, collecting an impressive 14 bags of rubbish in a determined bid to tidy their community. Local pride shine

Ballycastle on the Antrim coast. (All photos by local photographer Anne Kelly) Ballycastle has been named the best place to live in Northern Ireland, with judges praising its powerful sense of community, thriving food scene and stunning coastal setting. The north Antrim town took the top regional spot in the 2026 edition of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live , standing out for what judges described as its “big, beating heart” — a place where community life is visible every

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Leader Jon Burrows MLA, with party colleague, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA Northern Ireland must continue to show up on the global stage or risk being left behind, Ulster Unionist Leader Jon Burrows MLA has said, following what he described as a “high impact” visit to Washington DC aimed at promoting the region’s economic and strategic strengths. Representing both Northern Ireland and his party in the US capital, Burrows positioned the trip a

Football fans across Ballymena are set for a rare treat this summer as two of Celtic’s most iconic figures, John Hartson and Jackie McNamara , come together for a special live event at the Tullyglass House Hotel. Taking place in June, An Evening with Celtic Legends promises a night of stories, laughter and behind-the-scenes insight from two players who helped define a successful era for the Glasgow club. A night of stories, silverware and survival John Hartson, who joined Cel

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has approved a business case for the purchase of nine new ultrasound scanners at a cost of almost £700,000. A report presented to the Trust board at its most recent meeting in January said: “This proposal aims to replace nine ultrasound scanners within radiology across the Trust. “The service covers a wide range of routine, planned, red flag and urgent examinations for both inpatients and outpatients, as well as unscheduled car

L-R: Bronwen Hall, Snr Consultant, The Workforce Development Trust, Kristine Graham, Group HR Manager, McKeever Hotels, Martin Toner, Director of People & Culture, McKeever Hotels A leading Northern Ireland hotel group is taking an unusually proactive step to tackle one of hospitality’s biggest headaches — staffing — just weeks before the busy summer season begins. Multi award-winning McKeever Hotels has become the first tourism and hospitality business in Northern Ireland to

The Ross family at The Showgrounds – home of Ballymena United A heartfelt community effort led by Ballymena United supporters has raised an extraordinary £90,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, transforming personal tragedy into a life-saving legacy. The fundraising campaign, launched in memory of lifelong fan Lydia Ross, has united players, staff, and supporters of the Sky Blues — and even rival clubs — in a show of solidarity that continues to resonate across the Irish

As spring arrives this week, dog owners across Ballymena are being urged to stay alert — with a warning that some of the season’s most popular flowers could pose a serious risk to pets. Dogs Trust Ballymena has issued a timely reminder ahead of Friday, 20 March, highlighting the hidden dangers lurking in gardens, parks and woodland areas as blooms begin to flourish. While longer days and warmer weather are a welcome change, the charity says common spring plants — including d

Schools in Ballymena are calling for urgent, coordinated action after last summer’s unrest left classrooms empty, families fleeing, and some of the area’s most vulnerable children gone for good. At the centre of the appeal is a stark statistic: the equivalent of an entire classroom — 26 pupils — missing at the start of the September 2025 term following disturbances linked to so-called “anti-migrant riots” in Ballymena and Larne. Speaking ahead of the Ulster Teachers’ Union (U

Ballycastle photographer Kevin McAuley A well-known Ballycastle photographer has spoken out in praise of local health services after a sudden and frightening medical episode led to his admission to Causeway Hospital earlier this week. Kevin McAuley , a familiar figure in Northern Ireland’s photography and media scene, was rushed to hospital after suffering a severe allergic reaction during a routine CT scan—an incident that quickly sparked concern across the community. Rumour

Police step up speed enforcement in rural areas including Townhill Road, Portglenone after concerns were raised over speeding vehicles and child safety Fresh police action targeting speeding drivers in Portglenone and The Grange has been welcomed as a “necessary message” to protect children and residents, following growing fears over road safety in the area. TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald has praised the PSNI for carrying out speed enforcement activity in The Grange and Townh

Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford. A night of generosity and community spirit in Ballymena has delivered a major boost for two life-changing charities, with more than £5,000 raised at the Mayor’s annual charity ball. Hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford , the event brought together over 140 guests at Galgorm Resort and Spa on Saturday, 14 March, in support of Chest Heart & Stroke and Nor

Wrightbus manufacturing facility in Ballymena A major boost for Ballymena’s manufacturing sector has been announced after global bus maker Wrightbus was ranked the number one supplier on a key UK public sector procurement platform. The recognition places the Ballymena-based company at the top of the list for operators and local authorities purchasing buses and coaches with 36 seats and above, reinforcing its growing reputation as a leader in both zero-emission and traditional

L-R (Front Row:) Aobh, Maria, Lily (Back Row:) Kyle Greer Development Chef at Sysco Ireland, Jean Stanley Head of Sustainability at Sysco Ireland, Dr Ernest Purvis Head of Policy at Children in Northern Ireland A major expansion of a programme tackling holiday hunger and isolation will see support for children across Northern Ireland increase sevenfold, with thousands more set to benefit from free meals and activities. Sysco Ireland has announced a £50,000 investment to grow

Entrance to Ballymena Park & Ride off Princes Street A major new park and ride development at Ballymena Train and Rail Station has been given a boost of confidence after local MLA Paul Frew secured key reassurances from Translink over access and parking concerns. The project — which will deliver 387 additional spaces — had sparked questions among residents about whether existing facilities would be affected. However, Frew has confirmed that both current parking and pedestria