NEWS

Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland (CGNI) has confirmed that the Ulster Banner will continue to be used as the flag representing Northern Ireland athletes at the Commonwealth Games, following formal guidance from the Minister for Communities. The decision brings to an end days of intense political scrutiny and public debate after proposals emerged suggesting the traditional flag could be replaced with a corporate-style logo. In a statement issued on Tuesday (13 January 2026)

PRONI Offices in Belfast Public records dating from 2002 and 2003 — alongside material from earlier years — have been made publicly available online for the first time, marking a significant expansion of digital access to Northern Ireland’s recent history. The newly released documents have been added to the Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN) website as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) and Ulster University. The

Latharna House high rise block of flats in Larne. Mid and East Antrim councillors have been given assurances by the Housing Executive over the future demolition of Larne’s last remaining high-rise flats. Speaking at a meeting of the council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Tuesday evening, Housing Executive chief executive Grainia Long was responding to a query from Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Maeve Donnelly regarding the unoccupied

The Battle Garden associated with the Moravian Church in Kilwarlin, Co Down. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced the formal protection of several “hidden gems” across Northern Ireland, following the addition of a number of historically significant sites to the official schedule of monuments and list of protected buildings. The newly designated sites span multiple counties and reflect what the Minister described as “a microcosm of our rich heritage”. Among them a

Principals Sandra Sheeran (Ballykeel Primary), Karen McMaster (Camphill Primary), and Neil McCullough (Harryville Primary), governors, counsellor and parent representatives, with Minister Gordon Lyons, DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew, and Indeoendent Ballymena Councillor Lawrie Philpott. The Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons , visited North Antrim on Wednesday following intervention from DUP MLA Paul Frew that helped secure continued funding for a counselling and therap

Communities Minster Gordon Lyons (right) pictured with (left to right) Kevin Curran (Northern Ireland Housing Executive), Paula Craig-Peratt (Falkirk City Council), Stephanie Toghill (Tenancy Fraud Forum UK), Katrina Robinson (Tenancy Fraud Forum UK) and Tracey Ellis (Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations). Housing Minister Gordon Lyons has pledged a tougher stance on social housing tenancy fraud, warning that those who abuse the system are “taking a lifeline f

Church Street, Ballymena Mid and East Antrim’s town centres are set to shine even brighter this Christmas thanks to a £150,000 investment in festive lighting announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. The Department for Communities is providing £135,000, with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council contributing an additional £15,000 towards the new Festive Lighting Scheme. The funding will support the installation of new and enhanced seasonal lighting across Ballymena, Larne

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at the official launch of UEFA EURO 2028 in London. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that ICC Belfast will host the UEFA EURO 2028 Qualifying Draw, marking a major win for Northern Ireland as excitement builds ahead of the tournament. The announcement was made following the official tournament launch in London on Wednesday evening, where it was revealed that the qualifying draw will take place at ICC Belfast on 6 Decem

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, with club representatives at Stormont. The iconic Ulster Grand Prix is set to roar back onto the international motorsport stage in summer 2027, marking its long-awaited return to the famous Dundrod circuit for the first time since 2019. The announcement from the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) Ltd (MCUI UC) confirms that extensive discussions with government departments, MLAs, counc

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the return of its popular Shop Front Revitalisation Grant Scheme for a third consecutive year, offering a major boost to local businesses in town centres across Ballymena, Larne, Carrickfergus and Greenisland. The initiative, backed by £604,000 in funding from the Department for Communities, aims to transform the appearance of shop fronts and revitalise high streets throughout the Borough. Building on the success of previous s

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Age NI Head of Advice and Advocacy Services Brenda Kearns (left) and Director of Pensions, Disability, and Carers at Department for Communities NI Leonora McLaughlin. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has encouraged people over the State Pension age to check whether they qualify for Pension Credit, warning that many older residents could be missing out on vital financial help during the ongoing cost of living pressures. Pension

Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William Flute Band who were one of the locals bands to recieve funding Six local bands from across Mid & East Antrim are among 134 individuals and groups to receive funding from the Department for Communities’ £1.1 million Musical Instruments Programme for 2025/26. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed that the latest round of grants will help bands, performing groups and professional musicians across Northern Ireland to purchase or replace musica

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Olympic Medallist, Hannah Scott, MBE unveiling a boat named in her honour. Communities...

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is pictured with Gary Hazlett and Carla Marriott, K9tergarten and Caorlan McAllister from Halfway House...

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Olympic Champion Daniel Wiffen and Richard Archibald, Interim CEO of Sport NI at the...

Ballymena Showgrounds Ballymena United have been confirmed among the first group of clubs to progress to the next stage of the Northern...

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, is pictured with David McFaul, Dream Out Loud Entertainment NI, and Sean...

L-R Pupils Emilee Harris, Niamh McLaughlin, Ellie McLaughlin and Nicola Molloy join Tom Potter, Chair, Rural Housing, Communities...

The 28th annual European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) take place this weekend, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, with more than 260...

Harryville, Ballykeel, and Camphill Primary Schools in Ballymena. North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed confirmation from Communities...