NEWS

Crime fiction has taken the top spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, with Ann Cleeves’ The Killing Stones leading a varied bestseller chart featuring thrillers, historical fiction, romance, fantasy and non-fiction. Lyse Doucet’s The Finest Hotel in Kabul takes second place, while Robert Harris’ Agrippa completes the top three. Elsewhere, readers are picking up titles from Lee Child, Virginia Evans, William Boyd, Pierce Brown and Richard Osman. There is also plenty arrivi

Photos from 2025 Fashion Show, featuring local models and professional models from ACA Modelling Agency. ACA will be partnering with organisers again for this year’s show. Ballymena’s Autumn/Winter Fashion Show is returning for a fourth year next month, promising a night of new-season style, live music and entertainment following a sell-out event in 2025. The popular annual event will take over The Braid on Friday 9 October, bringing independent boutiques and high street reta

Land-based Engineering students Emily Scott (Garvagh) and Oliver John (Ballycastle) invite you to attend Greenmount Campus Open Day. Young people considering a future in agriculture, agri-food or land-based engineering will have the chance to explore courses, career opportunities and campus life at a special Open Day at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus next month. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) will welcome prospective students to its Antrim campus on

Students heading into Freshers’ Week are being urged to look out for each other and know when to call for emergency help as universities welcome a new intake across Northern Ireland. Alcohol and drug charity ASCERT says the start of university life can bring new friendships, nights out and social events, but for some young people it may also be the first time they have consumed alcohol or faced pressure to drink more — or more quickly — than they normally would. The charity i

More than 40 clubs, professional academies and representative sides from around the world have already applied to compete in next year’s Budget Energy SuperCupNI, following a record-breaking 2026 tournament. Applications are now open for the 2027 competition, which will return to Northern Ireland next July, bringing another major week of international youth football to venues across the north coast and wider area, including Mid and East Antrim. The early interest follows a 20

Ahoghill is gearing up for a packed Saturday of family entertainment, music and marching bands, with a Family Community Fun Day from noon before around 45 bands are expected to take part in the village’s annual parade. The Family Community Fun Day at Bar Indigo will run from 2pm until 6pm tomorrow, Saturday 12 September, before Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William FB Annual Band Parade gets underway from the Community Centre at 7.30pm. Organisers say bands, friends, families and su

Antrim Castle Gardens will be transformed into a festive wonderland for almost four weeks this Christmas as the popular Enchanted Winter Garden returns with bigger displays, new features and four additional nights. The outdoor illuminated experience will run from Wednesday 2 December until Monday 28 December 2026, with discounted admission available to residents of Antrim and Newtownabbey borough. Organisers say visitors can expect bigger and brighter lights as they follow th

David pictured with his Dad, who he is his named after. David Clarke was just 21 when he began to understand that the father who had spent his life looking after him was slowly going to need his son to do the same for him. Almost 14 years later, dementia has taken conversations, memories and many of the ordinary moments they once shared — but it has never taken the bond between them. “Memories may fade but love remains,” David says. Now, after years in which the experience fe

The late poet Seamus Heaney Tuesday 8 September 2026 A landmark collection that transformed Seamus Heaney from a young Co Derry writer into one of the most recognisable poetic voices of his generation will be celebrated at a free two-day conference in Belfast this week. Digging at 60: From the Archives will take place at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September. The event marks 60 years since the publication of Death of a N

A six-day programme of historical presentations, political discussions and traditional events will culminate in an Ulster Day Parade through Ballymena later this month. The annual Ulster Covenant Festival, organised by the Apprentice Boys of Derry Ballymena and District Amalgamated Committee, will run from Monday 21 September until Saturday 26 September. Events will include discussions examining the present and future of unionism and loyalism, a presentation on the Ballymena

Saturday 5 September 2026 Historical fiction, psychological thrillers and major new non-fiction titles are among the books attracting readers at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, with Tarot Reader of Versailles by Anya Bergman taking the number one spot in the latest Top 10. Alice Feeney’s My Husband’s Wife takes second place, followed by John Grisham’s The Widow, while familiar favourites from Joanna Miller, Alex Michaelides, Sabine Durrant and Kristin Hannah also feature. T

A day of work and play at Craig’s Corn Cutting charity event in 2025. (Images: Brian Millar) Families, farming enthusiasts and vintage vehicle owners are being invited to enjoy a day of rural demonstrations and entertainment near Cullybackey tomorrow, with all proceeds supporting Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Craigs Corn Cutting Charity Day will begin at 11am on Saturday 5 September at 49 Duneoin Road, Cullybackey, BT42 1PN. Working machinery and vintage vehicles The event

The Ulster Aviation Society is preparing to throw open its historic wartime hangars for what promises to be its biggest European Heritage Open Days weekend yet, with more aircraft, historic vehicles and entertainment added as visitor numbers continue to soar. The entirely volunteer-run charity will welcome the public to Maze Long Kesh, near Lisburn, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, with free admission and parking and no need to book in advance. Running from 10am until

Dairy Conference Partners pictured (L-R) are Glenn Cuddy, Deputy President at Ulster Farmers Union, Joe Mulholland, Head of Dairy at CAFRE, Jason Rankin, Senior Industry Advisor at Agrisearch and Ian Stevenson, CEO of Dairy Council for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland dairy farmers will hear how genetics, research and better use of farm data could help improve profitability while reducing environmental impact at a major industry conference this autumn. The Dairy Council for

Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent has returned to the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, leading a varied Top 10 featuring contemporary fiction, psychological thrillers, historical drama and fantasy. There is a particularly strong showing for female authors this week, with Lily Chen, Joanna Miller, Claire Douglas, Cecelia Ahern, Sabine Durrant, V.E. Schwab, Kristin Hannah and Freida McFadden all securing places alongside Evans. Beyond the chart, there are

Advertorial One of Ireland’s best-known voices is coming to Ballymena this autumn, with Tommy Fleming choosing the town as one of the first stops on his brand new Encore Tour. The acclaimed singer will take to the stage at Tullyglass Hotel on Thursday 1 October 2026, bringing his band and a new live show to local audiences as he looks forward to getting back in front of fans following what has been a turbulent few months. And there is more new music on the horizon, with Flemi

Superintendent Alistair Hagan urging festival-goers to prioritise their safety when attending outdoor music events Festival-goers heading to outdoor music events across Northern Ireland are being urged to plan their journey home, stay with friends and avoid illegal drugs as police intensify operations during the summer concert season. The Police Service of Northern Ireland says high-visibility patrols and stop-and-search activity will form part of its policing operation at ma

Ballymena’s business community has helped turn the town’s historic 400th birthday into several days of celebration, generosity and community spirit — with families entertained, shoppers surprised with gifts and prizes, and £850 raised for charity. From a packed End of Summer Street Party on Greenvale Street to businesses creating their own giveaways, discounts and birthday surprises for the official Charter Day, Ballymena BID says the response showed just how strongly local b

Motorists in Ballymena and Larne are being warned to expect delays this Saturday as thousands of Royal Black Institution members and supporters take part in the annual Last Saturday demonstrations. Around 5,000 participants, 76 preceptories and 71 bands are expected at the main County Antrim demonstration in Larne on Saturday 29 August, with up to 10,000 spectators anticipated. For Ballymena residents, the impact will begin much closer to home. A number of feeder and return p

GAME ON, Ballymena — Level Up Entertainment Centre has officially opened its doors, bringing a spectacular new place to play, eat, meet and make memories at Pennybridge. And while the neon-lit arcade is packed with games designed to bring out everyone’s competitive side, there is another big reason this new arrival could quickly become a favourite well beyond family days out. Wait until you see the Shake Bar. Level Up has paired its all-ages entertainment centre with a striki