NEWS

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, literary fiction and practical health titles dominating readers’ choices this week. The list reflects strong demand for gripping page-turners alongside acclaimed novels and lifestyle releases, as book lovers settle into their January reading routines. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books… 1. Nesting — Roisín O’Donnell A powerful and intimate novel exploring motherhood, displ

Residents across Ballymena and the surrounding area are being encouraged to prioritise their mental health this January as a free community wellbeing event returns to the town. Radius and Triangle Housing Associations , working in partnership with Turning Point NI , will host their annual Wellbeing Monday event on 19 January , offering a welcoming space for anyone who may be struggling with the post-Christmas slump or simply in need of a boost. Taking place at the Adair Arms

Pet lovers across Northern Ireland are being invited to start the New Year on a high note as Barket, the much-loved market celebrating pets and their people, returns to The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim on Saturday 17 January 2026. Running from 11am to 4pm, the event promises a lively, family-friendly atmosphere, with over 50 stalls and exhibitors offering everything from gourmet dog treats and eco-friendly toys to bespoke collars and pet wellness products. Now f

Staff from The Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough, who exhibited on the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council stand at the Balmoral Show 2025. Food and drink producers and visitor experience businesses across Mid and East Antrim are being offered the chance to showcase their products to tens of thousands of visitors at the Balmoral Show 2026. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has opened Expressions of Interest for local businesses to take part in the NI Food Pavilion at the Balmora

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its first Top 10 bestselling books of 2026, revealing a strong start to the year with literary fiction, psychological thrillers, poetry, health titles and biography all proving popular with local readers. The list highlights an appetite for thought-provoking storytelling alongside practical wellbeing reads, as customers return to bookshops following the festive season. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. Nesting — Roisín O’Donnell A pow

BBC Radio Ulster’s much-loved choral celebration, BBC Sing!, is set to return in 2026 with a brand-new four-part series recorded at venues across Northern Ireland. The programme, which brings together community choirs from right across the region, will feature four special recording events taking place in Ballymena, Newry, Omagh and Newtownabbey . Each event will see a local BBC community choir take centre stage, celebrating the power of collective singing and the unique spir

Ballymena Runners have announced the return of their popular Cosy Sofa programme for 2026, offering local people the chance to take their first steps into running in a friendly, supportive and community-focused environment. The eight-week programme will run from Tuesday 6 January to Tuesday 3 March 2026 , with weekly sessions beginning at 7:00pm in the Sports Zone Hall at Northern Regional College (NRC), Ballymena. Parking will be available at the Ballymena Showgrounds, acces

Crop walks during the ‘Growers’ Gathering’ provided opportunities for useful discussions and viewing of implementation strategies in action at Greenmount Campus, Antrim. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has launched a new series of industry-focused events with the inaugural Growers’ Gathering for Production Horticulture, bringing together growers, researchers and policymakers to address one of the sector’s most pressing challenges – reducing and u

Anglers from across the North West and beyond are being encouraged to mark their calendars following confirmation of dates for the North West Angling Fair 2026, one of Northern Ireland’s premier fishing events. Derry City and Strabane District Council has announced that the popular fair will take place on Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th, 2026, returning to Strabane with a move to the newly refurbished Melvin Sports Complex. Organisers say the 2026 edition promises

Ballymena Santa Run participants Ballymena hosted the annual Santa Run just before Christmas, returning with festive cheer and delivering a memorable evening of community spirit while raising vital funds for Cancer Fund for Children. With festive costumes lighting up the streets and the sound of seasonal music filling the air, the event proved to be far more than just a run. It was a powerful show of generosity, bringing together runners, volunteers, families and local busine

Sparky, the Budget Energy mascot, joins players as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms the eight Northern Ireland representatives for the 2026 Boys’ Minor Section, the first official team announcement ahead of next summer’s 43rd edition of the tournament. Pictured left to right are Callum McCabe (Rosario YFC) , Dylan Harkin (Maiden City), Archie Muir (Ballymena United) , Flynn Johnston (Cliftonville), Luke Duddy (Linfield) , Lorcàn Duffy (Newell Academy), Ben Robinson (Glen

Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti has made a highly anticipated return to Belfast, marking her first solo tour in a decade with a special performance at the Ulster Hall — now set to reach audiences across the UK and Ireland through a major Sky Arts broadcast. The concert, filmed last week at the iconic Belfast venue, will air as Nicola Benedetti & Friends on Monday, 29 December at 7.30pm on Sky Arts , with the pro

Shane and Maria Hourican from Business Exhibitions (BizEx) Ltd, organisers of the All-Ireland Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show in Dublin Northern Ireland’s outdoor travel enthusiasts are being encouraged to make the short journey south this January, with organisers of the All-Ireland Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show offering free entry to NI residents travelling to Dublin for the event. Running alongside the popular Holiday World Show Dublin, the All-Ireland Caravan, Campin

Some of the Farm Families Health Checks Team at Balmoral Show earlier this year. Farm Families Health Checks will return to livestock marts across Northern Ireland this January, continuing its mission to bring vital healthcare directly to farming families following a year of significant impact and national recognition. As 2025 draws to a close, the team has highlighted its continued commitment to improving health and wellbeing across rural and farming communities. The award-w

Nominations for the prestigious Mid and East Antrim Sports Awards 2026 will open in early January, offering residents the chance to celebrate the Borough’s outstanding sporting stars, teams, coaches and volunteers. Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the annual awards shine a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, dedication and service across the local sporting landscape — from grassroots participation to elite performance. The awards

Sarah and Paul Thompson, owners of Ballymena-based embroidery business Ted & Stitch, and co-founders of Tedberry Market Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector has received a significant boost following the latest Tedberry Market, which helped participating businesses generate an estimated £650,000 in combined sales. Running for the first time over a three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday, the event attracted more than 9,000 visitors, according to a post-event survey of

As the festive season approaches, Ballymena Elim Church on Castle Street is opening its doors to the local community with two special Christmas services designed to bring people together in celebration and reflection. The church is hosting a traditional Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 21 December at 6.30pm , followed by a poignant Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Wednesday 24 December from 6.30pm to 7.30pm . In a heartfelt message, the congregation emphasised their d

The Farmers’ Choir has enjoyed a highly successful and uplifting Christmas season, delighting audiences across Northern Ireland with a programme of festive music, warm humour and community spirit — while raising thousands of pounds for local charities along the way. The choir’s Christmas celebrations began with a festive concert in First Larne Presbyterian Church, hosted by Larne Foodbank. Performing a range of much-loved Christmas favourites, the choir entertained a warmly

A new Christmas lights display is bringing festive warmth, faith and community spirit to Broughshane this winter, as Tim’s Lights makes its debut on Caherty Hill in support of Marie Curie Northern Ireland. The charity display, which also runs in Tandragee, is rooted in a deeply personal mission — to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas while raising vital funds for end-of-life care across Northern Ireland. Since first switching on in 2014, Tim’s Lights has raised an impres

(L-R) – Adam Keefe, Head Coach, Belfast Giants; and Steve Thornton, Sports Director, The Odyssey Trust with the 2026 3ICE World Cup logo outside The SSE Arena, Belfast. The SSE Arena, Belfast is set to take centre stage on the global ice hockey calendar after being confirmed as the host venue for the inaugural 3ICE World Cup, scheduled to take place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026. The announcement, made by The Odyssey Trust, marks a major sporting milestone for Northern