NEWS

Belfast city (Pic: K. Mitch Hodge) Visitors heading to Belfast for St Patrick’s Day celebrations are being urged to plan ahead, with police warning that several major events will bring traffic disruption across the city centre. A packed schedule of festivities on Monday will see thousands gather for the popular SPAR Craic 10K and the annual carnival parade, prompting road management measures and diversions throughout the day. Police say motorists should expect delays and foll

Competitors demonstrating traditional horse ploughing during the Ballycastle & District Horse Ploughing Society’s annual St Patrick’s Day match — the only all-horse ploughing event still held in Ireland. One of Ireland’s most remarkable farming traditions is set to return this St Patrick’s Day as the Ballycastle and District Horse Ploughing Society prepares to stage what is believed to be the last remaining all-horse ploughing match in Ireland. The annual event, expected to t

Eimear Kearney, Commercial Director of Titanic Belfast is pictured as the world-leading visitor attraction welcomes an original lifejacket worn by a female survivor which will be on public display for a limited time. (Pics: William Cherry/Press Eye) A rare lifejacket worn during the sinking of the Titanic will go on public display in Belfast, offering visitors a powerful and personal connection to one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history. The artefact, worn by T

Gary Hegarty, owner of Mindful Gardens reflects on the benefits of changing his career and returning to education by studying Horticulture at CAFRE Greenmount Campus. After nearly two decades designing sports pages for a national newspaper, Gary Hegarty found himself facing a turning point — one shaped by rapid technological change and a growing desire to work closer to the natural world. Today, he runs his own garden design business, Mindful Gardens. But the path from newsr

A special event at Stormont will bring together survivors and families affected by terrorism to mark European Day for Victims of Terrorism, with powerful personal testimonies set to highlight the lasting human cost of violence. The annual commemoration, organised by Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), will take place in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings at 11am on Monday 9 March, with refreshments available from 10:30am. Announcing the event, TUV MLA Timothy Gaston sa

A consultation is launching on the proposed site of mix use development on former publicly owned land at Ballee Playing Fields, in Ballymena . A new chapter in the long-running debate over the future of Ballee Playing Fields in Ballymena is about to begin, after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council approved a Planning Application Notice (PAN) for a major mixed-use development on the site. The land off Ballee Road West — formerly owned by the council — could be transformed into

(L-R): Tracy Duffy (City of Derry Airport), Breige Mulholland (Air Ambulance NI), Carlus McWilliams (H&A Group), Steve Frazer (City of Derry Airport), Ian Crowe (Air Ambulance NI Trustee), Mareanne Bradley (H&A Group), Martin Collins (H&A Group) and Maressa McWilliams (City of Derry Airport). An airport runway will once again become a racetrack for a life-saving cause this spring as runners and walkers prepare to take on the Air Ambulance NI 5K Runway Run at City of Derry Air

Saturday 7 February 2026 Welcome to this week’s news, reviews and all-things-books from the team at Waterstone’s Ballymena. From dark crime fiction to charming children’s stories and practical lifestyle reads, this week’s Top 10 reflects the wonderfully varied tastes of local readers. Top 10 for this week 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A darkly comic and thought-provoking novel exploring masculinity, belief and modern disillusionment. 2. A Schooling in Murder — Andrew Tayl

Randalstown YFC who will perform at the Farmers’ Choir NI Arts Festival Showcase in Ballymena Music, drama and laughter will take centre stage in Ballymena later this month as Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland prepares to host a special Arts Festival Showcase celebrating the creativity and talent of young people from rural communities. The event will take place on Thursday 19 March at 8:00pm at Ballymena Academy and will feature performances by members of Finvoy, Garvagh and R

Emma Wilson, Bra Fitting Coordinator at Cancer Focus NI Women in Ballymena affected by breast cancer will soon have the chance to take part in a dedicated wellbeing event designed to rebuild confidence and offer practical support during recovery. Next month, Cancer Focus NI will deliver a series of Breast Cancer Body Confidence Events across Northern Ireland, including a session in Ballymena, aimed at helping women navigate the emotional and physical challenges that can follo

Helping to announce details of the Sperrins Festival 2026 were, from left, Broadcaster Joe Mahon, Zoe Ramsey from Far and Wild and Ciara Toner Sperrins Partnership. A new three-day festival celebrating one of Northern Ireland’s most distinctive landscapes will launch this spring, bringing guided walks, storytelling, music and heritage experiences to the heart of the Sperrins. Running from 20–22 March 2026, the Sperrins Festival will take place across the Sperrin Area of Outst

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows People living with Parkinson’s in Ballymena are being invited to speak directly to their local MLA about the pressures they are facing — particularly around delayed healthcare appointments, treatments and medications. On Friday 20 March, Jon Burrows, MLA for North Antrim and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, will meet members of the Parkinson’s community at Ballymena North Business Centre from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. The

Hillwalkers and visitors to Slemish Mountain for St Patrick’s Day in 2025, with large crowds expected again in 2026. A centuries-old tradition will once again bring hundreds of people to the slopes of Slemish Mountain this St Patrick’s Day, as families from across County Antrim prepare to take part in the annual uphill climb. Held on Tuesday 17 March, the popular St Patrick’s Day ascent blends local legend, shared history and outdoor adventure in one of the borough’s most rec

Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with literary classics, gripping crime fiction and contemporary Irish writing all featuring strongly this week. From Emily Brontë and John Steinbeck to Jo Nesbo and Jan Carson, the list reflects an eclectic mix of reader favourites and fresh releases. Top 10 for This Week 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A sharp, darkly comic novel exploring masculinity, belief and modern disillusionment with wit and bit

Nineteen towns and villages across Northern Ireland — and one in County Donegal — will host the 2026 Twelfth of July demonstrations, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) has confirmed. The annual celebrations, which date back more than 230 years, remain a central fixture in the cultural calendar, drawing participants and spectators from across the United Kingdom and further afield. Announcing the venues, the Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. Harold Henning , reflected on the e

Royal Portrush will stage The 132 nd Amateur Championship in 2027. Royal Portrush is set to welcome the world’s elite amateur golfers once again, after The R&A confirmed the iconic County Antrim venue will stage the 132nd Amateur Championship in June 2027. The announcement places Portrush firmly back on the global golfing stage, less than a year after hosting The 153rd Open, and reinforces its standing as one of the sport’s most revered links destinations. The championship wi

Saturday 21 February 2026 Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with contemporary Irish fiction, gripping thrillers and even a literary classic making this week’s chart. From bold new voices to beloved authors, the list reflects a wide range of reading tastes across Ballymena — with strong interest in both page-turning suspense and thoughtful literary storytelling. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books 1. Pagans — James Alistair Henry A sharp

Antrim Jobs and Benefits Office Employer Adviser, Natasha Lamont, The Junction Retail & Leisure Park Director, Chris Flynn, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick and Business Development Project Officer, Jessica Smyth. For anyone in Antrim considering a fresh start — whether that means improving wellbeing, building confidence or stepping into new employment — a free support event later this month aims to make that next step easier. The Wellbeing and Em

Young Greenisland FC U12 players Alfie, Josh, Teddy, Jake, Zach and Theo are pictured as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms the elite international academies who will travel from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Central America to compete in the 2026 Boys’ Minor Section of the tournament. Eight elite international academies from across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Central America have been confirmed for the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI Boys’ Minor

Michaela McBurnie from the Meadows Equestrian Centre with students Emma Brow (Hillsborough) and Ellie Getty (Cloughmills). The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has brought industry and education together at its Enniskillen Campus, hosting an Opportunities in Equine Careers Fair as part of its annual Careers Day to support students planning their future in the equine sector. The Opportunities in Equine Careers Day was designed to help students develop