NEWS

A planning application has been submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed children’s go-kart fun ride area at Carnfunnock Country Park, outside Larne. The application was lodged by an agent on behalf of Ian and Christopher Lough, operators of Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone, which operates independently within the country park grounds. Ian said the proposal, currently under consideration by the council’s planning department, would be situated beside the exis

Motoring enthusiasts, families and supporters of two vital mental health charities are set to descend on Ballymena Showgrounds this weekend as the Ballymena Charity Vehicle Show returns with one of its biggest events yet. The popular community event, taking place on Saturday 6 June from 11am to 3pm, will transform the Showgrounds into a huge celebration of vehicles of every kind — from classic cars and modern performance machines to tractors, motorcycles, HGVs and vans — whil

CAFRE staff, Lori Hartman and James Crawford, welcome visitors to Greenmount Campus, Antrim, for Open Farm Weekend. Enjoy exploring the campus and browse a wide selection of plants available to purchase throughout the event. Families, food lovers, aspiring students and farming enthusiasts are set to get rare behind-the-scenes access to one of Northern Ireland’s leading agricultural campuses later this month as CAFRE Greenmount opens its gates for Bank of Ireland Open Farm Wee

Derry’s riverfront is set to transform into a giant family playground this summer as the 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival prepares to bring four days of circus acts, tall ships, fireworks, science experiences and water adventures to the city. Running from Thursday June 25 to Sunday June 28, the festival will once again take over the quayside and River Foyle with one of the biggest public events in the north west calendar, drawing thousands of visitors to the city across an action

An urgent regional appeal has been launched to recruit more foster carers for children with disabilities across Northern Ireland, as more than 100 young people remain waiting for vital short break support. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the first ever region-wide campaign for Short Breaks foster carers for children and young people with disabilities, amid growing demand across all five Health and Social Care Trust areas. There are currently 109 children and young

Cullybackey Orange Hall and arch stand proudly in the village Cullybackey is set to host a landmark moment in the local parading calendar next month as Ballymena District LOL No. 8 brings its first-ever District Mini 12th parade to the village in what organisers are describing as a major community celebration. The historic event, taking place on Saturday 27 June 2026, is expected to draw families, supporters, bands and spectators from across the wider Ballymena area for a day

Parents across Northern Ireland who have experienced the heartbreak of losing a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy are set to receive formal recognition of their loss for the first time under new legislation approved at Stormont. Finance Minister John O’Dowd confirmed the Assembly has now approved the Baby Loss Certificate Regulations, paving the way for a new scheme expected to launch before the end of June. The move marks a major change for bereaved families who, until now,

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh said the festival had become one of the city’s defining events More than 100,000 visitors are expected to descend on Londonderry this summer as the Foyle Maritime Festival returns with a major expanded programme featuring Tall Ships, a giant waterfront wheel, fireworks, live entertainment and a brand-new illuminated river spectacle. Running from 25–28 June 2026, the internationally recognised festival

Ballymena is preparing to celebrate a major milestone this Saturday as the town marks its 400th anniversary with a packed day of parades, live entertainment, history, music and free family activities expected to draw large crowds into the town centre. From community groups and youth organisations taking part in a colourful town parade, to live performances in People’s Park and historical re-enactors bringing centuries of local history to life, the celebrations are designed to

Families across Northern Ireland are set to see the cost of summer outings, meals and travel eased after Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled a major package of cost-of-living measures amid growing fears over the economic fallout from the conflict in the Middle East. In a Commons statement on Thursday (21 May), the Chancellor warned that instability linked to the war in Iran posed “a significant challenge to the world economy”, with rising oil and gas prices threatening to put f

Colman Byrne, Laura Murray and Michael Graham invite you to Discover CAFRE during Open Farm Weekend at Greenmount Campus, Antrim and Enniskillen Campus. Families across Northern Ireland are being invited to step behind the scenes of rural life next month as CAFRE opens two of its major campuses to the public for a free weekend packed with hands-on activities, food experiences and live farming demonstrations. From sheep shearing and tractor simulators in Antrim to equestrian d

Pictured during the Fostering 400 Bike Tour, left – right, are Shauna Garvin (Northern Trust), Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Marie McTaggart (Northern Trust) and foster carer Gareth Irvine, who led the Foster 400 bike tour. Hundreds of children across Northern Ireland are facing uncertainty as foster care services urgently appeal for at least 400 additional foster carers — with Ballymena becoming one of the key stops in a major awar

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena A review of leisure centre opening hours is set to be carried out by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council after councillors called for a rethink on bank holiday closures. Speaking at last week’s council meeting at The Braid in Ballymena, Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Maeve Donnelly proposed a motion calling for leisure facilities to open during bank holidays. Cllr Donnelly said: “For many of us, bank holidays are a welcome opportunity t

One of Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing outdoor festivals is preparing for its biggest year yet as thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Dungiven this summer for a three-day spectacle of world-class tractor pulling, major country music acts, fireworks and family entertainment. Revvv It Up Festival returns to Revvv Park in the heart of the Sperrins from Friday July 17 to Sunday July 19, with organisers dramatically expanding the event after rapid growth since its

Children across the borough will once again be able to take part in a packed summer of sports, games, creative activities and outdoor adventures as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council officially launches its 2026 Summer Schemes programme. Running throughout July and August, the annual schemes are set to return to leisure centres, community venues and the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens, with families already being encouraged to plan ahead amid expectations of high demand

A commemorative ceramic Poppy Wreath made by prisoners in Maghaberry Prison. (Image: Michael Cooper) The chairperson of Northern Ireland’s Prison Officers Association has called on all 11 councils to formally recognise prison staff murdered while serving in the line of duty. The appeal comes after Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council approved plans for a permanent cenotaph memorial to prison officers ahead of this year’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations. The council area is

Pictured with Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough, Councillor Jackson Minford are local musicians Rodney Beggs and ‘Lacey’. Ballymena is preparing to celebrate a landmark moment in its history as the town marks 400 years since the foundations of the modern settlement were established. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has now unveiled a major programme of Ballymena 400 events for 2026, with organisers promising a year of community celebration, local history, family entertain

Children in Northern Ireland could soon receive the same legal protection from physical assault as adults, as mounting public support and fresh medical evidence intensify pressure on Stormont to abolish the controversial defence of “reasonable punishment”. New research commissioned by NSPCC Northern Ireland shows a clear majority of adults now back changing the law to prohibit physical punishment of children, with campaigners warning the region is falling behind the rest of t

Ballymena Show is set to return later this month with organisers promising a major refresh aimed at broadening the appeal of one of the area’s best-known agricultural events. The annual show will take place on Saturday 30 May 2026 at Ballymena Livestock Market, bringing together farming traditions, local food, family entertainment, and new attractions under a renewed “Farming, Food and Family” vision. Gates will open at 9:00am, with showing beginning from 10:00am, as visitors

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick promotes her Party in the Parterre at Antrim Castle Gardens in aid of her chosen charities. Families across the borough are being invited to Antrim Castle Gardens later this month as the Mayor’s Party in the Parterre returns with an afternoon packed full of entertainment, activities and fundraising for local charities. The community event will take place on Saturday 30 May from 1pm to 4pm in the scenic surrounding