NEWS

Pictured are (L-R): Men’s Advisory Project Chief Executive Rhonda Lusty, the Housing Executive’s Steve Anderson, John McCandless, Dixie-Jo McNally, Elaine McMeekin, DCI Colin Neill from the PSNI and Karen Devlin from Women’s Aid NI. Wednesday 14 October 2026 The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is bringing together housing providers, police and specialist support organisations for a week of events aimed at tackling domestic abuse, highlighting its links to homelessness and

Slim’s Healthy Kitchen founder Gary McIldowney launches the search for a new tasting crew, giving food lovers the chance to sample the brand’s latest meal creations before they hit the shelves. Wednesday 14 October 2026 Food lovers across Northern Ireland are being offered the chance to sample new dishes before they reach customers, as Slim’s Healthy Kitchen launches a search for people to join its new tasting crew. The local food brand is recruiting enthusiastic tasters to t

Remnants of Boyd’s Wall jutting out of the Margy River as it flows into the sea at Ballycastle on the Antrim coast. (Image: Anne Kelly) Monday 12 October 2026 A centuries-old mystery beneath Ballycastle is set to be investigated as archaeologists begin a two-week excavation today (Monday 12 October), with local schoolchildren and volunteers invited to help uncover a missing piece of the town’s industrial past. The dig, beside the River Tow at Townparks, will search for the re

Emer Maguire, ambassador for Good Relations Week 2026, pictured with Arteska performers Surya Prakash Dontham and Weihong Tu as she calls on the public to explore this year’s programme and take part. Sunday 11 October 2026 People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to step outside their usual circles and connect with others as the biggest-ever Good Relations Week gets under way tomorrow, Monday 12 October, with more than 330 events taking place across all 11 council

Sunday 11 October 2026 People living with diabetes or at risk of developing the condition in Larne can now access free local support, with new figures highlighting a higher rate of diagnosed diabetes in the East Antrim area than the Northern Ireland average. Diabetes UK Northern Ireland launched its latest Live Well Hub at Larne Marketyard on Thursday 8 October, offering residents access to healthcare advice, practical information and opportunities to meet others managing the

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Cllr Thomas Gordon is pictured with staff and volunteers during a visit to Vincent’s to learn about the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Ballymena and the need for more volunteers to join SVP. Saturday 10 October 2026 People in Ballymena are being encouraged to give a few hours of their time to help neighbours facing poverty, hardship and social isolation, as the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) launches a new volunt

Charlie, a therapy dog who makes weekly visits to the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital, pictured with his owner Ivan. Saturday 10 October 2026 Eight-year-old collie Charlie has been recognised for bringing comfort and companionship to patients receiving cancer care at Antrim Area Hospital, as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust appeals for more dogs, cats and their owners to join its volunteering programme. Charlie and his owner Ivan make weekly visits to the hosp

Dr Konstantinos Xyntaris invites those with an interest in tree planting to attend the Growers Gathering at CAFRE this month at Greenmount Campus. Monday 05 October 2026 Tree growers, foresters and others involved in woodland creation across Northern Ireland are being invited to Greenmount Campus in Antrim for an industry event exploring the future of tree production and planting. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) will host ‘A Growers’ Gathering fo

UFU deputy president Clement Lynch, who is urging farmers to have their say on DAERA’s bTB wildlife intervention consultation. Saturday 03 October 2026 Northern Ireland farmers are being urged to have their say on the future of bovine TB controls before a major consultation closes next week, as the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) calls for wildlife intervention to form part of efforts to eradicate the disease. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) c

Friday 02 October 2026 Smokers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to use Stoptober as their starting point to quit for good, with more than 500 free support services available through pharmacies, GP practices, health trusts and community settings. Evidence highlighted by the Public Health Agency (PHA) shows that people who stop smoking for 28 days are much more likely to quit permanently, while getting professional support can further improve the chances of success.

Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen is pictured with representatives of Connect Fund partner organisations Bbeyond and Belfast School of Art during a visit to Bbeyond's Belfast headquarters. L-R: Artist Programme Manager at Bbeyond Bronagh Lawson; Lecturer at Belfast School of Art Dr Sandra Johnston, Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen and Artist Administrator at Bbeyond Zara Lyness. Friday 02 October 2026 Community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland and Great

Tuesday 29 September 2026 Farmers across Northern Ireland could receive support to restore wildlife habitats together under a new scheme planning to fund up to ten projects, each potentially involving up to 50 farmers and land managers. The Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme will open for proposals on Monday 9 November, with applications closing at 5pm on Friday 4 December 2026. The aim is to connect and improve habitats across farm boundaries, tackling environment

Young whippet, Little Gem Tuesday 29 September 2026 A young whippet who gave birth to three puppies on the night she was rescued near Clady is now waiting for a family of her own at Dogs Trust Ballymena. Two-year-old Little Gem was found running along a road four months ago, heavily pregnant. Her puppies — Chickpea, Crouton and Feta — have since been adopted, but their mum is still searching for a home. Staff hope to find adult adopters who can offer her an active life, time

Tuesday 29 September 2026 People in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland will be able to contact neighbourhood police, raise local concerns and help shape policing priorities through a free platform rolling out on Thursday 1 October. PSNI Connect will allow residents, businesses and community groups to receive updates from local officers and feedback on how police are addressing issues in their area. Users can choose which information they receive, including crime prevention

Dr Janet Gray MBE is a world class athlete and four-time winner of the World Disabled Water Ski Championships Saturday 26 September 2026 The chair of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Organ Donation Committee has highlighted the need for more cornea donors to come forward. Dr Janet Gray MBE raised the issue at a meeting of the Northern Trust board at Antrim Area Hospital on Thursday, saying cornea donations remain “very low”. ‘Wonderful gift of sight’ Dr Gray, who i

Farmers’ Choir NI Committee Members attending NI Farming Awards at the Culloden Hotel More than 40 members of Farmers’ Choir NI are back rehearsing in Ballymena for a new season — and they already have plenty to sing about after earning recognition at both Northern Ireland and UK level. The cross-community choir, which brings together farmers, people working in agriculture and members of rural communities, has reached the final of the Making Music UK Group of the Year Award 2

McDonald’s Ballymena where McHappy Day will be celebrated this upcoming weekend Wednesday 23 September 2026 Northern Ireland has emerged as one of the UK’s most generous regions in a new survey released ahead of the first McHappy Day in the UK and Ireland this weekend. McDonald’s commissioned the research before the fundraising day on Saturday 26 September, when £1 from every qualifying main meal sold will be donated to Ronald McDonald House UK and Ronald McDonald House Irela

Monday 21 September 2026 McDonald’s customers in Ballymena will be able to help families with seriously ill children simply by ordering a qualifying meal this Saturday, as the restaurant chain brings McHappy Day to Northern Ireland for the first time. The fundraising day takes place on Saturday 26 September, with £1 from every qualifying main menu meal sold at participating restaurants donated to Ronald McDonald House charities. Money raised will help provide free accommodati

Anne Irwin, Regional President; Mary Waide, National Vice President; and Anne McLarnon, Regional Vice President; are pictured at the launch of a volunteer recruitment campaign which aims to encourage people from across the Region to join the Society and make a difference in their local communities. Friday 18 September 2026 People across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to give some of their time to supporting people and families experiencing poverty and social exclusion,

(L-R) Caroline McKenna, Foodies Spokesperson, Eimear O'Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland Primary schools across County Antrim can now register for a new free food education programme aimed at helping young children build healthy eating habits and become more confident about fruit and vegetables. Lidl Foodies is open to schools across Northern Ireland and provides teachers of children aged four to seven with ready-made lesson plans, activit