NEWS

The newly installed commemorative plaque in the Harryville area of Ballymena Monday 26 October 2026 Long before Liam Neeson became Ballymena’s best-known Hollywood star, another local actor was making his mark on the silver screen – and now his remarkable story has been commemorated in the heart of Harryville. A new plaque has been unveiled on Queen Street in honour of Robert Baxter McKenzie, better known as Bob McKenzie, who appeared in more than 300 films and helped establi

Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley Saturday 17 October 2026 Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has been urged to turn its commitment to Ballymena’s recovery into meaningful action, amid questions over funding, progress and support for communities affected by last summer’s riots. Ballymena Independent Councillor Rodney Quigley has called for greater clarity on what has been achieved since the council approved a recovery plan last November, warning that residents

Pictured seated are, Denver McMeekin, Chairman of Harryville Mens Shed and Stephen Reynolds, a Trustee at The Gallaher Trust, alongside members of Harryville Mens Shed. Monday 05 October 2026 Harryville Men’s Shed has seen its membership more than double in three years, with local men describing how friendship, new skills and a sense of belonging have transformed their confidence and wellbeing. The Ballymena organisation now has 44 members after recording 144% growth, alongs

The newly launched Women’s Aid shop in Ballymena Monday 05 October 2026 Women’s Aid has officially opened a new shop in Ballymena, giving local people another way to support its work with women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The new store at 23–25 Henry Street will sell new and nearly new women’s clothing and accessories alongside books, furniture and other donated items, with proceeds helping support the charity’s services. New town centre shop Mayor of Mid and Ea

The fire which is believed to have been started deliberately on Monday in Ballymena Tuesday 29 September 2026 Police are appealing for witnesses after a fire at a derelict property in Ballymena forced a number of nearby residents to be evacuated on Monday afternoon. The blaze, which police are treating as deliberate ignition, broke out at an outhouse in the Larne Road area at around 2.20pm on Monday 28 September. Outhouse destroyed by fire Sergeant McDowell said officers resp

Tuesday 29 September 2026 Primary 6 and 7 pupils could receive additional literacy and numeracy support, alongside help preparing for the move to post-primary education, under a new programme backed by up to £600,000. The initiative is being delivered through the Department of Education’s existing RAISE programme, which already operates in Ballymena and 17 other localities across Northern Ireland. Schools can apply for funding to provide targeted support during the 2026/27 ac

CGI of Mill House on Henry Street in Ballymena, where a fresh vision could see the building be transformed into a brand new community hub. Monday 28 September 2026 A developing vision to transform the Mill House building in Harryville into a Community Hub has been unveiled as part of a major new regeneration plan for Ballymena South. The proposal would see Mill House become a place where community organisations, services, young people, families and residents could come togeth

Team Harryville Primary School ahead of their Dragon Boat Race challenge this weekend. Staff from Harryville Primary School in Ballymena have raised more than £2,500 so far for Northern Ireland Hospice — with donations still coming in ahead of their Dragon Boat challenge on the River Lagan this weekend. The school team will take to the water in Belfast on Saturday, September 19, as part of the charity’s Dragon Boat Race, joining teams from businesses, clubs and organisations

Waveney Road and Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena Residents across Harryville and Clonavon are being encouraged to put their homes forward for a new competition celebrating the everyday efforts helping to improve both neighbourhoods. The Harryville and Clonavon Best Kept Property Competition offers cash prizes of up to £100, with judging due to take place from Monday 14 to Friday 18 September 2026. Small efforts can make a difference Organisers have stressed that entrants do not

Women’s Aid Retail Manager, Michelle McIlwrath , Director of Finance Karen McConkey and CEO, Gillian Robinson. (Images: Danielle Kernohan Photography) A new Women’s Aid shop has opened in Ballymena, with every purchase helping to fund specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse in the local area. The new premises at 23–25 Henry Street are the third retail outlet operated by Women’s Aid ABCLN and will also provide a place where women can access inform

(L-R): Ballymena Councillor Rodney Quigley and Ulster Unionist Party Leader & North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows Cross-community cooperation behind the scenes has been credited with helping secure the return of flags stolen from Ballymena’s Somme Memorial, as work continues to prepare for their reinstatement at the Queen Street site. The flags have already been safely returned to the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Memorial Association after being recovered in Londonderry. Attent

Police have confirmed they are at the scene of a sudden death in the Wakehurst Park area of Ballymena. The incident was reported shortly after 10am today, Tuesday 18 August. Air ambulance lands at King George’s Park Witnesses reported seeing a number of police vehicles responding to the incident, while the HEMS Air Ambulance Northern Ireland landed nearby at King George’s Park on Larne Street. A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Police are at the

A 26-year-old man arrested following two attacks on a war memorial in Ballymena has been released on bail as police continue their investigation. The man was arrested on Tuesday 11 August, on suspicion of theft and criminal damage in connection with incidents at the Queen Street memorial in Harryville. Police have now confirmed today, Wednesday 12 August, that he has since been released on bail to allow for further enquiries to be carried out. The development comes after the

Ulster Unionist Party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows Ulster Unionist Party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has welcomed the arrest of a 26-year-old man following two attacks on a Ballymena war memorial, while stressing that the police investigation remains ongoing. The man was arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage following incidents at the Queen Street memorial in Harryville on Saturday, 8 August and Monday, 10 August. Police have previously sai

The War Memorial in Ballymena that was damaged on two occasion in recent days. A 26-year-old man has been arrested after two attacks on a Ballymena war memorial which police are treating as linked sectarian-motivated hate crimes. The man was arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage following incidents at the Queen Street memorial in Harryville on Saturday, 8 August and Monday, 10 August. Police confirmed today, Tuesday 11 August, that the 26-year-old remains in cust

A Ballymena war memorial has been vandalised for the second time in three days, with police now confirming they believe both attacks are linked and are treating them as sectarian-motivated hate crimes. Independent Ballymena Councillor Rodney Quigley said he was furious after the Queen Street memorial in Harryville was targeted again in the early hours of Monday, 10 August, with flags stolen and flag poles damaged. The latest incident came after the memorial was attacked early

The scene of the vandalism, which police are treating as a hate crime, at a community memorial in the Harryville area of Ballymena A Ballymena memorial to local men who died at the Battle of the Somme has been vandalised for the second time in three nights — just hours after its flags were replaced following the first attack. Independent Ballymena Councillor Rodney Quigley confirmed on Monday morning, 10 August, that the Queen Street memorial in Harryville had again been targ

The community memorial after it was vandalised on Saturday morning in Ballymena. Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley has said he is “absolutely disgusted” after a memorial dedicated to Queen Street men who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme was vandalised and flags stolen overnight. The flagpole at the community memorial in the Harryville area of Ballymena was torn down and two Somme memorial flags stolen in an incident understood to have happened overnig

Ballymena Pet Vets on Henry Street, Ballymena For most pet owners, there are few decisions more important than choosing the right vet. Whether it’s an excited puppy’s first vaccination, an ageing dog beginning to slow down, a rabbit refusing to eat or the heartbreaking moment a beloved companion becomes seriously ill, every visit comes with one thing in common: trust. It’s that trust that Ballymena Pet Vets has worked to earn since opening its independent practice on Henry St

Mill House in Harryville; Councillor Lawrie Philpott attended the property. Residents in Harryville have been reassured that nobody is currently living in the long-vacant Mill House building on Henry Street in Ballymena following concerns circulating on social media about activity at the site. The former hostel, located close to Harryville Bridge, has remained vacant since closing in 2019 and has recently become the subject of online speculation regarding people allegedly ent