NEWS

Motorists using one of Northern Ireland’s busiest commuter routes are being warned to expect delays, diversions and overnight closures later this month as a £1.5 million resurfacing project gets underway on the M2. The major road improvement scheme will affect the northbound carriageway between Junction 4 at Sandyknowes and Junction 5 at Templepatrick, with work scheduled to run from Friday 17 July until Monday 27 July. Thousands of drivers travelling between Belfast, Ballyme

A summer of giant games, silent discos, street parties, secret surprises and birthday celebrations is set to transform Ballymena town centre as the community comes together to mark one of the biggest milestones in the town’s history. This year marks 400 years since Ballymena was granted its charter in 1626, and organisers BALLYMENA BID, in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, are promising an unforgettable programme of events designed to celebrate four centur

Farmers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to examine new environmental funding opportunities after applications opened for the 2026 Farming with Nature Transition Scheme, with grants of up to £20,000 available for eligible projects. The scheme, which opened on Monday, offers financial support for a range of environmental measures designed to improve biodiversity, water quality and habitat protection while allowing farms to remain productive businesses. However, the

The unmistakable sound, colour and character of one of Britain’s most iconic cars will return to the grounds of Glenarm Castle this weekend as hundreds of enthusiasts gather for the second annual Minis at the Castle. The good news for local families and motoring enthusiasts is that the event is completely free for the general public to attend. Following a hugely successful debut event in 2025, organisers are preparing to welcome another impressive turnout of classic Mini owne

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon launches the council’s part of the ‘Immersive Ancestral Cottage Trail’ with Robert Stewart at its President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey. Mid and East Antrim is set to play a central role in a new international tourism initiative designed to strengthen historic links between Northern Ireland and the United States while attracting visitors from around the world to local heritage sites. A new immersive ancestral cottage tr

Parents across Northern Ireland could soon have a stronger say in where their children go to school under plans unveiled by Education Minister Paul Givan to overhaul the current admissions system. The proposed changes would make it easier for schools to increase pupil numbers where there is parental demand, even in cases where families currently miss out on their preferred choice despite places being available elsewhere in the education system. Announcing the reforms in a Wri

Don’t miss paw-some fun this weekend as Barket returns to The Junction, Antrim Thousands of visitors and their four-legged companions are expected to descend on Antrim this weekend as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest pet-friendly events returns for a third year. Barket will take over The Junction Retail and Leisure Park on Saturday, July 4, transforming the popular destination into a celebration of pets, animal lovers and local independent businesses. Running from 11am until

Ballymena United Girls Academy is giving aspiring young footballers across the area the opportunity to take their game to the next level with the launch of a free four-week open training programme this summer. The academy is inviting girls born in 2010 and 2011 to take part in a series of Under-16 open training sessions beginning this week at Ballymena Showgrounds. Designed for players who are serious about developing their abilities and progressing within the game, the initi

Ballymena Rail & Bus Centre Thousands of public transport users across Northern Ireland, including commuters and families travelling from the Ballymena area, are being urged to check their journeys in advance after Translink confirmed revised bus and rail timetables for the July holiday period. The changes will affect rail passengers, Ulsterbus users, Goldliner services and Metro routes over the Twelfth celebrations, with additional disruption expected in Belfast due to road

Motorists travelling through parts of Causeway Coast and Glens on Wednesday evening are being urged to plan ahead, with significant traffic disruption expected as a series of large parades take place across four towns across the borough. The largest events are expected to attract substantial numbers of participants and spectators to Cloughmills, Garvagh, Coleraine and Limavady, with police warning that delays are likely throughout the evening. For many drivers travelling betw

Motorists and residents across Northern Ireland are being urged to prepare for potentially disruptive weather this afternoon after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering all six counties. The warning comes into effect from 12pm today (Tuesday, June 30) and remains in place until 6pm, with forecasters warning that slow-moving thunderstorms could bring localised flooding, hazardous driving conditions and disruption to travel. The alert covers

Northern Ireland farmers are being urged to engage with a major new consultation on future nutrient regulations, as political pressure grows on DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to prove the revised plans can actually be delivered on the ground. The revised Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for 2027-2030 has entered a 10-week public consultation period following nine months of negotiations involving farming organisations, environmental groups, the agri-food industry and government re

For years, people in Northern Ireland living with severe obesity have faced a reality patients elsewhere in the UK did not. There was no specialist NHS obesity management service. There was no NHS bariatric surgery programme. For many, the options were limited to paying privately, travelling abroad for treatment or trying to manage alone. Now, after years of pressure from clinicians, patients and campaigners, Northern Ireland is finally preparing to launch its first dedicated

People across Northern Ireland can now report a wide range of environmental incidents more quickly and easily following the launch of a new online reporting system designed to speed up investigations and improve responses from authorities. The new service, introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), creates a single reporting route for environmental concerns ranging from illegal dumping and damage to protected habitats to illegal fishin

Darragh pictured with his mum Fiona, sister Emily and dad Chris. A County Armagh father has spoken candidly about the daily realities of raising a child with a rare inherited condition that affects significantly more babies in Northern Ireland than elsewhere in the UK, as calls grow for greater awareness and improved access to emerging treatments. On International PKU Day (Sunday 28 June), Craigavon-based pharmaceutical company Galen Limited has joined patients, families and

Martin Engineering Supplies founder Clifford Martin, with son Scott, managing director (centre), and members of the MES team. For more than a quarter of a century, one Ballymena business has quietly built a reputation not only for supplying engineering products across Northern Ireland, but for doing business the old-fashioned way — through trust, relationships and hard work. Today, Martin Engineering Supplies is celebrating 26 years in business and looking ahead to an ambitio

A mixture of thrillers, literary fiction, graphic novels and contemporary drama dominates the latest bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, as readers continue to embrace an eclectic mix of genres heading into the summer months. The latest weekly update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights upcoming book clubs, family storytime sessions and a host of acclaimed new releases, including several titles shortlisted for the prestigious Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. Th

Construction of the Silent Valley ‘overflow bell-mouth’ as part of the reservoir scheme built between 1926 and 1932 A magical gateway into one of Northern Ireland’s most treasured landscapes will open this weekend as a packed programme of walks, tours and family events invites visitors to experience the Mournes in a whole new way. From the hidden history of Water Town to the engineering marvel of the Mourne Wall and behind-the-scenes access to vital water infrastructure, from

People living with obesity in Northern Ireland will soon be able to refer themselves directly into NHS weight management services without needing to wait for a GP appointment, under a major new UK-wide programme backed by £85 million in government and industry funding. The move forms part of a series of pioneering projects designed to transform how obesity care is delivered across the UK, using technology, digital services and community-based support to make help easier and f

The community of Glenravel are inviting the public from near and far to browse everything from handcrafted ceramics and woodwork to brownies, books and South African flavours as the Glenravel Summer Market returns to Martinstown Parish Hall this weekend. The community event takes place on Sunday, June 28, running from 11am until 4pm, and will bring together a diverse mix of local makers, artists, bakers and small businesses from across the area and beyond. With more than 20 t