NEWS

Thursday 08 October 2026 Gracehill welcomed heritage professionals from across the UK this week, giving visitors an opportunity to explore the historic Moravian village near Ballymena and learn how its internationally recognised heritage is being protected for future generations. The visit formed part of the 2026 World Heritage UK Conference, held in Portrush on 5 and 6 October, and brought delegates to one of Northern Ireland’s most distinctive historic settlements. Designat

Ribbon cut by Aldergrove’s day one colleagues as transformed M&S store opens Thursday 08 October 2026 Shoppers at M&S Aldergrove can now enjoy a significantly bigger food store, with more than 2,000 additional products, a larger bakery and a new frozen food range following a major transformation that has increased the store’s size by 50%. The expanded store officially opened its doors at 9am on Thursday 8 October, with four familiar faces given the honour of cutting the ribbo

ChampionToberhill Lucky Tuesday 06 October 2026 Toberhill Lucky lived up to her name as Cathaoir O’Connor secured the overall championship at the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s Ballymena Show and Sale for the second year running. The shearling ewe from O’Connor’s Toberhill Flock, Cookstown, was named Female Champion and Overall Champion by judge Joshua Keys of the Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown, before selling to the judge for 1,000gns. Sired by Glenview Jackpot and out of De

Sozopol old town on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria Thursday 08 October 2026 Northern Ireland holidaymakers can now book their summer 2028 getaways, with Jet2 launching flights and holidays to 21 destinations from Belfast International Airport – including a brand-new direct route to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. The airline and tour operator has released more than 618,000 seats for summer 2028, with up to 56 departing flights each week during peak periods, giving families and c

Thursday 08 October 2026 The Belfast childhood of one of the world's most celebrated authors, C.S. Lewis, will take centre stage in a new RTÉ documentary tonight (Thursday 8 October), exploring how his Irish upbringing helped shape the imagination behind The Chronicles of Narnia. Former Ireland rugby international Andrew Trimble, who is also a theology graduate, presents The Lion, The Witch and the Ulsterman, tracing the writer's roots in East Belfast and examining why Lewis

Thursday 08 October 2026 Drivers in Northern Ireland will be able to compare petrol and diesel prices on Google Maps from today, with the government estimating that shopping around could save households with a car around £40 a year. Near real-time pump prices are being added to the app across the UK on Thursday 8 October, making it easier to check nearby forecourts before filling up. The feature uses Fuel Finder data, which the government says now covers around 99% of all fue

Wednesday 07 October 2026 Coleraine is preparing for a landmark weekend of LEGO® fun as National Brick Events makes its Northern Ireland debut — bringing its biggest-ever format to the town. The event on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October will be the organisation’s first anywhere on the island of Ireland, as well as its first two-day event and the first to be staged across multiple locations. Running from 9am to 4pm on both days, the event will take over Coleraine Leisure Cent

Adam, Jade, Nigel and Lata Wednesday 07 October 2026 The people behind the uniform are taking centre stage in a new podcast series giving the public a more personal insight into policing in Northern Ireland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched its first-ever podcast, ‘PSNI Beyond the Badge’, with a 10-part series featuring officers and staff speaking directly about their experiences, challenges and lives beyond policing. Officers from BBC’s Peelers open the se

Wednesday 07 October 2026 Northern Ireland is moving towards a major change in how puppies and kittens can be sold, with new rules designed to make it harder for puppy farms and irresponsible breeders to hide behind third-party dealers. Under proposals approved for Northern Ireland’s own version of Lucy’s Law, people buying a puppy or kitten will generally have to deal directly with the breeder and see the young animal with its mother at the place where it was bred. For puppi

Wednesday 7 October 2026 The roll-out of blue recycling bins across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and surrounding areas is scheduled to be completed by 31 July 2027, a Mid and East Antrim Borough Council committee report has revealed. A Performance Improvement Plan presented to a recent meeting of the council’s Corporate Resources Policy and Governance Committee at The Braid in Ballymena sets out the timetable for the change. Blue bins ready to roll Councillors were told the mixed

Tuesday 06 October 2026 Students are being offered a night of exclusive discounts, competitions, giveaways and entertainment today as Victoria Square brings back its popular Student Social. The event which runs from 4pm to 7pm will combine one-night-only savings across fashion, food, beauty and more with interactive challenges giving students the chance to walk away with prizes. Student ID will be required to access the offers. Five minutes to spend £100 Among the headline at

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

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

Disney magic creates unforgettable memories for 20 Northern Ireland children, including Karen Farrell and daughter Anna (4) from Ballymena. Monday 05 October 2026 Children from Ballymena, Antrim, Ballyclare, and Toome were among 20 young people from across Northern Ireland given the chance to experience the magic of Disneyland Paris during a special trip for families living with serious health conditions. The children, who are living with life-limiting or life-threatening con

(L-R) BSc (Hons) Food Innovation Management students, Olivia Acheson, Cookstown, and Ellen Nelson, Tobermore, along with Mr. Fintan McCann, Head of Food Education invite you to attend CAFRE’s Open Week from Tuesday 06 October to Saturday 10 October 2026 at Loughry Campus, Cookstown, Greenmount Campus, Antrim and Enniskillen Campus Sunday 04 October 2026 Students considering their next move after school can explore courses, facilities and campus life at the College of Agricult

Councillor Aaron Skinner, Chairman of the Mid and East Antrim Disability Lived Experience Group is pictured with the volunteer members and council officers at the inaugural meeting of the group. Sunday 04 October 2026 Twelve residents with lived experience of disability are to help shape how Mid and East Antrim Borough Council designs its services, facilities, policies and projects. A direct voice in Council decisions The new Disability Lived Experience Group (DLEG) held its

Sunday 04 October 2026 A new RTÉ Investigates documentary will examine concerns over regulation of the fertility sector in Ireland, including whether the promotion of controversial treatments could give vulnerable patients false hope. The year-long investigation follows couples seeking publicly funded fertility treatment and women who say they have been left without the support they need, while examining the rapid growth of the private fertility industry. RTÉ says undercover

Saturday 03 October 2026 Gruffalo Granny by Julia Donaldson has taken the number one spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena, as the store celebrates the completion of its refit and welcomes readers in to discover its refreshed look. Rebecca Yarros’ Threshing Day enters the chart at number two following its release, while last week’s bestseller, Charles Spencer’s Swan Song, remains popular in third place. The latest Top 10 offers an especially atmospheric selection for autumn, with ho

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

Patrick Kielty, host of the RTÉ The Late Late Show. (Image: Andres Poveda) Friday 02 October 2026 Ashley Campbell, Nathan Carter and Una Healy will join Patrick Kielty tonight as The Late Late Show’s Country Music Special returns with live performances, a Dolly Parton tribute and a surprise Hall of Fame induction. Viewers can watch on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 9.35pm tonight, Friday 2 October, with a surprise opening performance featuring some of Irish country music’s bigge