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NEWS


‘Hallowena’ cancelled amid predicted high winds and heavy rain
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the cancellation of its popular annual ‘Hallowena’ event at Ballymena’s People’s Park due to forecasted high winds and heavy rain. The decision was made following Met Office warnings of gusts of up to 56mph and persistent downpours on Thursday 30 October, which would make conditions unsafe for both attendees and council staff. A Council spokesperson said the difficult decision was based on public safety concerns: “With such h
Oct 28, 2025


Councillors opt against new car park barriers along Antrim Coast
Glenarm, County Antrim Mid and East Antrim councillors have voted against introducing additional car park barriers along the Antrim Coast, opting instead to retain the current arrangements. At Monday evening’s meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee, held at The Braid in Ballymena, members agreed to keep the existing barriers in place, with none to be removed. The committee was told that access to some council-owned car parks had previously been restricted
Oct 28, 2025


Action finally taken on dangerous Coast Road railings in Larne – Danny Donnelly MLA
Alliance East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly on the Antrim coast Alliance East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly has welcomed confirmation that long-awaited action will finally be taken to replace the dangerous and rusted railings along the Coast Road in Larne. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has confirmed that an external contractor has been instructed to assess seven sections of railings identified as being in a poor and unsafe condition, and to begin the process of replacing th
Oct 27, 2025


DfI Roads outlines £68m programme for Mid & East Antrim but warns budget ‘falls significantly short’
The delivery of the “highest priority resurfacing projects, roadside stability, and drainage projects” in the Northern Division, including Mid & East Antrim, will be carried out by DfI Roads from a £68 million budget which “falls significantly short of funding requirements” , divisional roads manager Alan Keys has said. Presenting the Northern Division’s annual report, Mr Keys addressed members of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committe
Oct 25, 2025


Council faces complaints over leisure centre cleanliness and repairs
Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena A “significant” number of complaints received by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council during the last financial year related to the cleanliness and disrepair of its leisure centres, a committee report has revealed. The Annual Complaints Report 2024/25, presented to the council’s Corporate Resources, Policy and Governance Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, stated that maintenance work had been carried out at the spa f
Oct 22, 2025


New £2.7m Shannon Class Lifeboat set to join Larne RNLI fleet
The bell ringing ceremony for the Larne RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy 13-58 at the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole. The ceremony was attended by donor Michael Cameron and several crew members from Larne lifeboat station. (Images: Nathan Williams) A new Shannon class lifeboat is on its way to Larne RNLI, marking the beginning of a new era in lifesaving for the coastal community after 25 years of dedicated service from its outgoing Trent class lifeb
Oct 21, 2025


Six Mid & East Antrim bands awarded funding share of £1.1m Musical Instruments Programme
Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William Flute Band who were one of the locals bands to recieve funding Six local bands from across Mid & East Antrim are among 134 individuals and groups to receive funding from the Department for Communities’ £1.1 million Musical Instruments Programme for 2025/26. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed that the latest round of grants will help bands, performing groups and professional musicians across Northern Ireland to purchase or replace musica
Oct 21, 2025


Pre-loved toy scheme returns for its 7th year to spread Christmas cheer across Mid and East Antrim
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford is pictured with Isobel Kerr, ReStore Manager for Habitat for Humanity, launching the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's Pre-Loved Toys Scheme. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is once again calling on local residents to donate their pre-loved toys this festive season as its much-loved Christmas Toy Scheme returns for the seventh year running. The initiative, which runs from Monday 27 October to Friday 12 December
Oct 21, 2025


Mid and East Antrim stirs up a cauldron of excitement as Halloween creeps closer!
Mid and East Antrim is gearing up for a spine-tingling celebration as Halloween approaches, with a packed programme of eerie entertainment and family-friendly fun across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne . From haunted houses and ghost tours to pumpkin patches and spooky storytelling, the borough is promising something for everyone – whether you’re chasing chills or simply after a night of frightful fun. “Mid and East Antrim is your one-stop-shop for all things Halloween,”
Oct 21, 2025


Ship shape business plan wins investment at Mid and East Antrim’s Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch
Overall winner of the Mid and East Antrim heat of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch William Mawhinney, centre, pictured with, from left, judge Noel Mullholland and Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council A Carrickfergus entrepreneur has sailed to success after making The Ultimate Pitch to win investment for his innovative new business that carries out vessel hull inspections. William Mawhinney wowed judges at the Mid and East Antrim heat of Go Succ
Oct 20, 2025


Mayor Congratulates Dr Louise Beck, Galgorm Collection and Sporting Heroes
(L-R) Rab McAuley, from Galgorm, who was crowned Ulster Supersport Cup Champion for 2025, GP Dr Louise Beck, of Victoria Surgery, who has been named GP of the Year 2025, and Slemish College student Emilee Leacock, who has been called up for the Northern Ireland Under-17 Women’s Football Squad Mid and East Antrim Mayor, Councillor Jackson Minford, has congratulated Larne-based GP Dr Louise Beck, of Victoria Surgery , who has been named GP of the Year 2025 by the Royal College
Oct 15, 2025


Larne Leisure Centre gym welcomes members back as refurbishment moves ahead
Larne Leisure Centre gym The phased reopening of Larne Leisure Centre has reached another important milestone, with the gym officially...
Oct 11, 2025


MEA Loneliness Network marks Positive Ageing Month with Volunteer Now event
(L-R) Sabrina Lynn, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Wenda Gray, Volunteer Now, John Mitchell, Volunteer Now, Marjorie Hawkins,...
Oct 9, 2025


Hallowena in Ballymena, and more: Mid & East Antrim’s spooktacular Halloween events for 2025
As the nights draw in and pumpkins begin to glow, Mid & East Antrim is gearing up for a thrilling Halloween season in 2025. From the...
Oct 1, 2025


Networking, confidence and growth: Enterprising Women launches Autumn/Winter programme
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with from left, Christine Barnhill, MEABC, Paula Fallon, Soul Essence,...
Sep 30, 2025


Northern Trust to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week with remembrance events
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has announced a series of special events to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025, offering...
Sep 30, 2025


Northern Trust apologises after Moyle Hospital break-in cancels patient care
Moyle Hospital in Larne Patients attending Moyle Hospital in Larne faced disruption on Monday 29 September after a break-in forced the...
Sep 30, 2025


Larne RNLI rescues fishing boat near Muck Island
All-weather lifeboat towing casualties back to safety of Ballylumford Harbour (Image: Jack Healy/RNLI) The volunteer crew of Larne RNLI...
Sep 28, 2025


Larne father’s sight saved thanks to swift action by local optometrist
Philip Campbell with optometrist Darren Caulfield of Specsavers Larne A Larne father has spoken of how his local optometrist saved his...
Sep 27, 2025


Larne RNLI rescue fishing boat near Portmuck on Antrim coast
Larne RNLI (Image: Jason Bain/RNLI) The volunteer crew of Larne RNLI launched their lifeboats on Thursday afternoon (25 September) after...
Sep 25, 2025
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