NEWS

Julie Martin from Northern Ireland Hospice with Mittlè McFadden and Jennifer Gardiner and members of Farmers’ Choir NI Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland has raised £2,200 for Northern Ireland Hospice and Rural Support following its Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held at St Patrick’s Parish Church, Kilrea last December. The fundraising total was generated through a freewill offering at the seasonal carol service, which drew strong support from local farmers, families and me

Ballymena could become the site of Northern Ireland’s first grid-scale hydrogen-to-power (H2P) system, as BS Holdings Ltd confirms plans to partner with POWERHOUSE ENERGY GROUP PLC in a zero-emission energy project aimed at supporting the National Grid. The proposed development, which is dependent on support from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, would combine renewable electricity with hydrogen production to provide back-up power when wind generation drops and

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council looks set to join a neighbouring authority in restricting commercial use of household recycling centres (HRCs). The issue was discussed behind closed doors at Monday’s meeting of the borough council at The Braid in Ballymena. At last month’s meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee, councillors were asked to “reinstate the system used during Covid” , which restricted access by commercial vehicles and limited use of househo

Alderman Stewart McDonald welcomes the confirmation of resurfacing works on Sand Road, Galgorm Resurfacing works on Sand Road, Galgorm are expected to commence soon after confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), with short-term disruption anticipated while the improvement scheme is carried out. TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald welcomed the update, describing the long-awaited road maintenance as necessary and beneficial for the area. “I welcome confirmation fro

Ballymena teen Eva-Lilly Beckett selected to represent Ireland at the 2026 Europe Netball Under 17 Championships A Ballymena Academy pupil has been selected to represent Ireland at the 2026 Europe Netball Under 17 Championships, with Eva-Lilly Beckett earning a place in the Ireland U17 squad following a competitive international trial process. Eva-Lilly, who is from Ballymena and plays her club netball with Antrim Ladies Netball Club , will compete at the prestigious tournam

Michaela McBurnie from the Meadows Equestrian Centre with students Emma Brow (Hillsborough) and Ellie Getty (Cloughmills). The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has brought industry and education together at its Enniskillen Campus, hosting an Opportunities in Equine Careers Fair as part of its annual Careers Day to support students planning their future in the equine sector. The Opportunities in Equine Careers Day was designed to help students develop

Jill Stewart (Jill Bakes) with her perfectly fluffy pancakes With Pancake Day falling on Tuesday, February 17, home bakers across Ballymena will be reaching for their mixing bowls in preparation for one of the tastiest days of the year. And according to local food blogger Jill Stewart , known to her thousands of followers on Instagram as Jill Bakes , mastering a good pancake recipe is a true kitchen game changer. “I’m Jill,” she says, “trying to help you be better in the kitc

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice across Northern Ireland from 8pm on Monday 16 February 2026 until 10am on Tuesday 17 February 2026 , with motorists and pedestrians urged to take extra care as temperatures fall to or below freezing. According to the national forecaster, wintry showers throughout Monday will leave many surfaces wet into the evening. As skies clear overnight and temperatures drop, untreated roads and pavements are at risk of becoming i

Jane Rea on the family farm in Shilnavogy in the Antrim hills. (All Images: BBC NI / Below The Radar TV) Jane Rea’s Bloomin’ Wild, a new four-part farming series set on a family farm in Shilnavogy, County Antrim, begins this week on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer. The series follows the changing seasons in the Antrim Hills, exploring food, craft and Ulster-Scots culture woven into everyday rural life. Filmed on Jane Rea’s family farm in the small townland of Shilnav

A 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged following a burglary at Boots pharmacy at Ballymena Health and Care Centre on the Cushendall Road in Ballymena, police have confirmed. The alarm was raised on Thursday morning, February 12, when damage was discovered at the pharmacy premises within the health centre. Police confirm arrest and charges A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland  said: “Police investigating a burglary of a pharmacy in Ballymena on Th

Young Ballymena woman Chloe Mitchell who was brutally murdered in the town. The Chloe Mitchell trial will proceed after Justice Minister Naomi Long and representatives of the Criminal Bar Association reached agreement following talks aimed at resolving the current impasse within the criminal justice system. In a joint statement issued on Sunday (15 February), the Minister and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) confirmed that an accelerated review of the fees structure will co

Eugene and Catherine McKeever, who founded the McKeever Hotel Group 40 years ago and have overseen its growth from Corr’s Corner in Newtownabbey in 1986 to a dynamic family business with seven hotels employing a 600-strong team. McKeever Hotels is celebrating 40 years in business with a 12-month anniversary programme, marking four decades of growth from a single Newtownabbey restaurant to a seven-hotel hospitality group employing 600 people across the island of Ireland. The f

Pilgrim’s Europe Technical Apprentice Stephanie Millar pictured at the company’s Ballymena site. Pilgrim’s Europe has shone a spotlight on Ballymena-based apprentice Stephanie Millar during National Apprenticeship Week, recognising her progression from farm life in Coleraine to a skilled technical role within the food industry. Stephanie, who works as a Technical Apprentice at the company’s Ballymena facility, joined Pilgrim’s Europe’s apprenticeship programme after deciding

Waterstone’s Ballymena has unveiled its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with psychological thrillers, heartwarming romance and children’s favourites all performing strongly in store this week. Freida McFadden returns to the top spot, while Dav Pilkey claims two places in the chart, and Rachel Reid continues her winning streak with not one but two romance titles in the list. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books 1. The Housemaid — Freida McFadden The addictive psychological th

Site plan for the proposed BESS in rural Kells, Ballymena A proposed 150MW battery energy storage facility (BESS) at Lisnunnan Road, Kells, is set to be considered by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday night (February 16), with planning officers recommending approval subject to conditions. The application, submitted by Valor Power of 73 Ballyscullion Road, Bellaghy, seeks permission for the erection of a large-scale battery storage facility

Carolyn Tailford, Founder, Senior Director and Chair of A Safe Space to be Me . Adults with ADHD in Northern Ireland are being left without diagnosis, medication and support, according to mental health charity A Safe Space to Be Me, which has responded to the publication of the Department of Health’s long-awaited ADHD Needs Assessment. The report, published on Thursday, 12 February 2026, by the Department of Health, confirms significant gaps in provision for both children and

Fantastic fun at the Belfast Brunch Co. Party in 2025! The event returns next month to Tullyglas Hotel in Ballymena. Belfast Brunch Co. will return to Ballymena on Friday 13 March 2026, bringing its high-energy brunch party to the Tullyglass House Hotel in support of Northern Ireland Hospice  and its Children’s Hospice services. The adults-only event follows strong public demand after £21,000 was raised during last year’s fundraiser, with organisers promising to bring the fee

Elevations of proposed apartment complex Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s planning department is considering two separate housing proposals in the town centre area of Ballymena. A planning application has been lodged with the local authority for the construction of a four-storey apartment building to the rear of Broughshane Street. The application has been submitted by an agent on behalf of Galgorm Developments for four two-bedroom apartments, a communal hallway and amen

Audry the spaniel from Dogs Trust Ballymena is seeking her loving forever home A 12-year-old Spaniel crossbreed is searching for a loving forever home this Valentine’s Day at Dogs Trust Ballymena , after being returned to the charity’s care due to a change in circumstances. Audry, described as a “sensational Spaniel” by staff, first came into the care of Dogs Trust Ballymena as a young pup in 2014 and was quickly adopted. After spending 11 years in a loving home, she was ret

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice across Northern Ireland, with hazardous travel conditions expected from 8pm on Friday 13 February 2026 until 10am on Saturday 14 February 2026. The warning covers County Antrim, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone , where sub-zero temperatures combined with wintry showers could lead to icy surfaces and difficult driving conditions overnight. Forecasters say wintry showers may fall onto freezing ground du