NEWS

Ballymena Town Hall, and (inset) North Antrim MP Jim Allister Ballymena’s 400th anniversary has been marked at Westminster, with North Antrim MP Jim Allister tabling a House of Commons motion celebrating four centuries of the town and the generations of people who have helped shape it. The parliamentary recognition comes on a landmark day for Ballymena — exactly 400 years since King Charles I granted the charter on 25 August 1626 which established the foundations of the marke

GAME ON, Ballymena — Level Up Entertainment Centre has officially opened its doors, bringing a spectacular new place to play, eat, meet and make memories at Pennybridge. And while the neon-lit arcade is packed with games designed to bring out everyone’s competitive side, there is another big reason this new arrival could quickly become a favourite well beyond family days out. Wait until you see the Shake Bar. Level Up has paired its all-ages entertainment centre with a striki

Drivers could be banned from overtaking school buses on single-carriageway roads where the national 60mph speed limit applies, under proposed new legislation aimed at protecting children as they get on and off buses. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed she has selected the Department for Infrastructure’s preferred legislative approach following consultation, with plans to bring the proposal to the Northern Ireland Executive before potentially introducing legisla

Households across Northern Ireland are expected to receive more than £50 off their electricity bills this autumn, under plans to combine two cost-of-living measures into a single discount. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has confirmed her department is working to finalise an agreement with the Treasury that would increase the support from the approximately £30 previously announced under the NIRO Domestic Electricity Discount Scheme. However, the original discount had be

Caroline McKeown with the sale topper, Ashvale Ironman I1504, who sold for 1,200gns. A Templepatrick sheep breeder has claimed the overall championship and the highest price of the day at the Northern Ireland Dorset Sheep Breeders Club’s fifth annual Swatragh Show and Sale. Caroline McKeown’s Ashvale flock enjoyed a standout showing at the event, with her ewe lamb taking the overall championship before selling for 700 guineas, while another Ashvale entry topped the entire sal

Dunloy teenager Adam Gault has been crowned world powerlifting champion A 17-year-old from Dunloy has become a world powerlifting champion, producing the performance of his young career to defeat some of the strongest teenage lifters on the planet in a title battle decided by just 2.5kg. Adam Gault has been crowned IPF U93kg Sub-Junior World Champion at the 2026 World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa — completing a remarkable rise from taking up co

Paul Savage (left) with Christian Reynolds in front of the 80th anniversary mural. Wrightbus is asking generations of workers, passengers and bus enthusiasts to help recover eight decades of its history after significant archive material was lost before the Ballymena manufacturer was rescued from administration in 2019. As the company marks its 80th anniversary, it has launched a public appeal for photographs, stories and personal memories that can help rebuild a record stret

CGI of the proposed new Irish FA National Football Centre at Galgorm One of Ballymena’s biggest employers has thrown its weight behind plans for a major Irish FA National Football Centre at Galgorm, as the planning file shows around 110 representations supporting the development compared with 64 opposing it. Wrightbus has formally backed the proposed centre at Fenaghy Road, arguing that an investment of this scale could increase visitor numbers, support businesses across hosp

Ballymena’s Brandon McCaughan Ballymena racing talent Brandon McCaughan has returned to the top step of the Ligier European Series podium after a superb weekend at Spa-Francorchamps — taking pole position, two podium finishes and his third career victory in the championship. The 22-year-old produced one of his strongest weekends of the season at the world-famous Belgian circuit from 21–23 August, helping the #1 Team Virage Ligier JS P4 to its first victory of 2026 and putting

Jon Burrows MLA pictured with Good Morning Ballymena volunteers at their office on Queen Street A Ballymena service is making more than 700 telephone calls every week, providing companionship, reassurance and a vital point of contact for people who may be living alone, experiencing poor health or feeling isolated. Around 40 volunteers are behind the calls from Good Morning Ballymena, offering members a friendly voice and listening ear while also helping connect people with ac

Northern Regional College student Valentin Timuc has secured place in prestigious WorldSkills UK National Finals A Ballymena student will compete against some of the UK’s most talented young people after securing a coveted place in the WorldSkills UK National Finals. Northern Regional College student Valentin Timuc has qualified for the Digital Support and Security final following a highly competitive series of national qualifiers, earning the opportunity to represent the col

Ballymena BID is bringing businesses across the town centre together for a major birthday celebration tomorrow as Ballymena marks its historic 400th anniversary. Shops, cafés, restaurants and other businesses will roll out special offers, £400 giveaways, discounts, competitions, parties and treats on Tuesday 25 August, while the Ballymena BID team will be out on the streets handing out nostalgic party bags — with some containing extra surprises. The “Birthday Bonanza” is desi

Young Ballymena tennis star, 10-year-old Emma Maria Mezei who finished runner-up in the William Fry All Ireland U10 Junior Championship Ten-year-old Ballymena tennis player Emma Maria Mezei has been congratulated by North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows after finishing runner-up in the William Fry All Ireland U10 Junior Championships. Emma’s achievement saw her progress from a competition involving around 1,700 young players in regional match plays across Ireland over the past 12 mont

Parents and carers across Northern Ireland are being urged to check the support available ahead of the new school year, with help covering everything from school transport and admissions to free school meals, uniform grants and special educational needs. The Education Authority (EA) says dedicated helplines and online information are available as families prepare for the return to classrooms, including those whose children are starting a new school or travelling independently

Irish Football Association Chief Operating Officer Graham Fitzgerald, Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Belfast Area Commander Chief Superintendent Amanda Ford, Superintendent Mark Conway and Irish Football Association Chief Executive Patrick Nelson met at the National Stadium to reinforce a shared commitment to a safe and positive season. Football supporters across Northern Ireland are being urged to help keep matchdays safe and peaceful as the 2026/27 season gets underw

William on parade with Kells Sons of William Flute Band. (Photo: Loyal Ulster Scottish Bands) Tributes have been paid to William ‘Booey’ Young, a well-known member of Kells Sons of William Flute Band, whose sudden death following Friday night’s parade in Rasharkin has brought shock and sadness to the Kells, Ballee and wider bands communities. Mr Young, from Lettercreeve in Ballee, Ballymena, had been taking part in the parade on Friday evening, 21 August, when he became ill.

Glenarm Village Committee members (L-R) Robert Taggart, Linda Hylands, Hilary Cross, John Duggan, Frances Wilson, and Emer Furey. A celebration of books, art, local history, storytelling, film, poetry and live music will take over Glenarm next weekend as the village’s Arts & Literary Fayre returns following a successful inaugural event last year. Organised by Glenarm Village Committee, the Glenarm Arts & Literary Fayre (GALF) will run across Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August,

Ten-year-old Ballymena tennis player Emma Maria Mezei proudly presents her runner up trophy after reaching the final of William Fry All Ireland U10 Junior Championships Ten-year-old Ballymena tennis player Emma Maria Mezei has finished runner-up in one of Ireland’s most prestigious junior competitions, completing a remarkable run which began among around 1,700 young players from across the country. The Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club youngster reached the final of the William Fry

Saturday 22 August 2026 Crime and thriller heavyweights dominate the latest bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with Lee Child taking the number one spot as John Grisham, Freida McFadden, Ann Cleeves and Val McDermid all feature in this week’s Top 10. There is plenty beyond crime fiction too, with Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent, V.E. Schwab’s Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, Monisha Rajesh’s Moonlight Express and Stephen Fry’s Odysseyshowing the breadth of read

County Hall, Ballymena A review of the environmental service that advises councils on major planning applications is being pursued by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council amid concerns over delays, accountability and confidence in Northern Ireland’s planning system. Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the move to examine Shared Environmental Services (SES), which is based at County Hall in Ballymena and provides specialist environmental advice to councils as part of the