NEWS

Music lovers across Ballymena are being invited as two of the town’s most cherished musical groups prepare to take to the stage together for a special joint concert this weekend. The Ballymena Young Conquerors Concert Flute Band, the town’s longest surviving musical ensemble with roots stretching back to 1886, will unite with the renowned Seven Towers Male Voice Choir, who celebrated their centenary in 2024. The collaboration promises an uplifting and memorable evening of mus

Isla McManus with her plaque in The Junction, Antrim. The Junction in Antrim rolled out a festive welcome for rising star Isla McManus, following her standout performance as a Junior Eurovision Ireland finalist. The young singer was joined by friends, family, and Santa Claus himself for a celebratory breakfast recognising her meteoric rise in the world of music. During the event, The Junction presented Isla with a commemorative plaque – soon to be displayed inside the shoppin

Revised draft byelaws aimed at tackling long-running concerns over loud buskers and street preachers in Belfast city centre have been agreed by councillors — with a proposed 70-decibel noise limit and fines of up to £500 for anyone who breaches the rules. The new regulations, years in development and shaped by extensive public consultation, are designed to address amplified noise that has been a growing issue in the city centre for more than a decade. For context, 70dB is rou

Farmers’ Choir at their 2024 Christmas Concert The Farmers’ Choir is set to bring festive cheer to communities in Kilrea and Ballymena this December, as it prepares to deliver two special Christmas performances filled with music, Scripture and seasonal celebration. The Choir will open its December schedule with a traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Tuesday 2 December at 8pm in St Patrick’s Church, Kilrea . Audiences can expect a reflective and uplifting evening

Mural artists Friz (Marian Noone) and Gerry Norman with the new mural unveiled at the Telegraph Building in Donegall Street A vibrant new mural celebrating Belfast’s musical heritage has been unveiled on Donegall Street, marking four years since the city became a UNESCO City of Music – the only city in Ireland to hold the prestigious title. The large-scale artwork, commissioned by Belfast City Council, was created by acclaimed artists Friz (Marian Noone) and Gerry Norman. Str

Janet Devlin joins Tiarnán O’Neill, Chief Finance Officer at Galgorm Collection, to celebrate the launch of Christmas All Around, the luxury hotel group’s new festive film. Northern Ireland singer-songwriter Janet Devlin is the face – and voice – of Galgorm Collection’s new Christmas campaign, Christmas All Around, an emotive festive film celebrating the meaning of time, connection and togetherness during the holiday season. The Gortin-born artist, known for her distinctive v

Ballymena is set to host a special performance of Handel’s iconic masterpiece, Messiah, performed with authentic period instruments later this month. Taking place in St Patrick’s Church, Ballymena, on Friday 28 November at 7:00pm, the concert will feature the Ulster Consort – Northern Ireland’s newest professional vocal ensemble – in an intimate, historically informed performance that echoes the sound of Handel’s original debut in Dublin in 1742. The Ulster Consort will prese

Denis Hession (82), winner of the 16 and Over Category, Translink’s Grand Pianist A Carrickfergus man has been named one of Northern Ireland’s top amateur pianists after taking the top prize in the adult category of Translink’s prestigious Grand Pianist 2025 competition. 82-year-old Denis Hession , a retired engineer originally from Roscommon, claimed the adult title following an emotional performance of Carrickfergus on a baby grand piano at Belfast’s Grand Central Station.

Barkley Thompson Musical Director and members of the Farmers Choir who attended the awards evening.   Members of the Farmers’ Choir were delighted to attend the Northern Ireland Farming Awards 2025, where the group was recognisedo as a finalist in two prestigious categories – Farming Event of the Year and Farming Society of the Year. The choir received a Highly Commended accolade in the Farming Society of the Year category, acknowledging its exceptional contribution to rural

Jon Bon Jovi speaks to Patrick Kielty at the Late Late Show Halloween Special Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi leads a star-studded line-up for this week’s Late Late Show Halloween special, joined by broadcasting veteran Miriam O’Callaghan, sports stars Davy Fitzgerald and Donncha O’Callaghan, and comedy trio the Young Hot Guys. The Late Late Show returns this Friday (31 October) with a glittering line-up packed with music, stories, laughter and nostalgia — headlined by one of the wo

Australian pop-rock quartet 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) have confirmed their highly anticipated return to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as part of their upcoming Everybody’s A Star! World Tour. The band will play the SSE Belfast Arena in Belfast on 26 March 2026, followed by the 3Arena in Dublin on 27 March 2026. Tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Friday 31 October. The tour announcement comes amid the band entering a new chapter with their sixth studio album,.

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

Deputy Mayor of Mid & East Antrim, DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey The Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey, has publicly offered his support to a Portglenone man who has been issued a Noise Abatement Notice by council officers for practising the Lambeg drum. Councillor Hoey explained that the constituent, Gary, had been contacted him at the start of September regarding the noise complaint. “At the start of September, I was contacted by a constituent of mi

World-renowned hymn writers to bring festive joy to the SSE Arena this December Acclaimed hymn writers and performers Keith and Kristyn...

Musical Director Barkley Thompson with new accompanists Grace Dornan and Roseanna Hunter. The Farmers’ Choir has launched its Winter...

The Rural Melody Choir pictured with Northern Trust Chief Executive, Jennifer Welsh. The Rural Melody Ladies Choir is preparing to raise...

Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William, and (inset) TUV Bannside Councillor Anna Henry In a heartfelt tribute at Monday’s council meeting, TUV...

Members thThe Farmers’ Choir NI during a recent performance. Farmers’ Choir NI will return to rehearsals on Monday 8th September at...

Causeway Hospital Radio volunteers, back row, left – right, Mervyn McKay, Rodney Magee, Andy Cooper and Richard Brown, front row, left –...

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with performers at the Belfast International Tattoo 2024. In a significant move to support the...