NEWS

BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson, left, presents Rory McIlroy with the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year award for 2025 Masters Champion Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 , capping a remarkable season that has already secured his place among golf’s all-time greats. The Holywood man enjoyed a year for the ages, headlined by a dramatic play-off victory at the Masters in Augusta in April. That win saw McIlroy

Justice Minister Naomi Long is pictured during a visit to PSNI Organised Crime Branch with PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck and Chief Superintendent Emma Neill. The public has been urged to fully support Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers working throughout the Christmas and New Year period, as Justice Minister Naomi Long praised frontline staff for their commitment to keeping communities safe during one of the busiest times of the year. During a visit

Detectives in Antrim have launched an appeal for information following a serious assault on a man in the town during the early hours of Thursday 18 December. Police say the victim, a man aged in his 30s, was attacked from behind as he walked along Greystone Link sometime between 11pm on Wednesday night and 1am on Thursday morning. As a result of the assault, the man sustained a broken arm, cuts to his face and head, and extensive bruising to his body. The injuries are describ

Northern Regional College student Luke Kirkwood, who was awarded the Spirit Award at this year’s Study USA graduation ceremony. A Ballymena student who spent an academic year studying in the United States through the Study USA scholarship programme is encouraging other eligible students to consider applying, describing the experience as “an opportunity that can genuinely change your future”. Luke Kirkwood, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering student at Northern Regional

Pictured outside the newly expanded JAQ Group facilities in Randalstown is Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, and Managing Director, Connor Martin. An innovative Northern Ireland e-commerce fragrance company is creating dozens of new jobs after significantly expanding its manufacturing and logistics operations in Randalstown, County Antrim. The JAQ Group has invested in a major extension of its facilities at the Craigstown Industrial Estate to meet

Police in Ballymena have launched an investigation following a reported assault involving a female member of staff and a customer at a local bar. The incident is reported to have taken place late on Friday evening, 19 December 2025, at the Grouse Bar in Ballymena. Officers have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. The incident, which occurred during what is typically a busy period for hospitalit

Pictured at the recent launch of the Prescribe A Mile initiative in Coleraine, including service users, James Cannie, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Causeway Hospital and Darren French, Interim Head of Service Cardiac at Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke. A new health and wellbeing initiative designed to help people become more active is now under way in Coleraine, encouraging residents and patients alike to take small, manageable steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

93-year-old Patrick Joseph Brady, known locally as Patsy A 93-year-old man has sadly died following a road traffic collision in Rathfriland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the fatal incident occurred late on Saturday night, 20 December, on the Newry Road. Chief Inspector Simpson from the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit said officers were alerted shortly before 11pm. “Shortly after 10.45pm, we received a report of a collision involving a silv

Dunluce Street, Larne Mid and East Antrim councillors have been told of planned “cosmetic improvements” for Dunluce Street in Larne. A report presented to a recent meeting of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee said the scheme will include the cleaning and painting of property façades and gable walls, treatment of downpipes and guttering, and the replacement of hoarding at a derelict gap site. Dunluce Street, a key town centre thoroughfare, was previously

Nominations for the prestigious Mid and East Antrim Sports Awards 2026 will open in early January, offering residents the chance to celebrate the Borough’s outstanding sporting stars, teams, coaches and volunteers. Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the annual awards shine a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, dedication and service across the local sporting landscape — from grassroots participation to elite performance. The awards

Sarah and Paul Thompson, owners of Ballymena-based embroidery business Ted & Stitch, and co-founders of Tedberry Market Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector has received a significant boost following the latest Tedberry Market, which helped participating businesses generate an estimated £650,000 in combined sales. Running for the first time over a three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday, the event attracted more than 9,000 visitors, according to a post-event survey of

Christmas cheer is officially on the horizon, and according to Tesco’s latest festive survey, households in Northern Ireland are once again proving that they like to do things a wee bit differently. The supermarket giant surveyed people across the UK to uncover Christmassy habits, traditions and food preferences. While 92.73% of people in Northern Ireland plan to celebrate Christmas this year, the findings suggest that the Province takes its own approach to festivities — part

Belfast International Airport awarded Platinum level by BITC’s 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey. BITC’s MD Lisa McIlvenna presents the award to Belfast International Airport’s Evan Black and Kevin Napier. Belfast International Airport has been recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most sustainable organisations after securing a prestigious Platinum rating in the 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey. The Airport, which is part of the VINCI Airports global netwo

90 years young: Ernie O’Hara (Images: David A. Scott Photography) Glarryford Young Farmers’ Club has paid tribute to one of its most devoted members, Ernest (Ernie) O’Hara, as the club came together to celebrate his 90th birthday and honour more than seven decades of unbroken service. The milestone celebration was held on Wednesday 29 November 2025, bringing together past and present office bearers to recognise a man whose commitment has helped shape the club for generations.

Prison staff at Hydebank Wood College have teamed up with Start 360 and Ardoyne Youth Club in a new pilot project supporting prisoners leaving prison by providing each one with a ‘You Matter’ pack of toiletries including toothpaste, shower gel and antiperspirant as well as water and cuppa soup. Pictured are Grainne Griffith, Start 360, Seaneen Farrelly, Hydebank Wood Prisoner Development Unit Governor, and Stephen Konrad, Ardoyne YC Youth Worker. Prisoners leaving Hydebank Wo

Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick with representatives from Antrim & Newtownabbey Council Labour Market Partnership. A new employment-focused Medical Administration Training Academy is set to launch in Antrim and Newtownabbey in January 2026, offering local residents a direct pathway into administrative roles within GP practices. Following the success of two earlier academies delivered in other council areas, the Northern GP Federatio

Malachi Cush performing some of his favourite carols and newly released music with friends at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh Acclaimed Irish singer and broadcaster Malachi Cush is set to bring the spirit of Christmas to homes across Northern Ireland next week, entertaining listeners on BBC Radio Ulster following more than a dozen sold-out performances throughout the festive season. Listeners are invited to tune in on Christmas Day at 12noon for Christmas at the Cathedral ,

Nottinghamshire Police have issued an appeal directly to the public in Northern Ireland as part of a cross-border effort to locate a man wanted for breaching a court order. Police are trying to trace 39-year-old Thinkwell Javangwe, also known as Thinkwall, who remains at large despite ongoing enquiries. Officers believe he may currently be in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, who may have recently travelled there. While Javangwe has known links to the Hucknall area

As the festive season approaches, Ballymena Elim Church on Castle Street is opening its doors to the local community with two special Christmas services designed to bring people together in celebration and reflection. The church is hosting a traditional Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 21 December at 6.30pm , followed by a poignant Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Wednesday 24 December from 6.30pm to 7.30pm . In a heartfelt message, the congregation emphasised their d

The Junction continues to buck national retail trends as sales figures soar.  Christmas has come early for The Junction Retail and Leisure Park after the Antrim-based outlet confirmed the renewal of two major tenant leases while posting strong sales growth that defies wider national retail trends. The Junction has officially re-signed leasing agreements with leading retailers Next and Denby, reinforcing confidence in the scheme as it finishes 2025 with year-to-date turnover u