NEWS

Work taking place on the Glenshesk Road, Ballycastle over the last months following a landslide. (Image: Anne Kelly) Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed that the Glenshesk Road in Ballycastle will reopen to traffic by 5pm on Monday 1 December, marking a significant milestone after months of disruption caused by severe weather damage. The route, which has been partially closed between Glenbank Road and Greenan Road since last year, suffered a serious embankment f

Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford, pictured with a Christmas tree surrounded by toy donations made by the residents of Mid and East Antrim. Christmas generosity is already shining across Mid and East Antrim as residents rally behind the Borough’s seventh annual Pre-Loved Toys Scheme, donating nearly two tonnes of toys in just the first weeks of the initiative. Since opening on Monday 27 October, dedicated Christmas toy c

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has formally withdrawn attempted rape charges brought against two juvenile boys in connection with a reported sexual assault in Ballymena earlier this year. The charges, which related to an alleged incident on Saturday 7th June 2025, were withdrawn at Laganside Youth Court on Friday, 28 November. Both the PPS and senior detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Public Protection Branch met with the complainant and her

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, (centre) cuts the ribbon at the President Arthur Homestead Interpretative Centre reopening with representatives from the Ulster Scots Agency and Arthur Cottage guides. Images: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the much-anticipated reopening of the President Arthur Homestead Interpretative Centre in Cullybackey, following a significant refurbishment designed to enhance one of the

(L-R) are: Northern Ireland - 12 year old Megan McCabe from west Belfast, who plays for Linfield and the Irish FA’s Performance Programme which is based at Ulster University’s Jordanstown Campus; Wales - Sophia Huntley aged 9 who plays for Buckley Town, a thriving club with a committed volunteer base; Scotland - Erin Smith , who plays for Clark Drive and is in the South West Emerging Talent Centre programme; and England - Victoria Jones , 14 years old from Liverpool and

A man wanted in connection with child sexual offences in Ballymena has been extradited from Spain to Northern Ireland, five years after he allegedly failed to answer bail. The 45-year-old suspect was transferred back to Northern Ireland on Thursday, 27 November 2025, following his arrest earlier this year in the Canary Islands. He is wanted to stand trial for five offences of sexual activity with a child, alleged to have taken place in the Ballymena area in August and October

Escapes is set to close out the year with a nationwide cinematic treat, offering free preview screenings of Eternity, the new romantic fantasy from acclaimed director David Freyne, on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December. The film, distributed by A24, will officially be released in UK cinemas on Friday 5 December. The special previews — screening across more than 100 cinemas including Omniplex Antrim — form part of Escapes’ ongoing mission to make cinema accessible to all audience

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Macmillan Cancer Support. A major £2 million Cancer Charities Grant Scheme for 2025/26 has been launched by the Department of Health in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, marking a significant investment in community-based cancer services across Northern Ireland. The scheme has been co-designed alongside the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition (NICCC), introducing a new partnership funding model. H

Robin Swann MP speaking in the House of Commons Robin Swann MP is set to lead a Westminster Hall debate next Wednesday on “the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland,” amid intensifying concern from vets, farmers and animal welfare organisations over post-Brexit medicine arrangements. The Northern Ireland Office will respond to the debate, which follows heightened warnings from across the sector about the potential impact of the current grace period ending on 31 D

John Ferris, Accelerator Leader, Ulster Bank; Kerri Anderson, Head of Fundraising, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, and Terry Robb, Head of Personal Banking, Ulster Bank. Ulster Bank colleagues in Ballymena have helped raise more than £155,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) as part of this year’s major ‘One Week in September’ fundraising campaign — delivering a six-figure boost for the charity’s lifesaving work. Staff at the Ballymena branch organised a series of ev

The interim chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has defended the authority’s decision to move to blue mixed-recycling bins in Ballymena and Carrickfergus from 2026/27, despite neighbouring Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council phasing out the very same system. Speaking during Monday night’s full council meeting at The Braid in Ballymena, Valerie Watts responded to a public question which asked: “Who is right – Antrim council getting rid of blue bins or B

The potential for locating a dog park at the Ecos Nature Park in Ballymena has been dismissed at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council this week. The issue was raised through a public question submitted ahead of Monday evening’s meeting at The Braid in Ballymena. Responding, Interim Chief Executive Valerie Watts said: “After consideration of this question, it would be council’s view that Ecos is not a suitable location for a dog park for a number of reasons. “A key

Victoria Brown, Director of Marketing at Galgorm Collection and Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations at Galgorm accept the award for Best Spa Weekend at the Condé Nast Johansens in London. Galgorm, Northern Ireland’s premier luxury resort, has secured a series of major international accolades at the World Luxury Awards and the Condé Nast Johansens Awards, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s leading spa and hospitality destinations. The global recognition comes as the

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales gather momentum, the Trading Standards Service (TSS) is urging consumers across Northern Ireland to “shop smart” and stay alert to misleading deals, scams and counterfeit goods circulating during the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Damien Doherty, TSS Chief Inspector , warned that the seasonal rush can leave consumers vulnerable to deceptive sales tactics. He said: “While many retailers offer genuine discounts at this time of year,

Proudly brought to you by Ballymena BID (Business Improvement District) Ballymena Town Centre is gearing up for a magical festive season, unveiling a vibrant programme of family-friendly events, Christmas characters, charity activities and pop-up entertainment designed to bring joy and festive spirit to the heart of the town. With festive shopping, cosy cafés, vibrant bars and restaurants, and a full schedule of December activities, Ballymena is inviting visitors from near an

Crowned ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the 2025 British Hairdressing Awards, Chloe Houston of Houston Hair, Ballymena Chloe Houston of Houston Hair has been crowned Newcomer of the Year at the 2025 British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional — a remarkable achievement for the 21-year-old stylist in her first ever entry to the competition. Her win marks a significant milestone, placing her among the brightest rising stars in UK hairdressing. Known locally for

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is set to usher in the festive season with a series of much-loved Christmas Artisan Markets, celebrating local creativity and offering residents and visitors the chance to enjoy seasonal shopping in the heart of their town centres. The markets—now a staple of the borough’s Christmas calendar—will feature an array of local producers showcasing artisan foods, festive bakes, handcrafted decorations and unique gifts. Designed to bring communiti

The former Woolworths store on Bridge Street, Ballymena Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has deferred a decision on the sale of the former Woolworths premises in Ballymena town centre. The property at 12–16 Bridge Street was discussed in a closed session at a council meeting last month. Councillors had been asked to approve placing the building on the market. The former chain store, which closed in 2008, sits opposite council headquarters at The Braid. Last year, the counc

Principals Sandra Sheeran (Ballykeel Primary), Karen McMaster (Camphill Primary), and Neil McCullough (Harryville Primary), governors, counsellor and parent representatives, with Minister Gordon Lyons, DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew, and Indeoendent Ballymena Councillor Lawrie Philpott. The Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons , visited North Antrim on Wednesday following intervention from DUP MLA Paul Frew that helped secure continued funding for a counselling and therap

Councils in Northern Ireland need to enforce a “zero tolerance” policy on vape sales to under-age children amid claims that parents “don’t know where to turn”. That is according to a Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) councillor, who highlighted concerns that children as young as 13 have been able to buy vapes in local shops. The council chamber was urged this week to promote a new campaign clarifying that local councils — and not the PSNI — are the primary authorit