NEWS

Main Street, Portglenone Police in Ballymena are appealing for information following a reported assault outside a bar in Portglenone last month, with officers seeking witnesses and any available footage to assist their investigation. The incident is understood to have taken place at approximately 10.00pm on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, outside The Fiddler’s Rest in the village. Appeal for witnesses and information Officers have confirmed they are actively investigating the circums

Families across Ballymena and the wider area are being invited to enjoy a free day of outdoor fun later this month as the Portglenone Bluebell Festival returns to Portglenone Forest on Saturday 25 April, celebrating one of the area’s most striking spring displays. Running from 11:00am to 3:00pm, the festival promises a full programme of activities built around the annual arrival of the forest’s bluebells, transforming the woodland into a colourful spring attraction for visit

The Easter countdown has officially begun—and for local baking favourite Jill Stewart, that means one thing: a show-stopping dessert packed with one of the season’s most loved treats. Her Mini Egg Cheesecake is already proving a hit, combining creamy indulgence with the unmistakable crunch of chocolate mini eggs—making it an ideal centrepiece for family gatherings across Ballymena and beyond. With simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow method, the recipe captures exactly wh

Police step up speed enforcement in rural areas including Townhill Road, Portglenone after concerns were raised over speeding vehicles and child safety Fresh police action targeting speeding drivers in Portglenone and The Grange has been welcomed as a “necessary message” to protect children and residents, following growing fears over road safety in the area. TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald has praised the PSNI for carrying out speed enforcement activity in The Grange and Townh

Ross Lorimer of Lakeland Dairies presents a scholarship award to Ballymena student Megan Ross at the CAFRE Industry Support event. Students from Ballymena, Portglenone and Toomebridge have been recognised among the next generation of agri-food talent, securing bursaries and scholarships at a major industry-backed awards event in Cookstown. The presentation, hosted at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus, saw significant financial backing from leading agri-food businesses awarded to student

A man has been charged with multiple offences following a disturbing incident in Portglenone in which a woman was reportedly assaulted and forced into a vehicle on a busy village street. Detectives investigating the incident in the Main Street area of Portglenone on Saturday evening, 14 March, confirmed that a 42-year-old man has now been charged to court. The development follows an earlier report from a member of the public that a male assaulted a female at around 10pm, alle

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a woman was reportedly assaulted and forced into a vehicle in a disturbing incident in Portglenone on Saturday night. Police say the incident happened on Main Street at around 10pm on Saturday, 14 March, when a member of the public reported seeing a male assault a female. According to officers, the woman was punched to the head and face before being forced into a black Nissan Qashqai. A 42-year-old man has since been arrested on su

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with Councillor Anna Henry to announce the Community Toilet Scheme which has launched in Portglenone. Portglenone village is making life a little easier for residents and visitors, thanks to a new Community Toilet Scheme launched by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with local businesses. The initiative allows anyone to use participating businesses’ toilet facilities free of charge during norm

Community pharmacy teams serving Portglenone and Broughshane are in the spotlight after securing major nominations in the Pharmacy In Focus Awards 2026 — a recognition that places their work at the heart of modern healthcare delivery. Bannside Pharmacy  has been shortlisted in the Commitment to Health & Wellbeing category, while Medicare Pharmacy Broughshane  is in contention for Community Pharmacy of the Year . Adding to the celebrations, Shania O’Boyle of Bannside Pharmacy

farmdrive co-founders - Gareth Gordon, CTO, and Gareth McDonald, CEO A fast-growing agri-tech company founded by two men from the Ballymena area has secured a major six-figure investment to accelerate its next phase of growth — with new jobs and export expansion firmly in its sights. Antrim-based farmdrive has received £690,000 in equity funding through Techstart Ventures, part of Invest NI’s Access to Finance programme. The investment will support the development of its live

The public toilets in Portglenone have now been closed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Mid and East Antrim councillors have agreed a scheme to enable visitors to Portglenone to “spend a penny”, with the support of local businesses. The borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee, which met at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, January 26, approved the delivery of a proposed community toilet scheme following the closure of the public toilets on Main Str

Emma Agnew and Ben Glass from Portglenone, Co Antrim, winners of Roe Valley Resort’s £10,000 ‘Win a Wedding’ competition, pictured celebrating on a rooftop in Nashville, where Ben proposed during a bucket-list trip to the US. The County Antrim couple will host their dream wedding at Roe Valley Resort in 2027. A County Antrim couple have been announced as the winners of Roe Valley Resort’s highly anticipated Win a Wedding competition, securing a luxury wedding package worth up

Yvonne Carson, Northern Trust, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, Valerie Cubitt, Eurospar, Cullybackey, Leona Rock, Community Staff Nurse, Cullybackey Medical Practice, Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach, Joanne Brown Kerr, Development Officer, Bann Maine West with volunteers Helen and  Samantha from Cullybackey Community Partnership. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has joined forces with Bann Maine West Community Cluster to bring festive cheer to some of the most

farmdrive co-founders - Gareth Gordon, CTO, and Gareth McDonald, CEO Northern Ireland agri-tech company farmdrive has raised £1 million in pre-seed investment to drive international growth of its pioneering livestock data and supply chain platform. The funding round was led by TechStart Ventures and Ascension Ventures, with participation from Angel Invest, and will support product development, team expansion, and entry into new markets across the UK and Europe. Founded in 202

The delivery of the “highest priority resurfacing projects, roadside stability, and drainage projects” in the Northern Division, including Mid & East Antrim, will be carried out by DfI Roads from a £68 million budget which “falls significantly short of funding requirements” , divisional roads manager Alan Keys has said. Presenting the Northern Division’s annual report, Mr Keys addressed members of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committe

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, has hosted a reception for local Junior Drum Major champion Lydia Todd. Included in the photo are members of the McNeillstown Pipe Band . The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, has hosted a special reception to honour local talent Lydia Todd, who recently claimed three major Drum Major titles on the international stage. The 14-year-old Dalriada School pupil secured the 2025 Scottish, E

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

Police in Mid and East Antrim have confirmed that additional patrols were deployed on Sunday evening, 12 October, following reports of anti-social driving in the village. In a statement shared over the weekend, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the move was prompted by ongoing concerns about dangerous and inconsiderate driving behaviour in the area. Officers from the local policing team referenced an “excellent post” originally shared by colleagues in PSNI N

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans for additional parking spaces at Bracknamuckley Forest in...

The Clady River, Portglenone In a stark reminder of the environmental risks posed by agricultural practices, a farmer from County Down...