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NEWS


Randalstown, Glenavy and Crumlin groups secure funding for community facility upgrades
Minister pictured with committee members of Randalstown Arches Association which was awarded £40,000 for improvements at Arches House, where activities include delivery of educational, recreational and community development activities for Randalstown and the surrounding rural area. Wednesday 4 November 2026 Three community organisations in Randalstown, Glenavy and Crumlin have secured a combined £74,400 to improve buildings used by local families, young people and community g
11 hours ago


Randalstown brewery expands Tesco NI range with two award-winning beers
(L-R) Jonathan Mitchell, co-founder of Our Brewery and Michael Crealey, Lead Packaged Buying Manager at Tesco Northern Ireland, toast to the awarded Our Brewery range available at selected Tesco stores across NI. Wednesday 28 October 2026 An award-winning family-run brewery from Randalstown has expanded its presence on Tesco shelves across Northern Ireland, with two additional beers joining its range at 28 stores, including Ballymena, Antrim, Coleraine and Carrickfergus. Our
Oct 28


The Jaq Group celebrates double Ballymena Business Awards win after reaching £90.1m turnover
The Jaq Group won the Business Growth award at this year’s Ballymena Business Awards. Pictured are, from left, Connor Martin, founder and managing director of The Jaq Group, Julie Kitson from LEAP and Ryan Martin from The Jaq Group. Monday 26 October 2026 A fragrance business founded just seven years ago has celebrated a double victory at the Ballymena Business Awards 2026, having grown into a global operation employing more than 230 people and recording annual turnover of £
Oct 26


Randalstown parade to bring traffic disruption this weekend
Ballydunmaul Flute Band Wednesday 16 September 2026 Drivers are being urged to allow extra time or use an alternative route through Randalstown on Saturday evening, 19 September, with traffic disruption expected during Ballydunmaul Flute Band’s parade. Police have advised road users to expect delays in and around the town between 8pm and 10pm as participants and spectators gather for the event. The parade will leave Shane’s Terrace at 8pm and is expected to finish at the same
Sep 16


From groceries to poultry feed: 100 years of Randalstown mill
The Pilgrim’s Europe site team at Randalstown Feed Mill. From supplying groceries and agricultural goods in 1926 to producing poultry feed today, Randalstown Feed Mill is marking a century in business with more than 80 jobs supported across its operations. The Pilgrim’s Europe site has served generations of the farming community, developing from a local supplier into a mill supporting the company’s poultry production and wider agricultural supply chain. Staff and partners gat
Sep 16


New colour-coded dog control signs rolled out across Antrim and Newtownabbey
Dog owners across Antrim and Newtownabbey are being urged to check the rules before exercising their pets in council-managed parks and open spaces, as new colour-coded signage is installed across the borough. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is carrying out the work in phases, with priority locations being targeted first. The signs are designed to make it clearer where dogs can be exercised freely, where they must be kept on a lead and where they are prohibited — with
Aug 25


Co Antrim fragrance brand backs one of Armoy’s biggest races for 2026
The Essence Vault is set to sponsor the Open Race at this year’s Armoy Road Races. Pictured at the firm’s headquarters in Randalstown are, from left, Neil Kernohan, road racer, Bill Kennedy MBE, AMRRC Director, Connor Martin, The Essence Vault Managing Director and William Munnis, AMRRC Clerk of Course. A fast-growing County Antrim business with a global customer base has signed up to support one of Northern Ireland’s best-known motorcycle road racing events, with The Essenc
Jul 8


Randalstown sisters launch new community walking group to help locals get active and connect
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan, congratulates sisters Aislinn (far right) and Meagan Joyce on the launch of Randalstown’s new walking group, The Maine Walkers. Also pictured is Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Walking for All Officer, Bridie Kelly. Residents in Randalstown are being invited to lace up their walking shoes and explore their local area as two sisters launch a new community walking group aimed at improving health, wellbei
Jun 25


‘That I cared’: Retiring Groggan principal Cathy Humphrey reflects on a lifetime of shaping young lives
Groggan Primary School recently marked the occasion as principal Cathy Humphrey prepares to retire from a lifetime dedicated to education “That I cared.” After a lifetime spent helping children learn, grow and find their place in the world, that is how retiring Groggan Primary School principal Cathy Humphrey MBE hopes former pupils will remember her. For a woman who was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List in 2023 with an MBE for services to education in Northern Ir
Jun 24


Historic first as Sinn Féin takes mayoral chain in Antrim and Newtownabbey
New Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Sinn Féin Councillor Henry Cushinan A political milestone has been marked in Antrim and Newtownabbey after Councillor Henry Cushinan was officially appointed as the borough’s first Sinn Féin Mayor. The historic appointment was confirmed during the council’s Annual Meeting on Monday evening, June 1, marking the first time Sinn Féin has held the mayoral chain in the borough since local government reorganisation created Antrim and Newtownabb
Jun 1


Robin Swann warns pollinators are vital to Northern Ireland’s food supply as he backs local beekeepers
Robin Swann MP with Randalstown and District Beekeepers Association South Antrim MP Robin Swann has marked World Bee Day by highlighting the critical role pollinators play in Northern Ireland’s food production, farming industry and countryside biodiversity. The former Stormont Health Minister used the international awareness day to praise the work of local volunteer beekeepers, warning that protecting pollinators remains essential for both the environment and the local econom
May 20


Police launch malicious communications probe after threats sent to schools and businesses
Police have launched a malicious communications investigation after threatening emails sent to schools and businesses across County Antrim caused widespread disruption and alarm on Tuesday. The PSNI confirmed six schools were affected in areas including Randalstown, Ballycraigy and Antrim town, while multiple businesses also received the email — the majority in Antrim, with one business impacted in the Ballycastle area. Detectives are now examining whether the incident is lin
May 19


Inside the Ballymena business that grew from start-up to £100m global success in just six years
Pictured during a visit to The JAQ Group’s rapidly expanding headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Randalstown, are Tom Wiggins, Chief Executive of Ballymena Chamber of Commerce, Peter Houston, President of Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Connor Martin, Managing Director of The JAQ Group. More than 30 members of Ballymena Chamber of Commerce were given a first-hand look inside one of Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing business success stories this week as they toured
May 18


Families urged to book early as popular summer schemes return across Antrim & Newtownabbey borough
Children across the borough will once again be able to take part in a packed summer of sports, games, creative activities and outdoor adventures as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council officially launches its 2026 Summer Schemes programme. Running throughout July and August, the annual schemes are set to return to leisure centres, community venues and the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens, with families already being encouraged to plan ahead amid expectations of high demand
May 16


Free compost giveaway launches across Antrim and Newtownabbey
Residents across the Borough can pick up a free bag of peat-free compost this week as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council launches a recycling reward initiative to mark International Compost Awareness Week 2026. From Monday 4 May until Saturday 9 May, households visiting any of the Council’s five Household Recycling Centres will be eligible to receive one complimentary bag of compost while stocks last. The offer is available to residents bringing recyclable items includin
May 5


£7,000 CCTV plan approved for Randalstown site after vandalism incidents
Dunsilly Ulster Unionist councillor Stewart Wilson Dunsilly Ulster Unionist councillor Stewart Wilson has welcomed a decision by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to approve the installation of CCTV at Neillsbrook Community Centre in Randalstown. Cllr Wilson confirmed the decision on social media after the issue was discussed behind closed doors at a meeting at Mossley Mill on Monday evening. Commenting online, he said: “This is a positive step, but it’s important to re
Apr 30


Fibrus launches major online safety campaign for NI pupils with Randalstown school at centre of rollout
Fibrus specialist with students in Mount St Michael’s Primary School, Randalstown. A new campaign to help children across Northern Ireland navigate the risks of the digital world has been launched, with a key rollout event taking place at Mount St Michael’s Primary School in Randalstown. Full fibre broadband provider Fibrus has begun delivering its “Surf Smart Stay Safe” initiative in primary schools, aiming to equip pupils with practical skills to stay safe online — from
Apr 19


Same service, new name: Ballymena Causeway Credit Union announces new name after regional growth
Ballymena Causeway Credit Union (BCCU) on William Street, Ballymena Ballymena Causeway Credit Union will begin operating under a new trading name, Evolve Credit Union , from 30 April 2026, marking a significant shift following years of expansion and the integration of members from across multiple local credit unions. The move comes after a period of sustained growth and a series of Transfers of Engagement that brought together members from Causeway, Antrim, Randalstown and su
Apr 18


Asda Antrim raises thousands for dementia support and brings generations together
Asda Antrim raises funds for Dementia NI Asda Antrim has strengthened its support for the local community with backing for two separate initiatives — helping bring generations together in Randalstown through a community sports event and raising more than £6,000 for Dementia NI. The supermarket’s latest community efforts have seen Randalstown Ulster-Scots Society awarded a £600 grant through the Asda Foundation, while colleagues at the Antrim store have also completed a major
Apr 11


ARCHES raises £5,500 for cancer charities in landmark 30th year
A milestone year for one of Randalstown’s best-loved community organisations has turned into a powerful act of generosity, with Randalstown ARCHES Association raising £5,500 for two cancer charities during its 30th anniversary celebrations. The funds, raised through a series of events across the anniversary year, have been shared equally between Marie Curie and Charis Cancer Care, with each organisation receiving £2,750. The charities were chosen for deeply personal reasons —
Apr 1
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