NEWS

Tuesday 29 September 2026 Families are being invited to get building, exploring and solving this October as The Great Coleraine Build brings hands-on Bricks4Kidz sessions, a free town centre fairytale trail and the chance to win a family trip to LEGOLAND®. The programme, organised by Coleraine Connect with support from Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, begins with 13 large brick-built fairytale displays appearing in businesses across Coleraine from Thursday, 1 October.

FEAT4’s new premises opening soon in Belfast Monday 28 September 2026 Two Dungannon brothers are preparing to open a major new padel and wellness destination in Belfast next month following a multi-million-pound investment that will create 15 jobs. FEAT4, developed by brothers Charlie and Edward Conroy, is transforming the former Ulster Tatler headquarters at 39 Boucher Road into an indoor sport, recovery and social venue combining padel courts with Pilates, physiotherapy, re

Saturday 26 September 2026 Charles Spencer has taken the number one spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena with Swan Song, heading a particularly family-friendly Top 10 which sees three books by Julia Donaldson make the chart. The newly released Gruffalo Granny takes second place, followed by another Donaldson favourite, Monkey Puzzle, at number three — while The Gruffalo’s Child also features at number seven. Elsewhere, Lee Child and Richard Osman continue to prove popular with Ball

Sunday 27 September 2026 Bushmills will become a giant showcase for food, drink, music and local creativity next weekend as one of the Causeway Coast’s best-known festivals returns with a new identity and an expanded programme. The former Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival is entering a new chapter as The Giant Table, running from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October and bringing chefs, producers, makers, musicians and visitors together across the village. While salmon and whiskey h

Friday 25 September 2026 Families across Mid and East Antrim can look forward to three days of Halloween entertainment this October, with fireworks, spooky trails, live performances, fancy dress, discos and town centre activities planned across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus. Events will run from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October, with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council publishing an evolving programme of family-focused activities taking place throughout the borough. Th

Friday 25 September 2026 Alex Warren, the chart-topping US singer behind global smash hit “Ordinary”, has announced a major Belfast show as part of his new UK and European outdoor tour for summer 2027. The Grammy-nominated artist will headline Belsonic on Monday 21 June 2027, with special guests still to be announced. Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 2 October through Ticketmaster Ireland. Eight-date summer run across UK and Europe Belfast will be the second stop

Saturday 19 September 2026 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans has returned to the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, leading a crime-heavy Top 10 featuring some of the biggest names in contemporary fiction. Ann Cleeves takes second place with The Killing Stones, while Patrick Ryan’s Buckeye climbs into the top three ahead of Lyra Parish’s Fall I Want. The latest update also brings two half-price offers, details of the next Saturday Storytime and Fiction B

A previous Wee Joan’s Charity Dog Walk makes its way along Portrush’s West Strand. The popular event returns this Sunday, raising funds for Willie’s Orphan Fund, Children to Lapland and Children’s Kidney Fund NI. A previous Wee Joan’s Charity Dog Walk makes its way along Portrush’s West Strand. The popular event returns this Sunday, raising funds for Willie’s Orphan Fund, Children to Lapland and Children’s Kidney Hundreds of paws are expected to hit the sand in Portrush this

Photos from 2025 Fashion Show, featuring local models and professional models from ACA Modelling Agency. ACA will be partnering with organisers again for this year’s show. Ballymena’s Autumn/Winter Fashion Show is returning for a fourth year next month, promising a night of new-season style, live music and entertainment following a sell-out event in 2025. The popular annual event will take over The Braid on Friday 9 October, bringing independent boutiques and high street reta

Ahoghill is gearing up for a packed Saturday of family entertainment, music and marching bands, with a Family Community Fun Day from noon before around 45 bands are expected to take part in the village’s annual parade. The Family Community Fun Day at Bar Indigo will run from 2pm until 6pm tomorrow, Saturday 12 September, before Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William FB Annual Band Parade gets underway from the Community Centre at 7.30pm. Organisers say bands, friends, families and su

Antrim Castle Gardens will be transformed into a festive wonderland for almost four weeks this Christmas as the popular Enchanted Winter Garden returns with bigger displays, new features and four additional nights. The outdoor illuminated experience will run from Wednesday 2 December until Monday 28 December 2026, with discounted admission available to residents of Antrim and Newtownabbey borough. Organisers say visitors can expect bigger and brighter lights as they follow th

The late poet Seamus Heaney Tuesday 8 September 2026 A landmark collection that transformed Seamus Heaney from a young Co Derry writer into one of the most recognisable poetic voices of his generation will be celebrated at a free two-day conference in Belfast this week. Digging at 60: From the Archives will take place at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September. The event marks 60 years since the publication of Death of a N

A six-day programme of historical presentations, political discussions and traditional events will culminate in an Ulster Day Parade through Ballymena later this month. The annual Ulster Covenant Festival, organised by the Apprentice Boys of Derry Ballymena and District Amalgamated Committee, will run from Monday 21 September until Saturday 26 September. Events will include discussions examining the present and future of unionism and loyalism, a presentation on the Ballymena

Saturday 5 September 2026 Historical fiction, psychological thrillers and major new non-fiction titles are among the books attracting readers at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, with Tarot Reader of Versailles by Anya Bergman taking the number one spot in the latest Top 10. Alice Feeney’s My Husband’s Wife takes second place, followed by John Grisham’s The Widow, while familiar favourites from Joanna Miller, Alex Michaelides, Sabine Durrant and Kristin Hannah also feature. T

A day of work and play at Craig’s Corn Cutting charity event in 2025. (Images: Brian Millar) Families, farming enthusiasts and vintage vehicle owners are being invited to enjoy a day of rural demonstrations and entertainment near Cullybackey tomorrow, with all proceeds supporting Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Craigs Corn Cutting Charity Day will begin at 11am on Saturday 5 September at 49 Duneoin Road, Cullybackey, BT42 1PN. Working machinery and vintage vehicles The event

The Ulster Aviation Society is preparing to throw open its historic wartime hangars for what promises to be its biggest European Heritage Open Days weekend yet, with more aircraft, historic vehicles and entertainment added as visitor numbers continue to soar. The entirely volunteer-run charity will welcome the public to Maze Long Kesh, near Lisburn, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, with free admission and parking and no need to book in advance. Running from 10am until

Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent has returned to the top of the bestseller chart at Waterstone’s Ballymena, leading a varied Top 10 featuring contemporary fiction, psychological thrillers, historical drama and fantasy. There is a particularly strong showing for female authors this week, with Lily Chen, Joanna Miller, Claire Douglas, Cecelia Ahern, Sabine Durrant, V.E. Schwab, Kristin Hannah and Freida McFadden all securing places alongside Evans. Beyond the chart, there are

Advertorial One of Ireland’s best-known voices is coming to Ballymena this autumn, with Tommy Fleming choosing the town as one of the first stops on his brand new Encore Tour. The acclaimed singer will take to the stage at Tullyglass Hotel on Thursday 1 October 2026, bringing his band and a new live show to local audiences as he looks forward to getting back in front of fans following what has been a turbulent few months. And there is more new music on the horizon, with Flemi

GAME ON, Ballymena — Level Up Entertainment Centre has officially opened its doors, bringing a spectacular new place to play, eat, meet and make memories at Pennybridge. And while the neon-lit arcade is packed with games designed to bring out everyone’s competitive side, there is another big reason this new arrival could quickly become a favourite well beyond family days out. Wait until you see the Shake Bar. Level Up has paired its all-ages entertainment centre with a striki

Ballymena BID is bringing businesses across the town centre together for a major birthday celebration tomorrow as Ballymena marks its historic 400th anniversary. Shops, cafés, restaurants and other businesses will roll out special offers, £400 giveaways, discounts, competitions, parties and treats on Tuesday 25 August, while the Ballymena BID team will be out on the streets handing out nostalgic party bags — with some containing extra surprises. The “Birthday Bonanza” is desi