The collection that carried the sights, sounds and language of Heaney’s Co Derry childhood to readers around the world turns 60 this year. A free two-day event featuring archive discoveries, live music, creative workshops and a special film screening will celebrate its enduring legacy this week.

Free Belfast conference marks 60 years since Seamus Heaney’s Death of a Naturalist

A free two-day Belfast conference will mark 60 years since Seamus Heaney’s landmark collection Death of a Naturalist was published.

loveballymena.online

Northern Ireland farmers are being urged to watch livestock closely after bluetongue was confirmed in an unvaccinated heifer in County Wexford. No cases have been detected here this season, but infections are rising sharply across Great Britain.

NI farmers urged to watch livestock closely after bluetongue case confirmed

NI farmers are urged to check livestock for bluetongue symptoms after the first case of the 2026/27 season was confirmed in Wexford.

loveballymena.online

𝗚𝗢 𝗔𝗠𝗬 | “The first day I went back on a bike I wanted to give up.” After nine months away through injury, Ballymena racer Amy Booth had to rebuild her strength, speed and confidence. Now, a chance encounter has opened the door to an unexpected international opportunity in Belgium. 🇧🇪

“I wanted to give up”: Ballymena’s Amy Booth prepares for Belgium challenge

Ballymena racer Amy Booth reveals how she overcame a nine-month injury lay-off before securing an international opportunity in Belgium.

loveballymena.online

A packed six-day programme of historical talks, political discussions and traditional events will culminate in a parade through Ballymena. The full festival programme, participating bands, parade times and town-centre route have now been confirmed.

Six-day Ulster Covenant Festival to conclude with parade through Ballymena

Ballymena’s Ulster Covenant Festival runs from 21–26 September, ending with an Ulster Day Parade through the town. See the full programme and route.

loveballymena.online

𝗡𝗜 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 | Police believe adults orchestrated serious disorder involving young people in Londonderry’s Waterside, warning those responsible placed their safety — and futures — at risk. Petrol bombs were thrown at officers, and roads were blocked during the unrest.

Police believe young people were ‘used and exploited’ in orchestrated Londonderry disorder

Police believe young people were exploited during orchestrated disorder in Londonderry in which petrol bombs were thrown at officers.

loveballymena.online

Toby and Milo enjoying their early morning walk in Broughshane. 🐾 📸 Lyndsay Turtle

A new day begins in North Antrim as the moon fades in the early morning sky. 📸 Anne Kelly Art and Photography • @annlizkelly.bsky.social

County Antrim secondary schools are being offered athlete-led mental-health workshops and £1,000 worth of sports equipment. Olympians Rhys McClenaghan and Kerry O’Flaherty will help young people build confidence, manage pressure and learn why asking for support is a sign of strength.

County Antrim schools offered athlete mentoring and £1,000 of sports equipment

County Antrim secondary schools can apply for athlete-led mental-health workshops and £1,000 of sports equipment through Sport for Good.

loveballymena.online

Sunset this evening from Old Park Road, Ballymena. 📸 Reuben Thompson (12-years-old)

Pink evening skies in rural North Antrim. 📸 Anne Kelly Art and Photography • @annlizkelly.bsky.social

September sunset skies in Glenarm 📸 Chelsea Wright

“Lovely sunset up at home tonight from the comfort of my lane, in Glenwherry.” 📸 Mark McKinstry

A colourful rainbow and the hope it contains, this evening, on the Antrim coast. 📍 Ballycastle 📸 Anne Kelly Art and Photography • @annlizkelly.bsky.social

“The problem isn’t a flag on a lamppost, it’s whether the lamppost works.” — John Stewart MLA The UUP says paramilitary flags have no legitimate place but says the proposed Display of Flags and Emblems Bill is the wrong way to tackle the problem.

UUP to oppose Flags and Emblems Bill as Stewart warns DfI would be drawn into cultural disputes

The UUP will oppose the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill, warning it could draw Infrastructure officials into contentious decisions over flags.

loveballymena.online

Football supporters are being warned that taking part in fights arranged online could have far-reaching consequences for their future employment and travel. The PSNI has also urged parents to check what young people are arranging through social media.

PSNI warns football supporters over pre-arranged fights organised online

The PSNI has warned football supporters against arranging fights online and urged parents to monitor young people’s social media activity.

loveballymena.online

A brilliant FREE family weekend is returning — and this year it’s getting even bigger! After attracting a record 7,200+ visitors last year, the Ulster Aviation Society is opening its historic wartime hangars with new aircraft, historic vehicles, flight simulators, live entertainment and much more!

Historic aircraft, Harrier, Sea King and more as huge FREE family weekend returns

Ulster Aviation Society’s free family weekend returns to Maze Long Kesh on 12–13 September with aircraft, vehicles, music and more.

loveballymena.online

𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚... 𝘾𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 / 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧 An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Customer Service Adviser to join the NFU Mutual Ballymena Agency. ➜ Salary: depending on experience ➜ Location: Ballymena ➜ Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm

Views from Ballycastle on Monday morning… the pebble beach, Spirit of Rathlin, and Mull of Kintyre in the distance. 📸 Anne Kelly Art and Photography • @annlizkelly.bsky.social

A new coffee shop and amusement arcade planned for Church Street could operate around the clock under an application backed by Ballymena BID. The organisation believes a well-managed late-night venue could help strengthen the town centre economy and provide an additional point of safety after dark.

Ballymena BID backs plans for 24-hour town centre coffee shop and arcade

Ballymena BID has backed plans allowing a new Church Street coffee shop and amusement arcade to operate around the clock, seven days a week.

loveballymena.online

SCAM WARNING | A small initial investment became a devastating £250,000 loss after criminals used a fake AI video, WhatsApp messages and remote computer access to build the victim’s trust. Police have identified the warning signs every family should know.

Victim loses £250,000 after fake AI investment advert builds web of deception

A victim lost £250,000 after a fake AI investment advert led to WhatsApp contact, remote computer access and demands for further payments.

loveballymena.online

“Chilled out day swimming in the Braid in Broughshane, and chasing bubbles!” 📸 James Marcus

𝗧𝗩 | Pablo is growing up — and now he’s heading to school. Made in Belfast, the brand-new Pablo: Next Level draws on the real experiences of autistic children, using humour and imagination to tackle school life, inclusion and bullying.

Belfast-made Pablo: Next Level brings autistic children’s school experiences to RTÉ and CBBC

Belfast-made Pablo: Next Level launches on RTÉ KIDS and CBBC, using humour and autistic voices to explore school, inclusion and bullying.

loveballymena.online

Two people were brought safely ashore during a busy afternoon for RNLI lifeguards at Portrush. A bodyboarder was swept out to sea by a flash rip before an injured walker became trapped beside a cave accessible only from the water.

Two rescued within an hour after bodyboarder swept out to sea and walker trapped near Portrush cave

RNLI lifeguards rescued a bodyboarder swept out by a rip current and an injured walker trapped beside a cave near Portrush.

loveballymena.online

Northern Ireland’s fire service is receiving 47 new appliances and specialist vehicles through a fleet upgrade worth more than £16 million. The investment promises safer, more reliable equipment for crews — but it has not yet been confirmed which stations will receive the new vehicles.

47 new NIFRS vehicles to strengthen emergency response across Northern Ireland

NIFRS is introducing 47 new fire appliances and specialist vehicles through a Northern Ireland fleet investment worth more than £16 million.

loveballymena.online

Sunflowers without the sun today… and views to Fairhead and Knocklayde in North Antrim. 🌻♥️ 📸 Anne Kelly Art and Photography • @annlizkelly.bsky.social

A significant change is coming for families applying for funded pre-school places in Northern Ireland next year. Education Minister Paul Givan says the current priority system is “outdated, unnecessary and unfair”.

Pre-school admissions shake-up will end wider priority for families on replacement benefits

Northern Ireland’s pre-school admissions rules are changing next year as Paul Givan moves to reform the social disadvantage priority system.

loveballymena.online

ECONOMY | The Chancellor has promised “growth in every postcode” – but what does his new economic plan actually mean for Northern Ireland? Changes to how major investments are assessed, plans to use public contracts to back businesses & further British Business Bank support could all matter here.

Chancellor promises ‘growth in every postcode’ as Northern Ireland businesses put at heart of UK economic drive

Chancellor John Healey has unveiled a UK growth strategy covering investment, public contracts and business, with implications for Northern Ireland.

loveballymena.online

Police have seized seven e-scooters during an operation in Antrim — and a local MLA is urging parents to think twice before putting one under the Christmas tree. “As Christmas is coming up around the corner, do not buy your child an E-Scooter. It is not worth it.” — Trevor Clarke MLA

Seven e-scooters seized in Antrim as MLA urges parents: ‘Do not buy your child one’

Police have seized seven e-scooters in Antrim as South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke urges parents not to buy the machines for children this Christmas.

loveballymena.online

Two police officers were injured and several police vehicles damaged after a car allegedly failed to stop for officers twice on Sunday afternoon.

Two officers injured after police vehicles rammed during Antrim pursuits

Two officers were injured and police vehicles damaged after a car allegedly failed to stop twice in Antrim. A 31-year-old man was arrested.

loveballymena.online