Ballymena

Antrim Eagles FC were on the verge of folding - but are determined to fight on. (Photo by Wesley Allen)

Chairman launches player recruitment drive - and reveals survival struggle

Ballymena United manager Oran Kearney. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

Star striker's red card decision 'hard one to take' for Oran Kearney

Ballymena will travel to face Dungannon at Stevenson Park in a huge AIL Ulster derby this weekend.

Former Queen's teammates going head-to-head in massive AIL Ulster derby

Ballymena United manager Oran Kearney. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Oran Kearney hopes to see greater Ballymena United goal rewards

Go-Ahead apprentices pictured during their visit to Wrightbus's Ballymena headquarters, where they learned about the design and manufacture of buses

NI manufacturer joins UK transport giant in apprentice exchange

Generally a flight lasting one hour, the Belfast Ryanair passengers did not end up arriving in Manchester until about 11 hours after takeoff (photo by Jaime REINA / AFP via Getty Images)

Co Antrim Ryanair passenger baffled by Storm Boelo 'gruelling ordeal'

Conceptual illustration of the proposed development at Church Street, Ballymena. Pic: The Martin Group. Status

Over 70 new apartments proposed for Co Antrim town

Ballymena United star highlights 'big reason' behind Linfield exit

From left are, Nicole Ross, business development manager and chief financial officer, Ross Companies, Iain Joannides, head of Regional Business for the Eastern Region, Invest NI and William Ross, managing director, Ross Companies

Ballymena economy boosted by Ross Companies’ £3.6m expansion plan

Banbridge’s Ben Johnston tackled by Chris Balfour against Enniskillen. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Josh Gibson faith in Queen’s ‘clicking’ despite poor AIL run

Northern Ireland's Dean McMaster on the Air NI Kawasaki at the North West 200 in May. (Photo by Alan Weir/Pacemaker Press)

Dean McMaster leaving no stone unturned ahead of Macau Grand Prix debut

Maire Claire Reid reflects on her family’s journey from a kitchen table in Loughgiel to growing logistics business TST Group with ambitions to reach £100m

‘From our kitchen table’: How a NI family built a £100m logistics ambition

Ballymena’s Wrightbus is celebrating a major milestone after its 500th electric bus entered service in Greater Manchester, underlining the manufacturer’s contribution to the UK’s transition to cleaner public transport. Pictured is Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner, with some of the team at the recently electrified Oldham depot

Wrightbus lands latest milestone as 500th electric bus enters service

Ballymena United manager Oran Kearney. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Ballymena United debutant makes immediate impact after Irish League return

The current Lidl store in Carrickfergus. Picture: Local Democracy Reporting Service

Permission granted for larger Lidl supermarket in Carrickfergus

Jumping for joy in the Fairhill Shopping Centre in 2009 were the cheerleaders of Newtownabbey All Stars, who put on a display as part of the centre's Summer Fun series. BT32 - 821H

Ballymena's Fairhill Shopping Centre through the years
With Fairhill Shopping Centre marking its 35th birthday in October 2026, we’ve delved into the Ballymena Times archive to find these great photos taken at the the retail hub through the years.
The Newsroom

The application has been made by Larne-based social enterprise AEL. Image: Google

Social enterprise to develop training services and shop unit at former Tesco

On Saturday, September 5, on-call personnel from Ballymoney station undertook a remarkable achievement by simulating the ascent of Mount Everest using a 13.5 metre ladder.

Ballymoney firefighters who scaled 'Everest' present £8k to Noah's Story

Ballymena United manager Oran Kearney. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

Oran Kearney feels 'crazy decision' crucial as Ballymena let lead slip

Ballymena go in search of their third successive victory as they take on Queen's

Summer signings driving Ballymena’s winning start ahead of Queen’s test

Ballymena United's Kodi Lyons-Foster has impressed during his loan move from Coleraine. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

'Colossal' Ballymena United star has key trait 'that's dying in the modern game'

The case was heard at Ballymena courthouse

Man put items from work up for sale on eBay and Facebook Marketplace

Northern Ireland’s Trai Hume. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Trai Hume insists 'belief has always been there' for talented NI squad

Queen's Conor Magee has returned from a long-term injury. (Photo by Queen's)

Lost season but Conor Magee relishing Queen's return and forward steps

Carnlough Harbour Car Park

Barrier approved to help tackle anti-social behaviour at harbour car park

Ballymena-based Galgorm Collection will become the first hospitality employer in Northern Ireland to provide its employees with access to subsidised childcare. Pictured is Nikolai Koplewsky, director of Sleepy Hollow Group, Jade Strain and her daughters Ivy and Ruby, Bronagh Creery, senior director, Sleepy Hollow Group and Laura Millar, people and development associate director at Galgorm Collection

NI hospitality firm to offer subsidised childcare to 1,100 staff

Portadown manager David Jeffery

MANAGER'S VERDICT: Harsh lesson learned for Portadown in Ballymena loss
David Jeffrey failed to criticise his Portadown players after their wait for a first Premiership victory continues, believing they paid the price for failing to score in the first half at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
Johnny McNabb

Coleraine's fans at the Irish Cup final. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

Ruaidhri Higgins insists 'can't tar them all with same brush' as Coleraine fined

Breaking Man dies following assault in Ballymena

Administrators have been appointed to Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd, which employed 95 staff across sites in Cushendall and Ballymena.

Collapse of Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd causes redundancies & farming blow

Administrators appointed to Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd

Administrators appointed to Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd

The Glens of Antrim Potatoes site at Ballymena. Image: Google

Glens of Antrim Potatoes ceases to trade following appointment of administrators

Ballymena Business Centre is marking the achievements of two highly successful projects, Enabling Enterprise and 4i Innovation, funded by The Gallaher Trust, which have collectively supported 359 companies and entrepreneurs in their business journey. Pictured are, from left, Stephen Scullion, Ballymena Business Centre Manager, Ryan Burton from Peak Shaving, Ian Paisley, Chairman of The Gallaher Trust, Taig Brookes, from Airtac and Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE, Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre. Photo: NAKEDPR

Ballymena Business Centre projects support more than 350 businesses

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

Rodney McAree clear Dungannon Swifts have 'to improve and be better'

PSNI

Man found unconscious in Ballymena in critical condition

Ben Boyd, Owner of Ben’s Ice Cream with Andrew Scott, Store Manager of JC Stewart | Supplied

Ben's Ice Cream hits shops for first time with launch of new 500ml tub range

Councillors agree to reopening of leisure centres on bank holidays

Larne Leisure Centre. Pic: Local Democracy Reporting Service

Mid and East Antrim leisure centres to reopen on bank holidays

Ballynahinch's Kelvin Hamilton tackled by Josh Quail in the Senior Cup clash with Banbridge. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Ballymena pride over pre-season progress around AIL squad prep

Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins celebrates his side's win over Ballymena United. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

Ruaidhri Higgins not bothered as 'worst performance' ends in derby delight

Visitor centre at Carnfunnock Country Park. Pic: Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Construction of new visitor centre and amenity block at 'advanced stage'

Portrush actor Andrew Porter.

Portrush actor Andrew heading for the hills in Ulster Scots 'Waiting for Godot'

Lukas Kenny in possession earlier this year for Queen's. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Instonians' bid for number 21 starts with visit by Ballymena

Ballymena’s Fairhill Shopping Centre has announced a major new milestone in the transformation of the centre, with JD Sports set to relocate to a newly created 12,300 sq ft retail unit

NI shopping centre agrees deal for major 12,300 sq ft sports-fashion store

Linfield manager David Healy. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Roy McGivern clear there's 'no issues' between Linfield board and David Healy

The Jesters pose for a photo during the Ballymena 400 celebrations in the town on Tuesday 25 August 2026.

Commons recognises Ballymena reaching 400 while town celebrates

Wrightbus seeks public’s help to preserve eight decades of busmaking history. Pictured is Paul Savage with Christian Reynolds in front of the 80th anniversary mural

Wrightbus calls on public to help piece together 80 years of history

An image provided by the company in planning documents to illustrate the look of its phone kiosks. Photo: New World Payphones

'No call for phone boxes': Council hangs up on third-party firm's booth plans

Image from the Kells Sons of William Facebook page of William Young, who has died following a band parade in Rasharkin

Funeral details released for 'valued bandsman' William 'Booey' Young

Ethan McGee celebrates scoring Linfield's winner. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Linfield star clear 'we know the standards are very high' after Cliftonville win

Finley Thorndike has joined Ballymena United from Crusaders. (Photo by Ballymena United FC)

Ballymena United confirm signing of Crusaders star in player swap deal

Laura McMinn, Tesco Northern Ireland buying manager, Alvin Donaghy, commercial manager at K&G McAtamney, Kenneth Herron, Tesco Northern Ireland lead fresh buying manager - Northern Ireland Product, Gordon McAtamney, managing director at K&G McAtamney and Clare McCormack, Tesco Northern Ireland assistant buyer

'Proud': More than 140 years of NI meat-making history hits Tesco shelves

Owen Wardell celebrates his goal with his Crusaders team mates in the comeback victory against Ballymena United

Monkey off the back joy for Declan Caddell as Crusaders earn first win

Portadown manager David Jeffrey. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

David Jeffrey's Portadown pride before first - 'look to the people of the past'

Ben Kennedy (right) has joined Portadown from Ballymena United for an undisclosed fee. (Photo: Portadown FC)

'Unique player' swaps Ballymena United for Portadown in surprise move

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