Ben Lowry

Amanda Ferguson and David Graham and, inset, William Crawley

Commentator abruptly leaves during William Crawley show following clash

The UK Industry Minister, Chris McDonald, at Harland & Wolff, to “celebrate hundreds of millions" of government funding in NI businesses. At the News Letter we make sure such visits are covered given extensive media coverage of Dublin’s shared island money, which now includes a media funding to promote cross-border stories

Ben Lowry: London lets Dublin look generous and Britain mean - undermining UK

People enjoy the last of the sunshine at Crawfordsburn beach at 9.30pm on Thursday July 16 2026, a day which saw temperatures in parts of Northern Ireland reach 29 Celsius. The beach, on Belfast Lough, had been packed with people earlier, as was the nearby beach at Helen's Bay. Pic Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: Northern Ireland at its most beautiful in this perfect July weather

The Luton Airport Dart has been described as the most expensive train in Britain but it transforms access between airport and mainline rail station

Ben Lowry: Luton Airport is now the best way to fly between NI and London

Ronald Appleton KC was chief prosecutor in Northern Ireland during some of the most violent years of the Troubles and president of the Belfast Hebrew Congregation

Ben Lowry: Men like Appleton and McQuillan helped prevent civil war in NI

Novak Djokovic of Serbia after losing his Wimbledon singles semi-final match, aged 39, against against Jannik Sinner. Picture: Friday July 10

Ben Lowry: Sad Djokovic did not win at 39, so now hoping England win world cup

The Belfast News Letter from August 1776 that reported the Declaration of Independence from the month before, July 4. The news took six weeks to cross the Atlantic. Our readers here in Ulster knew the significance of the declaration because so many people they would have known had sailed west to America. Picture Arthur Allison, Pacemaker

Ben Lowry: We weren't first in 1776 but our early US reports are even better

The News Letter article on the Saturday before Brexit in which Ben Lowry argued against leaving the EU because of the risk to the UK. Saturday June 18 2016

Ben Lowry: Brexit has merits but has been very bad for NI’s place in UK

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court on Monday June 22, his last day of freedom. Later that day, he was was convicted of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape – against two women when they were children. Pic Liam McBurney/PA

Ben Lowry: Donaldson’s religious language was turned against him in sex trial

Reform of Stormont would be disastrous for unionists. Many supporters of reform did not advocate it when unionists were in a majority as recently as 2017

Ben Lowry: Petition of concern vital to stop nationalist domination at Stormont

This picture was taken at 1055pm close to the longest day of year, after sunset at 1004pm but just before the end of civil twilight at 11.00pm, on the coast of north Down, looking across Belfast Lough to Co Antrim in Northern Ireland. Pic on Friday June 19 2026 by Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: A sense of joy at the longest day of the year, and melancholy too

Ben Lowry on Channel 4 News on Wednesday evening from Belfast city centre, seen alongside Lilian Seenoi-Barr of the SDLP from Londonderry. She referred to a unionist culture of racism, which Ben rejected. Image: Channel 4 News

Ben Lowry: It is a slur to say unionists are more racist than nationalists

Do not be misled by the media invention of the 'Burrows bounce', next year's elections will decide

Letter: Unionism needs one party to win – not three

Jon Burrows has made a decent start as UUP leader but still has much to prove

Owen Polley: Nothing to suggest Burrows is a hardline UUP leader

The Ulster Unionist deputy leader Diana Armstrong MLA and Jon Burrows MLA on the day he was ratified as UUP leader at the Stormont Hotel in east Belfast, speaking to Baroness (Daphne) Trimble, widow of the former UUP leader David Trimble, on Saturday January 31, 2026. Pic: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Ben Lowry: UUP has defied obituarists but faces crisis if Jon Burrows is ousted

A talk about Enrique MacDonnell, a descendant of the Earls of Antrim who became an admiral in the Spanish navy in the late 1700s, given by Roddy Hegarty at the Robinson Library in Armagh as part of the Armagh-250 series to mark Ulster links to the early United States, on Wednesday June 3 2026. Picture Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: I have been enjoying fascinating talks on Ulster and the early US
On Wednesday I was at a fascinating lecture in the beautiful Robinson Library in Armagh.
Ben Lowry

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald pictured during vote counting in her own Dublin Central constituency last Saturday. Sinn Fein's candidate there constituency failed to win a seat, while the West Galway candidate finished seventh

Ben Lowry: By-elections showed Sinn Fein still isn't popular in south

Sun-worshippers flocked to Helen's Bay beach as temperatures soared on Bank Holiday Monday, reaching 26 Celsius in parts of Northern Ireland. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

Ben Lowry: Northern Ireland in perfect weather is better than Spain the same

Lord Young of Acton (seen here in the House of Lords) is among those due to speak at the gathering in Belfast

The Free Speech Union's UK tour is coming to Belfast

For the first time since February, home heating oil was for sale in NI for less than 90p a litre (£784 for 900 litres, £446 for 500ltrs)

Ben Lowry: Is this a good time to buy oil in NI? Yes, yet also a terrible time

Cavehill, with Northern Ireland's capital city Belfast in the background. Tourism NI is responsible for the marketing of Northern Ireland yet its 10-year plan barely used the name, instead using a term Sinn Fein prefers 'the north'

Ben Lowry: Tourism NI should use the name Northern Ireland, not 'the north'

Sir Keir Starmer is weak and apolitical but Angela Rayner is so ill-suited to being prime minister that she would be a laughing stock, while Andy Burnham is unreliable

Ben Lowry: Starmer is poor but Labour rivals worse - particularly for unionism

James T Kernohan, the longstanding secretary-manager of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, who kept the Balmoral Show going during the Troubles. Seen in a 1968 edition of Farm Week, now a sister paper of the News Letter, which is edited by Mr Kernohan's grandson, Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: A happy reminder of my grandfather’s role in the Balmoral Show

The UK’s highest court – the Supreme Court – in effect slapped down Northern Ireland’s highest court, the court of appeal, on how the past should be investigated. It was a very belated outcome

Ben Lowry: Supreme court setback for NI legal system's role in legacy scandal

The Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre, one of the five buildings in the Gilbert-Ash film, Building Culture, which were previously shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize

Ben Lowry: Film depicted Belfast company's role in great buildings around the UK

The then Sunday World northern editor Jim McDowell speaks to journalists at Armagh Coroners court after the inquest into the death of reporter Martin O'Hagan, who was murdered by loyalists

Ben Lowry: Jim McDowell was giant of NI journalism who hated loyalist criminals

The News Letter said that it was the local government standards commissioner Margaret Kelly who should be suspended from her post for not understanding candid debate and open democracy when she banned a DUP councillor over clumsy but legitimate remarks

Ben Lowry: If commissioners don't grasp free speech then they need named
This week we reported on Margaret Kelly, the local government standards commissioner for Northern Ireland.
Ben Lowry

People enjoy the grounds of Belfast City Hall in the handsome city centre. But the streets around it have been almost ruined by blaring noise pollution

Ben Lowry: Belfast must ban blaring buskers and preachers who have ruined centre

Hilary Benn said that the government will "clearly differentiate between the role played during the Troubles by our brave security forces and the actions of paramilitary terrorists". Great. But it is obvious that this needed said clearly many years ago

Ben Lowry: Welcome but belated remark from Benn that state wasn't same as terror

Sir Keir Starmer in Paris on Friday for a summit to facilitate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Yet at home he seems battered by events. Pic: Tom Nicholson/PA

Ben Lowry: Like many PMs, Starmer seems to have been almost destroyed by office

The average cost of 900 litres of oil has been more than £1,000 for six consecutive weeks, worse even than in the weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine

Ben Lowry: First glimmer of hope since February that oil prices in NI might fall

US President Donald Trump with Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers last year. Mr Trump as prime minister would not be so weak towards Ireland as Sir Keir has been, who has not even criticised Ireland suing the UK. Pic: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Ben Lowry: Think how Trump would react to Ireland suing the UK if he was our PM

Rory McIlroy, right, runs with his daughter, Poppy, during par-3 contest ahead of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, on Wednesday, April 8. He has earned his huge success and is justified in choosing the most expensive Masters menu ever (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Ben Lowry: I applaud Rory's pricey menu and Augusta's ban on mobile phones

The proposed mining site at Curraghnihalt, Tyrone will only impact on a 150 acre surface area, smaller than some other quarries, yet the value of the gold is staggering

Letter: A safe and well-regulated gold mine is the objective

The proposed mining site Curraghnihalt, Tyrone will only impact on a 150 acre surface area, smaller than some other quarries, yet the value of the gold is staggering. Other major nations with such resources mine it and use the wealth for their societies

Ben Lowry: Huge delay in vast gold mine in Sperrins is farcical reflection on NI

The hearse carrying the remains of the Very Rev RSJ Houston McKelvey OBE QVRM TD, former dean of Belfast, in Portstewart after leaving Agherton Parish church, where his funeral service was held on March 25 2026. Pic: Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: Two funerals - Houston McKelvey and a former lady mayoress of Belfast

Stormont's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at a recent visit to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC with Dr Julie Miller, Curator of Early American Manuscripts at the Library of Congress. Pic taken March 19 2026

Ben Lowry: As US turns 250, Lyons puts focus on Ulster Irish of early America

WEDNESDAY: The Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly with the UK's ambassador to the US Sir Christian Turner KCMG at the ambassador's residence in Washington after a St Patrick's Day breakfast on March 18 2026. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Ben Lowry: A unionist diplomatic triumph in US amid nationalist/Alliance boycott

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams arrives to speak to the media in Belfast on Friday March 20 2026 after High Court damages claim against him by three victims of IRA bombings has been "discontinued" with "no order as to costs". Picture: Oliver McVeigh/PA Wire

Ben Lowry: Collapse of Gerry Adams case will make legacy imbalance worse

Even the most competitive suppliers in Northern Ireland have been quoting around £1,100 for 900 litres

Ben Lowry: In Northern Ireland we are particularly vulnerable to high oil prices

Sir Keir Starmer responds to a News Letter question at the Atlas Women's centre in Lisburn, but he did not fully answer the query. Pic Ben Lowry on Thursday March 12 2026

Ben Lowry: Starmer had no answer to my query about Ireland suing UK

Oil was as little as £519 for 900 litres in Northern Ireland the week before the bombing of Iran. Now it is almost double that level, at around £1,000 – an eye watering £1+ per litre

Ben Lowry: My oil advice is to wear pullovers and use as little of it as you can

Iranian protestors were dancing with joy in front of Belfast City Hall on Sunday at the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei, yet there was much interest in a 'Stop Bombing Iran' rally the next day. Pics: Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: No interest when Iranians danced in Belfast at fall of ayatollah

Glorious sunshine and blue skies in Belfast city centre on the last day of February 2026, spring very much in the air. Pic by Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: NI is now into spring and its seasonal joys, before February is out

Green Party's Hannah Spencer celebrates winning the Gorton and Denton by-election at Manchester Central early on Friday. There was a shift to both the firm right and firm left in the results. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Ben Lowry: By-election result has only shown how scarily divided the UK now is

Andrew’s behaviour and conduct has been scrutinised in the press, and investigated by the police

Letter: Andrew crisis recalls expenses scandal

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gets a standing ovation after his speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 14. He told the event: "Our frontiers were shaped by Scots-Irish" (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

Ben Lowry: We alone seemed to cover Rubio’s warm tribute to Ulster Americans

The then Prince Andrew at Bombardier in Belfast in 2008. He could be charming on his visits to Northern Ireland but also arrogant. Photo by Aaron McCracken/Harrison Photography

Ben Lowry: Andrew will not fell the monarchy but a king like him would do so

Baby boomers have enjoyed low house prices, good pensions, modern medicine and other technologies. Many are still active in work or business in their 70s, and the oldest of them have just turned 80.

Ben Lowry: Happy 80th baby boomers! You were born at a very good time in history

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with the beard, sitting in front of Sir Keir Starmer in the stands at Manchester United in 2004. The prime minister urged the football club's co-owner to apologise for remarks on immigration, which he partly did, but Ben Lowry says Sir Jim was largely right in his remarks. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Ben Lowry: Ratcliffe was clumsy but right about benefits and migration

President of Ireland Catherine Connolly (left) shakes hands with DUP MP for East Londonderry Gregory Campbell during a civic reception at the Guildhall, Londonderry, on Thursday. He challenged her, but was not rude (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Ben Lowry: Gregory Campbell was justified in challenging President Connolly

Stormont is determined to keep increasing public sector wages to please voters, even though it is already clear that this means that services will decline in quality or, like dentistry, cease to be free

Ben Lowry: If NI keeps lifting public sector pay services will be privatised

A snapshot of a video on the News Letter Facebook page of almost spring-like sunny weather in Belfast city centre, on Wednesday January 28 2026, between grim wet and grey weather in Northern Ireland, and even floods. By Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: Amid floods and grim January NI weather was a brief flash of spring

Belfast City Centre crammed with shoppers, last month, December. But even in the quieter new year the city has far more traffic than it did only a year or two ago, far more people working in it and still plenty of shoppers. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker

Ben Lowry: Belfast seemed to face extinction post covid, but now it's busy again

One of the horrifying pictures we ran of rats there were over-running Hillsborough Forest Park in 2011, feeding off bread left for the ducks and swans in the lake. Pic Colm O'Reilly Pacemaker Press Intl

Ben Lowry: We can't blame rat rise on funding, it's personal responsibility too

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