the Marine Hotel Ballycastle has officially joined the global B Corp community becoming one of the first hotels in Northern Ireland to earn this prestigious certification The announcement marks a significant milestone for the Causeway Coast establishment which has long championed ethical business practices recognises businesses that meet rigorous standards of performance and transparency across five key areas: governance this accolade is a formal endorsement of its longstanding commitment to balancing profit with social and environmental impact it’s who we’ve always been,” said Claire Hunter and taken responsibility for protecting our beautiful coastal environment we’re wearing that commitment proudly and helping to spread the word about doing business as a force for good.” the Marine Hotel has embedded sustainability into every facet of its operations From energy-efficient lighting to water-saving initiatives the hotel has reviewed and tailored its day-to-day practices to minimise its environmental footprint A remarkable 90% of its food and contractors are sourced within a 50-mile radius ensuring support for local producers and reducing carbon emissions 90% of the hotel’s team live within a 15-minute drive reinforcing its role as a vital local employer The hotel’s vision is clear: to be the leading 4-star hotel on the North Coast delivering consistently excellent and affordable services while prioritising sustainable local produce and environmentally responsible operations relaxed beachside hospitality in a workplace that is safe with a commitment to nurturing talent and building the future of the hospitality industry the Marine Hotel is now legally obligated to consider the impact of its decisions on all stakeholders—not just shareholders—operating with equal focus on People This places the hotel among a global network of progressive businesses that bridge the gap between traditional for-profit models and non-profit organisations The path to B Corp certification was no small feat The process required months of documentation and a formal change to the hotel’s legal governance structure The Marine Hotel extended special thanks to Graham and Heather Gillen of Eccountinc and the wider B Corp community across Ireland and the UK for their invaluable support “We did this because it matters,” said Claire Hunter it’s a blueprint for doing business better.” the Marine Hotel is a cornerstone of the Ballycastle community it serves as a vibrant hub for both residents and visitors and sustainable practices further strengthens its role in shaping the social and environmental landscape of the Causeway Coast The hotel’s efforts align with a growing demand for green tourism as travellers increasingly seek eco-friendly accommodations that prioritise ethical practices the Marine Hotel is poised to inspire other businesses in Northern Ireland and beyond to adopt sustainable models The Marine Hotel’s B Corp certification positions it as a trailblazer in Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector demonstrating that profitability and purpose can go hand in hand As one of the first hotels in the region to achieve this status it sets a powerful example for others to follow For those eager to learn more about the hotel’s sustainable journey, further details are available at marinehotelballycastle.com/sustainable the Marine Hotel Ballycastle is not just redefining hospitality—it’s shaping a brighter more sustainable future for the Causeway Coast and beyond WhatsApp: 07311 700 250 Privacy Policy aged 38 who is missing from County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland Kurtis ReidSat 19 Apr 2025 at 16:13Police investigating the disappearance of a Co Mayo man last seen in Ballycastle have made a specific appeal for information on the backpack he was seen carrying when he went missing The PSNI is working alongside An Garda Síochána in a bid to locate George Brennan he was last seen on Wednesday 2nd April 2025 in Ballycastle The sighting was via CCTV in the Spar shop on Moyle Road in the area with Mr Brennan wearing a black zip up top runners and was carrying a blue hiking backpack It is believed the Co Mayo man may have travelled onwards from Ballycastle He family describe him as “an avid sea swimmer and hiker” and could have “run into trouble doing these activities.” They also said his disappearance is “completely out of character,” and his family and friends are deeply concerned for his wellbeing a PSNI spokesperson made an appeal to find his backpack: “As our enquiries continue make a specific appeal in relation to the location of a blue coloured backpack which George was seen carrying (pictured) “We would ask that anyone who believes they may have seen this backpack or who has information as to its whereabouts a spokesperson said: “We are heartbroken and desperate for any news or has any information—no matter how small—to come forward.” Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening Please check your inbox to verify your details is well known as a great place to call home The town was named ‘Best Place to Live’ in Northern Ireland by the Sunday Times in 2022; and is now the location of the best housing development in Ireland created by Apex Housing Association (Apex) Dunineany View in Ballycastle was announced as the best housing development in Ireland by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) in February with Apex accepting the award at a ceremony held in Titanic Belfast outshining eleven other housing projects from across the island of Ireland features 28 apartments for people aged over 55 and is a shared community supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing for All Shared Housing Programme the site was a neglected space which had previously been the location of Rathmoyle Residential Home providing a building that continues to benefit a local population of older people says: “We are thrilled that the innovative design and quality construction of Dunineany View has been recognised on a national stage With feedback and support from the Ballycastle community we were able to transform a neglected site creating a thoughtfully designed and modern apartment block that allows neighbours to become friends encourages an active lifestyle and makes the most of the stunning seafront location.” “The design was inspired by Ballycastle’s traditional building style and followed conservation guidelines to preserve its historic character Swift boxes were installed to allow local birds to nest safely and a communal garden with raised beds was created to enable tenants to grow their own vegetables.” “I would like to congratulate our development team and partners KnoxClayton Architects and Lowry Construction for bringing the vision to life and contributing to this project’s success Our wider teams at Apex have worked since February 2024 to make Dunineany View a real home for local people – allocating apartments responding to property queries and providing opportunities for neighbours to connect and we are excited to see this community thrive in the years to come.” The development of Dunineany View was supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing for All Shared Housing Programme The Programme has its origins in the Northern Ireland Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society Up to £3.8 million will potentially be invested in Dunineany View to deliver the homes and contribute to the area’s good relations plan Apex works in partnership with local advisory group stakeholders and residents to deliver a good relations plan for Ballycastle This plan includes ‘bridging’ events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include health and wellbeing Apex has organised dozens of good relations initiatives in Ballycastle This has included historical tours offering different perspectives of Ballycastle Justice and Care of the Earth’ Conference at Corrymeela and a Health Fair attended by over 120 local people Apex also commissioned a local artist to collaborate with Dunineany View tenants to create two large pieces of art for the main entrance hall found himself homeless seven months before moving to Dunineany View: “I feel so lucky to have been given this new forever home Having been born and raised in the seafront area of Ballycastle My apartment is on the ground floor at the front of the building so I have the added benefits of a great view and being able to come and go through my own door The CIH All-Ireland Housing Awards took place in Titanic Belfast in February 2025 The awards celebrate and recognise the best in housing in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and showcase the amazing work and inspirational people seen in communities every day The Glenshesk Road partially collapsed due to an embankment failure on 27 March 2024 After a spell of prolonged heavy rainfall throughout the preceding day and night the Glenshesk Road partially collapsed on 27 March 2024 due an embankment failure The rainfall event was one factor contributing to the road collapse The topography of the site is such that it slopes steeply from west to east the geology on the higher side suggests potential shallow bedrock which encourages runoff from the surface there is sandy soil which provides little cohesion it highlights that the area is susceptible to slippages and landslides however we are unable to predict where and when they will occur The Glenshesk Road has therefore been closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to safety concerns between U5075 Glenbank Road and U5077 Greenan Road and a fully signed diversionary route is currently in place The footage shows the magnitude of the embankment failure The design process has various approval procedures in place which must be followed to ensure risks are identified and managed Geotechnical Approval of the proposed design is a mandatory part of the process and ensures that the design reduces the risk of a further failure The new project will be jointly funded through the UK Government and the Council and will see just over £16 million invested to provide high-quality fitness and recreational facilities for the local community the project involves the construction of a brand-new leisure centre on the site of a former sports pitch The development will replace an existing 3G sports pitch with modern with completion scheduled for December 2026 the centre will be a benchmark in sustainable design achieving Net Zero Carbon in operation and incorporating BREEAM and Passivhaus principles the project will feature solar photovoltaic panels on the roof and a solar carport generating over 205,000 kWh of renewable energy annually We are a privately owned company with an impressive history built on integrity and responsibility A TIERNAN Murphy goal helped Rossa fend off a Ballycastle rally to open their season with a win on home turf The hosts had led by 11 at one stage in the first half but McQuillan's worked their way back into it to get to within two and seemingly on course to complete the comeback but Murphy struck what proved a decisive goal The returning Deaglan Murphy converted two early frees before being picked out by Eoin Trainor to land his first from play Pearce Short then did well to get free for a score and Murphy followed with yet another before Ballycastle opened their account with 11 played through a Neal McAuley free But the momentum was with the hosts as Murphy landed another two frees followed by an intercept and score by younger brother Daire as Rossa kept their foot on the gas A Tiernan Smyth point at the other end may have broken the sequence but Rossa continued to build the lead with another pair of Murphy frees while Eoghan McMenamin got his name on the board and Stephen Beatty split the posts from deep to push the gap out to 11 Ballycastle did manage to rally towards the end of the half with Lorcan Donnelly hitting back-to-back and Cathair Donnelly then finding his range Tiernan Murphy marked his arrival as a substitute with an early point after the break and Eoin Trainor added another but Ballycastle began to eat into the lead and almost began their charge with a goal as Conor Donnelly looked certain to score only for a last-ditch challenge by Declan McCartney Neal McAuley nailed the subsequent 65 with Conor Donnelly Oran Kearney and Neal McAuley making it five on the spin A Deaglan Murphy free failed to turn the momentum as four pointed frees from McAuley left just two between them and Ballycastle on a roll a Deaglan Murphy free eased home nerves and three minutes from time a ball into the forwards broke as Tiernan Murphy lashed home Ballycastle sought a way back with the McAuleys again pointing but Tiernan Murphy and another of the subs The visitors were chasing a late goal but a couple of late raids were kept out by goalkeeper Donal Armstrong and McCartney as Rossa prevailed the hosts' reserves claimed a 5-18 to 3-6 win over Glenarm II in Division Four Sign up to the weekly sport briefing to stay up to date with everything Sport Donate to BelfastMedia.com today to ensure that this website remains free now Developed and maintained by Soundlining © Copyright 2025 Belfast Media All rights reserved Developed and maintained by Soundlining © Copyright 2025 Belfast Media All rights reserved By 2025-03-24T10:10:00+00:00 Ballycastle Co-op has just relaunched after a million-pound makeover to transform it increase its focus on local products and bring a modern new-look timed to be ahead of the seasonal wave of visitors destined for the seaside town soon provides a fresh new look and feel for the 5,500 sq.ft Ballycastle is the latest Northern Ireland Co-op to undertake a major refurbishment with the convenience retailer investing more than £1.5m last year to refurbish and re-launch its Rosetta and Sydenham stores Its increased focus on quality local produce will see more than 150 product lines offered by Northern Ireland businesses including: Barr’s butchers of Ballymena; Bertie’s Bakery Ballycastle Co-op will include a new serve-over food to go counter by Ashers bakery offering delicious food to go such as bakery products Added services will include an InPost parcel locker for customers to manage the convenient collection and return of their parcels said: “We’re delighted to start 2025 with a major investment in Ballycastle which I’m delighted to see relaunch with a fantastic new look “Our work remains firmly set on giving our members and customers great quality alongside the promotions and deals they love We aim to make our stores a community hub as we focus on growing the number of members engaging with us in Northern Ireland.” said: “The whole team is proud and excited to have had the opportunity to invest in Ballycastle Our aim is for our store to be a community hub combining great quality products community participation and additional customer services We’d like to thank our customers for their support during the works.” Register today to gain unlimited access to articles and to receive our great range of email newsletters Register now Site powered by Webvision Cloud was last seen on Wednesday April 2 in Ballycastle The PSNI is working alongside An Garda Síochána in a bid to locate a missing man from the Republic of Ireland a PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are currently assisting colleagues in An Garda Síochána with a missing person is missing from Co Mayo in the Republic of Ireland “George may have links to the Causeway Coast and Glens area “If anyone has any information relating to George quoting reference number 831 of 12/04/25.” information can also be shared with Gardai or Crimestoppers (1800 25 00 25) increase its focus on locally sourced products and bring a modern and exciting store to conveniently serve the local community ahead of the seasonal wave of visitors destined for the popular seaside town will provide a fresh new look and feel for the 5,500 sq ft store - enhancing the shopping experience in the community and developing a new range of fresh and local products Ballycastle is the latest Northern Ireland Co-op store to undertake a major refurbishment with the convenience retailer investing more than £1.5M last year to refurbish and re-launch its Rosetta and Sydenham stores will see more than 150 product lines offered by Northern Ireland businesses including: Barr’s Butchers of Ballymena; Bertie’s Bakery Clandeboye Estate; Coleraine cheese; Dale Farm Ice cream; Denny and Sons; Dromona Dairy; Gallaghers Bakehouse; Hulls of Ballymena; Island Salads; Karri Foods with South-East Asian ready meals and which as part of Co-op’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions is estimated to reduce energy consumption at the store by around one-fifth soft plastic recycling enables consumers to return harder to recycle materials such as crisp packets and bread bags The store also acts as a fulfilment hub for Co-op’s leading Quick Commerce operation – shop.coop.co.uk -  with online grocery orders picked fresh in the local store and delivered quickly and conveniently locally Member prices online and in store create additional value for Co-op’s member-owners with lower prices on an extensive range of every day products that shoppers buy most “We are delighted to start 2025 with a major investment in Ballycastle Last year was a very strong year for Co-op in Northern Ireland with major refurbishments to transform our Rosetta and Sydenham stores an accelerated roll-out of our quick commerce operation and the introduction of more than 150 great quality Northern Irish products from local suppliers on to our shelves “We are now focussed on further investment this year Our work remains firmly set on giving our members and customers great quality Through added services and contribution to wider society we aim to make our stores a community hub as we focus on growing the number of members engaging with us in Northern Ireland.” “The whole team is excited to have the opportunity to invest in Ballycastle Our aim is for our store to be more than just a shop but a community hub combining great quality products We would like to thank our customers for their support during the works and we are all really looking forward to our relaunch when the works and improvements are completed next month.” The programme of works is mainly taking place outside of opening hours with the works expected to conclude and the Ballycastle store relaunching on 21 March Co-op’s Ballycastle store opens between 7am-10pm Monday – Saturday Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives Its members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting coop.co.uk/membership Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that a £448,000 carriageway and footway resurfacing scheme on the Moyarget Road Ballycastle will commence on Monday 9 September 2024 The resurfacing scheme will extend from Toberdoney crossroads to Ballymacfin Road junction “This is a substantial investment for the Mosside / Ballycastle area which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users The investment demonstrates my commitment to improving our rural road network and creating further opportunities for active travel which is vital for connecting our businesses and communities local businesses and commuters for their patience while this essential infrastructure work is carried out.” To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to implement a road closure between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm from Monday 9 September 2024 until Friday 27 September 2024 signed diversionary routes will be in place via: B67 Moyarget Road – B66 Castlecatt Road – B17 Straid Road – A2 Straid Road – C105 Whitepark Road – A44 Moyarget Road and vice versa The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience while steps have been taken to accommodate local access and Translink bus services throughout the scheme road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions the works will be substantially complete by Friday 27 September 2024 however the Department will keep the public informed of any change For more information about this and other improvement schemes visit: Trafficwatchni one of County Antrim’s popular community running events with McAuley Freight confirmed as the principal sponsor the 5K race promises a memorable day for participants and spectators alike The event will commence at 10am from the tennis courts at Ballycastle’s picturesque seafront drawing runners of all abilities to take on a course renowned for its beauty and variety is pictured with Arron McAuley of McAuley Freight urging running enthusiasts to secure their place “The Marconi Run is a highlight of the local calendar offering a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Causeway Coast while challenging yourself,” he said “We’re thrilled to have McAuley Freight as our principal sponsor and we’re looking forward to welcoming runners of all levels to this special event.” All participants will receive a bespoke medal uniquely designed for the 2025 Marconi Run making it a coveted keepsake for those crossing the finish line Prizes will also be awarded to the top three male and female finishers as well as winners in various age categories ensuring broad recognition for the event’s diverse field of competitors and supporters to relax and celebrate together The communal atmosphere is expected to be a highlight fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants and the local community joined Stewart in encouraging participation an event that brings people together and showcases the beauty of Ballycastle,” Arron said and the stunning surroundings of the Causeway Coast.” Ballycastle Runners have advised those interested to register early to avoid disappointment. Please TAP HERE to register now The event is expected to attract a strong turnout building on the success of previous years and reinforcing Ballycastle’s reputation as a hub for community-driven sporting events The state-of-the-art passenger vessel named Selkie will bethe largest passenger-only vessel on the North Coast, and offers a range of daily excursions including puffins, seals and lighthouses tours, Carrick-a-Rede island and Kinbane Castle Tur and Great Lighthouses of Rathlin. And its owners, husband-and-wife team Charles Stewart and Dawn Hynes, say the launch of Selkie will help boost domestic tourism and attract visitors to the region, especially with the added highlight of the 153rd British Open returning in July. The couple established Kintra Boat Tours in 2020, and two years later launched Kintra II, an 84-passenger vessel which joined Kintra, the company’s first vessel, providing sightseeing and wildlife tours along the North Coast. In early 2023, Kintra was appointed as the new operator of the Ballycastle-Rathlin ferry route, operating ‘Spirit of Rathlin’, a 105-tonne cargo and passenger ferry. Charles Stewart said: “The arrival of Selkie is a proud moment for us and a major step forward for tourism on the North Coast. “We have one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, and Selkie gives us additional capacity to ensure that as many people as possible will be able to enjoy the beauty of the North Coast from sea. “This vessel allows us to welcome more visitors year-round, while also creating new jobs and opportunities here in Ballycastle. We’ve poured our experience and passion into this project, and we’re excited to see Selkie set sail ahead of the summer season.” Dawn Hynes added: “We commissioned Selkie back in 2022 and today really is a proud milestone, not just for our team but for the entire Ballycastle and North Coast communities. “Selkie is a Scottish term that’s often found in the folklore of Scotland, but it’s also a reference to ‘seals’, which seems particularly appropriate as for many years, we’ve shared the north coast seas with a pod of seals that often make an appearance to the delight of our guests onboard.” Tours on Selkie are available to book at www.kintraboattours.co.uk. Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd supermarket chain Aldi’s newest flavour of Ballycastle cream liqueur is a celebration of two of Ireland’s favourite flavours The new Ballycastle Stout is bottled at 12% ABV and will retail for £7.99 (US$10) for a 700ml bottle The brand says the limited edition expression is ‘perfect for sipping after dinner or mixing into cocktails’ and has created a recipe for a Ballycastle Stout Espresso Martini (see below) The serve could be a winner this year, following Kahlúa’s survey last year that found Brits would prefer to toast to the Irish saint with an Espresso Martini over stout The Irish cream brand released a S’mores variant in October 2024 adding to its growing portfolio of flavoured expressions The brand shares many similarities with another Irish cream liqueur, which prompted us to deep-dive into how the supermarket chain gets away with its imitation game Earlier this week, Irish cream brand Baileys debuted two dairy-free, oat milk-based products We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again increase its focus on locally sourced products and bring a modern and exciting new-look store to conveniently serve the local community provides a fresh new look and feel for the 5,500 sq ft store - enhancing the shopping experience in the community and developing a new and extensive range of fresh and local products Clandeboye Estate; Coleraine Cheese; Dale Farm Ice Cream; Denny and Sons; Dromona Dairy; Gallaghers Bakehouse; Hulls of Ballymena; Island Salads; Karri Foods with South-East Asian ready meals and which as part of Co-op’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions reduces energy consumption at the store “We are delighted to start 2025 with a major investment in Ballycastle which I am delighted to see relaunch with a fantastic new look “The whole team is proud and excited to have had the opportunity to invest in Ballycastle “We would like to thank our customers for their support during the works and we are now really enjoying welcoming customers old and new into the store with the extensive programme of improvements completed - we have a fantastic great looking store to serve and support our community More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting coop.co.uk/membership XFASTINDEX Ballycastle leisure centre is a £16m project that will see new indoor and outdoor sports facilities construction on the site of a sports pitch on Quay Road in Ballycastle Jointly funded by the UK government and the local council with playground and cyclists’ pump track outside The centre has been designed by Hall Black Douglas to achieve net zero carbon in operation with solar photovoltaic panels on the roof and a solar carport expected to generate more than 205,000 kWh of renewable energy a year Graham managing director Jonathan Hall said: “The new leisure centre will provide a modern Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that enhances the local area while aligning with sustainability objectives.” Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk 3 hours Ebbsfleet Development Corporation is undertaking early market engagement for infrastructure works. 19 hours Following a recent expansion into North America, Murphy Group has now entered Australia. 2 hours Innovative tracked carrier manufacturer among 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise recipients 2 hours Modular construction business Integra Buildings has received royal recognition for its approach to sustainability. 3 hours MTX Contracts has been selected as the preferred bidder to build a diagnostic centre in Pitsea, Essex. 3 hours House-builder Springfield Properties has promoted Darren Thomson to construction director for its north of Scotland operations. © 2025 The Construction Index [Company No ' + response[i].created_nice + ' ' + response[i].description + ' Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the start of construction work on the new £72 million Ballycastle Shared Education Campus The major investment which was first announced as a project to receive funding from the United Kingdom Government’s Fresh Start Programme in March 2016 will provide a new shared school campus building for Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion College Cutting the first sod to officially mark the beginning of construction “Today marks the start of an exciting new era for Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion College as work officially begins on the new shared education campus “I welcome the £72million investment from the Fresh Start Programme which is a significant milestone for both Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion College these new facilities will provide much needed education benefits for pupils Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (CC&GBC) are a partner on this project contributing a further £3.8m to enhance the sports facilities for community use teachers and staff deserve to learn and teach in first class facilities and this new campus will enable children to grow learn and prosper in an environment both indoor and outdoor that is stimulating and adaptable to changing needs.” Acknowledging the work to bring the project to this stage the Minister concluded: “I want to thank everyone involved in this project for their hard work and commitment and wish pupils governors and parents every success in the future as you look on with excitement and pride as your new shared campus becomes a reality.” Principal of Cross and Passion College and Ian Williamson Principal of Ballycastle High School said: “We are delighted that our shared education campus in Ballycastle has reached this exciting milestone This is a wonderful opportunity for the young people and wider community in North Antrim It is testament to the vision and dedication of our predecessors from both schools that we have reached this significant stage.” Construction on the site began in early May 2024 and is due to be completed in late summer 2027 as the supermarket announces a host of new and exciting country cream treats – with prices starting from just £3.49.    Aldi’s NEW Ballycastle Mini Crackers (£3.49 Each individual cracker encases a mini bottle of Ballycastle and a selection of chocolate truffles Shoppers can choose from three indulgent flavours Chocolate & Clementine and White Chocolate shoppers can stock up on the NEW Ballycastle Milk Chocolate Clementine (£7.49 The limited-edition tipple is the perfect combination of luxurious chocolate and citrusy orange reminiscent of one of the nation’s favourite festive chocolate flavours With a decadent blend of sweet chocolate and biscuit with vanilla and marshmallow notes this delicious country cream is the ultimate boozy twist on the classic s’mores treat Aldi’s Ballycastle Country Cream Advent Calendar this festive calendar contains 21 delicious Ballycastle cream-flavoured chocolates and three mini Ballycastle bottles (5cl) to countdown to the big day in style Classic Country Cream and – NEW for 2024 – Chocolate & Clementine Also making its way back to stores is Aldi’s Ballycastle Trio Gift Set (£5.99 The ultimate indulgent gift for country cream fanatics this cute and quirky gift contains three delicious flavours including Classic Country Cream Customers will be thrilled that Aldi is returning a shopper-favourite The award-winning1 Ballycastle Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter (£7.49 Back by popular demand is Aldi’s Ballycastle White Chocolate (£7.49 it boasts notes of vanilla and white chocolate on the palate Winning SILVER at the International Wine & Spirits Competition2 this tipple is particularly delightful as part of a festive cocktail Aldi has extended its Specially Selected Irish Cream line with the NEW Billionaires (50cl) and Espresso Chocolate (50cl) additions for just £8.99 available in stores on 14th October.  The Specially Selected Irish Cream Billionaires (£8.99 while the Specially Selected Irish Cream Espresso Chocolate (£8.99 50cl) boasts a blend of smooth chocolate and coffee They both promise to lift shoppers spirits this Christmas Available in stores on 14th October.  Aldi’s festive Ballycastle range is available in stores now.    1 IWSC.com  2 IWSC.com  For more information, please contact the Aldi Press Office on:T: 0207 479 0910 or alditeam@clarioncomms.co.uk Raise a toast this Christmas with Aldi’s range of exceptional fizz a glass of chilled fizz should always be on standby Brand NEW Christmas Pudding and Cranberry and Clementine Mulled Wines have also been added to the festive line-up Who says adults can’t have s’more fun this Bonfire Night Make 5th November an un-bally-evable one and celebrate Guy Fawkes with the launch of Aldi’s limited-edition Ballycastle S’mores Country Cream (£7.49 Offering a decadent blend of rich chocolate and biscuit flavours this nostalgic tipple is guaranteed to ignite shoppers’ tastebuds – just simply enjoy neat over ice or enjoy as part of an indulgent s’mores-tail.   Not forgetting beer fans with a love for the fluffy stuff Aldi is also welcoming the NEW The Hop Foundry Toasted Marshmallow Stout (£1.79 this tipple offers smooth malt and hop flavours with a twist of toasted marshmallow undertones for a slightly sweet but smooth stout.   Aldi’s limited-edition Ballycastle S’mores Country Cream is available in stores now.  Aldi’s The Hop Foundry Toasted Marshmallow Stout is available from 11th November.  Aldi is bringing the taste of Greece home with the launch of its Gyros Kits — a tasty fakeaway for a purse-friendly £3.19 has found that Aldi is yet again named the cheapest supermarket for a basket of 79 essential items this month IT’S always a thrill to pull back the curtains on the first morning of a holiday and this time I couldn’t have been more excited Waking up, I could hear the sound of waves washing over the beach and I dived out of bed to be first to catch a glimpse of the spray arching over the glorious sand It was stunning. I could have stood there all day watching this wonder of nature but then even better I raced down to the shoreline to drink in the sea air and enjoy the salty spray as he wrapped himself up against the brisk winds that swept across the Irish Sea to Ballycastle We’d got here on Stena Line’s fab ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast with our 14-year-old son Cameron This was our first ferry crossing and we absolutely loved it The views of the Irish Sea were stunning and the on-board facilities very impressive After a smooth crossing we arrived in Belfast, eager to explore the wonders of Northern Ireland and Ballycastle Our family room was extremely comfortable and there was no fighting for space here But the highlight has got to be the wonderful sea views Waking up to the sight of those waves crashing against the shore was magical Talking of which, I think the chefs had a touch of that old magic too try traditional Irish fare.Steven absolutely adored and devoured the Irish stew and I couldn’t get enough of the fresh seafood The portions were generous and the quality excellent The hotel’s breakfast is equally satisfying with a wide range of options to choose from The Full Irish was a favourite providing us with the energy needed for a day’s adventure We started out at an attraction not to be missed — the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge Located just a short drive from Ballycastle it will put anyone’s fear of heights to the test suspended high above the crashing waves was thrilling and slightly nerve-wracking GETTING THERE: Cairnryan to Belfast with Stena Line costs from £149 for a car and driver. See stenaline.co.uk. STAYING THERE: The Marine Hotel in Ballycastle is from £95 a night B&B. Their Winter Saver Deal for a Family Break is £199 for two adults and two children. See marinehotelballycastle.com. The views from the bridge were spectacular with the rugged coastline and clear blue sea stretching out before us the big attraction in the area is the iconic Giant’s Causeway with its unique hexagonal basalt columns is steeped in myth and legend We spent hours exploring these marvellous geological formations and the stunning coastal scenery The visitor centre has fabulous exhibits and interactive displays, and even Cameron was fascinated to learn the history and science behind this UNESCO World Heritage Site Who says that holidays can’t also be educational Back in Ballycastle we took time to explore its quaint charm But it wasn’t long before the call of the sea had us again and we took leisurely strolls along the beach collecting seashells and taking in the fresh sea air relaxation and cultural experiences but we were sorry to miss the local market which we were told is held on Saturdays selling lovely handmade crafts and produce Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here. Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayocool fmlocalnewsBallycastle: urgent appeal for missing man The last-known sighting of George Brennan was on CCTV in the Spar shop on Moyle Road The family and friends of a missing 38-year-old man, last seen in Co Antrim, have issued an urgent appeal for help in finding him. George Brennan, from Co Mayo, was last seen on Wednesday April 2 in Ballycastle. The last-known sighting of Mr Brennan was on CCTV in the Spar shop on Moyle Road in Ballycastle. He was seen wearing a black zip-up top, dark jeans, runners and was carrying a blue hiking backpack. Mr Brennan is 6'2, 100kg, with brown hair and blue eyes. It is believed that he may have travelled onwards from Ballycastle, by foot, hitchhiking or public transport. He is an avid sea swimmer and hiker and there is concern he could have run into trouble doing these activities. The PSNI is assisting An Garda Siochana and has issued an appeal for anyone with information to get in touch. His family and friends said they are deeply concerned for his wellbeing and added that his disappearance is completely out of character. Speaking on behalf of the family, a spokesperson said: "We are heartbroken and desperate for any news. George is deeply loved, and we just want to know that he is safe. "We urge anyone who may have seen him, spoken with him, or has any information - no matter how small - to come forward." The family is asking members of the public across the island of Ireland to share George's photo and appeal widely on social media to help raise awareness. Anyone with information is asked to contact the PSNI by calling 101, quoting reference number 831 of 28/03/2025. For those outside Northern Ireland, information can also be shared with Gardai or Crimestoppers (1800 25 00 25) Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898) The amazing view from The Lookout restaurant in Ballycastle and the same can definitely be said for food the meal my family and I enjoyed at The Lookout restaurant in Ballycastle last week would have been memorable under any conditions Strabane Academy and Holy Cross College are among the schools that closed Strabane Academy was one of the schools closed today Strabane Controlled Primary School has closed The schools gates at Strabane Holy Cross College remain closed Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press Christopher Leebody and Liam TunneyMon 24 Mar 2025 at 16:39Police in London are investigating whether a series of threatening emails sent to nine schools in NI is linked to a number of similar incidents in the English capital earlier this month The correspondence was sent to a number of schools across Co Tyrone Co Fermanagh and Co Antrim and the decision was taken to close some due to what was described as “security concerns” on Monday morning The PSNI later confirmed the incident was being treated as a “hoax” London Metropolitan Police said it was investigating a potential link between the threats and a number of similar incidents in the city earlier this month "The Met are assisting with enquiries by the Police Service of Northern Ireland following reported threats made to schools in Northern Ireland on Monday March 24,” said a spokesperson “It is being investigated whether there are any links to similar incidents reported in London earlier this month NI Education Minister Paul Givan condemned the threats the DUP MLA said: “I condemn the disruption caused this morning after an email was sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland “I welcome the speedy response from the PSNI who have now assessed the threat and explained to schools they do not need to take any action as a result of this hoax.” The PSNI said its officers immediately attended the affected schools after the incident was reported “Police received reports from three schools in Strabane three schools in Ballycastle and three schools in Enniskillen this morning that they had received an email during the early hours of today,” they added “Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff resulted in anything untoward at any of the schools Based on enquiries and information to date Three schools in Enniskillen which received the email stayed open while three schools in Ballycastle and three in Strabane closed PSNI Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said: "We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community not to mention the disruption it has caused in each of the school communities and for students and parents "Thank you to each of the schools for their assistance with our enquiries to date "Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to liaise with each of the schools impacted to provide reassurance to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101 Three schools in the Strabane area were closed this morning including Strabane Academy and Strabane Primary School including Cross & Passion College and St Patrick's & St Brigid's Primary School Schools in Co Fermanagh were also impacted including Enniskillen Royal Grammar School Enniskillen Integrated Primary School and Nursery as well as Erne Integrated College which has since opened after advice from the PSNI An Education Authority (EA) spokesperson said it was grateful for the PSNI response “We have been working closely with PSNI who have confirmed that the threatening email sent to nine schools in Northern Ireland today is being treated as a hoax,” a spokesperson said "PSNI immediately attended each school to engage with staff and checks have not resulted in anything untoward being identified at any of the schools and they will continue to liaise with each of the impacted schools We are very grateful to PSNI for their rapid response to this issue "We understand the concern and disruption this has caused for those school communities and we are also liaising with the schools to provide any support they require at this time to continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101 DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine said “despicable emails” had been sent to the schools and suggested on social media that an “individual” was behind the threats In a statement this morning the politician said: “Threats issued against what we believe to be nine schools across Northern Ireland are to be unequivocally condemned "Whilst we await more detail as to their credibility such threats are unacceptable and have no place in our society and friendship for young people - is particularly reprehensible "I commend the leadership of the affected schools for their swift and responsible response in prioritising the safety and well-being of their pupils and staff Their professionalism and dedication in the face of this situation is testament to their commitment to their school community and staff impacted by this incident and subsequent school closures No child should have their education disrupted in this manner and no family should have to endure the fear and uncertainty caused by such reckless actions “The PSNI must act swiftly to identify the culprit behind this.” A PSNI spokesperson previously said: “Police received reports today of an email sent to a number of schools in Enniskillen and liaising with the schools in question and also with the Metropolitan Police in London.” Strabane school Holy Cross College with 1,500 pupils wrote: “Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern we would ask that parents make arrangements to collect them "We will update you all as soon as possible this morning “Please share our closure notice with friends and family of Holy Cross College.” Cross & Passion College wrote on social media: “Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern.” St Patrick's & St Brigid's Primary School on the Moyle Road said: “School closed until further notice Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland also confirmed Ballycastle Integrated Primary School & Nursery Unit and Ballycastle High School and Gaelscoil An Chaistil were also closed and I’m thinking of the impact on the schoolchildren at each school.” Local MP and TUV leader Jim Allister posted on X: “Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim “I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents One mum of a pupil at Ballycastle High School wrote online that her daughter had been impacted She wrote online: "I have just had a text to say Ballycastle High has decided to close because of security alerts at The Cross and Passion and St Brigid’s "Buses are being brought back to take them home what do these people gain from doing this?” Independent Derry City & Strabane councillor Jason Barr shared that a number of other schools in his local area have also been forced to close because of the “security reasons” He said these closures included Strabane Academy and Strabane Primary School on the Derry Road "Closed this morning due to security reasons,” he added “Not sure of the circumstances as of yet.” DUP MLA Gary Middleton wrote: “Concerning that schools across NI have been affected by a security threat An update from the PSNI and Education Authority is due to be issued shortly.” Erne Integrated College confirmed they were also impacted by a “security alert” which they said had since been cleared by the PSNI They have confirmed the school is now open traffic around the school and Erne Integrated Primary is extremely backed up,” they wrote on social media after the all clear was given by the PSNI.”