Belfast TradFest begins on Sunday

Hundreds of musicians are getting ready for the sixth annual Belfast TradFest.

The week-long festival of traditional music and events includes concerts, céilís, music masterclasses and more.

The opening event will feature The Blackwater Céilí Band, among others, and a range of activities from face painting to bodhrán circles, with sessions on the SS Nomadic.

TradFest kicks off with Sunday's céilí and finishes on 28 July.

Nazareth House pupils welcomed by neighbours as roof gets fixed

Nazareth House closed after an inspection of the roof found that it was unsafe.

Northern Ireland

'Oysters are a missing habitat, a missing species, that do fantastic things for biodiversity'

Thousands of European oysters have been placed on the Belfast Lough seabed, in a bid to bring back native reefs that had almost disappeared.

Northern Ireland

A wooden puppet wearing a red costume and hat lies on the table. It has green eyes and brown hair. A lady wearing pink is examining its strings while another hand holds up its wooden top.

Puppets and family plates - how repair cafes bring items back to life

Volunteers at a County Antrim repair cafe sew, glue and paint to restore loved items.

Northern Ireland

A man and woman standing facing each other in a forest. A woman has long brown hair and is wearing a red dress and the man has short dark hair and a green/ blue shirt.

'I always wanted it to be Paul Mescal'

Coleraine born Maggie O'Farrell says she always wanted Paul Mescal to star in the film adaption of Hamnet.

Northern Ireland

A man wearing a black coat holding a red defibrillator. He has dark short hair and is standing in front of a red brick building.

Electrician saves life of man on Belfast street

Dale Lee had begun to carry a mobile defibrillator in his work van after an advanced first aid course.

Northern Ireland

A woman with a shirt blonde bob standing next to five young children - two boys and three girls.

Crafts and chats - how one school is bridging the generational gap

A scheme that started four years ago, brings primary school pupils together with elderly residents living nearby.

Northern Ireland

A long haired dachshund standing on grass. He is wearing a collar with a red lead.

Woman calls for firework regulation change after dog's death

Ms Allen's long haired miniature dachshund, Buddy, ran off after fireworks "just started out of nowhere" startling the dog.

Northern Ireland

A man with black hair, beard and moustache and blue shirt

Light therapy boxes placed in all NI libraries

Some of the lamps - which are often used for Seasonal Affective Disorder - are available to loan for up to three weeks.

Northern Ireland

'This Christmas Carol - it's ours'

Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol has been reimagined by playwright Marie Jones in the setting of Victorian Belfast.

Northern Ireland

When Henry met Tom - a story of friendship between man and Robin

Tom McElhone's remarkable friendship with Henry the robin proves a viral hit.

Northern Ireland

Kilrea Bridge reopens - but for how long?

The reopening of the bridge across the River Bann has provided a boost to businesses and residents.

Northern Ireland

John Linehan is best known for his character May McFettridge, a Belfast housewife with a sharp tongue

Comedy panto legend on saving a life: 'Maybe she went on to have a family'

Northern Ireland comedy legend May McFettridge aka John Linehan recalls the moment a young woman told him his words helped keep her alive.

Northern Ireland

A group of primary school children dressed up in nativity costumes.

Rural school hosts its last nativity

This year's nativity at Duneane Primary is the school's last as it is closing.

Northern Ireland

Evri services 'just not good enough'

Evri has apologised to those impacted and said it will take appropriate action and support customers.

Northern Ireland

Mums call for more breastfeeding support

A Newry woman says she paid for breastfeeding support as midwives were too busy to help her.

Northern Ireland

Man in brown puffer coat smiling at camera

Should Belfast have a real or fake Christmas tree?

From 2026, Belfast City Hall's Christmas tree will be an artificial one.

Northern Ireland

Ashley Wilie has long black hair and is wearing a cream jumper with red hat. Her partner beside her has long black and grey hair, and beard. He is wearing a grey jumper and top.

Childcare reforms 'would make a huge difference' for families

The Northern Ireland Executive plans to subsidise over half of all childcare costs for working families by April 2032.

Northern Ireland

A man with short grey hair, wearing a navy coat. He is standing in front of a pile of rocks and there is a blue sky above.

Passage tomb closed due to safety reasons

The solstice marks the shortest day - and longest night - in the northern hemisphere and the start of astronomical winter.

Northern Ireland

The picture shows trainee doctor David McCleary who has short fair hair and is wearing a navy v-neck medical shirt

Student doctors 'disheartened' over lack of funding

Some student doctors at Queen's University Belfast undertaking a second degree say they face a "double disadvantage" in funding their studies.

Northern Ireland

A man looking to the left of the camera, he has dark hair and a beard.

Sumo wrestling on the rise in Belfast

The ancient Japanese tradition of Sumo wrestling has found its Irish home in Belfast.

Northern Ireland