Community

Community

Families still seek answers over 1983 South Armagh murders

The families of Paddy Mackin and Eamon MacMahon continue to challenge the original account of their murders, saying other republicans were involved in the killings.

Community

Armagh Teen Harpist Reveals Fleadh Performance Was a Year Highlight After Britain’s Got Talent Success

Co Armagh harpist Niamh Noade has spoken about her pride at performing at the Fleadh closing ceremony after reaching the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent.

Community Navan

From digital skills to 1,200 visitors: six updates shaping the Armagh borough

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has published a series of August 2026 updates covering digital inclusion, culture, creative businesses, family activities, community relations and a major event at Navan Centre & Fort.

Community City Centre

Forty young gardeners discover the ‘Spud in the Mud’ at Oxford Island workshop

Natural World Products welcomed 40 children, parents and carers to a Family Gardening Workshop at its No-Dig Garden at Kinnego Bushcraft Centre, Oxford Island, Craigavon. The event included bug hunting, seed-ball making, vegetable harvesting and hands-on activities promoting peat-free compost. Further horticultural workshops are planned for autumn.

Community Tassagh

Paddy McGleenon remembered as a ‘great Armagh Gael’ after decades supporting young players

Tributes have been paid to Paddy McGleenon, the former North Armagh GAA Board secretary from Tassagh who spent more than 30 years supporting Gaelic games and youth development before his death in Lurgan.

Community

Armagh Observatory draws crowds for Northern Ireland’s deepest partial solar eclipse in decades

Crowds gathered at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium as 93% of the Sun was obscured during Northern Ireland’s deepest partial solar eclipse since 1999, with experts saying a comparable event will not be seen until 2090.

Community Richhill

Armagh and Richhill students take farming lessons from pioneering Lake District businesses

CAFRE students William McMahon from Armagh and Rosie Jennings from Richhill joined a study tour of innovative farms in England, examining sustainability, diversification, technology and renewable energy.

Community

Armagh businesses help raise £13,069.94 in memory of Dungannon father Paul McBride

Armagh-based businesses have helped raise £13,069.94 for Pulmonary Fibrosis NI at a charity golf day held in memory of Dungannon man Paul McBride, who died aged 59 after living with the terminal condition.

Community

Banbridge ‘Chatty Bench’ vandalised with graffiti weeks after loneliness initiative launched

A bright yellow Chatty Bench on Banbridge’s Riverside Walk has been defaced with substantial graffiti, prompting condemnation from a local councillor and concern for an initiative designed to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Community

Hospital discharge delays of more than four months revealed across Southern Trust

Patients at Craigavon Area Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital have faced discharge delays of up to 131 days because homecare packages were unavailable, figures released in response to an Assembly Question have shown.

Community Blackwatertown

Blackwatertown set to welcome home two Co Armagh charity walkers after 1,000km journey

Eamonn Donnelly and John Gribbin are expected to complete their 1,000km-plus ‘Home from Home’ charity walk in Blackwatertown on Wednesday, August 12, after nearly 40 days on the road from Essex.

Community Cathedral

Powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Colombia as injuries and serious building damage reported

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, shaking parts of Colombia and neighbouring Ecuador. Officials reported injuries and serious damage in Choco, while footage showed buildings collapsing in several cities.

Community

Armagh Orchard Leisure Centre upgrade moves closer as £2.4m tender deadline is set

A £2.4 million refurbishment of Armagh’s Orchard Leisure Centre has moved closer after ABC Council opened a tender process for the work. Construction is expected to begin in November, although the centre’s closure arrangements and likely disruption will not be known until a contractor is appointed and a programme agreed.

Community

Armagh records its driest July since daily measurements began in 1836

Armagh Observatory says July 2026 was the driest July recorded in Armagh since daily rainfall measurements began in 1836, alongside unusually high pressure, warmth and sunshine.

Community

Armagh records its driest July in almost two centuries

Armagh Observatory says July 2026 was the driest July recorded in Armagh since daily rainfall measurements began in 1836, with record-high pressure and unusually warm, sunny conditions.

Community

Southern Trust homecare under pressure as more staff leave than join

The Southern Trust is losing more homecare staff than it recruits, prompting warnings from the Independent Health and Care Providers about growing unmet need and pressure on families and hospitals. The Trust says demand is outstripping supply but that it is recruiting, reviewing care packages and working to modernise services.

Community City Centre

Man detained for mental health assessment after knife recovered in Armagh city centre

A 28-year-old man was taken into police custody and then detained for assessment by mental health authorities after officers recovered a knife in the Lower English Street area of Armagh on Wednesday morning.

Community

Armagh set for rare 94% solar eclipse as family day prepares for spectacular evening sky

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is preparing a full day of family activities ahead of a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, when the Moon will cover about 94% of the Sun over the region.