Belfast Media Group | Andersonstown, North & South Belfast News

Athlete turned journalist, John sets out his personal journey in new book

A TALENTED athlete who became a sports journalist and broadcaster is set to launch his eighth book in the Culturlann next month.

Belfast in Bloom has a special place for our alleyways

BELFAST City Council is inviting residents to pick up their trowels and join the 2026 Belfast in Bloom competition, which features an exciting new addition: the ‘Best Alleyway’ category.

Lenadoon meeting focuses on making more use of Colin Glen

REPRESENTATIVES of Lenadoon Community Forum and Glen Community Parent / Youth Group held a very positive meeting with the new Operations Manager at Colin Glen Trust, Jamie Fee.

SMART bins in Belfast city centre can hold more litter

Belfast City Council is modernising its street cleansing operations by rolling out high-tech SMART compactor bins across major city centre thoroughfares, following a successful pilot at City Hall.

McConnell's Whisky celebrates second birthday with 40,000 visitors

McConnell’s Irish Whisky Distillery is celebrating its second birthday this month as it welcomes its 40,000th visitor, marking another major milestone in the brand’s continued growth both locally and internationally, and its mission to put Belfast back on the whisky map. McConnell’s has reimagined the former A-wing at the old Crumlin Road Gaol in North Belfast into a state-of-the-art Distillery and Visitor Attraction, winning design and architecture awards for its impressive transformation. Meanwhile the quality of its whisky is being recognised on a global stage, winning over 50 International Whisky Awards in the past 5 years and quickly establishing McConnell’s at the forefront of the re-emergence of Belfast Whisky. The distillery’s two year anniversary comes during a milestone year for the Irish Whisky brand, as 2026 also marks the 250th anniversary of McConnell’s Irish Whisky - a brand born in Belfast in 1776, revived in 2020 and which is now available in more than 40 markets worldwide. Since opening in April 2024, alongside contributing to Belfast’s tourism footprint, McConnell’s continues to champion the changing face of both Belfast and of Irish Whisky. The distillery has contributed to the broadening of Belfast’s tourism footprint, drawing visitors into North Belfast and contributing to the area’s growing profile. Through local cultural partnerships including Belfast Cocktail Week, Culture Night Belfast, and Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, the distillery has become firmly embedded in the city’s cultural scene.John Kelly, CEO of McConnell’s Irish Whisky, set out the reasons behind the continued success of the venue:“McConnell’s Distillery is so much more than another whisky distillery. There’s a big appetite now among local people and visitors for authentic experiences that are uniquely Belfast. This year, we’ve been working locally with other great Belfast brands including Cavehill Comedy Club, Longbridge Ginger Ale, Belfast Film Festival and local chef Gemma Austin to develop a range of experiences to welcome even more new people through our doors. It’s been a busy year for McConnell’s and we look forward to welcoming thousands more visitors over the coming summer months.”Gemma Gibson, Visit Belfast’s Partnership & Sales Manager, said McConnell’s Distillery has added a new dimension to the Belfast visitor experience:"At Visit Belfast, we're proud to champion attractions like McConnell's Distillery that are actively shaping Belfast's tourism landscape. By drawing visitors into North Belfast and bringing the city's whisky legacy back to life, they're helping us tell a richer, more layered story about what makes Belfast such a compelling destination. As we head into what promises to be one of our most exciting summers yet, experiences like this are exactly what set Belfast apart."

Opening of new parking scheme will help hard pressed Falls residents

WEST BELFAST MP Paul Maskey has welcomed the opening of applications for the new Residents’ Parking Scheme, describing it as an important step in addressing ongoing parking pressures in local communities. The scheme, which opened this week, introduces a streamlined, demand-led process that allows individuals and neighbourhoods to submit proposals for residents’ parking zones for formal consideration. The initial application window will remain open for three months, closing on 31st July, before reopening on a cyclical basis. Mr Maskey said: “It’s fantastic news that the application process for residents’ parking schemes is now open. “Commuter parking is an issue that has plagued communities for years, with many residents forced to park away from their home during busy periods. “I want to thank Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins for listening to the concerns of people in areas most affected, including in West Belfast. “I am hopeful this will help to tackle this issue, which is particularly prevalent in inner- city communities.” Falls councillor Claire Canavan said the new approach gives residents a greater voice in tackling issues such as commuter and nuisance parking. “Parking remains a real and growing issue for many communities, particularly in areas where streets are increasingly dominated by commuter parking,” the Sinn Féin woman said. “This new process provides a clear and structured way for people to bring forward proposals and have their concerns properly considered.” Under the scheme, areas must meet a number of criteria, including experiencing persistent parking problems, being located on public roads, having less than 50 per cent of properties with off-street parking, and demonstrating clear evidence of local support. Cllr Canavan is encouraging residents who believe their area would benefit from a parking scheme to review the guidance and consider applying. “This is a positive step towards a fairer and more practical approach to parking management. I would strongly encourage anyone affected to take the opportunity to engage with the process,” she added.