NI Connections

Everyone knows that Northern Irish people have the gift of the gab.   

We all have those topics that we could talk about for hours.

Perhaps it’s sports chat that gets you out of bed in the morning, or you could debate current affairs until the cows come home?

Or maybe you physically light up when someone asks you about your latest DIY project, current Netflix obsession or favourite banana bread recipe?

Listen, we’re not here to judge.

But for us at Northern Irish Connections, our favourite topic is why Northern Ireland is the best place in the world to live, work, study, visit, invest and do business.

Ask about our stunning natural landscapes, warm and hospitable people, or our innovative local businesses, and we’ll happily bend your ear.

This month, we’ve got a little help from our local councils, to bring you a quick round-up of some of the good stuff happening across the country: some economic, some environmental and some just down-right heartwarming.

We’d be here from now ‘til Christmas if we included good news stories from every borough of the country though, so bear in mind that these are just a few recent highlights. Enjoy!

 

Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council

A recent study by Adidas found that compared to 28% of men, 92% of women are concerned for their safety when they go for a run.

Ninety-two percent!

Without giving it a second thought, women everywhere are ditching the headphones, switching up their running routes, and taking up self-defence classes to protect themselves.

Some even attach a personal alarm to their wrist, and slide their keys between their fingers, wolverine-style, before they set foot outside of their house.

It goes without saying, but no one should have to carry a weapon when they go for a run.

Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council realise that addressing this issue is a marathon, not a sprint. Off the back of the success of their ‘Keep Safe, Keep Well’ events for the elderly at the beginning of the year, they recently ran a ‘Run Safe, Run Well’ event.

This free event had a brilliant turn out, with over one hundred members of the local community (men and women of all ages) receiving really helpful advice from the Lurgan and Armagh Neighbourhood Policing teams on how to stay safe when running alone.

Excellent work, ABC team.
 

Newry, Mourne & Down Council

Newry, Mourne & Down Council have been busy too.

They’re set to roll out a brand new ‘Make it Local’ campaign which introduces some of the friendly faces behind the district’s independent businesses. From fashion and food to health and homeware, there’s loads of brilliant businesses to love. Check ‘em out here.

The aim of this initiative is that people will be more intentional in celebrating and buying from their local and independent businesses.

Because when this happens, it not only boosts the economy, but connects the community, reduces the carbon footprint, causes villages to thrive, and well – just promotes all ‘round good vibes for residents and visitors alike.

Causeway Coast & Glens Council

While we’re all about supporting local, we’re also concerned about better prices, decent working conditions, sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in other parts of the world. 

So, we absolutely loved seeing the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council host a ‘Fairtrade Bake-off’ for local school children in the borough.

The event was open to all year 6, 7 and 10 pupils currently studying Fairtrade as part of their curriculum, and if Paul Hollywood were in attendance, we imagine he’d have been giving out handshakes left, right and centre.

Seriously, imagine whipping up this chocolate masterpiece at 12 years old? Your street cred would be through the roof.

Not only was this a fantastic opportunity for budding young bakers to meet kids from other schools and get creative in the kitchen, but it was a super way to encourage the use of Fairtrade products among local school children and their families.

Tackling serious issues in a fun, imaginative and inclusive way? 5 stars from us.
 

Derry City & Strabane District Council

Sticking on the student theme, we’re venturing west towards Derry/Londonderry.

A brand new indoor sports arena is underway for Ulster University’s Derry campus, and it’s already being described as a ‘game-changer’ for the city.

Described as an ‘air dome,’ this first-of-its-kind facility in Northern Ireland will be approximately 15,000 square metres in size, housing full-size pitches for multiple sports including rugby, soccer and gaelic.

It's also expected to become a hub for music and community events in the city too, with space for thousands of spectators inside.

It looks the part, doesn’t it?

It’s great to see such a massive investment in this stunning part of the country (approximately £65 million, if you were wondering).

Whether you’re a member of our lovely diaspora with family here or are a sports-loving student currently considering your options for university – I’m sure you can agree that this is a big win for 2026 and beyond (and another good reason to come and study here, wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Fermanagh & Omagh Council

We absolutely love this one. Fermanagh & Omagh District Council’s ‘Adopt a Spot’ is a brilliant initiative that invites members of the local community to do their bit to keep Northern Ireland litter-free and lovely.

‘Live Here, Love Here’ provide willing participants with an adoption pack containing a hints and tips booklet and everything they need to get started.

So far, over 20,000 volunteers have ‘adopted’ a street, alleyway, or stretch of beach that they love.

And not only have the lovely people of Fermanagh and Omagh kept over 1,100 spots sparkling clean, but they’ve taken things to the next level – planting wildflowers for pollinators, creating new wildlife habitats, and growing community food gardens all over the place.

Yet another example of Northern Irish people just being the best. Proud of us.
 

Mid Ulster Council

We see and hear ageism every day – it’s hidden in plain sight.

It's a sad fact that older people all over the world are being overlooked at work, infantilised by their families, misdiagnosed by health professionals, and isolated by their community.

So we’re delighted to see that Mid Ulster Council are addressing the issue head on, through their ‘Making Connections’ event.

This is essentially a ‘one stop shop’ event, with a range of organisations chipping in to help. Like Radius Housing, CDM Transport, Libraries NI, Chest, Heart & Stroke, Marie Curie, Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre, and loads more.

It aims to help over 50’s get and stay, connected within their community. And we think that is just fantastic.

If you’ve got parents back home in the Cookstown area who you think would benefit from this, make sure to pass this onto them. We know it’ll be a positive event that makes a huge difference.

Belfast City Council

There’s loads of good stuff to report from Belfast City Council, but perhaps none that have made a bigger impact than the opening of Grand Central Station.

Since opening its doors to the public in October 2024, Grand Central Station has been a total game changer for Northern Ireland’s bus and rail services.

The new transport hub is 10 times the size of the former Great Victoria Street station and is actually now the largest on the island of Ireland. It’s even bigger than London’s Kings Cross Station!

By enhancing connectivity across the country, Grand Central Station will cater for approximately 20 million passenger journeys a year and has transformed cross-border rail services.

If you’re flying into Dublin on your next trip home, getting to Belfast is going to be a heck of a lot easier, with trains departing 15 times a day, Monday to Saturday.

Plus there are bangin’ new M&S Food, BrewDog, Pret A Manger and Starbucks stores within the station, so you’ll not be short of tasty food and drink options for your journey back.

Would we say it’s worth the £340 million investment?

Every last penny.
 

It's clear that Northern Ireland is a very different place to what it was even a decade ago, and it’s brilliant to see how our local councils are implementing creative solutions to social issues.

If you’re not already, make sure you’re following us on socials, to stay up to date with all kinds of wonderful good news stories from back home in the motherland. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin or X and let us know where in the world you find yourself. We love nothing more than hearing from our Northern Irish diaspora!

P.S. There are loads of amazing things happening across Lisburn & Castlereagh, Antrim & Newtonabbey, Ards & North Down and Mid & East Antrim Councils too. Wherever you are in the world, you can head over to their websites to see what they’re getting up to.