iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

It’s not everyday you have a car, fridge freezer & washing machine all break. I don’t know if that would class me as incredibly lucky or unlucky?! Now does anyone know where there’s a leprechaun handy because I need to “borrow” his pot of gold

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

A year ago today I had my last ever conversation with my mum. It’s a conversation that I’ve replayed in my mind endlessly. The guilt of convincing her to go through with a surgery that was ultimately the catalyst for her passing away weighs incredibly heavy.

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Reposted by Mark Young

Love Ballymena @loveballymena.online · 10/02/2026

A Ballymena primary school is set to benefit from new iPads after a donation from Galgorm Collection, helping pupils build vital digital skills in the classroom. Read more below.

loveballymena.online

Galgorm Collection supports digital learning at Kells and Connor Primary School

Galgorm Collection donates £1,000 to Kells and Connor Primary School near Ballymena to support digital learning through new iPads for pupils.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

My favourite day of the year in Ballymena. It will be great to see the town buzzing with people.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Congratulations to Max. He’s a very special young footballer.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

This was the conclusion of last years IBD U.K. report into IBD care in Northern Ireland. A year later there’s been no movement on making care better for people diagnosed with IBD in NI, our clinics remain understaff with long waiting lists. It’s does make you question how useful Stormont really is

The time to act is now. The Northern Ireland Executive and HSC must prioritise working with clinicians, people with IBD and IBD charities to improve IBD care in Northern Ireland now and in the future.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Fantastic to see a little squirrel sitting on the Kells postbox this morning. Yet another fantastic knitted design by the Kells & Connor Knit and Natter members.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

The #LoveYourLiver roadshow is visiting Stormont today, Belfast tomorrow & Coleraine on Thursday. If you are in any of these areas call in & get some liver health information.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

To everyone getting their A-Level results today. Regardless of what results you receive remember you are so much more than a single set of results & your future is still to be written. Always be compassionate with yourself.

A-level Results Day Reminders:
- Your grades do not define you or your future. (Pink sticky note)
- Your mental health is more important than your results. (Green sticky note)
- No matter what happens, you are always enough. (Yellow sticky note)
- You did your best, be proud of yourself! (Blue sticky note)

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

The local trees are showing the love this morning.

Two trees that look like they are hearts

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

A morning out of the house while attempting to fill in my first application form in 21 years 😱

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Another fantastic knitted postbox topper by the Kells & Connor Knit and Natter club.

A picture of a postbox surrounded by black railing.
The postbox featured a knitted topper of two figures.
The figure on the left is holding a surf board & the other figure is holding an ice lolly.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

David was the councillor for my area but we quickly developed a close friendship over health, football, Star Wars & WWE. I was always humbled by his positivity in the face of all his health challenges. My thoughts are with all his family. The world has lost a good man & I’ll miss him dearly.

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Reposted by Mark Young

Love Ballymena @loveballymena.online · 02/08/2025

“He stood up for everyone” – Alliance pays tribute to former Councillor David Reid, remembered for his compassion, courage, and commitment to inclusive representation. Our thoughts are with David’s family and friends. More below.

loveballymena.online

Alliance pays tribute to former local councillor David Reid, 35, after brave cancer battle

Tributes have been paid by Alliance Party representatives to former Councillor David Reid, who has passed away at age 35 after a courageous battle with cancer.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Day 3 of the SuperCup NI in Kells

The Al Jazira Club changing room sign & the SuperCup NI tournament handbook.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

The first few days of helping out at the SuperCup NI

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

I had to buy this weeks Ballymena Guardian. There was a story about a troublemaker I needed to read @aaron-skinner.bsky.social 😉

The front page of the Ballymena Guardian

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Reposted by Mark Young

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Sure this is all right. Northern Irish summer evenings...ⁿ

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Such tragic news this morning about Diogo Jota & his brother André Silva. My deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates & @lfcr.bsky.social Penafiel supporters as they come to terms with this news.

Sky news headline about Diogo Jota being killed in a car crash

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

In a world full of small minds and loud mouths, be the reason someone still believes in kind hearts, beautiful souls and good energy. Never stop being a good person.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Rather than focus on the person with a heart full of hatred who attempted to mess up the town, I want to applaud all those who worked together to get Ballymena cleaned for today’s event & shoppers. Let’s focus on the goodness of people rather than the negative.

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Reposted by Mark Young

Sian Mulholland MLA @sianalliance.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

If you have information, please contact police on 101, quoting reference number 191 of 28/06/25 or report online via psni.police.uk/makeareport/. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

psni.police.uk

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Reposted by Mark Young

Sian Mulholland MLA @sianalliance.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

I unreservedly condemn those who spread slurry on the streets of Ballymena ahead of the town’s first-ever Pride parade today. There is no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt, or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

An absolutely disgusting incident in Ballymena. I really don’t understand how people can carry so much hatred in their hearts. Hopefully the PSNI catch whoever was responsible. Sending solidarity & support to all involved in today’s @meapride.bsky.social www.thejournal.ie/ballymena-sl...

thejournal.ie

Ballymena streets 'spread with slurry overnight' ahead of town's first Pride parade

Slurry has been spread near streets where a pride parade was due to finish up this afternoon.

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Reposted by Mark Young

Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Good luck to everyone involved in the first @meapride.bsky.social this weekend. I hope the events & parade go well over the next few days.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Good luck to everyone involved in the first @meapride.bsky.social this weekend. I hope the events & parade go well over the next few days.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Some positive Wednesday advice

The image features an inspirational quote by Steve Maraboli: "Today's a new day. It's your day. You shape it. Don't let it be shaped by someone else's ignorance or fear." The text is overlaid on a photo of a hand holding a cup of coffee, with a bracelet visible on the wrist.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

A weekend spent celebrating what should of been mum’s 75th birthday. Instead it’s our first without her.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Sad to see thugs destroying & causing chaos on the streets of my local town. Grateful as always to the emergency services for putting themselves in harms way to protect others. I’m just thankful that no one was killed or seriously injured. Violence is never the answer.

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Reposted by Mark Young

Sarah Creighton @saraita101.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

If women rioted every time one of us was attacked Northern Ireland would lie in ashes.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

A beautiful picture from Ballycastle this morning. Picture shared by @loveballymena.online

The image depicts a stunning coastal scene at sunrise. The sky is filled with dramatic clouds, painted in vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple, with rays of light breaking through. The beach features a pebbled shoreline with waves crashing gently against it. In the background, there are white houses with dark roofs, nestled near a cliff or hill, and a pier extends into the sea. The overall atmosphere is serene and picturesque.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

The Kells & Connor Knit & Natter club have been busy making a new knitted scene for the village postbox.

Four knitted figures sitting round knitted picnic food

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Finally got my hands on one of the new CadburyUK’s White Dipped Twirl at @diamondsnews.bsky.social. That’s Saturday night’s treat sorted.

A cadburys white dipped twirl in front of a steering wheel.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

I’m hard to believe that’s it’s already 3 months since my mum passed away. I hope to carry on her legacy of selflessly helping others & I hope to make her proud every single day. Love you mum & I miss you every single day.

A picture of My mum and myself in Dublin

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Let’s start this new week on a positive footing.

Monday reminders:

I can do it.
I DON’T have to please everyone.
I am allowed to take a break.
I am stronger than my excuses.
When in doubt, coffee.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

First attempt at making caramel squares. ❌ the biscuit base was too dry

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Today is the Ballymena Show. We are taking my elderly neighbour who hasn’t missed a single show since he was born. I on the other hand have never been & don’t know what to expect.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Today was a long overdue return to the Causeway hospital. It wasn’t easy but I needed to go back & personally thank the nurses who looked after my mum. They gave mum incredible care for the last month of her life & I wanted to express my gratitude to them for doing that.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Thanks to the encompass system this has had a quicker outcome than expected. My last liver surveillance ultrasound 2 weeks ago discovered 2 liver nodules on the left side of my liver. This led to a major cancer scare due to them not being present on my previous scans

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Important information for anyone with #IBD #Crohns #Colitis currently taking Mercaptopurine medication. There has been a recall of Mercaptopurine 50mg tablets. The medication manufacturer & batch number are included in the attached picture. So check your medication.

The image is a medicine recall notice from Crohn's & Colitis UK. It alerts about a recall of Mercaptopurine 50mg tablets from Aspen Pharma Trading Limited, specifically batch P00103384. There is a red triangle with an exclamation mark indicating the urgency of the recall.

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Found a Krispy Kreme doughnut cabinet in the Applegreen near Templepatrick 😍

3 Krispy Kreme doughnuts in a krisp Kreme box

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Today was one of the toughest experiences I’ve ever had in hospital. Now to sit & wait for the scan results to arrive back. It’s safe to say I’m done with 2025.

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Reposted by Mark Young

Dr Andrew Sneddon @drandrewsneddon.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

It’s now official! I’ve been awarded a 12 month @leverhulme.ac.uk Trust research fellowship to look at disability and the supernatural in the early modern world. Quite chuffed tbf @usihs.bsky.social @ulsteruni.bsky.social @irishhistsoc.bsky.social

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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Frustrating to see yet more broken glass all over the footpaths this morning, especially since it’s was only cleaned up a few days ago. Yet again it’s in an area where people walk their pets & children play.

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