About Us

In the beginning

The Newtownards Chronicle newspaper was established in 1873 by William Henry, and its offices have been at its Frances Street address since its foundation. Until recent years, the current premises housed printing works and a compositing room, along with the office and advertising staff, and editorial and photographic departments. However, advancement in technology, and the ever-changing dynamics of print media,  saw all works departments  transferred to purpose-built premises at Balloo Industrial Estate in Bangor in the late 1990s, with the remaining departments still housed in Frances Street.

Since it was established, the Chronicle has been issued every week; should Christmas, the Twelfth or any other public holiday fall on the normal publication day (currently a Thursday), the Newtownards Chronicle and County Down Observer (to give it its full title) has appeared in newsagents and other shops throughout its circulation area. Even two World Wars and other interruptions, including strikes, did not prevent the Chronicle being printed and ready for its readers!

The Newtownards Chronicle covers a wide geographical area; Newtownards town itself, the Ards Peninsula encompassing Donaghadee and Millisle, Comber and Dundonald, Ballygowan, Saintfield, Killinchy, Killyleagh, Crossgar, Ballynahinch, Carryduff - and all points in between.

Over the years, other newspapers have tackled the same geographic area as the Newtownards Chronicle, but there's only one newspaper that has remained unrivaled by others and only one the people of the Ards want to pick up each and every Thursday.

Everyone reads the Chronicle!