In a week where new regulations have put an end to family gatherings, there have still been a few rays of sunshine on the news horizon.
All pubs across Northern Ireland were finally able to welcome patrons back through their long closed doors, Cavehill is getting a new state of the art cross community facility and a Belfast man has given a complete stranger a second chance at life through a stem cell donation.
On top of these truly uplifting stories, a rare bottle of 1880s Irish whiskey is expected to fetch its Co Down owner more than €12,000 at auction and Irish Rugby legend Tommy Bowe says he is 'honoured' to be included in Queen's University 'Greatest'.
Here's some good news Belfast Live stories you may have missed this week...
Belfast man gives stranger second chance of life through stem cell donation
James Patterson signed up to become a stem cell donor as a university student - 10 years later he received an email to say he was a potential match for a patient in need.
During Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Anthony Nolan have revealed that the name James tops the list of men in Belfast who have been matched with patients on the list for lifesaving transplants.
Pub regulars rejoice at returning to their locals
Pub regulars have rejoiced as they are finally able to return to their locals after six months apart.
'Wet pubs' across Northern Ireland have opened their doors after being closed for months due to restrictions put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many of these pubs are based in the heart of communities and are places where local residents can come together to see their friends.
Black Mountain site to home new multi-million pound shared community facility
A new €6.3million shared community space has been given the go ahead for a former factory site in West Belfast.
The Black Mountain Shared Space project on the Springfield Road will be delivered by Belfast City Council after funding from the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
New film tracking the journey of Homeless World Cup players in Northern Ireland coming to screens in Belfast this week
A powerful new documentary film, which follows the Irish Homeless football team as they take part in the Homeless World Cup, is set to be screened in locations in Belfast this week.
'Street Leagues' is a documentary film made by Daniel Holmes and Matthew Toman, and will showing from September 25, for one week, at Odeon Cinema, Victoria Square, and at The Omniplex Kennedy Way, West Belfast.
Weight loss success for Co Down mum who shed more than five stone in just seven months
Just one year ago, Joanne Morgan struggled to walk down the stairs without grimacing in pain, she struggled to enjoy playing with her children due to constant exhaustion caused by her aches and pains and slow recovery after major surgery.
Now, the 32-year-old Co Down woman has a spring in her step and has ‘never felt better’ after shedding 5 stone, 5 lbs in just 7 months.
Northern Ireland history: Brilliant new way to see your area’s past and how you can bring old photos to life
Ever wondered what some of your historic family photos would look like in full colour or wanted to see how your Northern Ireland neighbourhood shaped up 100 years ago?
Well now you can, with a brilliant new online archive that includes the facility to fully colourise old black and white images, all for free.
Our sister website InYourArea.co.uk has unveiled its latest new feature, called Memory Lane, and uses your postcode to show you a vast range of local pictures through recent history, from anywhere between one and 100 miles away from you.
Co Down rare bottle of 1880s Irish whiskey expected to fetch more than €12,000 at auction
A rare bottle of 1880s Irish whiskey is expected to fetch more than €12,000 when it goes under the hammer next month.
The Cassidy & Co Monasterevin whiskey is the star lot of a pub collection auction of more than 10,000 advertising and memorabilia items.
Tommy Bowe 'honoured' to be included in Queen's University 'Greatest' list
Clutching a framed print in his hands, Tommy Bowe scrolls down the list of names staring back at him with an immense sense of pride.
His memory darts back to a time when he played unshackled rugby without any notion of what was to come in his career. Bowe is standing inside The Dub complex, attending Queen's University Rugby Club's season launch.
The framed print he is holding shows Queen's Rugby Greatest XV, with a certain Tommy Bowe listed at number 15.
Litter louts set to be caught on camera after plans for surveillance to tackle fly-tipping
Litter louts look set to be caught on camera after plans to set up surveillance following an upsurge in fly-tipping.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s director of Operations Philip Thompson told last week’s meeting of the Direct Services Committee that lorry drivers leaving the ferry at Larne Harbour throw bottles of urine along the Harbour Highway.
“The whole Harbour Highway is littered with bottles of urine,” he said.
£11million fund for NI schools to address 'lost learning' during Covid-19
Stormont is pumping more than £11million into a crisis that developed in children's learning during lockdown.
The 'lost learning' problem hit children as school closures lasted six months.
Now funding is intended to enable every school across the country to provide additional teaching support for pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Belfast Trojans American Football team recruiting new players for 2021
The Belfast Trojans are recruiting new players ahead of the 2021 American Football season.
They are hosting a rookie tryout next month which is open to players of all levels.
No prior experience is needed so anyone interested is urged to come along and have a go at Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School in Belfast on Sunday, October 4 (9.30am-11am).
