The John Hewitt Summer School is back at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh, and as ever, will feature stunning and accessible visual art.

Acclaimed journalist Malachi O’Doherty will be exhibiting a brand new photographic exhibition, ‘India: Faces and Scenes’, supported by Andras Hotels. O’Doherty, who lived in India for four years in the 1970’s, returned for the first time in January this year as a Major Artist funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. His main project was to research a book, but he took cameras with him and brought back striking images of people and places. These include scenes from the cremation grounds at the Ganges, a market place in Kolkata and portraits of people he met at random.

Malachi O’Doherty is better known as a writer and broadcaster. His eighth book will be published this summer, ‘Fifty Years On’, a reflection on change in Northern Ireland since the start of the Troubles.

O’Doherty says “I have always had cameras with me but there is that demarcation in journalism that writing is one job and taking the pictures is another, and there is a lot of sense to that.” He brought cameras with him when, in January, he went back to Brij Ghat, a pilgrim town on the Ganges. “I walked along the Ganges and saw the cremation fires. First I photographed them a bit sneakily then walked closer and one family invited me to take pictures of the body being prepared, a woman. Her hands and bangles were exposed, and they spread incense over her and then piled grasses and logs on top of her and, after prayers, set her alight.”

Malachi says he isn’t seeking to tell any particular story about India, “I just responded to what struck me. In one series of pictures of Sikh men in the Punjab I just saw this man with a rugged face and turban and thought he could be from any century at all and I asked him if I could take his picture and he stood there and let me do it.” In Kolkata he walked through the fish market and photographed beggars, workmen and basically anybody who caught his eye. “I am not saying this is a statement about India. I make my statements in words. Photography for me is not my assertion about anything, it is my response.”

The exhibition, ‘India: Faces and Scenes’, is launched on Wednesday 24 July at  4.45pm by Lord Diljit Rana, MBE, Baron of Malone, who is one of the ‘faces’. The exhibition continues at The Market Place until Saturday 7 September, giving ample opportunity to view these stunning photographs.

The second exhibition of the Summer School, is the superb ‘Blood Horses’. Artist Paddy Lennon from Wexford and poet Moyra Donaldson from Co Down both have horses in their blood. The exhibition and limited edition book, ‘Blood Horses’, is the result of their collaboration, and reflects not only both artists’ mastery of their medium, but also their lifelong experience with all things equine.

Lennon’s paintings combine with Donaldson’s poetry to evoke the history of our human relationship with horses. Central to the book is the story of the three Arab stallions that were the founding fathers of the modern thoroughbred, The Byerley Turk, The Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Barb. All three stallions have fascinating stories and the Byerley Turk has Irish connections, winning at Downpatrick Races before being ridden at the Battle of the Boyne by his owner, Captain Robert Byerley.

The paintings and poems also reflect the influence that horses have in the lives of those who work with them and ride them – the glories and tragedies of this relationship.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

 It’s set to be a spectacular summer at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, County Down, with a series of exciting events and activities that will keep all the family entertained throughout July and August. From hunting for mini-beasts in the stunning 100-acre gardens to family tours of the majestic State Rooms, there’s something for everyone!

Make a day of it and discover the top ten activities to do at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens this summer!

1. Join one of the new interactive Family Tours of the sumptuous State Rooms and discover the weird and wonderful things some of our guests have left behind
2. Pick up some ‘bugnoculars’, a magnifying glass and an identification kit from the Garden Explorer’s cart and go hunting for mini beasties in the gorgeous gardens, with over 100 acres to explore!
3. Take a gruesome look at history as you meet the Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians with the amazing Horrible Histories: Live On Stage performed in the gardens (10 – 14 August 2019).
4.   Travel to the past and meet the 3rd Marquess of Downshire as he entertains you with tales of Ireland’s mythological heroes in the Castle’s four-acre walled garden.
5. Let your creative senses run wild and pick up a gardener’s notebook in the Summer House to record what you see and smell during your visit. Can you spot the swans, kingfishers and other wildlife near the beautiful lake?     
6. Immerse yourself in Hillsborough Castle’s history with fascinating object handling sessions. From Georgian shoes to Victorian spinning tops, what curious items will you discover in the Castle’s handling collection?
7.  Capture a family photo from Lady Alice’s Temple and enjoy the stunning views of the gardens and if you’re lucky   spot otters in the pond below!
8. Head to the ice house and discover how the Hill family managed to trap winter in a cave all year round! From Saturday 24 August – Monday 26 August cool off and have a go at making your very own Georgian ice cream!
9. Get crafty and take a bit of Hillsborough Castle home with drop-in summer make and take sessions, including kite making on selected dates.
10. And don’t forget to refuel in the Hillsborough Castle Café or Stable Yard Tearoom for a yummy seasonal menu with produce from the castle’s very own Walled Garden and tasty cakes for those with a sweet tooth – exploring is hungry work!

Family tickets are available. Certain activities run on selected days. To book tickets and for more information on Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, visit hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has been completely transformed by independent charity Historic Royal Palaces after five years and a £24 million investment – supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other generous donors. Greeting visitors upon arrival is a new visitor centre complete with café and shop. Meanwhile new access and learning facilities will host schools and community programmes reaching out to the widest possible audience. 

Geraldine Hughes has launched the final homecoming of her critically acclaimed show Belfast Blues for one week only this August at the Lyric Theatre.

Having just wrapped a year on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Belfast actress Geraldine Hughes is coming to the Lyric Theatre with her smash hit one woman show Belfast Blues!

Belfast Blues is one ‘wee girls’ story about family, war, Jesus, and Hollywood.  Geraldine Hughes’ one-woman show is a tapestry of stories told from Hughes’ perspective as a little girl coming of age in the war-torn Belfast of the 1980s.

After award-winning runs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and London, the play is returning to her home city of Belfast for 6 nights only. Belfast Blues is directed by Carol Kane, and is written and performed by Geraldine Hughes.

Reviews:

“Awe-inspiring” -Talking Broadway

“Outstanding” -LA Times 

“A bravura performances” -London Morning Star 

“Takes your breath away” -Chicago Sun Times

Geraldine Hughes on the show:

“There’s no audience better than a Belfast audience! It’s such a privilege to play at the Lyric again, and thanks to Brassneck, I am doing just that. I’m so excited to share the story of Belfast Blues with a new generation of theatre goers and eager to re tell it to all those who are returning! The support from home is truly incomparable!”

With over 20 free attractions for kids, Downpatrick racecourse is hosting one what should prove to be a fantastic day out for family members of all ages.

Including a climbing wall, motorbike displays, face painting, dog agility displays and many, many more.

Also, by Pre-booking family tickets before 13^th July, all kids will be given free tokens allowing them to get free ice creams, crisps, chocolate, soft drinks and face painting.

With the gates open from 12pm, and the first race not scheduled for 3pm there is plenty of time to tire your kids before you catch a couple races. BOOK YOUR TICKET TODAY.

On Sunday 14^th July the public and the Exploris Aquarium seal rescue team will gather at Knockinelder beach, Co.Down to say farewell to grey seals Amphitrite and Doris. They have been at Exploris Aquarium’s seal sanctuary for 10 months and are now well enough to be released back to their natural home.

Both seals where rescued from Ballywalter last October, about 2 weeks apart. They both arrived at the seal sanctuary after being discovered by the public – abandoned, injured and in need of help by our specialist team.

After an initial assessment each seal began their journey to rehabilitation receiving extensive medical care, to ensure infections were kept at bay and housed in hospital pen whilst learning how to eat fish. Once they reached about 15kg and could self-feed they were moved to the outdoor pools where they learnt how to socialise with other seals. At this stage, all human contact was kept to a minimum to ensure a successful re-introduction to the sea.

Both seals are now ready to be discharged from the seal unit as they have successfully reached their target weight of over 30kg and are in good health, ready to take on adult life in the wild.

Peter William, Curator at Exploris Aquarium said “Both of these seals had a difficult start to life but after a long and difficult journey, we are pleased to be finally saying farewell and good luck to Amphitrite and Doris.  All being well the release of these two will conclude our rehabilitation season for 2018/19.”

He continued “Every year Exploris Aquarium rescues and releases between 20 to 40 seals. We rely on members of the public to call through to our seal rescue line when a pup is found on a beach.  Our team of trained staff will take as much detail as possible regarding location and seal condition and if necessary take action to lift the seal off the beach and bring to the centre.  At the centre our staff can treat the pups for injury or illness and provide 24 hour care. Only when the seals are fit and healthy again do we release them back to the wild. “

Ahead of the release all seals are tagged on their rear flipper to help identify them. Over time this will be used to see how rehabbed seals influence the wild population through breeding.

To date Exploris Aquarium has rescued and released over 600 common and grey seals back into the wild. This wouldn’t be possible without the funding support from DAERA, the vigilant public and our adopt a seal programme. This adoption programme allows the adopter to follow their seals journey through rehab for a small fee. The adoption helps fund the fresh fish they eat, medication to make them better and equipment to transport and keep them safe.

Amphitrite and Doris will be released back to the wild on Sunday 14^th July at 10.30am on Knockinelder beach and the public are invited to come along and see them being released back to their natural home.

As this release concludes the 2018/19 seal season the 2019/20 begins and on the 22^nd of June the seal sanctuary at Exploris Aquarium accepted their 1^st Common Seal pup of the year, Ariel. Each season the seal rescue team decide on a naming theme for the rescued seal pups. For the 2019/20 season the naming theme is Disney. You can follow the progress of our new seal season on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @explorisni

TOURISM NI’S Epic Journey to The 148th Open at Royal Portrush is set to inspire the next generation of sporting stars in Northern Ireland.

As the greatest golfers in the world prepare to tee it up at the Dunluce Links in front of 215,000 eager spectators over the next week and a multi-million television audience, Tourism NI has led a powerful journey involving more than 1,000 people from across the community to build up excitement, momentum and civic pride for the golfing Major returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years.

Over 600 miles have been covered during the last six months stopping at eight locations in every county throughout Northern Ireland, along with Dublin, while the celebration engaged local councils, golf clubs, tourism industry representatives, sports stars and 645 school children.　

Stars from the world of sport participated to make the journey extra special as hockey’s Shirley McCay, international footballer Roy Carroll, Belfast Giants coach Adam Keefe, young golf star Tom McKibben, Armagh GAA ace and netball star Caroline O’Hanlon, Tyrone GAA hero Peter Canavan and County Down gymnast Rhys McClenaghan celebrated Northern Ireland playing host to such a prestigious event.

The lasting legacy that The Open provides to Northern Ireland was keenly in focus throughout The Epic Journey, with hundreds of budding young golfers and future sporting greats being inspired by the excitement and momentum leading into Royal Portrush.

Tourism NI’s 148^th Open Project Manager, Lesley-Ann O’Donnell said, “On the Epic Journey, we saw so much of the pride that Northern Ireland’s people have in a destination that is attracting people from across the world. The friendliness, professionalism and experience we encountered on the journey from local attractions, sports stars and golf clubs leave us in no doubt that those visiting Northern Ireland are in for the very warmest of welcomes during The Open and beyond.

“The waiting is almost over and we have thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the excitement of this epic year for Northern Ireland through The Epic Journey, but it is only just the beginning. This week the electric atmosphere of The 148th Open will unfold and the prestigious Claret Jug to be lifted at Royal Portrush; it will put Northern Ireland on a global stage, promoting the best of what we have to offer and enhancing our reputation as a premier destination for international events.”

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “It has been fantastic to see the passion and excitement among the people of Northern Ireland for the return of The Open to Royal Portrush and we are very grateful to them for their support.

“We are now only a matter of days away from welcoming more than 215,000 fans to the Antrim coast to enjoy a true celebration of golf and attend the biggest ever sporting event ever to be held in Northern Ireland.”

The Epic Journey to The 148^th Open was captured on video for all to enjoy: