Glasgow City Marketing Bureau teams up with Stena Line to offer breaks from £59

ONE of Europe’s top shopping destinations is now more accessible than ever for the budget-conscious Northern Ireland consumer.

Glasgow is the largest shopping destination in the UK, outside of London’s West End, boasting more than 1500 shops, half a million square metres of retail space and it even has its own ‘Style Mile’ offering high-end shopping and top class restaurants and bars.

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) and Stena Line have teamed up to give Northern Ireland shoppers an opportunity to spring-clean their wardrobe from as little as £59* per adult per night including return ferry travel with a car from Belfast to Cairnryan and overnight accommodation in Glasgow.

This spring will see the city’s style credentials go stratospheric with the launch of the glitzy new £70million retail development Buchanan Quarter, a prime new fashion pitch in Glasgow’s style mile with 11 new retail stores including Scotland’s first and only Forever21.
GCMB’s Senior Marketing Communications Manager Elaine Dickie said Glasgow offers an unrivalled shopping experience to suit every style.

“Glasgow is a fantastic destination for a short break and offers world-class shopping with everything from cool vintage shops, beautiful hand-crafted items to well-known brands and exclusive designers,” said Elaine.

“We’ve teamed up with Stena Line to offer a range of three, four and five star hotels so when you book your ferry and hotel together it is guaranteed to be cheaper.  What’s more, kids travel free so the whole family can enjoy a short break in Glasgow this spring with the fabulous array of visitor attractions on offer,” she continued.

“Make sure you also discover all that the city has to offer from the fantastic food to the fascinating museums and galleries to the work of innovative Glasgow architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.” she added.

Stena Line’s Marketing Manager Ian Baillie said: “Glasgow has so much to offer and is easily accessible from Northern Ireland by ferry so it is a fantastic city to enjoy a short break in.”

“Alongside Glasgow City Marketing Bureau we have created a range of great value breaks that everyone can take advantage of whether you are travelling by car, coach or rail.  We have packaged both the ferry and hotel together to offer the best price guaranteed so why not enjoy some first-class shopping and a relaxing break for less this spring,” he added.
For more information about the spring packages to Glasgow visit www.stenaline.co.uk/glasgowor call 08432 081 111.

*Price is based on 2 adults sharing a twin/double room, minimum stay 2 nights travelling from Belfast – Cairnryan with car. Up to 2 children sharing adults room stay and travel free but pay hotel direct for any meals taken. Weekend and family room supplements may apply. Valid for travel until 30 June & 31 August – 20 December 2013. Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Easter Bunny at Castle Ward for another jam-packed, fun-filled time at Castle Ward Demesne;  Strangford, Downpatrick.   From 12 noon to 6pm on Easter Sunday 31st andf Monday 1st April you and your family will have an eggs-cellent time in the spring sunshine with lots of scrummy chocolate for the way home! With their biggest Easter Egg Hunt yet there are over 10,000 eggs to be found on both days, so bring your binoculars and put your detective skills to the test to find some nestled all over the beautiful grounds. This year take part in the brand new, nationwide National Trust Egg and Spoon Race, so come and get everyone involved, mum, dad and the grandparents too!

On Easter Monday, An Creagan, located on the A505 midway between Omagh  and Cookstown is hosting The BIG Family Picnic. It is an opportunity to join other picnickers for a good old fashioned day out. Experienced al fresco diners can bring
their own lunch or if you

prefer the easy option there will be food and snack stalls  for you to put together your own packed lunch without the hassle. There will be music and mayhem with the Armagh Rhymers, arts workshops, face painting for the children, pond dipping for the nature lovers, an arts exhibition and of course the hunt for the Creggan White Hare.

Entertain the children at the Easter egg hunt on the beautiful Belle Isle Estate on  Easter Monday. The hunt will be divided into three age groups and each child can collect up to 10 brightly coloured clay eggs which will be exchanged for realchocolate ones. Each hunt will contain one golden egg and the lucky finders of these  will receive special big chocolate eggs. There will be free face-painting too and refreshments available for purchase at Belle Isle Cookery School.

Join the National Trust on Sunday and Monday for fun for all the family as you follow  the trail around the historic Downhill Demesne. Hunt for clues to crack the code and unlock the Cadbury chocolate egg surprise! On Monday, take part in the egg and spoon race!

Come along to The Argory on Monday and Tuesday for 2 fantastic days of Easter  fun! Face painting, craft activities and a chance to find the Cadbury’s Chocolate treasure with our fantastic egg trail.

What would Easter be without bunnies? Do you want to see some of Easter’s  cuddliest friends up close? Spend some time with the rabbits from T.A.C.T. Wildlife Centre at Carnfunnock Country Park on Saturday 30th March and hear their special
stories, including how they ended up at T.A.C.T.  Please note: not suitable for  children under 5 years of age.

EXTRA dates have been added to the Stena Line Pirates and Princesses Kids Cruises this Easter due to popular demand, allowing families the chance to enjoy even more fun from only £10 per person*.

The additional unique cruises set sail from Belfast at 11:30 on Thursday 28^th March and Thursday 4^th April offering families the chance to set sail for a day of fun to ensure kids make the most of their Easter break.

Young pirates and princesses can enjoy a day of swash-buckling fun from the minute they step onboard with a magic show, treasure hunt, face painting, balloon modelling and many more surprises before arriving back at Belfast Port at 17:45.

Speaking about the extra cruises, Stena Line’s Marketing Manager Ian Baillie said, “The Pirates and Princesses Kids Cruises launched earlier this month and have proven to be a huge hit with families with  many booked out so we’re delighted to be able to offer the additional midweek cruises during the Easter Holidays.

“Both children and adults have thoroughly enjoyed the cruises as they are a great way for the whole family to enjoy a fun day out together. We have lots of entertainment onboard which will keep the kids amused throughout the cruise, so while the kids are being entertained, the adults can relax and enjoy the journey,” he added.

The cruises on 6th and 20th April and 4^th May are now booked up but there is still availability on 18th May and 1st and 15th June.  During the summer holidays the cruise will also run on Tuesdays 2nd, 16th and 30th July and 13th and 27th August.

The cruises are ideal for birthday parties and the ferry giant even has your party invites wrapped up as these can be downloaded online and personalised.  There are even goody bags as the birthday guests depart.

For further information or to book go to www.stenaline.co.uk/kidsfun, call 08447 70 70 70 or visit your local travel agent.

*The Pirates & Princesses cruise is £10 per adult/child and £5 per infant (0 – 3 years). All cruises are subject to availability.  Terms and Conditions apply.

Bygone days from the factory floor…

The Millennium Forum has teamed up with Arts & Business NI and the Richmond Centre to bring local shoppers a brand new event that’s fun for all the family.

From Thursday the 28^th to Saturday the 30^th of March, the empty unit on floor 2 of the Richmond Centre will be transformed into an artists’ studio, a craft drop-in centre and a live museum reminiscent of “The Factory Girls” in Frank McGuinness’ famous play.  A tribute to the enormous shirt-making factories of Derry-Londonderry’s past, ‘The City Dream Factory’ gives shoppers the unique chance to experience living history.

1. DAY ONE – Thursday, 28^th March between 12pm and 5pm

Artist Rita Duffy will host a five hour ‘Artists’ Studio’ and – with help from shoppers, as well as her studio associates – will create a large-scale arts project.  As with her ‘Laundry Day’ exhibition, this artwork will relate specifically to shirt-making.

1. DAY TWO – Friday, 29^th March between 12pm and 5pm

Bluebell Arts Centre’s Maeve Gallagher will host a five hour ‘Craft Drop-in Centre’ where shoppers can come in, sit down and learn how to sew and make their own lavender bags in a matter of minutes.  Whilst shoppers work on these, more experienced sewers will make several lively garments for the Antony Gormley statue situated outside the Millennium Forum.

1. DAY THREE – Saturday, 30^th March between 12pm and 5pm

Four ex-factory girls of the 60s and 70s will discuss their experiences whilst making shirts on old sewing machines for five hours. Every twenty minutes these ‘Top Women’ tell an audience of passers-by their stories as part of ‘The City Dream Factory’.

Through-out the three days, 70s-style ‘Factory Girls’ in curlers will serve vintage refreshments sourced from Brid McCartney’s Donegal restaurant The Corncrake.

Kate Guelke, Education and Outreach Officer at the Millennium Forum, said “We’re delighted to be working in conjunction with the Richmond Centre and Art and Business NI to produce this quietly imaginative, interesting little project.  We hope that shoppers will engage with the rich history of Derry-Londonderry’s factory floors; through Rita Duffy’s artwork, through Maeve Gallagher’s craft circle, even through the Corncrake’s traditional sweet treats! Above all though we hope that shoppers will enjoy the simply amazing stories our ex-Factory girls have to tell about the local shirt-making industry.”

As part of Creativity Month NI, ‘The City Dream Factory’ is a free project open and accessible to all participants.  A great way to stumble into the past,‘The City Dream Factory’ is a surprising gem of whirring sewing machines and great stories.

Dates:              Thursday 28^th March

Friday 29^th March,

Saturday 30^th March

Time:               12pm – 5pm

Venue:             Floor 2, The Richmond Centre

Thanks to audience demand the Hairy Bikers and BBC Worldwide are delighted to announce an additional 38 dates to their new UK-wide tour Hairy Bikers: Larger than Live.

The boys will now bring their new tour to the Millennium Forum on Tues 9^th & Wed 10^th April. Tickets are now available from the Box Office. The tour has been a phenomenal success with some theatres already sold out four months before launch and fans clamouring for the show to come to their home towns!

Si King and Dave Myers are promising fans ‘a proper night out’ which in Hairy Bikers’ style may include everything from strip-tombola to a dinner party being cooked and hosted live on stage. Some lucky audience members will get the chance to join them as guests with some special celebrity dinner guests lined up to join them at certain nights along the tour – you never know who might be coming for dinner!

Hairy Bikers: Larger than Live takes the duo’s travelling adventures as the jumping off point for a night like no other at the theatre. Audiences will be regaled with tales from their culinary expeditions, some hair-raising, many ridiculous and all of them shared in the Bikers’ inimitable style. From extraordinary culinary discoveries to some of the remarkable cooks and characters they’ve encountered along the way, Si and Dave will take you behind the cameras to discover what happens on tour as they circle the globe in search of food fuelled adventure!

The Hairy Bikers: Larger Than Live will arrive at the Millennium Forum on Tues 9^th & Wed 10^th April.  Tickets are now available from the Box Office. Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk.

Looking for a family day out this Easter?

Why not come to Bangor this Easter Monday, 1st April, for a day packed full with free family fun at the annual Easter Parade and Funday where Bangor’s seafront will have something to appeal to everyone from 10.00 – 6.00 pm. This year, 2013, is a very special year for Bangor as 400 years ago The Town was first issued its charter by King James I and to mark this occasion, the spectacular parade will have a Bangor 400 theme and everyone is encouraged to join in the fun by coming along in fancy dress.

Bangor & Holywood Town Centre Management in partnership with North Down Borough Council will be hosting a Spring Fair in The Sunken Gardens where an array of local crafts and speciality foods will be available. This fair will also take place on Easter Saturday from 11am – 4pm and Easter Sunday from 1pm – 5pm.

Starting at 10am on Easter Monday, at The McKee Clock Arena, Eddie Irvine Sports will be running a special karting event. Everyone will have the chance to kart around on a specially created outdoor track, great for the budding F1 stars! The charge for this will be £5.

Taking a stroll down The Promenade, you can try your hand at Laserquest, the fast-paced action combat game which will cost £5 per go or check out the variety of animals at Phil’s Farm. This speciality farm will be in situ all day and children will be able to pet the animals and learn how to care for them. Just watch out for the giant Chic Eggs which will be making their way through the crowds, entertaining everyone along the way!

Finish your walk at Pickie Fun Park which will be open all day with lots to do and see, take a ride on a swan, play in the play park or just have a coffee and relax in the refurbished café.

At 3.00 pm over 200 children and young people from St Gall’s Brownies, North Down District Scouts, St Comgalls Primary School, St Malachys Primary School, The Polish Saturday School and Barre 2 Sole Dance Academy will take to the streets as part of the spectacular Bangor 400 themed carnival Parade. The Parade will be led by a band in historic costume with a carnival twist, followed by King James on a throne holding a giant charter. Look out for Kings & Queens, a giant birthday cake, live music bands and lots more when this colourful spectacular makes its way around the Town.

This year, The Parade will be led by the The Mayor of North Down, Councillor Wesley Irvine who will be travelling in a beautiful horse drawn carriage.  The Parade’s route will start at The Town Hall, then onto Main Street, along Quay Street, turning into High Street and making its way back up Main Street to The Town Hall – an extravaganza not to be missed!

Speaking about the event, North Down Borough Council’s Tourism Manager, Alison Stobie said: “We’re delighted to be kicking off our events season with our Easter in Bangor event. This is the first of our 400 series of themed events and promises to be a fantastic day out for the whole family.”

So come on down to Bangor with your family and friends this Easter for lots of family fun!

For further information check www.northdowntourism.com

A major event hosted by NORIBIC in Derry~Londonderry in May has added two more big names as well as important new sponsors to its already stellar line-up.

Sir Tim Smit KBE, famous for his work with the world-renowned Eden Project, will join a list of speakers for The European Business Network (EBN) Congress that already includes Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Dr Richard Florida, Professor at University of Toronto and NYU; Senior Editor the Atlantic;  and best-selling US author on the economic importance of the creative industries, will also speak at the three-day event, it is announced today.

Hosted by The Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre (NORIBIC), the international congress will take place between 29^th and 31^st May and is also open to a local business audience, who can benefit from a reduced registration fee until midnight 8^th of April.

The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) will join Invest NI as Principal Partners of the event it is also announced today. Gold Sponsors include SEUPB’s INTERREG IVa Programme, The Irish BICs. This event is also sponsored by Derry Visitor & Convention Bureau (DVCB), Seagate, and the Department for Employment & Learning (DEL) among others.

The congress will take place in Derry~Londonderry’s Millennium Forum and a number of other venues in the city around the themes ‘Digital’, ‘Cultural’ and ‘Social Innovation’.

The event was attracted to Northern Ireland this year in part because of Derry~Londonderry’s status as UK City of Culture as well as NORIBIC’s long-standing involvement in the European Business Innovation Centre Network.

The Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín said:

“The Noribic Congress is a hugely significant event which takes in elements of the Creative Industries but also includes social and cultural strands. To have such a distinguished line-up of delegates in Derry underlines the city’s growing international status as a nurturing ground for ideas.

“This conference is for innovators and entrepreneurs here and across Europe. But there is much here for everyone as the world comes to Derry to talk about how we can develop ideas which improve communities. It is another landmark event during Derry’s year as City of Culture and I hope it will prove to be an inspirational event with a lasting legacy.”

Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of NORIBIC, says that it will be a unique opportunity for local business people to engage with the world-class group of speakers and collaborate with potential EU business partners.

“The momentum really is building towards what promises to be an event with a very big wow factor. The speakers are a huge part of that, but so is the rest of the programme which will include a large element of culture and four villages with great networking opportunities,” he says.

Further information about the event and registration is available at: http://www.noribic.com/ebncongress

LEADING ferry company Stena Line is hoping its latest great-value car-cation offer will put a spring in the step of families and couples wanting to get away from it all with fares from £30 per person*.

From now until May 7, a car with four people will cost just £120 single, on any day and sailing if it’s booked by March 28*.  And that isn’t all – to help people make the most of their time, and their budgets, Stena Line has put together five great getaways for foot passengers and road-trippers that have something to suit everyone.

Diane Poole OBE, Stena Line’s Head of PR and Communications said:  “If you’re looking for an exciting Spring break make sure you check out our terrific range of fun days away, city breaks and family trips.  Travelling by ferry gives people the freedom and flexibility to make their holiday their own so don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure!

“Our ships on the Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool routes are the most luxurious on the Irish Sea offering maximum passenger comfort with a choice of lounges, onboard dining, Barista Coffee areas and the Pure Nordic Spa on the Belfast – Cairnryan route plus the stylish cabins on our Liverpool route are ideal for a great night’s sleep” added Diane.

To inspire you, Stena Line has devised a top five list of Easter getaways to Britain:

• Kids go Free – Stena Line have extended their Kids go free offer for travel throughout 2013, so if you want to take the family away this Easter for less, book by 2 April so you don’t miss out.
• Thrill Seekers – From only £26 per adult make the most of Scotland’s biggest collection of thrill rides at M&D’s Theme Park. Fun for the whole family includes rollercoasters, water rides and soft play areas, restaurants, bar and retail outlets. Make the most of the unlimited ride wristband which is included and allows access to some of the rides.
• Retail therapy – For only £23 per person, you can take a day trip to Glasgow and shop ‘til you drop in one of the UK’s best shopping cities and with many high street brands, designer houses and boutiques located all over the city, Stena Line’s no baggage restrictions will come in handy.
• Culinary delights – It you want to have a culinary treat, you could opt for the Hotel Indigo, Liverpool with its Marco Pierre White inspired menu in their Steakhouse Bar & Grill. Relax and unwind over a cocktail, a refreshing glass of wine and one of Marco’s signature dishes from only £59 per adult per night B&B including car travel.
• Rural retreat – From £89 per adult per night couples wanting a romantic getaway can choose the 4* country house hotel, Mollington Banastre just north of Chester. With a reputation for hospitality, relax and get away from it all near this historic city.

For further information or to book, call Stena Line on 08447 70 70 70, click on www.stenaline.co.uk or visit your local travel agent.

*£30 per person single fare based on 4 persons travelling. £20 per vehicle single supplement for Liverpool – Belfast night-time sailings See website for details.  Subject to availability.

This spring Northern Ireland’s favourite vintage shopping event, Frock Around The Clock, will be marking the 400th anniversary of Belfast’s foundation as a city by holding their fabulous Vintage Fair at the historic fairytale location of Belfast Castle on Sunday 7^th April.

Featuring around 45 sellers of vintage and handmade fashion, accessories, jewellery, homewares, collectables, art, crafts, gifts, and sweet treats, plus photography and a pop up vintage beauty parlour, the Vintage Fair will present a spectacular showcase of vintage treasures, reminiscence and fun, while the stunning Castle and grounds offers lots to do for all the family.

Belfast Castle, located in the Cave Hill area of north Belfast, is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and is conveniently just a few minutes drive from the city centre. Located 400 foot above sea level, it offers stunning views over Belfast, and a great base for a fun day out.

The Vintage Fair will be located throughout the ground and first floors of the castle, taking shoppers on a tour of the stunning rooms and breathtaking views. Visitors will be able to relax and refresh in the event tea room or enjoy a spot of lunch in the Castle Cellars which have been cleverly transformed, enticing you to step back in time and experience Victorian-style narrow, paved streets, shop fronts and gas lights, all of which were common when work on the castle was completed in 1870.

The impressive Frock Around The Clock exhibitor list includes Sanity Vintage who will be selling vintage collectables and ephemera, Hey Homewrecker specialising in retro homewares, toddler dresses and recycled vintage prints, Sew What It’s Vintage showcasing vintage china, kitchenalia and linens, Lula’s Attic and Norma Jean Vintage selling vintage dresses and fashion accessories, X-perience Boudoir specialising in vintage and burlesque style photography, Life Is Sweet selling scrumptious cakes and desserts, and Strictly Vintage, connoisseurs of high end vintage costume jewellery from the 1920s-1960s.

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fair will take place on Sunday 7th April at Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 5GR from 12-5pm. Admission costs £5 for adults and £3 for seniors and students and there will be an Early Bird Special offering £2 off the general admission prices for the first half hour of the event only (so from 12 to 12.30 admission will cost £3 for adults and only £1 for seniors and students). The full exhibitor list can be viewed on the website at www.decadencevintagefairs.com and regular updates can be found at facebook.com/decadencevintageevents.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (March 25 – 31).

• Giant Easter Bunny Hunt, Castle Espie Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre, Comber, Co. Down, March 22 – April 7.  Get on a roll this Easter with lots of events and activities including a search for large coloured bunnies hidden around the site.  A map and clues will be provided with prizes for all children upon completion.

• Baby Animal Festival, Streamvale Open Farm, Dundonald, Co. Antrim, March 23 – April 30.  Come and meet the new additions at Streamvale – cuddle the chicks, feed the lambs and see the baby piglets.  Have fun on a tractor or take a pony ride before enjoying a coffee or some home-made ice-cream.

• Classics at Clonard, Clonard Monastery, Belfast, March 26.  The atmospheric splendour of Clonard Monastery’s Church of the Most Holy Redeemer lends a special magic to this concert directed by Tamás Kocsis, who is also the soloist in Boccherini’s delightful concerto.
• Easter Craft Workshop, Down County Museum, Downpatrick, Co. Down, March 28.  Come along to the museum and have fun making a great selection of Easter themed crafts to take home.  Suitable for all ages.

• Royal Ballet, Millennium Forum, Co. Londonderry, March 30 – 31.  Royal Ballet dancers, Yuhui Choe, Dromore born Melissa Hamilton, Ryoichi Hirano and Dawid Trzensimiech will appear in selected highlights from the company’s repertory conducted by Derry born, Paul Murphy.   In addition to the pas de deux from Acts II and III of Swan Lake, the dancers will perform Frederick Ashton’s Meditation from Thais to music from Massenet’s opera of the same name and the pas de deux from the Second Movement of Kenneth Macmillan’s Concerto with music by Dmitry Shostakovich.

• Easter Storytelling and Crafts, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, March 30.  Celebrate Easter in Limavady by coming along to the Easter storytelling and crafts session.  The event is suitable for children aged 5 – 9 and admission is free.  Booking advisable.

• Easter Celebrations, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, March 30 – April 1.  Hop along to the museum this Easter for some traditional fun.  Roll up your sleeves and help feed the baby chicks or try your hand at churning butter.  Chat to frontier trappers and traders from the 1700s or have a go at basket weaving, spinning and rope making.

• The Three Little Pigs, Navan Centre and Fort, Co. Armagh, March 30.  Walk through ‘piggy village’ and visit the three little pigs in their houses made from straw, wood and stone.  What will happen when the big bad wolf comes calling and which house will survive his huff and puff?

• Easter Sunday Treasure Trail, Florence Court, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, March 31.  Enjoy a great day out as you follow the trail around the ground to find the chocolate treasure.  Taking place from 11am – 5pm.

• Archery, Corralea Activity Centre, Belcoo, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, March 31.  Come along and take a test of skill and precision on Corralea Activity Centre’s large lawn which overlooks a lake and is surrounded by natural forest.  Archery is ideal for most people including the young and elderly and all equipment will be provided.