Belfast’s Merchant Hotel has joined forces with a leading Northern Ireland textile designer to bring a chic local feel to the interiors of its stylish bedrooms.

Award-winning textile designer, Jude Cassidy has created a collection of bespoke Irish linen cushions to add an elegant local accent to The Merchant’s 36 contemporary Art Deco rooms.

Having started her business in 2009, Jude credits The Merchant as a key player in her success story.

Her first major commission was for a collection of cushions for the iconic five-star hotel, as it prepared to open its art deco New Chapter in 2010. Five years on, Jude has been commissioned by the five-star hotel for a second time to create a fresh, new bespoke collection of cushions as part of a refresh of The Merchant’s bedroom interiors.

Since her first collaboration with The Merchant, Jude has worked with other worldwide hotels as well as Christian Dior retail shops and well-known interior designers, including Peter Marino, David Collins and Helen Green.

A First Class Honours Graduate in textile design from the Glasgow School of Art, Jude developed her design skills working in Paris, London and Thailand. Reflecting back on the rich heritage of Irish hand weaving, linen is at the heart of her latest collection. The material for the cushions is designed and produced in her studio in Saintfield and uses a variety of yarns, including linen, cashmere and silk, with a neutral yet rich palette of greys and silvers.

Jude’s collection of cushions for The Merchant Hotel has been expertly hand-crafted on a traditional 150 year old loom. Luxurious linen is combined with a glowing palette of soft oysters, soothing tones of soft whites and cool greys with glistening flecks of metallic. This harmonising colour palette is only further enhanced by the refined simple elegance of the textures, which pairs beautifully with the chic interiors of Art Deco rooms.

Eve Tumilty, Head of Housekeeping at The Merchant Hotel said: “Jude Cassidy’s stunning luxurious range of cushions for our Art Deco rooms perfectly complements the contemporary elegance of the interiors. The Merchant is famed for marrying the best of international and Irish design and we are proud to once again partner with such a creative local design talent to being an accent of Northern Ireland into the furnishings of our stylish bedrooms.”

Speaking from The Merchant Hotel, Jude said: “Having a five-star hotel as one of my first customers has been a fantastic help to expanding my business and gaining attention for my work; it helped give customers confidence in my young business. I now work for five-star hotels worldwide but I feel a particular attachment to The Merchant Hotel, given the opportunity they afforded me at the beginning of my career.

“The cushions that I have designed for the hotel are the ultimate in linen luxury and set off the Art Deco rooms perfectly. All of my collections are focused on texture with subtle colours and the elegant backdrop of The Merchant Hotel provides the perfect setting for these cushions.”

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is continuing its Autumn season of sensational dramas with two classic, timeless dramas, both guaranteed audience pleasers.

‘An Evening Of Irish Horror’ is the perfect, cosy scare for when the air gets cold and the night grows dark. Two classic Irish spook stories reanimated in the darkness, with live music. In ‘Dracula’s Guest’, the missing prologue from Bram Stoker’s masterpiece, Jonathan Harker finds himself under the watchful eye of an unknown force, while in an unknown country. While in J.S. Le Fanu’s classic, ‘Green Tea’, a village curate is driven to the brink of madness by terrible visions, but is there something unusual in his mind or in his drink.

‘An Evening Of Irish Horror’ will be staged on Thursday 22^nd October at 8pm. Tickets are priced £13 and £11 (concession).

London Classic Theatre Company return to The Market Place on Thursday 29^th October with the classic, ‘Waiting For Godot’. A country road. A tree. Evening. Vladimir and Estragon meet as dusk approaches. Estragon tries to remove his boot. Vladimir examines his hat. A conversation begins, a joke is interrupted. A carrot is eaten. The two men quarrel, then embrace. Unannounced, two eccentric travellers arrive. Seemingly master and servant, one stands weighed down at the end of a long rope, the other carries a whip.

So begins Samuel Beckett’s sixty-year-old masterpiece ‘Waiting For Godot’, a ground-breaking, anarchic meditation on the meaning of life and death. Part allegory, part burlesque,

Beckett’s unique, timeless play moves seamlessly between absurdist comic sketch and captivating philosophical drama. In 1999, it was voted the most significant English language play of the 20th Century. Tickets are priced £14.50 and £12.50 with special rates for school groups.

Details of all events can be found online at www.marketplacearmagh.com, and tickets can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821.

And 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.

Michelle O’Hare, a young vibrant 22 year old Kilcoo woman, is encouraging all ages to think about their health and take on Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s Tollymore Challenge Walk on Saturday 14^th November.

Michelle got involved with the local charity after she suffered a minor stroke following her exams in May.

While Michelle is recovering she decided to make the most of her rehabilitation and her Marketing Degree by joining NICHS’s events team part time and was tasked with helping to organise the Tollymore Challenge Walk.  Michelle said ‘I thought about turning my negative experience into a positive one.  I knew of NICHS’s amazing work and I instantly wanted to help the local charity.  I was delighted to join the team and was able to help them promote and recruit to the Tollymore Challenge Walk.  With Tollymore Forest Park more or less right on my doorstep I’m in a good position to help.  The park is a must see for anyone who hasn’t been before with it’s forest, river walks and historical buildings as well as the Mourne Mountains surrounding it!  For those that know it well then you will want to return to see it in all it’s autumnal beauty.’

The 13 mile walk starts and finishes in the confines of Tollymore Forest Park and is organised in conjunction with 26 extreme’s Marathons so walkers are part of a much bigger event experience.

The event village has a great atmosphere with music, an MC, food outlet and refreshments where families and loved ones can cheer you into the finish where you are awarded a medal for all your hard work!

Michelle said ‘It’s going to be a brilliant day out!  By taking part in the Tollymore Challenge Walk you will be helping NICHS raise awareness of stroke in young people, help to campaign for heart health and fund research to recognise the signs of these conditions.  I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful charity and to help bring awareness to my local community and further afield of the help they provide.  So join me at the Tollymore Challenge Walk on 14^th November and be part of something positive!  Sign up at www.nichs.org.uk/challengewalks or call 02890 266740 for further information.

A series of decadent Fashion Teas will return to The Merchant Hotel, Belfast this October, serving up the hottest trends from some of Northern Ireland’s top independent boutiques and designers to tantalise fashion taste buds for autumn/winter 2015.

On Saturday 24^TH and Sunday 25^TH October, the  5*star hotel’s Rita Duffy Suite will provide a striking setting for five individual Fashion Teas, showcasing cutting edge autumn/winter collections alongside sumptuous champagne afternoon teas.

Models from Style Academy will provide a round table fashion show, allowing guests to get up close and personal to the new season collections with new season hair looks by Andrew Mulvenna and make-up by Lancôme, whilst sipping Moet et Chandon champagne and enjoying melt in the mouth patisseries.

Guests and the public will also have the opportunity to shop the collections hot off the catwalk, with bespoke pop-up boutiques for all five retailers housed in The Merchant for the whole weekend.

A packed schedule of three shows will kick off The Merchant’s autumn/winter Fashion Teas on Saturday 24^TH October with decadent accessories from designer boutique, Harper  (12.30pm); The Walk in Wardrobe (2:30 pm) and a new season collection from Ruedi Maguire (5.30pm). On Sunday 25^TH October, Chloe Dougan and A.P.D Jewellery will present a fashion-forward show at 1pm and in a first for the Merchant Hotel Fashion Teas, the Ulster University Fashion students will present their collections in the final show at 3.30pm.

This autumn/winter is all about the accessories and in a fitting fashion pairing, luxury designer boutique, Harper at The Merchant Hotel will open this season’s Fashion Teas in style. Exclusive Northern Ireland stockists of Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Olympia and Rachel Zoe, Harper at The Merchant’s coveted red soled heels will be a key feature in this opening show, with a mix of classic shapes and colours and fashion forward styles ensuring fashion lovers are well heeled for A/W 15.

In an exciting first, Banbridge-based ladieswear boutique, The Walk in Wardrobe will showcase an exciting new collection at The Merchant’s Fashion Teas. Established in March 2015 by fashion enthusiast Laura McPolin, the boutique specialises in bespoke brands, combining established names such as Kevan Jon with international brands sourced from Italy, Spain, Croatia and beyond. The Walk In Wardrobe will showcase their latest collection, with stunning occasion wear, hats and accessories perfect for weddings, mothers of the bride and groom and special events.

Closing the series of Saturday Fashion Teas, Ruedi Maguire presents a show with stunning new designs for Spring Summer 2016. His next collection promises to be a playful effortless approach to dressing. With a relaxed silhouette using soft neoprene, mesh and hi-tech sports fabric, this show will have a wonderful sports luxe feel. Bright reds, pale pinks and black will accompany an organised placement of embellishments on bodices and skirts.

Opening the Fashion Teas on Sunday 25^th October, Chloe Dougan will partner with A.P.D Jewellery to show her striking collection of designs, exploring the realms of femininity and sensuality. Her AW15 collection uses texture, including leather, lace, crepe, suede and fur to create a bespoke and eclectic mix. Her distinct style led to her being named 2015 Artist and Designer to Watch by Culture Northern Ireland. Her Fashion Teas debut is sure to impress.  Returning to the Fashion Teas for a second season, A.P.D Jewellery presents a striking collection juxtaposing industrial looking materials such as chains and even seat belt fabric with semi-precious stones, richly coloured leathers and upcycled vintage jewellery and lace. The A.P.D A/W collection includes elegant cuffs and bracelets as well as dramatic neck pieces and hair accessories. Rich autumnal colours ensure a sumptuous feel to the collection.

Ulster University final year fashion students will close the weekend, with a display of their final collections to showcase their design talent. Their show will be a clear reflection of the immense design ability, skill and an understanding of trend analysis, providing students with the opportunity to showcase their creations as they come to the end of their final year. Bespoke colour has been key this year, with hand dyed yarns creating exquisite individual and creative pieces. With a variety of traditional and technical materials and the construction and drape of fabrics, guests will have the exciting opportunity to view the very best of upcoming Northern Irish talent.

NI drinks company, Dillon Bass has joined forces with The Merchant Hotel to support the Ulster University Fashion Show as part of the now iconic Merchant Hotel Fabulous Fashion Teas.  A unique bursary, offered through the company’s iconic champagne brand, Moet & Chandon, will cover the costs of producing the show, as well as a cash prize of £300 and a celebratory magnum of Moet & Chandon for the winning student. The bursary scheme also offers the unique opportunity for the winning student to shadow prominent local designer, Ruedi Maguire for a week and to host and manage their own pop up shop over the course of the Fashion Teas weekend.

The esteemed judging panel incudes NI designer, Ruedi Maguire; Style Academy boss, Tracey Hall; Joanne O’Hagan, marketing manager, Dillon Bass and fashion blogger, Katrina Doran of Sugahfix.com

Tickets to The Merchant’s Fashion Teas cost £35 per person and include an exclusive fashion show of your choice, served with champagne afternoon tea.  Tickets can be purchased by calling The Merchant Hotel’s events team on 028 9026 2717. Funds raised from a luxury ballot at the events will be donated to The Merchant’s 2015 charity partner, MacDermott Unit.

It’s Autumnal Arts in abundance as Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Council announced details of their ever popular annual arts event.

‘Autumn Arts’ which runs from Friday 9 October to Friday 30 October, features a pulsating programme of musical and literary performances plus a host of workshops and events offering the opportunity to harness your creative and artistic talents. Here are some of the highlights sure to delight culture vultures of all ages.

This festival kicks off on Friday 9 October with a free outdoor cinema showing of Toy Story when the dynamic duo of Woody and Buzz Lightyear take to the big screen at 7pm in Solitude Park, Banbridge.

The Bronte Centre, Rathfriland, plays host to ‘Glass Town’ on Saturday 10 October at 8pm when Victoria Gleason and Katherine McGrath perform dramatic readings of the Bronte family’s own diary extracts using theatrics of monologue, dialogue and poetry. Tickets are priced £5 and available from the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio T: 028 4062 3322.

On Thursday 15 October from 2pm – 4pm The John Hewitt Society will be hosting a Creative Writing Workshop with Maria McManus in the Old Town Hall, Banbridge. The workshop entitled ‘Flight will be focusing on the natural world. Tickets are £5.

Later the same day in the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio a Trio of Poets, namely Maria McManus, Paul Maddern and Deidre Cartmill will be reading from their most recent works from 7.30pm Tickets are £5 available from the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio.

On Saturday 17 October Cinemagic will be offering a variety of workshops for younger arts fans. An Animate with Lego workshop in the Old Town Hall, Banbridge which runs from 10am – 1pm for 7 – 11 year olds and 1.30 – 4.30pm for 12 – 15 years shows how to turn your favourite Lego character into movie stars with Joel Simon from the multi-award winning Flickerpix Animation Studios.

Saturday 24 October offers up Special Effects Make-Up for Film & Television and TV & Radio Sports Presenting workshops. Make-up artist Triona Gogarty will guide 7 – 11 year olds through all the skills and techniques of special effects make up in the Iveagh Movie Studios, Banbridge from 10am – 12.30pm. UTV presenter Denise Watson will give an insight into the world of sports presenting for 7 – 11 years from 1pm – 4pm. Cost for each children’s workshop is £5.

The entertainment continues on the Saturday 17 October at 8pm with ‘Songwriters in the Round’ featuring Anthony Toner, Matt McGinn and Ken Haddock. These three leading Northern Ireland songwriters will perform in an evening of original songs, roots music and plenty of banter! Tickets are £5.

Autumn Arts continues with a wealth of adult workshops including a fantastic Furniture Upcycling class on Thursday 15 October in Banbridge Leisure Centre from 6pm – 9pm. Try your hand at the art of flower arranging with Flowerworks on Friday 16 October in the Old Town Hall, Banbridge from 6.30pm – 9pm. A Stitch in Time on Wednesday 21 October also in the Old Town Hall from 6.30pm – 9.30pm will cover all aspects of embroidery. The Funky Felt Jewellery on Thursday 22 and Tuesday 27 October in the Old Town Hall from 6.30pm – 9pm will give you the opportunity to explore wet felting techniques to turn into your own piece of jewellery.

Colin Hassard makes a welcome return to present his hilarious acclaimed one man show “Breaking Bard” on Saturday 24 October in the Rosehip Bakery, Banbridge at 8pm.  Be prepared to be shaken and stirred as Colin explores the universal themes of love, relationships and learning from your mistakes (not)!  Admission is £5 and booking essential.

The annual Craft Fair returns on Saturday 24th October from 10.30am – 4pm in Solitude Park, Banbridge with a vast range of crafts including, candles, ceramics, jewellery, bags and glassware. Pick up an early Christmas present or two or maybe just treat yourself with something a little special. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 concession.

Tickets for all performances are limited and early booking is strongly advised by contacting Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council on T: 4066 0605, or where highlighted the F.E. McWillam Gallery on T: 028 4062 3322

The Autumn Arts brochure detailing all events and activities is available at various outlets across the Borough and also available to download at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk.

For further information about Autumn Arts contact Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council on T: 4066 0605.

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Tourism NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

OFFERS OF THE WEEK

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• Friday Night Getaway, Ten Square Hotel, Belfast. From £65pps. Located right in the middle of Belfast’s city centre, Ten Square Hotel is ideally located whether your stay is for business or pleasure. Stay in one of the award-winning luxury hotel rooms on a Friday night, and enjoy a three-course meal in the hotel’s Grill Room Restaurant and Bar, as well as a fully cooked breakfast the following morning. Available until Dec 13. To book call (028) 9024 1001. Please quote promo code: Autumn Leaves, when booking.

• Midweek Luxury Suite Offer, Finn Lough Suites, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. From £67.50pps. Situated just one mile from the border between Fermanagh and Donegal, Finn Lough is the ideal setting from which to explore both counties. If you would rather stay put and relax, this offer allows you to take advantage of the many facilities within the resort, as well as a luxury overnight stay, choice of cooked breakfast, and a three-course evening meal for two. Available until Nov 1. To book call (028) 6838 0360.

• Autumn 3 for 2 Night Offer, The Links Vista, Portrush, Co. Antrim. From £250. This stunning modern Penthouse Duplex Apartment is situated centrally in Portrush and offers outstanding panoramic views of Portrush Golf Course and the sand dunes at East Strand Beach. The apartment is spacious, with 3 double bedrooms and 2 sofa beds, and is convenient for golfing, shopping and dining out. Enjoy any two night stay for £250 and get a third night free. Available until Nov 30. To book call 07736 629411.

With just days until the new-look Ulster Bank Belfast International Arts Festival’s Opening Night on 9^th October, we take a look at this year’s Top Ten Must-See events.

Festival organisers have brought together a colourful programme of world-class arts and entertainment, featuring 18 UK & Ireland premieres and artists from 23 countries.  From dance to theatre, circus to opera, big band to classical piano, there is something for everyone.

Tickets are already sold out for four major events*, so here’s a Top Ten not to be missed:

1)      The Kitchen – a sumptuous visual and sensual spectacle from India, Grand Opera House, 21 & 22 October.  A fusion of food, family tradition and rhythmic Indian drums.  The theatre air is filled with fragrant spices as a large copper Indian pot of rice pudding is cooked throughout the show and is shared among the audience as the curtain falls.

2)      BBC Big Band – release your inner Strictly-Come-Dancer, as the Ulster Hall comes alive to the much-loved sounds of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing, so grab your partner and your dancing shoes on Friday 23^rd October, when the Festival Swing Dancers will show you how it’s done.

3)      James Fenton – widely regarded as one of the world’s finest poets, catch James on his first visit to Belfast since 1993, in conversation with Marie Louise Muir at the Lyric Theatre on Saturday 10^th October.

4)      Hallo – Swiss acrobat, clown and choreographer Martin Zimmerman brings his stunning and humorous one-man show to the MAC on 23-24 October. This fast-paced virtuoso performance pitched somewhere between Samuel Beckett and Buster Keaton is a beautiful blend of acrobatics, theatre, comedy with a touch a magic too.

5)      To Break – The Window of Opportunity – Enter the extraordinary world of Belgian artists, Frank & Robertt, who bring colour and life to otherwise inanimate objects in a strange Americana influenced landscape. Playful, stylish and endearingly charming, these two young theatre makers are making waves throughout Europe with their multi-disciplinary work. (The MAC 20-21 Oct).

6)      Nosotros – The Belfast International Arts Festival is thrilled to bring this multi-international-award-winning contemporary dance piece from Mexico to the MAC on 30-31 October.  A high energy study of South American masculinity, Nosotros is breathtaking, beautiful and physically dazzling.

7)      Lyndee Prickett – American journalist Lyndee will reveal how her multi-media fictional work on India’s rape crisis, weareangry.net, sparked an online political movement. Blending the written word with audio, video, pictures, statistics, thought bubbles, cartoons, artwork, music and more, it is also a work that reflects the growing role of technology in the future of mass storytelling, 23^rd Oct at Brian Friel Theatre.

8)      Chivalry is Dead – in the newly adopted home of Game of Thrones, where better to see two of Europe’s top contemporary dancers (Deutinger & Gottfarb) clad head to toe in suits of armour? In this quirky and critically acclaimed duet at the MAC on 14 and 15 October, Deutinger & Gottfarb question the prevalence of knightly valour and blood-spattered fantasy in TV and gaming.

9)      Nicholas McCarthy – the world’s only one-armed concert pianist plays one night only in Belfast’s Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church on Saturday 10th October.  Nicholas’s new album was recently named as Classic FM Album of the Week.  Playing a repertoire of Left Hand Alone music, this charming 23 year old is inspiring, captivating and undeniably talented.

10)   The Animotion Show – a FREE event on Sunday 18th October which will see Belfast City Hall become the canvas for a spectacular live art exhibition.  Watch as images are painted and projected stroke by stroke onto the façade, accompanied by world-famous percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie playing a multitude of instruments – a ticketed event not to be missed!

Full programme details and booking available at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com

*Sold out events at time of going to press are: Georgie Fame, the BBC Radio Three Concert series, Bell X1, Dawson Stelfox, Father John Misty; Cara Dillon and The Curious Incident of the Dog & the Night-time have limited seats available.

Belfast’s multi award-winning Merchant Hotel is celebrating after the AA upgraded its rating from five black stars to five red stars at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards, making it the first and only hotel in Northern Ireland to receive the esteemed accolade.

Held at Grosvenor House in London on Monday 5^th October, the AA Awards recognise outstanding excellence in hospitality and the red star is its most supreme accolade for hotels.
Awarded through inspectors’ choice, it is only bestowed to the best hotels in the British Isles that excel in all areas and offer outstanding levels of quality, service and hospitality.  The Merchant Hotel now joins an elite group of only 50 hotels in the whole of the UK that have achieved the exclusive AA Five Red Star status.

The award was presented to The Merchant Hotel’s General Manager Gavin Carroll by BBC’s Fiona Bruce at the ceremony last night (Monday 5^th October).

Commenting on the achievement Gavin Carroll said: “This award is only achieved by hotels that meet the highest international standards and we are thrilled and honoured to receive the first and only AA Five Red Star Award in Northern Ireland.

“We pride ourselves on our excellent service and facilities and it is a privilege to have this recognised at such a prestigious national award ceremony.

“I’m extremely proud of all of our staff that have shown such passion and dedication to meet the first-class standards needed in every area of the hotel to achieve the highly coveted award.”

Attended by world-renowned chefs, prominent hoteliers, hospitality gurus and key industry media, the AA Hospitality Awards are amongst the most prestigious national awards of their kind and are widely regarded as the Oscars for the hospitality industry.

The Awards draw upon the unrivalled knowledge and expertise of the AA inspectorate and other industry professionals involved in the judging process.
Winners are selected in recognition of excellence and success within their chosen category, having shown a significant improvement in the preceding 12 – 18 months and proving their dedication to raising industry standards and enhancing both their guest and diner experiences.

The Merchant Hotel is owned by the Beannchor Group, which boasts a portfolio of over 50 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland.