~ New film highlights Belfast’s Titanic connection to prospective visitors around the world ~

Tourism Ireland has launched a new online film, ’10 Titanic Things to Do in Belfast’, specially created to highlight the iconic ship’s connection with Belfast and Northern Ireland to encourage people around the world to come and find out more about the Titanic story.Tourism Ireland’s short, fast-paced film reminds prospective visitors around the world that the famous ship was “designed, built and launched in Belfast” and urges them to “get closer to the Titanic with these 10 Titanic things to do in Belfast”. It features Titanic Belfast and the SS Nomadic, as well as special experiences like a ‘Segway Titanic Tour’ and a ‘Titanic Dinner’ in Rayanne House.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “Our film celebrates the legacy of Titanic and its unique link to Belfast. We are capitalising on the huge interest that exists among people everywhere in the iconic ship, continuing to build the recognition of Belfast as its home and encouraging them to come and experience the city, its Titanic legacy and maritime heritage at first-hand.”

The ’10 Titanic things to do in Belfast’ film will also be promoted via Tourism Ireland’s other social media platforms – with its Facebook fans (3.4 million fans worldwide) and Twitter followers (324,000+), and on its YouTube channel.

-ENDS-

Sailing to the International North West 200 with P&O Ferries ­ motorbike fans from across the UK and Europe arrived into Larne ahead of the International North West 200 ­ the largest annual sporting event in Northern Ireland and one of the biggest motorbike races of the year. P&O Ferries, which operate the shortest, most frequent crossings between Scotland and Northern Ireland is expecting hundreds of motorbike enthusiasts to make the journey over the next couple of days

Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council is thrilled to play host to stage and screen legend Robert Powell as he commemorates the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice in Wonderland in a fantastic night of spoken word and music. Wonderland presented by Clive Conway Productions is at The Old Courthouse, Antrim on Saturday 21 May at 7.30pm.

In 2015, to mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, thirteen of the world’s leading composers were commissioned to create a special piece of music based on each of the 12 chapters and the preface of this most loved children’s book. Performed in order, the narrative will be performed through music with violinist Matthew Trussler and pianist Ashley Wass and also through words, spoken by renowned television and film actor Robert Powell. Appealing to all age groups, Wonderland is a reflection of the enduring popularity of this wonderful book.

Robert Powell is one of Britain’s most well-known actors. He has been seen in a host of classic film and television dramas, including The 39 Steps, Jesus of Nazareth, The Detectives and most recently Holby City.

This will be a unique and memorable evening and early booking is advised.  Tickets for this event are priced at £20 & £18 (Concession) and are available from the Box Office on 028 9446 3113 or online at www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/boxoffice

Larne will be awash with colour and carnival fun next month as the Summer Festival rolls into town.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Mayor, Councillor Billy Ashe, who is pictured here attending the recent launch event with some colourful carnival characters, has urged everyone to come along.

“The festival opens on Saturday 4 June when Larne Main Street will be the location for the spectacular carnival parade featuring schools, groups and clubs from throughout the Larne area.

“They will be dressing up and taking part in the parade along with a group of local young people who have been learning to stilt walk for the event.

“Come down to Larne Town Centre from 2pm to 4pm to enjoy live music at Broadway Bandstand along with face painting and walkabouts or just to take in the carnival atmosphere and watch the parade pass by at around 3.15 pm,” Cllr Ashe added that the parade will be leaving Larne YMCA at 3pm.

On Saturday 11 June, (11am-3pm) the party atmosphere continues with a colourful craft and food market at Larne Market Yard.
Activities will include Salsa dance workshops, arts and crafts, walkabouts and street theatre, a photo booth, carnival games not to mention live music from the Mardi Gras Jazz Band and the Bourbon Swing Band. All ages are being accommodated too with Fairy Twinkle on hand to tell some stories.

A special bus will run regularly every half hour throughout the event to take visitors into the Town Centre – perhaps for some ‘retail therapy’.

Then, on Wednesday 15 June, local schools and members of the public will be able to experience the thrill of cycling in a velodrome as the UK Street Velodrome Series rides into Larne Leisure Centre. School sessions will run from 10am-4pm and public sessions from 5pm-8pm.

For those who fancy themselves a ‘super hero’ there’s the chance to get into character for a special town centre bike ride on Sunday 19 June.

“Suit up in your superhero gear, decorate your bicycle too and zoom into Larne – Batman or Superman-style,” said Cllr Ashe adding there will be plenty of additional entertainment at Broadway.

“There will be music, entertainers and refreshments to keep all our superheroes and maybe the odd villain going as they cycle the route,” he added.

Participants may even want to create their own superhero character and dress up to take part in the best dressed superhero competition.

Super-cyclists are to assemble at Broadway from 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and all participants must wear a cycle helmet. Anyone not wearing a helmet will not be permitted to take part.

Parking on Main Street will be limited during the event for a period of one hour and members of the public are encouraged to use the Town Centre car parks available, located close to the Main Street.

The Larne Summer Festival is just one of a large number of events taking place in Mid and East Antrim Borough. To keep up to date with what is happening in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and of course Larne visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/events

Is your child the ‘Icing on the Cake’ or the ‘Crème de la Crème’ when it comes to baking? Then, SS Nomadic’s Petit Pâtisserie Chef competition is one for them!

The 31st May marks the day SS Nomadic left Belfast 105 years ago, to celebrate the anniversary, it is looking for a Petit Pâtisserie Chef (aged between 8 -12 years old) to design a cake that showcases Nomadic’s exciting and turbulent past to be in with a chance to win a trip on-board with their class!

Over the years, 31^st May marks a day of great historical significance for SS Nomadic. Originally over 100,000 people gathered in Belfast, from as far as America, to mark the occasion when it alongside, its sister ship Traffic and RMS Olympic left Belfast and RMS Titanic was launched.  Last year, it was reunited with Titanic Belfast and this year, it is fully open for school groups.

SS Nomadic now offers guided tours and two workshops for Key Stage 2 pupils, ‘New Beginnings’ which focuses on European emigration in the early 20^th century and ‘Get the Message’, which allows pupils to explore and experiment with different methods of communication, including those used on the SS Nomadic and Titanic. These workshops are part of Titanic Belfast’s learning programme, which is recognised as a leading learning resource and has welcomed over 100,000 participants since its opening in 2012.

To win a guided tour of SS Nomadic and one of the workshops on-board for their primary school class, the cake top design must celebrate the vessel as an authentic piece of Belfast’s industrial maritime history, from its launch 105 years ago, with a career spanning from serving Titanic, WW1 and WW11, to tendering celebrities such as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor to its role today as a visitor attraction and a learning facility.  The prize also includes £250 towards transport for the class.

To enter, please download the form from www.titanicbelfast.com and return it by email to competitions@titanicbelfast.com or by post to Petit Pâtisserie Chef Competition, Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast, BT39EP before 23^rd May 2016.

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

• Mix It Up This May, Europa Hotel, Belfast. From £95 per room. This special offer includes a luxurious overnight stay in the 4-star Europa Hotel in the heart of Belfast City Centre. Be treated to a complimentary cocktail or mocktail upon arrival and enjoy a full Irish breakfast in the morning. Available until 31 May. To book call (028) 9026 6009.

• Complimentary Bushmills Whiskey, Shola Coach House Boutique B&B, Portrush, Co. Antrim. From £45pps. The 5-star Shola Coach House is a beautifully restored historic coach house dating back to the 1860s, set in a secluded location just over a mile from Portrush town centre. When you book a 2 night stay in the B&B, discover the taste of Bushmills Irish Honey spirit drink, the newest addition to the Bushmills family from the distillery on the doorstep of Shola Coach House. Each guest over the age of 18 will receive a free 50ml bottle. Available until 31 May. To book go to www.sholabandb.com and quote BUSHMILLS.

• Family Activity Weekend, Share Discovery Village, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. From £330 for a family of four.  Enjoy a 2 night weekend for a family of 4 on the shore of Lough Erne in one of Share Discovery Village’s self-catering cottages and take part in a wide range of activities on offer. The package includes a family leisure pass and a day of activities including archery, climbing and canoeing or kayaking. Available until 31 May. To book call (028) 6772 2122.

For further information log on to www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

*All offers are subject to availability.

Country music fans are in for a big treat in Ballycastle on Sunday 29^th May as the sensational Lisa McHugh will take to the stage and bring the crowd to their feet, during the opening weekend of the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival.

Originally from Glasgow, but living in Fermanagh for the last four years, Lisa has been filling dance floors in venues up and down Ireland.  The massive YouTube sensation has won the hearts of country fans across the island and has also captured the attention of Nathan Carter who dueted on Lisa’s album track “You Can’t Make Old Friends”.

Lisa McHugh is one of the few women in the Irish country music scene and she brings her lively and fun style of music, which is guaranteed to get fans to their feet for a good old country dance night.

Her current album “Wildfire” was released last year, reaching number 7 on the Official Irish Charts.  Fans will be hoping to hear Lisa’s top hits “Why d’ya come in here”, “Applejack” and “Hillbilly Girl” and perhaps a first taster of some new material.  The talented country starlet has a new album coming out later this year, which is expected to be a runner for the top spot in the charts.

Winning “Female Vocalist of the Year” for the third year in a row in 2016, Lisa is ready to “Bring on the Good Times” as her live Irish tour comes to Ballycastle on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.  Grab your dancing shoes and get your tickets booked for what promises to be a great night’s entertainment.

The dance is at 9pm at the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle on Sunday 29^th May.  Tickets are priced at £15 and are available from Ballycastle Visitor Centre on 02820 762024; or from the Marine Hotel on 02820 762222.  Pre-booking is strongly recommended.

For more information on the full Festival programme of activities in Ballycastle and on Rathlin Island, between 27^th May and 5^th June, visit www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com

~ Tourism Ireland’s 2016 Game of Thrones® campaign is showcasing Northern Ireland to millions of fans worldwide ~

Episode three of the sixth season of Game of Thrones® aired last night (Monday, 9 May) and Tourism Ireland unveiled its third ‘Door of Thrones’ – this week in the Percy French Restaurant in the grounds of the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down.

The door is part of Tourism Ireland’s 2016 Game of Thrones® campaign, created in partnership with HBO, which is showcasing Northern Ireland to millions of the show’s fans worldwide.

The organisation is encouraging fans everywhere to come and “witness where it all began in Winterfell at Castle Ward, enter the grasslands of Vaes Dothrak in the Mourne Mountains, or dare to march in the footsteps of a White Walker in Tollymore Forest.

Earlier this year, the Dark Hedges – the Game of Thrones® filming location known to the people of Westeros as the Kingsroad – were battered by Storm Gertrude. Tourism Ireland saved the trees that fell that day, to turn them into a piece of Game of Thrones® history for fans – creating 10 intricately carved doors, each one telling the story of the latest episode in season six.

The doors are being unveiled by Tourism Ireland each week as season six unfolds, in restaurants, pubs and other venues near Game of Thrones® filming locations across Northern Ireland – so, by the end of this season, we’ll have a brand new Game of Thrones® trail linking the major filming locations around Northern Ireland. The first door (from episode one) is hanging in The Cuan guest inn in Strangford – near the filming locations of Castle Ward and Audley’s Castle. The second door is hanging in Fiddlers Green in Portaferry, near Quintin Bay. This week’s door, in the Percy French restaurant, is near Tollymore Forest Park.

Tourism Ireland has also unveiled its third – limited edition – Game of Thrones® stamp, another element of its campaign.