Chances are if you’ve been to one of the country’s many summer festivals, you will have run into ‘No Oil Paintings’. A four piece comprising two brothers and their two long-time friends, ‘No Oil Paintings’ bohemian charm has made quite an impression.

They play banjos, mandolins, guitars and they write all their own music. Think Mumford and Sons meets James Morrison meets Traditional Folk. It is an eclectic mix of music. Recently eschewing the novelty of rapid-fire bluegrass in favour of a sound that has more in common with Jack White than Earl Scruggs, ‘No Oil Paintings’ occupy their own artistic niche in Northern Ireland’s vast musical tapestry.

‘No Oil Paintings’ will perform at The Market Place Theatre on Saturday 7^th May at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced £8 each.

Now’s also the chance to see the great comedian, Rich Hall, at work when he appears at The Market Place on Thursday 12 May. Rich’s critically acclaimed grouchy, deadpan style has established him as a master of absurdist irony and the king of rapid-fire wit. The award-winning Montana native, saddles up and hitches his wagon to visit Armagh once again.
Rich is a Perrier [Edinburgh Comedy Festival] Award and Barry [Melbourne International Comedy Festival] Award winner and has become well known for his television work with notable appearances on ‘Stand Up For The Week’ [C4], ‘QI’ [BBC], ‘Live At The Apollo’ [BBC1], ‘Channel 4’s Comedy Gala Live At The O2’, ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘Rich Hall’s Cattle Drive’, ‘Rich Hall’s Gone Fishing’ and ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ [BBC] and his most recent BBC4 documentary ‘Rich Hall’s Californian Stars’. This show is recommended for age 14+, as it will contain some swearing and adult content. Tickets for Rich Hall are priced £16.

Tickets for all performances can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

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.

Bring along your youngest scientists for W5’s next Little Sparks toddler sessions on Wednesday 11 May!

Visit W5’s under 8s area, the town of Discovery, and take part in a 25 minute ‘Pirate Pat at the Beach’ workshop as part of your visit!

Children are born natural scientists so why not bring them to W5 to let them imagine, explore, play and have fun? The town of Discovery is a place where children can learn about themselves and the world around them. Get hands-on with its interactive exhibits, play animal sounds in the farmyard, paddle in a virtual rock pool at the beach or flick through digital storybooks in the castle.

Little Sparks will be held one morning each month in W5. (Term time only) Your special Little Sparks ticket allows you entry into W5 from 10am – 12noon (unless otherwise stated) and sessions are aimed at children aged between 18 months and 4 years.

There will be two sessions held in the morning and each session will be themed and will include a 25 minute workshop at 10:30am or 11:15am with one of W5’s education team. Places are limited and must be pre booked by calling 028 90467790 or 02890467793.

Costs:

• Children 4 and under: £1 each
• Adults: £5.50*
• Additional (non-participating) children over 4: £4.50

*Season ticket holders only pay for the workshop
Details of up and coming sessions:

11^th May 2016 – Pirate Pat at the Beach

Come dressed up and enjoy the pirate fun as we take a trip to a treasure Island, make some waves and find some treasure with Pirate Pat.

For further information visit www.w5online.co.uk.

Pirate shipwrecks, sea shanties, sailing, seabirds and… sushi!

These are just some of the sights and sounds in store at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival on the Causeway Coast at the end of May.

Now in its fourth year, the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival celebrates the unique stretch of water lying between Ballycastle and the magical island of Rathlin.

The week-long festival will run from 27^th May to 4^th June. It has a packed programme of events and activities lined up in Ballycastle and on Rathlin itself, with all kinds of water-based activity on Rathlin Sound in-between.

From Tall Ship rides, to racing yachts and fishing trips, and from powerboats to traditional hand-crafted rowing boats (curraghs), every pace will be catered for.

Why not take a boat trip of the coast and marvel at the puffins.

Once again, this year’s festival has been organised by the Council, Ballycastle Community Development Group, the Rathlin Development & Community Association, and the Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Sponsors for this year’s festival include Tourism Northern Ireland, Malin Waters and Rathlin Boat House Partnership as returners.  Also on board are new sponsors Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd, Marine Hotel Ballycastle, Naturally North Coast & Glens Market and Causeway Coast and Glens Food Network.

Caroline Carey, Tourism Development, Causeway Coast and Glens, said “The Festival is packed with a number of fantastic family friendly events and attractions.  There’s a wealth of adventure-filled history in Rathlin Sound, from tales of Vikings and pirates to mysterious shipwrecks laying deep beneath the island’s waters and of course the myths and legends around the Causeway Coast’s famous giant, Finn McCool.   With the area’s unique wildlife, birds and age-old crafts, it’s sure to capture the imagination of kids of all ages.

“For the music lovers, two of Ireland’s best-loved sea shanty groups, Molgoggers from Cobh and Hooks and Crooks from Waterford, will conjur up the sound of the seas with their incredible male harmonies; and for the land-lubbers, there will be a special show by one of Ireland’s top female country singers, the hugely popular Lisa McHugh, while Aoife Scott from the famous musical Black family returns to Rathlin Island again this year with her folk music.  There’s also a wealth of pop-up gigs and performances in store in bars and venues throughout the week.

“Two Festival highlights not to be missed are the unique boat blessing event being held on Rathlin and Ballycastle at the opening of the Festival, and the visit of the handsome Tall Ship, The Johanna Lucretia, with free opportunities to board and explore this unique vessel.”

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan said, “We are delighted to invite visitors back to Rathlin Island and Ballycastle for the fourth year of this superb festival.  We have a unique melting pot of natural riches, both on land and in the seas around this little part of the world.  The Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival is a fantastic mix of culture, entertainment, nature, sport and, of course, food.

“Given that 2016 is Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink, this is the perfect event to showcase the wealth of seafood on our shores.  Local restaurants will have special seafood menus, there will be local artisan food markets we’ll have classes teaching the art of smoking your own salmon, as well as sushi-making lessons and our first ever ‘Ulster Chowder Cookoff’.  We can’t wait!”

For further information about the festival and to pre-book tickets for some events, visit www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre 028 2076 2024.

On Wednesday 11 May 2016 council buildings in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough are lighting up purple to mark ‘Make May Purple’ – the Stroke Association’s campaign to raise awareness of stroke.

The charity’s annual awareness month is all about encouraging communities to get involved in something purple to raise awareness of Northern Ireland’s 4th biggest killer.  Mossley Mill, Ballyclare Town Hall and Antrim Civic Centre will join other iconic buildings around the UK in supporting the cause by lighting up purple.

Kate Gorman had a stroke in 2005 and now volunteers with the Stroke Association Newtownabbey group. She joined Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg to launch the Make May Purple campaign.

“Stroke happens in an instant and it changes people’s lives forever.  A quarter of all strokes happen to young people like me and about half of stroke survivors are left with a permanent disability. The Stroke Association wants to prevent strokes and help those who have had strokes get the support they need, whether that’s via local groups, 1 to 1 support or by campaigning for better stroke services. I’m absolutely delighted that Antrim & Newtownabbey Council is showing their support for Make May Purple and I hope the local community will get involved too. Whatever you choose to do, whether it’s holding a bake sale or signing up for an event, it’s an easy and fun way to show your support for local stroke survivors”.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg commented “We are delighted to support the Stroke Association’s ‘Make May Purple’ campaign by lighting up our council buildings in purple. We hope that local residents will be encouraged to find out more about stroke, take steps to reduce their risk of stroke and support the fantastic work this charity does to support local people affected by stroke and their families and carers too”.

To find out more about how to get involved please visit www.stroke.org.uk/MakeMayPurple

The Stroke Association is a charity that is changing the world for people affected by stroke.  They work with thousands of stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals, with scientists and researchers, and with supporters to conquer stroke. For more information visit www.stroke.org.uk

You are invited to register your interest in the Inaugural Ulster Chowder Cook Off 2016.

Destination Ballycastle are hosting the “Ulster Chowder Cook off” to celebrate our fabulous sea food in Year of Food and Drink NI. The lucky winner will be sponsored to attend the All Ireland Chowder Cook Off in Kinsale in April 2017 to represent Ulster.
Taking Place on Sunday the 29th of May at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival in the Cookery Theatre Marquee from 3pm!

Participants are invited from all Ulster counties and will compete live on the day at the Sea Front venue. The winning Entrant will be sponsored by Destination Ballycastle to partake in the World Famous Kinsale Chowder Cook Off 2017 as the Ulster representative!

If you would like to take part in the Chowder Cook off 2016 we invite you to reply using the expression of interest form available to download at http://www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com/#!ulster-chowder-championship/s8f57

Please return the form along with a copy of your Food Hygiene Certificate before the deadline of the 12^th of May.

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

3 May 2016 – Episode two of the long-awaited sixth season of Game of Thrones® aired last night (Monday, 2 May) and Tourism Ireland unveiled its second ‘Door of Thrones’ – this time in Fiddler’s Green bar and B&B in Portaferry, Co Down.

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

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 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.

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

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with HBO in 2016, to highlight Northern Ireland – through the exciting events of Game of Thrones® – on the global stage. TV and film are recognised as strong influencers on travellers everywhere and the stellar popularity of Game of Thrones® is a fantastic opportunity for us to promote Northern Ireland to a huge audience of potential visitors. Our latest campaign is a fun and innovative way to bring the destination to the attention of Game of Thrones® fans everywhere – they will see our ads, spiking their curiosity about the landscapes and locations featured in the series and inspiring them to come and explore them for themselves.”

Each week, Tourism Ireland is releasing a mixture of short films and images from the campaign on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube in ten markets – including Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. It is building on the success of Tourism Ireland’s previous Game of Thrones® campaigns, which generated about five million clicks, comments and shares and reached about 100 million fans across the world.

Tourism Ireland is also targeting its own social fanbase – posting and tweeting to about 3.4 million Facebook fans and more than 323,000 followers on Twitter globally. The campaign is directing fans to a special section on Tourism Ireland’s international website, Ireland.com, which attracted more than 16.5 million views in 2015.

Belfast’s only 5-star hotel and Northern Ireland’s only five AA red star property, The Merchant Hotel celebrated ‘A Decade of Decadence’ this weekend as the landmark hotel marked its 10^th anniversary.

Since opening in the Cathedral Quarter in April 2006, The Merchant Hotel has breathed new life into the city centre, delighting guests with first class service, unrivalled luxury accommodation and an unparalleled food and drink offering. In just 10 years, The Merchant Hotel has become synonymous with decadence and luxury and has put Belfast City on the map as a leading travel destination.

From the World’s Most Expensive Cocktail to its Krug Champagne Afternoon Tea and a multitude of other luxurious experiences, The Merchant provides a haven of indulgence and splendour right in the heart of the city centre.

Having accumulated over 100 prestigious accolades, including their recent AA Five Red Star Rating, the UK Hotel Awards Best UK Hotel and World’s Best Cocktail Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Awards. And, in 2015, The Merchant’s owner, Bill Wolsey, managing director of Beannchor Group received an OBE for services to business and the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.

The Merchant Hotel’s influence in the industry and unparalleled success in the region is undeniable.

The 10^th anniversary celebrations are the pinnacle of a decade of hard work for everyone at the hotel.

Speaking on the decadent celebrations, Bill Wolsey, Owner of The Merchant Hotel said: “We are thrilled to be celebrating 10 years of The Merchant Hotel. Since our arrival on Skipper St in 2006, we have gone from strength to strength and I am so proud of everything that the hotel and our staff have achieved in this time.

“Our success is not just because of our incredibly elegant venue; it comes as a result of constant hard work from our talented team and support from our loyal guests. Northern Ireland, particularly Belfast, is a wonderful place to do business and with our next hotel venture Bullitt planned to open shortly, we hope to be here for a few decades more.”

At a special ‘Decade of Decadence’ gala event at the hotel on Friday 29^th April, staff that have been with the hotel for 10 years were awarded with a long-service pin, commissioned to mark the 10^th anniversary.

Throughout April, The Merchant has been calling on guests, past and present to share their Merchant Memories on social media, using the hashtag, #Merchant10 for the chance to win a range of incredible prizes. One memory has been selected as the winner of a magical spot prize each day for the last nine days, with the final winner set to be drawn today.

Alice McKenna has worked at the hotel since 20^th April 2006 and will be one of over 10 employees to receive the pin. Commenting ahead of the event, she recalled her favourite memory of the hotel; “I have been with The Merchant Hotel since April 20^th 2016. We had a great induction week which included standards, personal grooming, how to iron shirts properly, tie a neck tie and polish shoes, all of which set the precedent for the very high personal standards expected of anyone who was fortunate enough to become a member of The Merchant family. These very high standards translated through to what was expected from a Merchant staff member in our everyday work and these standards are what I strive to uphold in the housekeeping department on a daily basis.

“There have been many highlights in my Merchant career including Sir Ben Kingsley switching on our Christmas lights to hosting MTV’s drinks party through to making special moments for guests who hopefully will remember them for a very long time. The pinnacle of my career so far is achieving and retaining our AA 5 red star rating and to be the only hotel in Northern Ireland to reach this standard is a great honour. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to maintain the standards required for 5-star classification, however everyone at the hotel supports each other and I get tremendous job satisfaction from knowing what we have achieved together.”

In celebration of its 10^th anniversary, the hotel is also giving away an incredible package worth £10,000, giving one lucky winner the chance to enjoy 10 years of luxury, enjoying a sumptuous, indulgent and relaxing weekend at The Merchant Hotel every year until 2025. This is truly the prize that keeps on giving. To be in with a chance to win the decadent prize, just complete the entry form hosted on The Merchant Hotel’s website – www.themerchanthotel.com The winner will be drawn in early May 2016.
For more information visit www.themerchanthotel.com/offers-seasonal/ten

Share your Merchant Memories on The Merchant’s Facebook www.facebook.com/themerchanthotel and on Twitter – @MerchantHotel and using the hashtag, #Merchant10