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.
Spring Break, Barnwell Farm Cottages (Elm Cottage), Co. Down. From £18pps. Located off a quiet country road in the heart of the Ards Peninsula, the four-star Barnwell Farm Cottages is the ideal place for a relaxing break in unspoilt countryside. Close to Mount Stewart House and Gardens, spring is a wonderful time to visit these world-renowned gardens. Offer includes overnight accommodation and complimentary ticket to Mount Stewart. Available until 30 June. To book call (028) 427 88488.
Dine & Stay, Finn Lough, Co. Fermanagh. From £82.50pppn. Set in the grounds of a 75-acre peninsula resort, five-star Finn Lough is an idyllic spot to unwind and let your cares slip away on a relaxing lakeside break. Offer includes overnight accommodation in a luxury suite, a three-course evening meal using ingredients from the resort’s garden and local producers and a cooked breakfast the next morning. Available until 30 June. To book call (028) 683 80360.
Champagne Sundays, Benedicts of Belfast, Co. Antrim. From £75 per room. Situated a short walk from the city centre, Benedicts is a four-star hotel ideal for those looking for a short break in Belfast. Buy a bottle of Champagne any Sunday and stay in a deluxe double room enjoying a full Irish breakfast the following morning absolutely free! Available until July 2016. To book call (028) 90 591999.
Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (June 13- June 19).
The Belfast Opera, Carlisle Memorial Church, Belfast, June 18 & 19. A mysterious man turns up in a Belfast call centre with a box and a story to tell, if only he was granted the time to tell it. Performed by an international cast and the people of Belfast, this is a story about Belfast’s past and its future. www.thebelfastopera.com.
Midsummer Concert, Mussenden Temple, Co. Londonderry, June 17 & 18. Organised by the North Coast Association enjoy an evening of music with Craig Ogden on guitar in the unique surroundings of Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple. Complimentary buffet supper included. Booking essential.
Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend, Various Location, June 18 & 19. See, hear, touch and be part of Northern Ireland’s farming story as over twenty farms open their doors to the public to showcase NI’s farming industry. As part of the NI Year of Food and Drink 2016, there will be special tastings available on each farm!
Colour Run, Share Discovery Village, Co. Fermanagh, June 17. Join the 35th birthday celebrations of the Share Centre and take part in a 5km Colour Run/Walk involving lots of paint, colour and laughs. There will be a BBQ and refreshments at the end of the race as well as a bouncy castle and slip ‘n’ slide for the kids. Booking essential.
Tickety Moo at the Suitor Craft Gallery, Co. Tyrone, until June 30. Celebrate Love Diary month in the NI Year of Food and Drink at the Suitor Craft Gallery Craft Shop where you’ll be able to visit the gallery and sample some of the delicious artisan ice-cream with flavours ranging from wild berries and cream to honeycomb and homemade apple pie.
Piccolo Fondo, Craigavon City Park, Co. Armagh, June 18. Part of the NI Cycling Festival, the Piccolo Fondo offers families and new comers to cycling the chance to get on their bikes and discover the simple pleasures of cycling in a fun, safe and enjoyable environment. The afternoon would not be complete with a BBQ, fun cycling activities and entrance into a free prize draw. Participants are encouraged to wear pink to celebrate the Gran Fondo Giro D’Italia Northern Ireland.
Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries, The Space, SERC, Co. Down, June 13. Prepare to be amazed, dazzled and bewildered by this spectacular show where maths, theatre and digital technology collide to create a fun and interactive performance proving that understanding maths can be fun! Suitable for ages 8+. Starts at 6:30pm.
The Art of Jack Wilkinson, Ballymoney Town Hall, Co. Antrim, until June 16. Hosted by Ballymoney Town Hall this free exhibition celebrates one of Antrim’s best known and most admired artists. The exhibition is a rare opportunity to see a selection of his work on public display and will also be a tribute to this much loved and fondly remembered local man.
Night Ride & BBQ, Belfast, June 15. Part of the NI Festival of Cycling take part in an evening cycle travelling around Belfast’s city centre cycle network followed by a BBQ. The Courtyard will be the meeting point 1A Lawrence Street, Belfast, BT7 1LE and will also the venue for the BBQ after the night ride. Starts at 9:30pm.
Cairncastle Bluegrass Musical Evening, The Halfway House Hotel, Co. Antrim, June 17. Featuring artists such as Roni Stoneman and Harpers Hallow Bluegrass Band, music lovers will not want to miss this spectacular evening of banjo playing and singing taking place at The Halfway House Hotel.
The Castle Ward Book Fair takes place this Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12th June. Browse through the thousands of quality used books for a great bargain. From rare and vintage classics to children’s corner there are books on everything to be found. A book lovers dream! Get inspired with readings from the Castle Ward creative writing group (Sunday only), solve the clues on the family trail and join the picnic. Why not come dressed up as your favourite storybook character? The magnificent mansion is open along with the gift shop and tea room. With the Woodland and Adventure playgrounds and crafts in the barn, it will be a great day out for all of the family.
Armagh
Lurgan Park Funday is a free family Fun Day hosted by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council this Saturday 11th June. There will be a host of child friendly activities will be provided from 12 -3 pm and the park will be the setting for an open-air concert and fireworks display at 7:30 pm. This is the second largest public park in Ireland and features a state of the art play park with additional water features, zip line and a large group swing. There is also a large pond where children and adults can watch the swans and other visiting birds and wildlife.
Fermanagh
Once again people in Arney have come together to demonstrate the incredible community spirit in the Cleenish area, but this time they are doing it through flowers at the Arney Flower Festival this weekend. The festival will be open to the public on Friday 10th June from 12 noon – 9.00pm and Saturday 11th June from 10.00am to 9.00pm and again on Sunday 12th rom 11.00am to 5.00pm when it will conclude with a Festival concert featuring the best of local talent in Cleenish Millennium Hall Arney at 7.00pm. Funds raised through the festival will go the upkeep of the Hall.
Tyrone
The Alley Theatre present Handbag Positive this Sunday 12th June. Attracta and Nora were the best of friends when they were teenagers. They shared everything from their Bay City Roller trousers to boyfriends. In the dark days of the late 1970s they sang shangalang and they ran with the gang. Bomb scares at their school weren’t scary at all, they got a day off and that was ok by them. They drift apart as people do until fate reunites them in their middle age.
Derry/Londonderry
The Danny Boy Jazz and Blues Festival is back for 2016 across various locations in Limavady returns from 9th to 12th June. Featuring artists such as Amanda St. John, The Roaring Forties and Hardchargers, the 20th Danny Boy Jazz and Blues Festival promises to have something to delight all jazz and blues fans in the stunning Roe Valley.
Antrim
Northern Ireland’s Queen of Comedy Performs for Hospice! Nuala McKeever is delighted to be performing her internationally acclaimed, 5 Star black comedy, In The Window, in a special one-off show for Hospice NI this Friday 10th June at The Theatre at the Mill. In The Window is an hilarious and poignant one-woman play, telling the story of Margaret and the events of one very special night in her life. Nuala delivers a poignant, hilarious, disastrous cocktail that’s to die for, about the resilience of the human heart in the face of …well, just about everything that can go wrong in our crazy modern lives… Recommended for age 16+.
Belfast
Belfast Book Festival is back in 2016 bigger and better than ever and is getting ready to ‘open-up’ a unique and magical experience in venues across the city from 9th to 19th June. Now a firm fixture on the literary circuit and spanning over 10 days, this year’s festival has over 100 live events and workshops and will feature a wide range of writers, authors, poets, critics, musicians, films and film makers, activists, artists and actors from home and abroad. Notable highlights for this year include The Jam’s drummer, Rick Buckler, Only Fools and Horses John Challis, Award Winner Journalist David Arronovitch, Financial and Economics expert Paul Mason and Maverick Film-maker Alex Cox.
Add your events free at www.whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.
Leapin’ Lizards! It’s back!! The Market Place Theatre Youth Musical for 2016 will be the world’s best-loved family musical, ‘Annie’.
All roles are now filled, with the exception of just one! If you or anyone you know would make the perfect billionaire good guy ‘Daddy Warbucks’, then this is your final chance. To arrange an audition email vincent.mccann@marketplacearmagh.com, prepare a song, and you could be treading the boards this summer.
All participants must be available throughout the period Monday 18th July to Saturday 23rd August 2016. Performances will take place from Tuesday 16th – Saturday 20th August 2016. Please note that there is a participation fee of £100.00 for successful candidates. A number of free places are available for families on state benefit.
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.
Michelin Starred restaurateur Michael Deane dishes on Northern Ireland’s tasty produce
From left to right: EIPIC Chef Danni Barry, Deanes owner Michael Deane, Hercules Brewery's Niall McMullan, Carnbrooke Meats Jason Hamilton and David Love Cameron.
NORTHERN Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink 2016 is a celebration of everything delicious about this place, the epic landscapes, traditions and people that make our food and drink. With a full year’s worth of foodie experiences, there is no better time for visitors to enjoy a true taste of Northern Ireland.
Michelin starred restaurateur, Michael Deane, and local food and drink producers came together recently to showcase where some of our most delicious food comes from – plot to plate!
Our locations and landscapes are the foundations of our food and drink heritage. Our lush landscape of scenic lakes and loughs, rich green fields and Atlantic and Irish Sea waters have all contributed to our vast local produce and this rich heritage has become a much loved commodity by the people of NI including chefs, bar tenders and hoteliers.
Tourism NI’s Communication & Destination PR Officer, Rachel Quigg, said: “Plenty of our home-grown creations are classics – think Armagh’s Bramley Apples, Comber’s Early Potatoes and Lough Neagh’s Eels. And with soda, potato and veda bread under our belts (often literally) we’re well accustomed to using our loaf. Our Glenarm Shorthorn Beef is considered the best in the world and Bushmills Whiskey is an icon.
“We’re experiencing a spectacular renaissance of artisan food and drink companies in Northern Ireland and it’s earning us a tasty reputation. Hercules Brewery from Belfast has scooped a Gold Medal for its Yardsman Lager at the 54th Monde Selection International Quality Awards and is loved by many a Michelin starred restaurant,” added Rachel.
Michelin starred restaurateur, Michael Deane, said he adores Northern Ireland and its food and drink culture: “Northern Ireland’s produce is exceptional and I cannot speak highly enough about it. As restaurateurs it is thrilling to know that we have world class food and drink available to us on our doorstep which we use to great effect in Eipic, and our other restaurants.
“Our produce has come on leaps and bounds since my early days as a chef. There used to be limited supply and a lack of confidence on how to best nurture and cook our produce but that has changed dramatically. We are now so enthusiastic about using locally sourced produce as it is top class!
“These days we make a point of visiting the farms, fields and breweries of our producers as we want to know the provenance of our food and drink so we can pass it onto our customers, who are as eager to hear about it as we are,” concluded Michael.
Michael Deane and his team at all seven of his restaurants source produce from many quality suppliers including Carnbrooke Meats, David Love Cameron’s vegetables and Hercules Brewery’s lager.
Carnbrooke Meats is born out of quality, passion and experience. They source traditional breeds directly from small farmers to supply to their customers. Carnbrooke have a purpose built dry-aging chamber on site so all of their beef is aged as required by the individual customer.
Hercules Brewing Company is made out of great local craftsmanship. Their produce is a unique offering in the local craft beer market, Yardsman lager’s brewing process includes filtering locally sourced raw materials including Irish lager malt, home grown yeast and Belfast water through Irish linen and allowing the lager to mature for a six week period.
David Love Cameron is a gardener and former postman from Whiteabbey whose late-blooming love for horticulture has seen him revive an almost lost heritage. David is a man who has literally gone back to his roots to recapture the best from Northern Ireland’s culinary past and provide top rated vegetables to chefs at home and abroad.
Deanes EIPIC Michelin Starred Head Chef, Danni Barry, has created the Mourne Lamb, Comber potatoes & Walled Garden leaves dish using the aforementioned produce so budding cooks should give it a go at home!
Remove the lamb loin from the bones (a butcher can do this for you).
Roast the bones in a hot oven 200˚C for 15 mins.
In a saucepan cook the carrot, celery and onion until golden brown add the tomatoes and cook until soft.
Add the red wine, boil and simmer for 5 mins. Pour in the chicken stock and add the roasted bones.
Cook for 20 mins, pass through a sieve and reduce to a sauce consistency.
Sprinkle the lamb with sea salt and some chopped rosemary and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 mins.
Scrub the skin of the new potatoes and boil in salted water for 12 mins.
When cooked slice lengthways and colour the exposed side in a hot pan with some rapeseed oil, once it’s a deep golden colour add the butter and allow to foam. Place in the oven for 5 – 6 mins.
In a hot pan colour the loin of lamb on all sides and place in an oven at 180˚C for 6 – 8 mins.
Allow to rest for 2 mins and carve.
Wilt the greens in some butter and serve with the potatoes and lamb.
~ Tourism Ireland’s latest ‘Door of Thrones’ is in Gracehill House, near the iconic Dark Hedges ~
7 June 2016 – Episode seven of season six of Game of Thrones® aired last night (Monday, 6 June) and Tourism Ireland unveiled its latest ‘Door of Thrones’ – in Gracehill House near Ballymoney, just metres from perhaps the most iconic filming location in HBO’s fantasy drama, the Dark Hedges, known to fans as the Kingsroad.
The material used to make Tourism Ireland’s ‘Doors of Thrones’ is literally a part of Game of Thrones® history – it comes from two of the 200-year old trees at the Dark Hedges, which were destroyed during Storm Gertrude this winter. With the help of some artistic carpentry, the wood is being used to create a a series of ten carved doors, each one telling the story of an episode from season six. At the end of each episode, the location of the latest door is revealed by Tourism Ireland to Game of Thrones® fans around the world. The doors can be admired in pubs, restaurants and other venues across Northern Ireland. It’s all part of Tourism Ireland’s 2016 Game of Thrones® campaign – which is being rolled out around the world until the end of June (when season six ends), showcasing Northern Ireland to millions of GoT fans worldwide.
Given that Gracehill house is the home of the royal descendant who planted the Dark Hedges trees over 200 years ago, it is particularly fitting then that this week’s door is now hanging there. Echoing scenes from last night’s episode, it features striking designs and depicts three-eyed ravens.
Tourism Ireland has also unveiled its seventh – limited edition – Game of Thrones® stamp, another element of its campaign, produced in conjunction with the Royal Mail.
Northern Ireland’s favourite pizzeria, Little Wing has launched an exciting new mobile game.
APPY DAYS FOR LITTLE WING : Pictured: Ariana Loughlin, age 5 gets to grips with Wingin It, alongside Little Wing Director Luke Wolsey and University of Ulster students Andy Whann and Inga Hampton. Northern Ireland's favourite pizzeria, Little Wing has launched an exciting new mobile game. The popular home grown pizzeria group partnered with University of Ulster design students, tasking them with creating the design concept for their first ever mobile game, "Wingin' It", which is now available to download free from the Apple App Store and Google Play. The game challenges players to make pizzas from the Little Wing menu; gamers must catch toppings on a winged pizza base as they fall from the sky whilst avoiding hitting any pesky clouds. This is the next stage in a series of ongoing investments in Little Wing's digital offering, following the launch of its new website www.littlewingpizzeria.com earlier this year. The new Little Wing Wingin' It game is available now for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. For further information visit www.littlewingpizzeria.com, or follow Little Wing on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (LittleWingPizzeria).
The popular home grown pizzeria group partnered with University of Ulster design students, tasking them with creating the design concept for their first ever mobile game, ‘Wingin’ It’, which is now available to download free from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
University of Ulster BDes (Hons) Interaction Design students, Inga Hampton and Andy Whann jumped at the chance to get involved in the exciting project and stepped up to the plate with innovative concepts for the game. The students’ ideas were then brought to life by local developer, Chris Coleman.
‘Wingin’ It’ challenges players to make pizzas from the Little Wing menu; gamers must catch toppings on a winged pizza base as they fall from the sky whilst avoiding hitting any pesky clouds.
Players from as young as four years old will find themselves quickly immersed in the addictive game, becoming more and more determined to beat their high scores. And with the ‘Winging It’ high scores to be displayed on leader boards in each of Little Wing’s six restaurants, the pressure is on for pizza lovers to hone their skills.
The game is the next stage in a series of ongoing investments in Little Wing’s digital offering, following the launch of its new website www.littlewingpizzeria.com earlier this year.
Players can download the game on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, so whether you are in one of the six Little Wing restaurants, or the comfort of your own home, you can grab a ‘pizza the action’.
Commenting on the launch, Luke Wolsey, Managing Director, Little Wing Pizzeria said:
“Little Wing Pizzeria has six successful branches in Northern Ireland and we are always looking for opportunities to grow and develop our offering. The decision to get involved with the University of Ulster was easy and we were thrilled to see the quality of the ideas that students submitted.
“Inga and Andy really impressed us with their designs, as they captured the family fun ethos of Little Wing perfectly. We hope that working with Little Wing will help them to develop and build their experience for future.
“I am confident the new game will add an extra element of fun for our customers, young and old, and I look forward to seeing the high scores rolling in.”
Commenting on her involvement with the concept of the Little Wing game, Inga Hampton said: “Getting the opportunity to be involved with the concept and design of a brand new game for Little Wing was very exciting. We are thrilled to have been given this opportunity and to see our ideas become a reality.”
Andy Whann added: “Having this experience has been great to help us build up our skills for the work place in future and will make a great addition to our CVs. We can’t wait to download the game for ourselves and see what high scores we can get.”
The new Little Wing ‘Wingin’ It’ game is available now for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. For further information visit www.littlewingpizzeria.com, or follow Little Wing on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (LittleWingPizzeria).
The Experience Ards and North Down 2016 tours programme is a unique series of guided coach, boat and walking tours, which allow you to experience some of the unique sights and attractions the area has to offer.
Sit back and relax on a coach trip to one of the Borough’s beautiful stately homes, find out more on an historical walk, or take to the water on a boat trip down Belfast or Strangford Lough. Also included is the opportunity for children to enjoy learning about the world around them through nature trails – hunting for mini beasts and sea creatures at Millisle Beach, making bird boxes at Crawfordsburn Country Parkand discovering the wildlife and birds that make Killynether Wood in Newtownards their home. Experience Ards and North Down Tours have something for everyone!
Download the brochure for the full range from visitardsandnorthdown.com and book your tickets on-line or from Ards, Bangor, Cockle Row and Portaferry Visitor Information Centres.
Join this tour to discover points of interest as you stroll through the home town of Thomas Andrews designer of the Titanic.
Tickets: £3
For further information contact Ards Visitor Information Centre 028 9182 6846
Helen’s Bay in Two World Wars Sunday 12 June, 2.30pm – 4.30pm
This fascinating tour starts with a visit to St John’s Parish Church, exploring its strong historical connections to both World Wars, then proceeds to Grey Point Fort, via the Bayburn Trail.
Tickets: £3
For further information contact Bangor Visitor Information Centre 028 91270069
Titanic Belfast has been nominated alongside Buckingham Palace, La Sagrada Familia, The Eiffel Tower and The Roman Colosseum to become Europe’s Leading Visitor Attraction at the World Travel Awards.
The world’s largest Titanic visitor experience has been nominated in the prestigious awards, which have been nicknamed the ‘Tourism Oscars’. It is the first time an attraction in Northern Ireland has been nominated in the awards 23 year history.
It is now competing for the top spot in Europe against the following leading attractions – the Acropolis, Athens, Buckingham Palace, England, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, La Sagrada Familia, Spain, Ribeira do Porto, Portugal, The Eiffel Tower, France and The Roman Colosseum, Italy.
To prove that Northern Ireland is home to Europe’s leading tourist attraction, the iconic Titanic Belfast needs local support.
Titanic Belfast Chief Executive, Tim Husbands MBE, commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for Europe’s Best Tourist Attraction. After only four years in operation, be recognised alongside previous winners and iconic European landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Roman Colosseum and noted as one of them, is a true honour. We know what we offer at Titanic Belfast is special, something our city and country can be proud of, and deserves to be recognised on a worldwide stage! To do so, we need you help – PLEASE vote and help us be crowned Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction!”
Since opening in 2012, Titanic Belfast has established itself as a world-class attraction on the local, national and international stage, having welcomed over 2.8 million visitors. It was recently included in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist of 500 of the world’s most striking locations, featuring everything from imposing temples to hidden gems, after only three years in operation and was named the ninth best rated museum in the UK Travellers’ Choice™ awards, announced by TripAdvisor.
Celebrate the Summer Solstice with something different. We have a little murder planned at the Navan Centre, so if you fancy yourself as a Poirot?
Put your little grey cells to the test on Friday 17th June as King Conor invites you to join him at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh to celebrate the Summer Solstice.
From 7.00pm – 10.00pm, King Conor plans a night of feasting and entertainment befitting to the Solstice but before the buffet is served a murder takes place. Can you help solve the murder?
Promises to be a night of great fun for just £20.00 per person, children aged 12 years and under are charged £8.00 per child.
Booking in advance is essential. Book your tickets today on www.armagh.co.uk/solstice or call 028 3752 9644
For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh. BT60 4LD. Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com
