The Friends’ Goodwill Festival launches with a wave of top music artists and bands heading to Larne.

Four action-packed days of maritime-themed family fun are taking place in the town to mark the 300th anniversary of the departure of the Friends’ Goodwill ship from Larne to America back in 1717.

The entertainment includes outdoor concerts, exhibitions, displays, history re-enactments and American sports.

Singer-songwriter Una Healy will touch down in Larne having wowed audiences in the capital of American country music, Nashville, earlier this week.

Una, who recently embarked on a solo career after her chart-topping exploits with The Saturdays, headlines a fantastic line-up of artists and bands performing a wide range of music including country, Ulster-Scots, bluegrass and dance.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Audrey Wales MBE, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this festival which celebrates the legacy of the Friends’ Goodwill voyage and the deep links forged between Ulster and America.

“The Friends’ Goodwill Festival, organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, is free for the public to enjoy.

“I look forward to seeing a strong turnout to celebrate the rich shared culture and heritage of which we are so proud.”

The festival runs until Sunday (21 May).

American Dreams, a special play recounting the Friends’ Goodwill’s epic journey and the Ulster emigrants’ impact on the fledgling nation, is being staged at the McNeill Theatre, Larne, this evening (Thur).

Then three days of outdoor activities, including concerts at Sandy Bay Playing Fields, take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Other events scheduled include a parade of sail, strongman competition, American football, living history performances and walking tours.

As well as Una Healy, other top performers who will take to the stage include Jim Devine, The Broken String Band, Marty Mone, Dana Masters, Philomena Begley, Four Men and a Dog, Barry Kirwan and Niamh McGlinchey.

The Friends’ Goodwill voyage is so significant as it is believed to have been the first emigrant ship to sail from Ulster to America in the 18th century.

A free park and ride facility will be in operation from the Caterpillar site at the Old Glenarm Road, bringing visitors to the drop-off point at Larne Leisure Centre, close to the event site at Sandy Bay.

There will be three access points to the site: Rugby Road, Bay Road and Chelmsford Place. Disabled access-only via Tower Road.

There will be additional pick up and drop off points on Agnew Street.

The 359D Harbour service will also be in operation, picking up from Dunnes Stores, Main Street, and drop off at the Curran Road/Tower Road junction.

A specialised changing and toilet facility for disabled adults and children will make its Northern Ireland debut at the festival.

The Mobiloo houses state-of-the-art equipment and ensures dignity and respect for disabled festivalgoers.

For more details, including a full listing of events and times, visit the Friends’ Goodwill Festival pages.

Little Wing pizzeria invests £500,000 in two new restaurants and announces ambitious plans to expand NI portfolio further in the coming months

Home grown pizzeria chain, Little Wing has announced an investment of £500,000 in two new restaurants in Lisburn and Newtownards, creating up to 40 new jobs.

The major investment will bring the number of branches Little Wing across Northern Ireland to eight. Further sites are currently being explored across Northern Ireland, with ambitious plans to open several new Little Wing Pizzerias in the next 12 months, while options are also being considered in the Republic of Ireland.

The newest restaurant, located at Lisburn Square will cater for 60 guests when it opens this summer, with a further restaurant is scheduled to open in Newtownards later this year.

Established in Belfast in October 2009, Little Wing prides itself in offering authentic, made to order Naples-style pizzas, cooked in its distinctive 6ft traditional woodstone pizza ovens. Sourcing the freshest and finest ingredients is at the heart of the Little Wing ethos, with 100% mozzarella cheese used on its pizzas; sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes, grown in volcanic soil near Naples and picked at peak ripeness; and dough made to Little Wing’s own secret recipe.

Over the last seven and a half years, Little Wing has gone from strength to strength, developing a cult following and selling over 1,250,000 pizzas to date.  The Lisburn branch is expected to open in August and will employ up to 20 new members of staff, bringing the total number of people employed across all Little Wing outlets to over 130.  The addition of the Newtownards restaurant later this year, will bring the number of employees to 150.

Commenting on the announcement, Luke Wolsey, Managing Director, Little Wing Pizzeria said:

“We are excited to announce this latest investment, which we hope will be the first of several new Little Wing openings over the next 12 months.

“Building on the success of our growing network of restaurants across Northern Ireland, the new Little Wing Pizzerias in Lisburn and Newtownards will help the brand to spread its wings further as we seek more opportunities to expand the business in the coming years.

“Little Wing provides real and meaningful long term career opportunities for people that are passionate about hospitality and customer service and we’re proud to bring a jobs boost, with the creation of up to 40 new jobs this year.”

The new Little Wing Pizzeria will be located at Lisburn Square and will open daily after it opens later this summer. Further details on the Newtownards restaurant will be announced soon.

Little Wing will begin recruiting for a number of positions, including or management positions, waiting staff, pizza chefs and kitchen porters in the coming weeks. Full details are available at www.littlewingcareers.com

Little Wing is part of the Beannchor Group, Ireland’s largest hospitality group, which boasts a portfolio of over 40 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland.

For further information visit littlewingpizzeria.com

Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart will play host to a child friendly performance of ‘Woofle’ on Friday 26^th May at 11am.

The 30 minute show, aimed at 4 – 10 year olds, explores the world of Dan and his dog with lots of silly songs.

From chasing bees and getting mucky, to taking a walk and having a bath, the combination of video footage and live music gives an unusual view of the ups and downs of having a dog as your best friend.

Written and performed by Dan Leith, the production was inspired by his own four-legged best friend Tyla Brown who will make a special appearance in the show.

Targeted at school children and the general community, Woofle is an irresistible tribute to the fun, playful and unconditional love pets can bring to children’s lives.

Tickets are priced at £5 and booking is essential. To book please contact Flowerfield Arts Centre on 028 7083 1400

For a fantastic family fun day out by the water’s edge, Antrim Lough Shore Park is the place to be on Saturday 10 June from 12 noon until 3pm.  Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Viking Boat Race, in partnership with Cancer Fund for Children, features a spectacular river race with teams competing in replica Viking longships to win the coveted title of Viking Boat Champions.

As well as the river race, spectators can enjoy a display of Viking battle tactics and a living history exhibition showing that the Vikings weren’t just horned-helmeted raiders, but farmers, traders and settlers.

There will be a range of children’s entertainment on the day including free Viking themed arts and crafts, Jumping Clay, Jump, Jiggle & Jive dance workshops and much more!  Budding Vikings will also have the opportunity to design their very own Viking shield at a cost of £1.  To add to the excitement there will be a DHOL drumming display which has received financial support from The Executive Office through the Council’s Good Relations Programme.

Cancer Fund for Children Corporate Fundraiser, Matthew Allen, is inviting companies to enter a team.  He says: “This is a fantastic teambuilding opportunity, and the gathering together of ten battle hungry colleagues in this spectacular and fun Viking race epitomizes what team motivation is all about.  We are absolutely delighted with the support and enthusiasm from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and I would encourage any companies who would like to enter their team to contact me as soon as possible, in order to secure a place. The money raised will help us support families across Northern Ireland affected by cancer”.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor John Scott commented: “We are delighted to be able to support such a worthy cause. The Viking Boat Race will be a family fun day for all, with teams competing against the clock in aid of a good cause. This is an opportunity for spectators to have a great day out and for participants to enjoy a spirit of comradeship with their team mates, while helping to raise vital funds”.

To enter a team please contact Matthew Allen, Cancer Fund for Children T. 028 9080 5599.

Armagh Craft Fair is returning to Armagh on Saturday 27th May from 10.30am to 6pm, at The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre.

Bringing high quality Craft to the heart of Armagh City this annual event offers something for everyone. The fair will feature over 45 high quality craft stalls from makers across Northern Ireland and Ireland. The crafts on show at this year’s Craft Fair will include textiles, knitwear, jewellery, wood, metal, basketry, glass, soaps, leather, ceramics,  and candles to name but a few…..

There will also be 13 free craft demonstrations from master crafters throughout the day including hands on creative craft making opportunities for both adults and children. Why not have a go and learn a new skill? Ever had a burning desire to try your hand at Ceramics, Felting, Hand Loom Weaving. Basketry, Jewellery Making, Green Woodwork, Leather Working, Metal Sculptures, Needle Felting, Glass-Lampworking, Hemp Rope Making? Well now’s your chance to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in as they’re all available at this year’s Craft Fair.

In addition to all this, there will be children’s workshops, musical entertainment, great food & much more.

Also, don’t forget to take a look at the fantastic Art Of Craft Exhibition in The Market Place Gallery, featuring the work of Bernie Leahy.

For further information, bookings and to download the full programme go to www.marketplacearmagh.com. You can also follow developments on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) for the latest information and video previews.

The North West’s premier theatre will host a special event on Wednesday 17^th May as part of Dementia Awareness Week.

This event is organised by a local partnership that includes Alzheimer’s Society, NI Deed and WHSCT and will bring organisations as well as members of the public together to raise awareness about living with dementia.

The Millennium Forum has already been leading the way as a Dementia Friendly theatre; in 2014, the venue was the first theatre in Ireland to stage a specially adapted performance of its Christmas pantomime and, last year, this offering was developed to form the ‘Sing Song Sessions’ which took the panto cast to various centres across the city, enabling people living with dementia to enjoy an afternoon of live music.

Lisa Heaney, Box Office Manager at the Millennium Forum says:

“We are delighted to be hosting this hugely important event.   Since staging our first Dementia Friendly panto show in Dec 2014, we have been working closely with local organisations including Deed, OLT and the Alzheimer’s Society to develop this aspect of our annual programming.  As a fully accessible theatre, we believe that everyone should experience a theatrical performance.”

Heather Lundy, Dementia Friendly Community Manager at Alzheimer’s Society said:

“It is wonderful that people affected by dementia can be confident that support is available throughout Derry~Londonderry as the event at Millennium Forum showcases.  Following a diagnosis of dementia it is vital that people access information and support to live well and plan for their future.  Staying connected to our local communities is so empowering and I am delighted that this event is being hosted by Millennium Forum who have been working tirelessly since 2014 to provide Dementia Friendly performances of some of their most iconic shows and raise awareness amongst staff and patrons.”

Registrations to attend the event can be made by emailing sabrina@olt.ie or calling 02871 373870.

The Dementia Friendly performance of the Millennium Forum’s panto, Jack & the Beanstalk takes place at 4pm on Sunday 10^th December. For more information, contact Lisa Heaney, Box Office Manager, on 71 272779 or email lisah@millenniumforum.co.uk

For information on the Forum’s Sing Song Sessions, contact Daryl Moore, Education & Outreach Officer, on 71 272776 or email darylm@millenniumforum.co.uk

Ballyclare May Fair will be out of this world from Tuesday 23 until Saturday 27 May.

This year’s fair will kick off with the ever popular traditional horse fair in Six Mile Water Park.  Local musicians as well as your Uncle Hugo and Q Radio’s Stephen Clements will get your toes tappin on May Fair Tuesday with plenty of music and entertainment in the Square.

Thursday 25 May continues the Unbelievable Universe theme with Mini Explorers workshops for children aged 5 and under from 10am.  These workshops are a feast for all the senses as children will be able to hear, see and touch our unbelievable universe.

Saturday 27 May sees the return of the fantastic May Fair Parade, departing from Dennison Commercials at 1pm, when the town will come alive with entertainment and colour.  A local craft and food market will tempt your taste buds and from 8pm, Ritchie Remo and his band will delight fans of all ages with his charisma and musical talent.

Other highlights throughout the week will include family fun days, amusements, pet show, movie showing, tea dance and a fantastic fireworks display at 10pm on Saturday 27 May in Ballyclare Town Centre.

Full details of all activities and events are included in the programme which is available by visiting www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/ballyclaremayfair. Limited free car parking is available at The Square Car Park, Harrier Way Car Park and Sixmile Leisure Centre.