The amazing Celtic Mindfulness event is making a return to the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh on the 24th & 25th February.
This is a unique healing experience of the land and energy. The perfect way to create inner calmness, helping steer you through the year ahead.
Music, Myth and Mediation will be used to awaken your Celtic soul. Creating focus positivity and stillness for the mind. Workshops during the event will be facilitated by the excellent Sandra Nelson and Kate Fitzpatrick.
Kate Fitzpatrick is an experienced teacher and practitioner in the field of Celtic Wisdom & Spirituality and has guided many people in personal and spiritual development over the past 25 years.
Sandra Nelson is a qualified Reiki Teacher, Artist and Workshop facilitator who has been working within the healing arts for a number of years. Originally from a rural farming background, Moy, Co Tyrone, meditation has been a part of Sandra’s life for many years and is part of her daily practice.
The event will also include light lunch and refreshments.
Admission is £42.50 for a Saturday Pass, £22.50 of for a Sunday pass, or buy a ticket for both days for just £52.50. Booking is essential on www.visitarmagh.com/celticmindfulness
For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh. BT60 4LD. Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com
The Ulster Automobile Club (UAC), organisers of the UAC Easter Stages Rally are pleased to announce they have received significant support from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Hamill, launches the UAC Easter Rally Stages with Anais Foster and Callum Boyd (Fairview Primary School).
This new event will take place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 of April with the start and centralised service area situated in Ballyclare, adjacent to the Sixmile Leisure Centre. The two-day rally is the second round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2018.
The first six stages of the event on Friday, located close to the rally headquarters in the Dunadry Inn, Templepatrick will start around lunchtime. These classic stages are on fast flowing tarmac roads which will present challenges for all competitors and provide superb opportunities for spectators to enjoy closed road rallying. Just before dusk, the rally will return to Ballyclare for the overnight halt.
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Hamill, commented: “It is fantastic news that we are working in partnership with the Ulster Automobile Club. I am excited that this new event is coming to the Borough and I hope everyone is geared up for this action packed weekend.”
Nigel Hughes, Clerk of the Course commented: “We are delighted with the terrific support from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and the partnership which is developing with them. We are looking for a large entry and lots of spectators, to make this spectacle just after Easter, a roaring success and of substantial benefit to the local economy”.
The uniqueness of this event will see a separate rally starting on Saturday morning from Ballyclare. Additional competitors will join those who participated on Friday, to contest a further six classic rally stages, focussing around Broughshane and finishing in Ballymena.
Pre-event scrutiny will take place on Thursday 5 April at Sixmile Leisure Centre, which will provide an opportunity for rally fans to see the cars up close.
Peter Corry is no stranger to Theatre at The Mill and we are delighted to have him back with his brand new show Call of the Celts! on Thursday 22 February at 7.45pm.
This new show will take you on a journey through some of the all-time favourite Celtic classics performed by one the finest voices to come out of Northern Ireland. Featuring classics such as Will Ye Go Lassie Go, The Puca Beast, Caledonia, Song forIreland and Carrickfergus.
Peter will be joined on stage with his band and dancers for this emotional, fun packed and energetic show. Tickets from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or theatreatthemill.com
Country music icon Kris Kristofferson makes a hugely welcome return for four solo acoustic shows this June, including two in Northern Ireland.
Heralded as an artist’s artist, the three-time GRAMMY winner has recorded 30 albums, including three with pals Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings as part of the Highwaymen. Kristofferson has spent three decades performing concerts all over the world, in most recent years in a solo acoustic setting, which puts the focus on the songs. “There’s honesty in the sparseness. It feels like direct communication to the listener,” he says. “I still have more fun when I’m with the band, but being alone is freer, somehow. It’s like being an old blues guy, just completely stripped away.”
Kristofferson achieved remarkable success as a country songwriter at the start of the 1970s. His songs “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and “For the Good Times,” all chart-topping hits, helped redefine country songwriting. By 1987, it was estimated that more than 450 artists had recorded Kristofferson’s compositions.
His renown as a songwriter triggered Kristofferson’s successful career as a performer and that, in turn, brought him to the attention of Hollywood, leading to his flourishing career as a film actor. Kristofferson has acted in more than 70 films. In 1977 He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in “A Star Is Born.” He’s appeared in cult favourites including the “Blade” trilogy, “Lone Star,” “A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries,” “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “Blume In Love,” “Cisco Pike,” and “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.” Recent films include “Fast Food Nation,” “Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story,” “The Jacket,” “Silver City,” “He’s Just Not That in to you,” and “Dolphin Tale.”
Many would have hung their hat by now. Instead, Kristofferson barely has paused for breath. He’s released several recent high watermarks including the increasingly intimate A Moment of Forever (1995), The Austin Sessions (1999) and This Old Road (2006), and he produced some of his finest work with the deeply personal Closer to the Bone (2009) and Feeling Mortal (2013). Kristofferson has reached living legend status, but that hasn’t changed or hindered his creativity. His current CD, The Cedar Creek Sessions, was recorded live at Austin’s Cedar Creek Recording Studio in June 2014. Released in time for Kristofferson’s 80th birthday in 2016, the double-CD set is a snapshot of the legendary songwriter in the twilight of his life.
In addition to many other awards, Kristofferson is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, winner of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriter Hall of Fame, and was honored with the American Veteran’s Association’s “Veteran of the Year Award” in 2002. For Kristofferson’s 70th birthday in 2006, his friends and admirers gifted him with a tribute CD, The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson. Stars including Willie Nelson, Russell Crowe, Emmylou Harris, Gretchen Wilson, Rosanne Cash, and Brian McKnight recorded 17 of Kristofferson’s compositions for the tribute. In 2007, Kristofferson was honored with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award from Country Music Television and in 2009 BMI lauded Kristofferson with the Icon Award. He received the Frances Preston Music Industry Award from the T.J. Martell Foundation in March, 2012. In 2014, Kristofferson was honoured with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and the PEN Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award.
This season of Opera Club at the Portico Ards kicks off this Saturday 10th February with Opera North’s enchanting staging of The Adventures of Pinocchio. Jonathan Dove’s 21st opera is a wittily inventive feast for the eyes and ears. A full-length grand opera with 29 characters, a sizeable chorus and a profound symphonic score, it is overflowing with visual delights.
Armagh
This Saturday Seagoe Parish Hall Portadown will host an antiques, vintage and collectables fair, showing casing lots of treasures from the past. 40+ stalls including Victorian jewellery, silver, china, crystal, militaria, kitchenalia, books, coins, medals, ceramics, art, vintage fashion and linens. Refreshments will be available. The fair is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm. This is a great day out to relive the past, to add to your collection or just to treat yourself.
Fermanagh
Love Building Bird Box Day takes place this Saturday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Crom. Spread the love between your friends and family this February as you join the National Trust in preparation for National Nest Box Week by learning to build your own bird box. Learn how to create your own bird box, just in time for the upcoming nesting season as we care for our beloved birds. February is the perfect time to show your love for others and wildlife by constructing your very own bird box. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/crom
Tyrone
With dozens of songs featured on numerous hit US television shows & movies and writing for some of the world’s biggest selling artists, Gareth Dunlop has become one of Ireland’s most revered and successful songwriters. It’s a reputation based on a wonderful singing voice and a strong body of material, influenced by soul, country, folk and blues. See Gareth perform live at Ranfurly House Dungannon this Saturday 10th February at 8.00pm.
Derry/Londonderry
The Linenhall Upperlands is the venue this Saturday night for the Ampertaine PS Fundraiser. The night will see performances from local singer/songwriters Eilish Mulholland, Tiernan Heffron, James Bradley Music and formal pupil Charlene Bradley’s band Aria Sail. Magician extraordinaire Rodd Hogg also be in attendance to amaze guests with his magic! Refreshments provided with a DJ to finish the night.
Antrim
Larne Museum & Arts Centre is open on Saturday 10th February. Come along to visit the Main Gallery which hosts permanent displays reflecting the agricultural, industrial, military and maritime history of the local area. This will also be an opportunity to visit the temporary exhibition ‘Painting Pictures in My Mind – Remembering the 1950s and 1960s’, an exhibition which focuses on local life in the 1950s and 1960s. Admission is free!
Belfast
Join in the NICHS Red Dress Run this Saturday 10th February to take action for your own heart health and raise funds to continue the fight against heart disease! Grab your red dress, red hat, red knee socks…absolutely anything RED and join us for this truly unique charity 5km and 10km running event, where you’ll walk, jog or run around Stormont Estate in Belfast, all in the fight against heart disease. With a choice of running or walking two distances and a real element of fun, there’s something for the ladies, men and kids alike to enjoy! Grab your friends, family or work colleagues and be part of this spectacular new charity running event. If you would like to chat with one of the team about the Red Dress Run 2018 give Cheryl a call on 02890 266740 or email cbrown@nichs.org.uk.
For more details on these events and to add your events free go to 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.
DiscoverNorthernIreland.com has stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events. Here are 10 exciting things taking place this week (5 – 11 February 2018)
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, Derry~Londonderry, 8-11 February. With all the visceral precision and thrills of the original, Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games features new staging, new costumes and choreography and forty of the world’s most outstanding young performers. The show is directed by Michael Flatley, and features his protégés, Morgan Comer and Cathal Keaney, at the Millennium Forum.
Valentine’s Afternoon Tea, Belfast, 11 February 2018. Step back in time to a period of luxury, elegance and five-star service with Titanic Belfast’s romantic Valentine’s Afternoon Tea. A luxurious menu featuring a delicious selection of finger sandwiches, classic scones with fresh cream, mouth-watering cakes and exquisite patisserie.
The Bob Dylan Band, Coleraine, 8 February. The Bob Dylan Band celebrate Dylan’s music with a high energy approach to songs from the prolific periods of his writing from the ’60s to modern times. Playing at the Riverside Theatre, the musicians are at the top of their art and together provide a fabulous show.
The Fureys in Concert, Downpatrick, 9 February. As part of their 40th Anniversary tour, Irish legends, the Fureys return for another great night of music, songs and stories to the Down Arts Centre. Their emotive songs stir many emotions.
Living History – Meet Our Norman Knight, Newtownards, 10-11 February. Discover more about Castle Espie’s Norman past, as part of a new history series. Uncover where the original “castle” was situated and children can try on authentic armour, all under the watchful gaze of a resident Norman knight.
Winter Warmer: A Dram on the Bann, Coleraine, 10 February. Boat trip on the beautiful River Bann offering a relaxed and informative afternoon of whiskey and gin sampling, food tasting and a light sprinkling of stunning scenery and wildlife on the Bann Estuary. A marvellous opportunity to appreciate the historic town from a different perspective. Pre-booking essential: contact Wendy Gallagher at causewayfoodie@gmail.com or on (07912) 408 256.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Belfast, 10 February. Global sensation The pipe band bring their tour to Belfast’s SSE Arena. From their formation in 2002 and a cameo appearance at T in the Park in 2004, to opening the main stage in their own right in 2014, the past 15 years has seen the Red Hot Chilli Pipers become the most famous bagpipe band on the planet.
An Evening at The Waterfront with Carl Frampton, Belfast, 9 February. Spend an evening with the Pride of Belfast, ‘The Jackal’ Carl Frampton, as he talks about his career highlights from humble beginnings and amateur boxer days to becoming the two-weight World Champion and a global megastar.
The Script, Belfast, 6 February. In celebration of their new album Freedom Child, The Script are back.The Irish three-piece are one of the biggest live bands, having sold over 1.4 million tickets across 203 headline shows and they sold out the legendary Croke Park stadium, see them play at the SSE Arena.
The Great Concertos: Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Belfast, 9 February. Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is the first giant of the genre and it is only fitting that it forms part of a season devoted to the Great Concertos. In this rescheduled concert, Sergey Khachatryan returns to the Ulster Hall with the Ulster Orchestra to perform the piece. Renowned as one of the great modern interpreters of the Concerto, this concert will be a spell-binding night of utter virtuosity.
Tart with a heart Maggie Muff is returns to the MAC in Maggie’s Feg Run, which runs from 13 – 25 February 2018.
Maggie Muff’s Feg Run to Benidorm. Picture: Elaine Hill Photography
The final instalment in the trilogy that gave us the hugely successful 50 Shades of Red, White and Blue and Dirty Dancin’ in le Shebeen, is the brain child of writer Leesa Harker, and once again stars Caroline Curran as Maggie Muff.
Produced by Leesa Harker’s own production company, Red Brick Road Productions, her plays continue to bring a demographic not previously seen to theatres across the province. Leesa said, “I realised quite quickly after 50 Shades of Red, White and Blue that a high percentage of the audience had never been to the theatre before seeing my play. I asked people why they were ‘theatre virgins’ and got responses such as ‘theatre is not for the working–class’ and ‘it’s all one-sided political plays’ and ‘there’s nothing for young people’. I realised I had the potential to make theatre more accessible to those people who felt excluded and so, I decided to set up my own production company.”
The Feg Run
Maggie and Big Sally-Ann are on top form as they head to Benidorm on a ‘Feg Run’ to smuggle cigarettes home and sell for a profit.
What with Billy Scriven getting someone up the duff, and Igor the Dogger being caught out having ten kids and a wife, the chums need a holiday! Sun, Sea, Sangria and Sticky Vicky! Sure what more is there to want?
But here, it turns out to be a holiday they will never forget. We’re talking a dive on a pedalo (and I don’t mean into the sea), a slider from the poke man (not of the ice-cream variety) and some nudists from Rathcoole that have Big Sally-Ann in a tizzy. And you’ll never guess who makes an appearance at the All-Inclusive breakfast buffet……
“Margaret?” – He’s back.
Don’t miss the grand finale in the Maggie Muff trilogy, at the MAC this February.
All tickets for U2’s eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour Belfast date, as well as for their four Dublin shows, sold out this morning, with delighted fans taking to social media to express their excitement at seeing the band bring the tour home later this year. And due to overwhelming demand, Live Nation and MCD have now confirmed a second and final show for Belfast on 28th October 2018, with tickets on sale from 9th February.
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@KieranKelly1988 – Got my U2 ticket. It’s Belfast but I will follow #U2eiTour#U2
Tamara de Paula from Brazil was among fans who bought tickets in person at Dublin’s 3Arena this morning – “I should be lying on a beach right now, I have missed my holiday to get a ticket. I am really excited.”
Second in line was Gregory Fitzsimons, who secured tickets for his 79th U2 show – “I am also going to the first show in Tulsa. I’ve seen them play in LA, Boston, Connecticut. I even flew home early from honeymoon so I could fly out to Madison Square Garden. My wife still hasn’t forgiven me!”
Another fan Patricia van der Velde added “I live in Ireland because of U2, I moved here because of them because I am such a fan. My husband is even from Cedarwood Road!’
And Montse Fraga, who attended her first U2 gig in 1993 said “There is still the same buzz, perhaps even more now, I am so excited”.
Following last year’s acclaimed stadium run with The Joshua Tree Tour 2017, the eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCETour will see U2 return to indoor venues, picking up where 2015’s ground-breaking iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour left off. The eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour follows the recent release of the band’s 14th studio album Songs of Experience. Just as Songs of Experience serves as a companion piece to 2014’s Songs of Innocence, the eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCETour is a sequel to the 2015 tour. As with every U2 tour, this new arena production will explore the latest in cutting-edge technology. The eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour is a development of the unique and innovative staging of the 2015 tour, featuring multiple performance areas, a state-of-the-art sound system, plus an all new super high-res LED screen nine-times the resolution of the 2015 screen.
Tickets for the additional Belfast show on 28th October 2018 will go on sale beginning Friday 9th February at 9am. All General Admission floor tickets will be paperless and available online or at the relevant venue box office only. Reserved seating tickets will also be available to purchase from 9am on Friday 9th February both online and via Ticketmaster outlets across the country. See a full list of outlets here
See here for a full list of dates on the eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour 2018
Excitement is mounting as legendary Irish rockers The Boomtown Rats have just been announced to headline Harmony Live 2018 on Saturday, 2nd June.
Set up in 2015 as The Holywood Harmony Festival, the newly rebranded Harmony Live is undoubtedly going to be one of the best festivals in the Northern Irish calendar this summer.
Fronted by Bob Geldof, “one of Ireland’s greatest lyricists” (Hot Press), The Boomtown Rats became one of the biggest bands of the late 70s/80s with a string of top ten hits and platinum albums, earning them Brit Awards, Ivor Novellos and Grammy Awards. Making history as the first Irish band to have a UK number one hit with ‘Rat Trap’, they went on to top the charts in 32 Countries with ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ and racked up six era-defining albums:
Festival creator and volunteer Mari Jackson is delighted to unveil The Boomtown Rats as headliners for the second day of the community festival. She says;
“It is a real coup for the festival and indeed Holywood to welcome such a well-known band to top the bill. Last year’s festival attracted over 15,000 visitors to the town and with such an iconic punk outfit such as The Boomtown Rats headlining, we are confident that numbers will increase this year. In fact, we have expanded our festival marquee in the rugby grounds to a 1500 capacity tent. We have more exciting headline acts to announce in the coming weeks and are confident that this will be the best festival yet. Harmony Live will certainly put Holywood firmly on the map as an exciting music and tourist destination, which is great news for the local economy and tourism.”
Lead singer Bob Geldof is looking forward to returning to Northern Ireland. The Band Aid and Live Aid creator who co-wrote ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ says;
“Is there anywhere in the world better to play Rock ‘N Roll? Is there any crowd more up for it? Are there any people who seem to need it, consume it, rage and rave for it more than that lot up in Northern Ireland? Not in The Rats’ long experience. The best place to play in. The best crowd to play for. Can’t wait.”
Tickets to see The Boomtown Rats at Harmony Live 2018 cost £33.50 available from wegottickets.com and Garry’s Barber Shop and Homebird – both outlets situated on High Street, Holywood
This is a unique healing experience of the land and energy. The perfect way to create inner calmness, helping steer you through the year ahead.
All tickets for U2’s eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour Belfast date, as well as for their four Dublin shows, sold out this morning, with delighted fans taking to social media to express their excitement at seeing the band bring the tour home later this year. And due to overwhelming demand, Live Nation and MCD have now confirmed a second and final show for Belfast on 28th October 2018, with tickets on sale from 9th February.
Set up in 2015 as The Holywood Harmony Festival, the newly rebranded Harmony Live is undoubtedly going to be one of the best festivals in the Northern Irish calendar this summer.