Month: April 2018

10 things to do in Northern Ireland

By

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 (16-22 April)

 

  1. Ulster Rugby V Glasgow Warriors, Belfast, 20-22 April. In Round 17 of the Guinness PRO14 Championship, Ulster will host trailblazers Glasgow Warriors at Kingspan Stadium. Glasgow have been defeated just once in the PRO14 this season, meaning that this match is sure to be a huge showdown. Match was originally scheduled for 2 March but due to adverse weather it was postponed, original tickets are valid.
  2. Treasure and Tapas Tour, Portrush, 21 April. Experience a unique and immersive trip into the story of the Spanish Armada by sea. Causeway Coast Foodie Tours host this tour which will head along the coast, past The Giant’s Causeway for Lacada Point where the Girona, one of the Spanish Armada’s ships, sank back in 1588 with huge loss of life and treasure. There will be unhurried time to fish and be enthralled with the story-telling, as well as to taste locally brewed artisan beers from Lacada Brewery.
  3. Bedlam Bazaar, Belfast, 21 April. Bedlam Bazaar is an eclectic cabaret showcasing performers of the ridiculous, the absurd and the bold. This exciting event is the third cabaret club from clown and bouffon specialists Amadan, so expect a no-holds-barred variety extravaganza to the Accidental Theatre on Shaftesbury Square.
  4. Arts Night at The Museum, Bangor, 20 April. Every nook and cranny of the historic North Down Museum building will be filled with art activity to experience, participate in or observe, letting you explore the Museum in a unique and unexpected way. You will be able to participate in clay work, printmaking, drawing activities and painting or just sit back and listen to some good music in this free event for all the family.
  5. Hidden Cuilcagh – Guided trek hikers trail, Enniskillen, 22 April. The walk starts over Legacurragh where extensive areas of limestone are concealed by blanket bog. A Geopark guide will bring you across the bogland for approx. 4km towards Cuilcagh as it looms on the horizon. A vigorous, steep ascent through blanket bog, heather and boulders leads you to the summit cairn. Meeting at Gortalughany Viewpoint car park. Booking is essential, call 028 6634 885
  6. Blue Lough Guided Walk, Newcastle, 22 April. A fantastic guided tour in the Mourne Mountains where you will hear the history of the Binnian Tunnel, see how the Mourne Granite was cut using hand tools and visit the Smuggler’s Cave. The walk is approx. 5 miles long mostly on rough tracks and is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
  7. A Night With The Stars: Stars of Country, Derry~Londonderry, 18 April. Join six of Ireland’s top country music stars at the Millennium Forum Theatre.  A fantastic show featuring Robert Mizzell, Patrick Feeney, Gary Gamble, Kathy Durkin, Mick Flavin and Curtis Magee who will showcase their biggest hit songs and some light hearted comedy in the company of the fantastic Keltic Storm.
  8. Belfast Film Festival 2018, Belfast, 12-21 April. Belfast Film Festival presents a huge range of films from across the globe. The tantalising line-up includes new international cinema and documentaries, critically acclaimed television, features and shorts from local filmmakers, and plenty of post-screening discussions throughout the city. For more information visit BelfastFilmFestival.org
  9. Dara O’Briain, Derry~Londonderry, 20-21 April. Dara is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV as host of the hugely successful Mock The Week, Star Gazing Live, Robotwars and Go8Bit. Catch one of the most charismatic, intelligent, fast-talking and downright funny live performers working today in this brand new show at the Millennium Forum.
  10. An Evening with Rodd Hogg and Adrian Logan, Limavady, 21 April. Enjoy an evening of magic entertainment in the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural centre. Rodd has become the most sought after professional magician in the country, specialising in close-up magic.

 

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit  www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.

FREE DIGITAL RETAIL PROGRAMME LAUNCHED TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES

By

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has launched a free programme which has been designed to help the growth of local businesses by helping them learn new skills and develop confidence to make the most of the vast digital retail opportunities available.

Launch of Digital Retail Therapy Programme
Civic Centre Portadown
29 March 2018
CREDIT: www.LiamMcArdle.comFREE DIGITAL RETAIL PROGRAMME LAUNCED TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSESÉLord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Alderman Gareth Wilson is joined by Niamh Taylor and Kirsty Nixon of Digital 24 to launch the councilÕs free Digital Retail Therapy Programme which has been designed to help the growth of local businesses by helping them learn new skills and develop confidence to make the most of the vast digital retail opportunities available. For further information visit www.digitalretailtherapyprogramme.com

The Digital Retail Therapy Programme is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and will be delivered by a host of industry experts. It will include four events giving helpful insights to develop knowledge and skills and a digital mentoring programme providing an in-depth diagnostic audit for businesses of their digital capabilities and 15 hours of free one-to-one mentoring across a range of topics including website and social media marketing, data and analytics, geo-marketing tactics and search engine optimisation.

The first free event, ‘Inspire, Innovate and Invest with New Opportunities in Digital Retail’ takes place on Tuesday 24 April from 9am – 1pm in Armagh City Hotel and topics being covered will include making the most of your website, digital storefronts, retailer marketplaces and how to drive retail through social media.

Attendees will have the chance to hear from digital experts who have helped local and global businesses achieve success including multi-award winning digital marketing consultant Niamh Taylor, Kirsty Nixon who has worked with brands including Sliderobes, the Financial Times and Chain Reaction Cycles and Stephen Kinkaid from website design company, Kobault. A local company will share the benefits they have found since bringing retailing across to digital platforms.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge, Craigavon Borough, Alderman Gareth Wilson said: “With a wealth of opportunities on offer in the digital sector, it is important to us that our local businesses are equipped with the right skills and knowledge to tap into this potential. The Digital Retail Therapy Programme will allow local businesses to benefit from insightful events and a mentoring programme providing them with invaluable support and guidance. With the ability to drive long term success for local businesses – this free programme is one not to be missed.”

Niamh Taylor, director of Digital 24 said: “There are over one billion websites on Google alone with the search engine processing approximately 64,000 searches per second, which is why it is vital for businesses, big and small, to have a better understanding of the fundamental concepts of digital marketing. The Digital Retail Therapy Programme is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to achieve this and to gain the knowledge on how to develop and implement a successful digital retail strategy.”

For further information visit www.digitalretailtherapyprogramme.com or to sign up for the first FREE event go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inspire-innovate-and-invest-with-new-opportunities-in-digital-retail-tickets-44833518260. Call 07737 122955 or email hello@digitalretailtherapyprogramme.com to find out more.

Royal Air Force Centenary exhibition set to open in Ballymoney

By

A new exhibition which commemorates the centenary of the Royal Air Force opens in Ballymoney this month.

Air Marshal Sir Robert Cramer, Officer Commanding Maritime Air Forces, carrying out an inspection of airmen in 1971, marking the end of operational flying at Ballykelly. Courtesy of the Coleraine Chronicle.

Curated by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Museum Services, it allows visitors to explore the development of the RAF from its formation on 1st April 1918 until recent times. The exhibition examines its connection to this region, including Coastal Command Airbases occupied during World War II at Limavady and Ballykelly along with Mullaghmore.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Joan Baird OBE said: “The Causeway Coast and Glens has played a considerable role in the 100-year-old story of the RAF, with many local people making an important contribution to the organisation. The exhibition will allow people to discover the operational conditions RAF personnel faced at Limavady and their continued presence in Ballykelly when the war ended. It also looks at the involvement of Mullaghmore airbase with the invasions at Normandy in 1944, providing a fascinating insight into this important part of our history.”

The exhibition is complemented by images from the Imperial War Museum, Coleraine Chronicle & Constitution Archives and Ulster Aviation Society.

Visitors are encouraged to contribute to a ‘Memory Book’ by sharing any memories or knowledge they have of local airmen who served within the RAF.

‘The Royal Air Force Centenary 1918-2018’ exhibition runs from:

April 11th– April 28th in Ballymoney Museum. Opening times Monday – Thursday & Saturday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4.30pm

June 26th – June 30th in Coleraine Town Hall. Opening times Tuesday – Saturday 11am-4pm

July 3rd – September 30th in Green Lane Museum, Limavady, Roe Valley Country Park.

Opening times June, July and August Monday-Sunday 1pm-4.45pm & September, weekends only, 1pm-4.45pm.

THE SLIEVE DONARD RESORT IS THE BUSINESS WITH EVENTS UP BY 20%

By

THE Slieve Donard Resort & Spa has reported a 20% increase in its conference and business events.

Nestling at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne it is well known as one of Northern Ireland’s finest conference hotels boasting an extensive choice of banqueting and conferencing suites suitable for events of all sizes.

Nora Hanna, business development manager of the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa said: “We have enjoyed a marked increase of 20 per cent in our conference and business events as the hotel remains first choice for local companies and organisations from around the world including USA and Canada.

“As part of this increase, the average number of bed-nights has increased from two to four. This is not only good news for us, but for the local economy as a whole. When we secure business events, especially residential conferences, the delegates have a busy itinerary including dinners and visits to the local tourist attractions which has a positive economic impact for Newcastle and Northern Ireland,” Nora continued.

“We work closely with event organisers to help ensure all their requirements are met and can assist in arranging team building activities with the local outdoor activity centre which offers everything from coasteering to bouldering, field archery and mountain biking – ultimately adding to the overall experience,” Nora added.

The Slieve Donard Resort & Spa offers the magnificent Grand Ballroom which is one of the largest function suites in Northern Ireland and the Chandelier Room which boasts stunning views over the mountains. In addition to this, business guests have the choice of six conference rooms within the purpose-built Centenary Conference Centre.

For further information on holding an event at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa contact Nora Hanna on 028 4372 1010.

 

10 things to do in Northern Ireland

By

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 (9-15 April)

 

  1. Ards International Guitar Festival 2018, Newtownards, 11-15 April. A fresh new programme of guitar-inspired gigs, free fringe events and guitar clinics with industry professionals. Taking place at various venues throughout Ards, expect a jam-packed line-up of blues, folk, rock, bluegrass and classical for guitar aficionados across the borough. For more information visit ArdsGuitarFestival.co.uk
  2. Belfast Film Festival 2018, Belfast, 12-21 April. Belfast Film Festival presents a huge range of films from across the globe, the tantalising line-up includes new international cinema and documentaries, critically acclaimed television, features and shorts from local filmmakers, and plenty of post-screening discussions throughout the city. For more information visit BelfastFilmFestival.org
  3. The Exam by Andy Hamilton, Coleraine, 10-11 April. Coleraine Amateur Stage Society perform The Exam at The Riverside Theatre. This play is a comic look at the pressures put on young people by parents and teachers.
  4. Music@One Presents Gary Lutton, Derry~Londondery, 10 April. Gary Lutton, an acoustic guitarist from Belfast, brings his eclectic style of music with a unique approach to fingerstyle guitar; often meditative and chorographical to the Great Hall at Ulster University.
  5. We’ll Walk Hand In Hand, Newry, 10 April. A new play by leading Northern Ireland playwright Martin Lynch performed at the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. We’ll Walk Hand in Hand plots the lives of two working class kids from Belfast, Vincent and Lesley. They meet at University in 1967 and soon find themselves at the centre of the explosive student reaction to the Civil Rights movement.
  6. A Night To Remember, Belfast, 14 April. On the anniversary of the sinking of one of history’s most famous ships guests can submerge themselves in this 90 minute experience. Guests will be led by guides to key points throughout Titanic Belfast, Titanic Hotel Belfast and SS Nomadic where a heart-felt story will be told on a journey which tracks the history of Titanic from her design right through to her subsequent place in history. To book tickets visit TitanicBelfast.com.
  7. Chamber Philharmonic Europe, Portaferry, 14 April. Portico is delighted to welcome the Chamber Philharmonic Europe for what promises to be an evening of exceptional chamber music. With an outstanding reputation and exciting programme, this is a concert not to miss.
  8. Ballynafeigh School of Irish Dancing Performance, Belfast, 14-15 April. Enjoy a night of traditional Irish dance, music and song from Ballynafeigh School of Irish Dancing, with music from the spectacular Beyond the Pale and compered by BBC Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly. To book tickets visit WaterFront.co.uk.
  9. Spring Fair, Ballymoney, 14 April. This new one-day festival has a packed programme of events and activities that will take place at Ballymoney’s Castlecroft Square, Megaw Park, The Diamond area in the town centre and the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre. Enjoy vintage cars, family fun, mouth-watering delights, intricate crafts, traditional music and much more.
  10. Lough Erne Canoe Rally, Enniskillen, 14-15 April. A competitive canoeing and kayaking event open to all abilities and age groups. The idea of the event is that all individuals must choose a boat and compete in the same boat across all disciplines. Disciplines will include long distance race, forward sprint, obstacle race and competitors can even score double points by dressing in this year’s fancy theme, superheroes.

 

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit  www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.

Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this weekend across NI

By

Down

The Ards International Guitar Festival is back with a bang from 11th to 15th April with a fresh new programme of guitar inspired gigs, free fringe events, guitar clinics with industry professionals and an exhibition featuring many of your guitar heroes by Steve McDowell. Expect a jam-packed line-up of blues, folk, rock, bluegrass and classical for guitar aficionados across the borough.  Highlights of this year’s festival include Hungarian born/LA based guitarist Daniel Marx, Classical virtuoso Craig Ogden and a Saturday line-up featuring John Tracey, Clive Carroll and the fantastic Martin Simpson. The Ivy bar welcomes plenty of action with late gigs featuring BOWANA and the Woodburning Savages.

Armagh

Come along to taste and buy a range of locally sourced produce this Saturday 14th April at the Argory.  The once bustling  Courtyard at The Argory will come alive with cookery demonstrations, shopping and music from 11.00 am to 4.00pm.

Fermanagh

The Lough Erne Canoe Rally this weekend, 14th and 15th April, is a not for profit, competitive canoeing/kayaking event open to all abilities and age groups. A fantastic weekend of craic and competition on Upper Lough Erne!   No experience is necessary and all entries are welcomed! The idea of the event is that all individuals must choose a boat and compete in the same boat across all disciplines; gathering points in each discipline.  Entry fee includes access to all events, BBQ dinner on Saturday evening, entry to fancy dress disco, bar and prizes.  Accommodation can be organised through SHARE starting from £10 per person.

Tyrone

Textile Arts Workshop, An Creagan, Saturday 14th April. Textile Artist Andrea Hayes will show participants a variety of contemporary textile techniques that she uses to create her on artwork. Individuals can create a similar variation to one of Andrea’s pieces or if they have a scene/image they would like to recreate they can bring do this also.  This will include using specialist paints to paint backgrounds, access to a wide variety of fabrics for applique and fusing fabrics together and using fine metal such as copper and how to incorporate this into their very own artwork.  14th April, 10am – 4pm Cost: £35 – includes lunch.

Derry/Londonderry

On Saturday 14th April the Parish of St. Lurach’s Maghera & Killelagh are delighted to be hosting Linen in the Bible Exhibition in the beautiful and tranquil setting of their Georgian Rectory. The Exhibition has been very graciously co-ordinated by Mr Bruce Clark who is a member of the Clark Family who established William Clark & Sons Linen Factory over 300 years ago in Upperlands. The Exhibition illustrates the use and symbolism of linen in the Bible as well as a display of images and objects that recall linen-making in modern Ireland.  Visit the Exhibition, partake of afternoon tea and take a guided tour of the Rectory with historian Dan Calley.

Antrim

The new one-day Ballymoney Spring Festival on Saturday 14th April, has a packed programme of events and activities that will take place at Ballymoney’s Castlecroft Square, Megaw Park, The Diamond area in the town centre and the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.  Ballymoney Old Vehicle Clubs, Vintage and Classic Car Show will bring their annual show to the Joey Dunlop Centre. The event will then conclude with a cavalcade through the streets of Ballymoney.  The Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market will be on hand at Castlecroft Square to offer exceptional locally grown and produced food and drink and high quality hand-crafted goods created by the very best the Causeway Coast and Glens has to offer. Many of Ballymoney town centre’s retailers will be participating in a promotional event offering discounts throughout the event.

Belfast

Abigail’s Party, 14th April to 5th May at The Mac, is one of the most iconic stage plays of the 20th century, thanks partly to its legendary 1977 ‘Play for Today’ production on BBC1. From a time when the height of urban sophistication was cheese and pineapple on a stick, served nonchalantly on a Lazy Susan comes a tragi-comedy about social climbing, prejudice and fear of not doing ‘the done thing’.

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.

 

Jacqueline McGonigle

© Copyright What's On NI 2017. All Rights Reserved.