Month: July 2019

With over 20 free attractions for kids, Downpatrick racecourse is hosting one what should prove to be a fantastic day out for family members of all ages.

Including a climbing wall, motorbike displays, face painting, dog agility displays and many, many more.

Also, by Pre-booking family tickets before 13^th July, all kids will be given free tokens allowing them to get free ice creams, crisps, chocolate, soft drinks and face painting.

With the gates open from 12pm, and the first race not scheduled for 3pm there is plenty of time to tire your kids before you catch a couple races. BOOK YOUR TICKET TODAY.

On Sunday 14^th July the public and the Exploris Aquarium seal rescue team will gather at Knockinelder beach, Co.Down to say farewell to grey seals Amphitrite and Doris. They have been at Exploris Aquarium’s seal sanctuary for 10 months and are now well enough to be released back to their natural home.

Both seals where rescued from Ballywalter last October, about 2 weeks apart. They both arrived at the seal sanctuary after being discovered by the public – abandoned, injured and in need of help by our specialist team.

After an initial assessment each seal began their journey to rehabilitation receiving extensive medical care, to ensure infections were kept at bay and housed in hospital pen whilst learning how to eat fish. Once they reached about 15kg and could self-feed they were moved to the outdoor pools where they learnt how to socialise with other seals. At this stage, all human contact was kept to a minimum to ensure a successful re-introduction to the sea.

Both seals are now ready to be discharged from the seal unit as they have successfully reached their target weight of over 30kg and are in good health, ready to take on adult life in the wild.

Peter William, Curator at Exploris Aquarium said “Both of these seals had a difficult start to life but after a long and difficult journey, we are pleased to be finally saying farewell and good luck to Amphitrite and Doris.  All being well the release of these two will conclude our rehabilitation season for 2018/19.”

He continued “Every year Exploris Aquarium rescues and releases between 20 to 40 seals. We rely on members of the public to call through to our seal rescue line when a pup is found on a beach.  Our team of trained staff will take as much detail as possible regarding location and seal condition and if necessary take action to lift the seal off the beach and bring to the centre.  At the centre our staff can treat the pups for injury or illness and provide 24 hour care. Only when the seals are fit and healthy again do we release them back to the wild. “

Ahead of the release all seals are tagged on their rear flipper to help identify them. Over time this will be used to see how rehabbed seals influence the wild population through breeding.

To date Exploris Aquarium has rescued and released over 600 common and grey seals back into the wild. This wouldn’t be possible without the funding support from DAERA, the vigilant public and our adopt a seal programme. This adoption programme allows the adopter to follow their seals journey through rehab for a small fee. The adoption helps fund the fresh fish they eat, medication to make them better and equipment to transport and keep them safe.

Amphitrite and Doris will be released back to the wild on Sunday 14^th July at 10.30am on Knockinelder beach and the public are invited to come along and see them being released back to their natural home.

As this release concludes the 2018/19 seal season the 2019/20 begins and on the 22^nd of June the seal sanctuary at Exploris Aquarium accepted their 1^st Common Seal pup of the year, Ariel. Each season the seal rescue team decide on a naming theme for the rescued seal pups. For the 2019/20 season the naming theme is Disney. You can follow the progress of our new seal season on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @explorisni

TOURISM NI’S Epic Journey to The 148th Open at Royal Portrush is set to inspire the next generation of sporting stars in Northern Ireland.

As the greatest golfers in the world prepare to tee it up at the Dunluce Links in front of 215,000 eager spectators over the next week and a multi-million television audience, Tourism NI has led a powerful journey involving more than 1,000 people from across the community to build up excitement, momentum and civic pride for the golfing Major returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years.

Over 600 miles have been covered during the last six months stopping at eight locations in every county throughout Northern Ireland, along with Dublin, while the celebration engaged local councils, golf clubs, tourism industry representatives, sports stars and 645 school children.　

Stars from the world of sport participated to make the journey extra special as hockey’s Shirley McCay, international footballer Roy Carroll, Belfast Giants coach Adam Keefe, young golf star Tom McKibben, Armagh GAA ace and netball star Caroline O’Hanlon, Tyrone GAA hero Peter Canavan and County Down gymnast Rhys McClenaghan celebrated Northern Ireland playing host to such a prestigious event.

The lasting legacy that The Open provides to Northern Ireland was keenly in focus throughout The Epic Journey, with hundreds of budding young golfers and future sporting greats being inspired by the excitement and momentum leading into Royal Portrush.

Tourism NI’s 148^th Open Project Manager, Lesley-Ann O’Donnell said, “On the Epic Journey, we saw so much of the pride that Northern Ireland’s people have in a destination that is attracting people from across the world. The friendliness, professionalism and experience we encountered on the journey from local attractions, sports stars and golf clubs leave us in no doubt that those visiting Northern Ireland are in for the very warmest of welcomes during The Open and beyond.

“The waiting is almost over and we have thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the excitement of this epic year for Northern Ireland through The Epic Journey, but it is only just the beginning. This week the electric atmosphere of The 148th Open will unfold and the prestigious Claret Jug to be lifted at Royal Portrush; it will put Northern Ireland on a global stage, promoting the best of what we have to offer and enhancing our reputation as a premier destination for international events.”

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “It has been fantastic to see the passion and excitement among the people of Northern Ireland for the return of The Open to Royal Portrush and we are very grateful to them for their support.

“We are now only a matter of days away from welcoming more than 215,000 fans to the Antrim coast to enjoy a true celebration of golf and attend the biggest ever sporting event ever to be held in Northern Ireland.”

The Epic Journey to The 148^th Open was captured on video for all to enjoy:

Now the kids have finished school for the holidays, it’s time to start thinking on how to keep them occupied this summer. In Antrim and Newtownabbey, there is lots to do whether it be a fun-filled visit to one of our play parks, a picnic at one of our stunning green open spaces in the Borough or a visit to one of our state-of-the-art leisure facilities!

Our five fantastic leisure facilities offer a wide range of activities including, swimming, racquet sports, ten pin bowling and soft play. Swimming is a great way to exercise and keep fit as well as spending some quality family time. Throughout July and August, leisure swims will be running every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1pm until 4pm at Sixmile Leisure Centre. The Valley Leisure Centre’s leisure swim will also operate Tuesdays & Thursdays 3.30-5.30pm, Fridays 6-8pm, Saturdays & Sundays 1-4pm and don’t forget the well-known Valley slide is back in action! We recommend you contact the centre prior to your visit. For more information on activities across our leisure centres T. 028 9448 1499 or visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/leisure

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth was joined by Jayne Moore from Sport NI, Robert Heyburn from Department for Communities, Andrea Herron from Disability Sport NI, Council Officers and local resident Gareth McNeilly to launch the new pool pods at Antrim Forum and Valley Leisure Centre.

Poolpod is a platform lift developed for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is transforming access to swimming pools for people with disabilities and restricted mobility.  The Council recently received £30,000 investment from Disability Sport NI through the Department for Communities and Sport NI, which allowed for the installation of a Poolpod in Antrim Forum.  Furthermore, to ensure increased accessibility across the Borough, Council approved funding for a second Poolpod which was recently installed in Valley Leisure Centre.  

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth commented, “I would like to thank Department for Communities, Sport NI and Disability Sport NI for their generous contribution towards this Poolpod and I’m delighted that Council has decided to approve spend for the installation of a second Poolpod at the Valley Leisure Centre.  This fantastic piece of technology will contribute to making our leisure centres more accessible for all users.”

Kevin O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer of Disability Sport NI welcomes the funding, “The facilities that have received the Poolpods have shown a great commitment to improving access and providing their staff with disability inclusion training.  This project is part of the wider District Council Disability Sports Hub Project which recently saw a significant investment into disability sports equipment in every council area.”

Sport NI Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown added, “These new Poolpods are the latest example of how the Active Living: No Limits Action Plan is enhancing the lives of local people with a disability through sport.  The many benefits of an active lifestyle to our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing should be open to everyone here, and Sport Northern Ireland is proud to be working with our partners to create more inclusive opportunities for local communities to enjoy, engage and excel in sport.”

Local resident, Gareth McNeilly commented, “It’s great to see these new Poolpods being introduced to help people with limited mobility gain safe access to the swimming pool.  As a competitive disabled golfer I know the excellent benefits both physically and mentally of sport and exercise and I’m sure these new pods will encourage more people with limited mobility to consider swimming as a safe and enjoyable form of exercise.”

For more information on the Poolpods and accessibility in our leisure centres visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/accessibility or alternatively ask a lifeguard in Antrim Forum or the Valley Leisure Centre.