The Oh Yeah Centre Belfast and Stendhal Festival, along with seven of Northern Irelands finest indigenous musical artists, have come together to curate an amazing evening of music on Saturday, April 23rd with all proceeds going towards a charity that is feeding Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Aid for Ukraine will feature performances from Duke Special, Phil Taggart, Joshua Burnside, The Wood Burning Savages, Sister Ghost, Dark Tropics and Lemonade Shoelace and will take place at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
Tickets are £15, with all proceeds going to Stowarzyszenie Leubuzzi, a charity based in Poland that works across various sectors but at present is putting all their resources towards the refugee crisis.
Antrim woman, Pamela Moore is the link between the Charity and those involved in putting on the show and she says that the money raised at the gig could mean the difference in a child eating for a week or not.
Pamela said: “Working with this charity in Poland, I’ve seen first-hand how traumatic it is for Ukrainian Refugees arriving in a new country having fled all they have,” she said. “The money raised here can’t help them get back the life they once had but it can help them greatly as they arrive to start a new one.”
Charlotte Dryden, CEO of the Oh Yeah Centre said she is delighted that the music community is coming together to show support for the current crisis.
“We are so pleased to be hosting what will no doubt be a brilliant event at the Oh Yeah on April 23rd. The fact that all these acts were so willing to give their time and talents to this cause voluntarily, speaks volumes to their character and their desire to see a better future for all involved in the Ukraine War. Thank you to everyone who so enthusiastically signed up to get involved.”
Ross Parkhill, Director of Stendhal Festival added: “It’s been a great experience putting this together with the Oh Yeah Centre and all the acts on the bill. It’s a great example of how our music community will often come together to help others in the spirit of solidarity.
“We really hope to see a big crowd turnout on the 23rd of April to try and raise as much money as we can for this incredibly worthy cause.”
Slow Food Causeway might be coming to an end this month, but there are still plenty of amazing foodie experiences happening on the Causeway Coast.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly Easter day out or wanting to kick back and unwind with friends, here’s what Taste Causeway has in store for you this month:
1. Easter Egg Making Class & Chocolate Tasting Experience
North Coast Chocolates at Sleepy Cow Curiosities, Ballymoney
Thursday 14th April – 6pm to 8:30pm
In this Chocolate Masterclass, you will have the unique opportunity to design your very own Easter Egg.
Here you will learn how to paint and shell a chocolate mould using a fine 33.6% Callebaut milk Chocolate.
Whilst waiting on your masterpiece setting you will receive a tasting experience from our highly qualified Chef and Chocolatier Ruaraidh. He will explain the passion behind local collaborations for North Coast Chocolates showcasing the amazing food culture in Causeway Coast and Glens.
This event is part of the Slow Food Causeway launch programme funded by Tourism NI in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
2. Kids Easter Experience at The Chocolate Manor Multiple dates starting Wednesday 13th April at 11am
Join The Chocolate Manor in Castlerock for the most Eggs-citing Easter experience on the North Coast.
In this one hour kids only experience, their egg-stra special guests will make three eggs-cellent chocolate creations using our finest Belgian chocolate.
They will be offered a hot chocolate while their creations set and then package them up to take home and enjoy.
The Chocolate Manor will provide aprons but please note this can be a messy experience.
For more information and for booking details click here.
3. The Spirit of the Bann Tour with Causeway Coast Foodie Tours Saturday April 16, 2:30pm-4:30pm
The award-winning Causeway Coast Foodie Tours are back this Spring with their very special ‘The Spirit of the Bann’ river whiskey tasting experience along the picturesque river.
‘The Spirit of the Bann’ along with White River Charters are hosting an afternoon full of exquisite whiskey flavours accompanied by an array of tasty award-winning local Slow Food produce.
Where better to celebrate our unique Slow Food food and drink heritage than via a journey on the River Bann alongside the beautiful site of Mountsandel, Coleraine.
4. Flat Caps & Wellies with The Lamb Van Saturday 16th April, 11.30am
An experience suitable for the whole family on the Dempster’s sheep farm just outside Ballymoney.
Visitors can interact with the sheep and lambs, be educated about daily life on a sheep farm and leave with a full belly of local produce after trying to pen a sheep with only a crook and feeding some of the newborn lambs by bottle.
Meet Farmer Al and his trusted sheepdog and watch them work as a team rounding up the sheep. There will be awards and photo opportunities.
This event is part of the Slow Food Causeway launch programme funded by Tourism NI in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
5. Apple And Blackberry Chutney Workshop Saturday 16th April, 11:30am
If you want to learn how to make Apple and Blackberry chutney then come along to Jam at the Doorstep’s Easter workshop on Saturday 16th of April.
This workshop will take place in Amanda’s farmhouse kitchen and no experience is necessary.
Using the finest local produce, you will perfect your own chutney and take two jars home to share with family and friends. There will be a cheeseboard on the day and will be sampling lots of Farm Shop produce throughout the workshop.
Afterwards, you can unwind with light refreshments and enjoy a scoop of Morelli’s ice cream served with Jam at the Doorstep’s very own sticky toffee pudding.
Places are limited so book your space today by calling Amanda on 07880593492, email: jamatthedoorstep@gmail.com or through Jam at the doorstep.
6. The Taste Causeway Chocolate Experience at The Chocolate Manor
Friday 22nd April 7pm to 9:30pm
The Chocolate Manor are proud to have been a founding member of the Taste Causeway group and in their Taste Causeway Experience, you will be introduced to an exclusive selection of local artisan products and learn how to pair them with the finest chocolate.
You will handcraft a delectable collection of chocolate truffles – during each Taste Causeway experience Chief Chocolatier Geri Martin will guide you through making ganaches with the stunning selection of local artisan products.
This interactive, hands-on experience gives you an in-depth introduction to the art and precision of distilling using iStill technology by the founders and head distillers of Basalt Distillery.
Learn the brilliant history of one of today’s most popular spirits and get creative making your own.
Immerse yourself in the 60+ botanicals available.
Pick and blend to create your own unique recipe and watch as your creation distils before your eyes then wax and label your own 50cl bottle to take home that very day.
General ticket sale starts Wednesday 13th at 7 pm, early access tickets are available from Tuesday 12th at 7 pm.
This event is part of the Slow Food Causeway launch programme funded by Tourism NI in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
The Slow Food Events are extremely popular and sell out in record time. Don’t be discouraged if you have missed out, there are more events coming very soon. To keep up to date, keep an eye on our social media or go to our brand new website: slowfood.tastecauseway.com.
A local artisan drinks manufacturer is set to open a second location of its successful Gin School in the trendy Cathedral Quarter bar, The Thirsty Goat next month, after receiving support from Mallusk Enterprise Park to grow and diversify their business.
Belfast Artisan Distillery Gin is a refreshing and smooth Premium London Dry Gin with a local twist stocked in over 140 outlets across Northern Ireland including leading convenience stores and popular city centre bars. It has recently launched two sister companies, Belfast Artisan Gin School and Belfast Artisan Distillery Tours.
Founders Robert Borne and Jo Davison set up their business in the busy Newtownabbey based Enterprise Park in 2017 and have since developed the downstairs space into a manufacturing and bottling zone and a private bar upstairs to welcome both new and existing customers in.
Set up in 1992 to support new and established entrepreneurs, Mallusk Enterprise Park has enabled the passionate team behind Belfast Artisan Distillery to expand their network and receive essential funding.
Jo Davison, Co-Founder of Belfast Artisan Distillery, said: “Mallusk Enterprise Park provides us with work space for our new distillery in an ideal location. It offers support to tenants and other local businesses with networking and partnership opportunities.
“The support from the MEP team has been great and we have benefitted from both workshops and mentoring which has helped us improve many aspects of our business and has kept us informed about funding opportunities..
“The park is very well managed and offers ongoing support to tenants. Their charitable status as a social enterprise meaning any surplus profits made through their property rental and funded programmes are reinvested back into the local community via free advice and support to individuals considering self-employment.”
Emma Garrett, Chief Executive, Mallusk Enterprise Park added: “Jo, Robert and Ian Perry the distiller are passionate about their products, and this is transparent through their continued success.
“The Enterprise Park offers much more than bricks and mortar to start-up companies like this, we pride ourselves in providing wrap-around support to our small business community.”
In November 2021 the company opened its doors to its first edition of their Gin School venture located above the Crown & Shamrock Inn in Newtownabbey, offering guests the opportunity to make and distil their own bespoke gin choosing from over 80 botanicals.
“The Gin School at the Crown & Shamrock is an immersive visitor experience in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough that will attract visitors from the local area, across NI, ROI and hopefully as travel restrictions lift, the whole of the UK and beyond,” explained Jo.
Their great tasting premium gin and vodka range features two fruit based flavours of gin liqueur and charcoal filtered Irish potato vodka that have taken the local drink awards by storm receiving a series of prestigious titles including 2019 Best Irish Newcomer, 2020 & 2021 Gin Masters Silver Award and 2021 Best Northern Irish London Dry Gin World Gin Awards.
Through additional funding from the Antrim and Newtownabbey Business Growth Programme OPTIMAL, the business owners received one-to-one mentoring which accelerated the business’ trajectory.
“Mallusk Enterprise Park’s focus is on supporting indigenous businesses” said Iain Patterson, Chairman, Mallusk Enterprise Park, adding: “Our extensive property waiting list is testament to the support provided by Emma and her team in MEP.
“It really is the location of choice to start and grow a business in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough.”
Jo said that working on the Optimal programme has been “fantastic” for Belfast Artisan Distillery Gin.
She added: “I worked with Miriam Stevenson as a mentor and have learned so many new skills and techniques that have moved our business forward.
“We have designed new websites, vastly improved our online presence and social media and now have an online shop which allows us to sell our products across NI, ROI and the UK. I cannot praise the Optimal programme enough and would highly recommend it,” said Jo.
What started out as a hobby for Dawn Demain, owner of Carnlough-based Antrim Rain Natural Soap Co., has turned into a successful brand, gift shop and tourist experience.
Initially making soap to pass the time and give them out as gifts, Dawn has steadily built up a client base for her product including the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre and the 5-star Water’s Edge bed and breakfast in Glenarm, as well as numerous visitors to the County Antrim town.
Opening her shop Ebb & Flow in Carnlough at the harbour has meant Dawn has been able to support other crafters.
“Our range is exceedingly high quality,” she explained. “What is stocked is very much design led artisan goods, my handmade soap and quirky unusual things.
“I suppose you could say it is an eclectic mix of quality crafts and gifts mostly by local artists and makers. We have ceramics, jewellery, books, and candles. There are all sorts of glassware, handmade purses and bags, scarves, artwork, sandblasted slate work – gifts that people can take away – from small things like keyrings right up to £400-£500 paintings.”
As well as making her soaps Dawn has been running workshops from Ebb & Flow, for beginners to learn how to make their own soap.
“It is a fun and educational activity that the weather won’t spoil,” Dawn said. ‘Participants in my classes create their own product to use themselves or to gift.
The classes are suitable for groups of 4 to 6 people, held on shop close days or evenings to suit different groups. Partakers can enjoy the refreshments provided while they learn about theory followed by a demonstration. After lunch participants make their own batch of soap, using 100% natural ingredients which is theirs to keep and has a retail value of £50.
As well as the workshops she hosts demonstrations of how she goes about making soap. These demos can be as short as 15 to 20minutes or longer depending on the groups’ requirements.
“You can see the soap being made in the shop which attracts attention in that it is made and sold on the premises. I am able to tell purchasers what’s in it and what it does.”
All Dawn’s soaps are made using the traditional cold process method and the water content is locally collected rainwater from high in the County Antrim hills, which is filtered, to provide a completely natural product.
“Each soap is scented using a unique blend of essential oils, which unlike artificial fragrances, give a soft subtle scent and in themselves have therapeutic properties,” she explained. “The soaps are gentle on the skin and suitable for all skin types with no artificial hardeners, preservatives, colourings or perfumes.
“Some of the soaps have colour or texture, which is achieved by adding natural herbs, spices or skin nourishing botanicals. The soaps cure for about four to six weeks before each bar is hand cut, trimmed and hand wrapped.”
In keeping with her own principles of her eco-friendly soaps Dawn sources stock for the shop in the same way, with mostly products that are plastic free, and fair trade produced.
Antrim Rain Natural Soap Co. has also launched a new range of solid shampoo bar to complement the existing range of handmade soaps already on sale.
The new product range is solidly based on her ecological principles.
“My new range of solid shampoo bars are formulated with lots of hair loving oils with added Rhassoul clay and a touch of tussah silk,” she explained. Introducing the new product range means a natural way of hair care with no plastic waste. Find out more about Antrim Rain soaps at facebook.com/antrimrainsoap or order soaps online at www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AntrimRainSoap
The Council are supporting our tourism industry by developing a series of unique tourism experiences revealing the Ancient Buildings, Castles and Gardens of Antrim and Newtownabbey as part of a joint funded project with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Pamela Minford (Castle Mall Centre Manager)at the Round Tower Antrim
Tourism service providers from across the Borough have been working with a team of tourism experts to develop the design and launch of several unique experiences for the area.
These exclusive experiences will play a significant part in supporting Antrim and Newtownabbey to grow and target their tourism brand and offering to local, national and international visitors.
The experiences developed as part this project include:
Antrim’s Hidden Gems Tours: A full day tour which explores the highlights of the Borough and includes visits to The Whitehouse, Round Tower, Antrim Castle Gardens and Antrim Town Centre, an exclusive visit to Shane’s Castle Estate and a stop at the Lock Keeper’s Cottage to sample traditional Lough Neagh eel and hear tales from local fishermen.
Mindfulness at The Motte: Sunrise mindfulness and Pilates experience on one of the oldest and most historic sites in the Borough – The Motte at Antrim Castle Gardens. A wellbeing experience that will leave a feeling of happiness lasting into the day ahead and beyond.
Antrim Castle Gardens Tour: The jewel in the Crown in Antrim & Newtownabbey. The tour of the Gardens explores the history of the Massareene family and enables the visitor to explore the 17th century Anglo Dutch water garden, one of only three in the British Isles.
Shane’s Castle Angling: A 3-day experience in conjunction with the Dunadry Hotel. Led by an expert Gillie will guide and advise even the most experienced angler and will bring to life the history and fishing on the Estate.
Ballyrobert Gardens:An experience that explores the 6-acre grounds of the traditional cottage gardens and includes a tour that reveals the formal garden, an orchard, woodlands, a meadow garden and 3 of the rush fields which have been transformed into iconic symbols of historic interest in the form of concentric rings, a spiral and a Brigid’s Cross.
Rewilding & Wellness: This half day experience is led by crafter Jennifer Shaw at Willow Cottage and is based around Jennifer’s journey of rewilding her 1-acre cottage garden. The experience combines advice and guidance on how to rewild a garden and incorporates mindfulness.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr. Billy Webb said; “I am very excited about the tourism products developed as part of the Ancient Buildings, Castles and Gardens of Antrim and Newtownabbey project. With thanks to funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs we have revealed a range of amazing experiences using the unique places and spaces bespoke to the Borough. The Council will continue to work together with the businesses involved as we focus on developing, enhancing and promoting our tourism product to national and international visitors.”
Newcastle AC Hill and Dale Series – Castlewellan Forest Park
To take part in the 2022 H&D Series you must register for the series which is free of charge. You will be issued with a race number by email. Your race number will be required to enter and pay for each race individually. Your race number can be collected at your first race and the retained for the 2022 series. Note that your age category will be taken on the date you register for the series and will remain for the series. You cannot change age category during the series.
Slieve Donard race is stand alone with new race numbers. Register HERE.
Noel McManus Run/Cycle 2022
The Annual Noel McManus Run/Cycle returns on Good Friday, 15th April 2022 starting at the beautiful surrounds of Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill, Co. Leitrim.
Start Times:
Cycle commencing at 11.00
Half marathon commencing at 11.15am
10k/5k run/walk commencing at 11.30am
Walkers will not be chip timed or receive a tshirt. If walkers wish to be chip timed and receive a tshirt, please register above under the 5k or 10k option.
There will be NO registration on the day
Ballyliffen Coastal Challenge 2022
This year’s event will take place on Saturday the 16th of April 2022, with an 11.30am start time.
Each entrant will receive a t-shirt and a special commemorative medal.
You can collect your Race Pack from the Strand Hotel, Ballyliffin on the day of the event from 8am to 11am OR the day before – Friday the 15th of April from 3pm to 6pm.
Kilmovee 10k, in association with Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA club and in partnership with Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation are delighted to hold the annual 10k road race in Kilmovee, which takes place on Easter Saturday, each year, to raise funds for both organisations with €80,000+ raised so far for hospice.
This year there is also a 5K option available. There will be no registration on the day.
Visit our website for all the news & information https://kilmovee10k.com. Register HERE. Walkers, joggers and runners are all welcome!
Beragh 5 MileRoad Race
St Mary’s Park, Beragh
16 April 2022 » 16 April 2022
Start time: 11am
Registration process as follows:
Friday 15th April 7-9pm – St Mary’s Pavilion, St Mary’s Park, Beragh
Saturday 16th April 8-10.30am – St Mary’s Pavilion, St Mary’s Park, Beragh
Fees:
5 mile: £12
5k: £7
For more information, contact Adrian Donnelly on 07761610828 or via email:
A centuries old crofter’s cottage in Islandmagee has been given a new lease of life thanks to a loving restoration and sensitive modernisation, making it the perfect retreat and launching pad to explore the best of the Causeway Coastal Route.
Cloghfin Cottage dates back more than 250 years, steeped in maritime history and has been converted to feature a stunning double bedroom, with a sofa bed providing an option for two children.
Although completely renovating the existing building was not going to be the cheapest or easiest road to go down, it was an easy decision for owner Janice Bisp to make.
“The cheapest option would have been to flatten it,” she explained. “But I just couldn’t entertain that idea, as it had so much history. We know that almost 300 years ago the building would have been a two-room cottage with a barn at the side of it and a home to proud islanders.
“We did a lot of the work ourselves – it took all our energy for most of a year but my husband and I loved working on it together – we had such fun.”
Whilst bringing the cottage up to date Janice tried to always have the history of the building in mind and to incorporate it into the new build as much as she could. She loves to explain to guests about the original features of the building.
Nestled on Muldersleigh Hill in scenic Islandmagee, Cloghfin Cottage overlooks Larne Lough and offers guests stunning views of the surrounding area. The name Cloghfin actually comes from the original name of the townland as identified in one of the oldest maps of the area.
The restoration was undertaken to retain the building’s charm whilst installing modern features such as electric roof windows and underfloor heating, in order to retain as much space as possible.
Janice, who previously travelled the world as a nurse, pulled on her own experiences to bring guests a unique and memorable holiday.
“I travelled in New Zealand and stayed in batches – like little holiday homes on the coast. I loved it and it was the best experience. It’s that sense of fun and adventure that I want to create here for people to enjoy.”
The cottage is located on a smallholding with sheep and lambs (when in season) as well as free range hens and beehives and guests are encouraged to collect their own eggs for breakfast and cuddle the lambs.
Janice is always happy to share her knowledge on bee keeping and can provide extra suits if people want to get a little closer and learn more about the process. She is extremely passionate about sustainability and would welcome the opportunity to share this with guests.
Guests also have access to a shared country flower garden complete with a hammock, BBQ facilities, picnic table and a large purpose-built fire pit. Janice and her husband have also found the perfect spot on higher ground to watch the sunset and have utilised this vantage point by placing a sun seat there.
“We call it the beer seat; you can go up there with a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses and the sunsets are right opposite you and are just beautiful. They really are awesome, and you can see them reflect on Larne Lough. It’s worth taking a picture of.”
The cottage provides an excellent base from which to explore the local area.
Cloghfin Cottage is within walking distance to the Gobbins Visitor Centre which takes tours to the famous Gobbins Cliff Path. Visitors can also enjoy an ice cream at the famous Rinkha Ice-cream Parlour and the cottage is about a 10 minute walk to Port Road Beach, a pebble beach perfect for kids to skim stones.
Located within an easy drive of Browns Bay beach and Portmuck harbour, it is also about a five-minute drive to the Victorian town of Whitehead with a choice of places to eat and shop, Whitehead Railway Museum and the impressive Blackhead Coastal Path.
Janice’s love for the local area is clear and she hopes to pass on the knowledge and joy she experiences living in her special smallholding to her guests.
“I just want people to come and enjoy themselves.” says Janice, “It feels like it’s all still new to me as well. I didn’t grow up here, but I love it. It’s just great fun and I think everyone should experience it.” For more information visit www.facebook.com/cloghfincottage/.
Northern Ireland’s business community is coming together to support the delivery of industry-led careers inspiration events across the province, engaging almost 7,500 Year 9 pupils in June 2022.
4C UR Future LIVE is an innovative and fast-paced event that uses skills games and work-based challenges, designed and delivered in collaboration with local employers, to help young people get an insight into the future world of work.
The initiative, which aims to help every participant make more informed education and career choices, is the brainchild of 4C UR Future’s Founder, Rose Mary Stalker. Following a successful pilot in June 2019, the social enterprise is taking the show on the road this year, delivering an at-scale pilot of one event in every council area in June.
Managing Director of 4C UR Future, Rachel Doherty, acknowledges the support of the local business community in enabling the events to scale: “Our work would not be possible without the support of our member companies, who recognise the significant opportunities that come from working together collaboratively, and at-scale, to tackle systemic problems; helping our young people discover their own attributes, strengths, and interests, and exploring how these might align with their future opportunities.
“The careers landscape has become increasingly complex for young people and parents to navigate, with new in-demand skills, new types of jobs, and entirely new sectors emerging, resulting in major bottlenecks in the skills pipeline; inhibiting our local businesses from growing.
“By working across all of the key employment sectors in Northern Ireland, 4C UR Future leverage and mobilise the skills and industry expertise available on our doorstep.”
The LIVE events are funded and resourced by the Northern Ireland business community and are hosted with support from ten councils. The events are free to schools, including free transport, which is being supported by Translink.
Charlotte Richardson, PR Manager at Translink, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support this fantastic series of events, which are taking place across Northern Ireland; investing in our young people and building confidence, skills, and knowledge to help them identify the many opportunities and the wide variety of career paths and industries open to them. Access to events like this is vital to the next generation and to the workforce of the future and we’re proud to be a member of 4C UR Future.”
‘Race To Net Zero’ is just one of the games featured at LIVE events, which is being co-designed and delivered by NI Water and NIE Networks. With sustainability high on the agenda, the game focuses on the importance of the production of green energy and clean water.
Edel Creery, Head of Communications & Stakeholder Engagement at NIE Networks, said: “Energy is a huge part of our daily lives, and for the younger generation in particular, understanding how our everyday decisions and energy choices impact the world around us has become a priority. NIE Networks’ vision is to deliver a sustainable energy system for all and we need young, creative thinkers and innovative problem-solvers to help us achieve that.”
“The Race To Net Zero game is a dynamic and fun way to demonstrate to young people how they can get involved, showing that by collaborating with each other on the future of our energy systems, we can tackle climate change in a meaningful way. We are looking forward to meeting the engineers, designers, and innovators of the future at the 4C UR Future LIVE events in June.”
Learning & Development Manager at NI Water, Alan Moore, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with NIE Networks to bring forward our important environmental messages and highlight the role that energy and water play in creating a healthy society for us all in Northern Ireland. As a key utility provider, we are in a unique and privileged position to help our ‘stars of tomorrow’ consciously create a better future for our community, economy, and environment as part of what is sure to be a fun and energetic event.” It’s not too late for local businesses to get involved. For more information on 4C UR Future, go to: www.4curfuture.com, or email info@4curfuture.com.
Entries for the 2022 Wastewater Solutions Circuit of Ireland International Rally have now closed and we are delighted to announce that the cream of the crop have decided to take the ‘Fast & Furious’ challenge at Easter.
Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes – 2018 Easter Stages Rally winners taking plenty of air on the Ulster Rally last November.
A full house of 91 entries, marking the 91st running of the oldest Rally in Ireland will tackle the 11 superlative stages, covering over 120 stage miles during Good Friday and Easter Saturday. The service area in Ballymena will see competitors and spectators receive a very warm and traditional welcome from the local community. The support from people across the North East of the Province has been superb and we thank them all for their generosity and help to make this event happen said Nigel Hughes the Clerk of the Course.
It is clear from the top 10 entries that there will be seriously ‘fast and furious’ driving skills exhibited on the technically demanding stages to thrill those who come to enjoy this fantastic spectacle on some of the classic stages of the ‘Circuit’. Jonnie Greer the current leader of the McGrady Insurance ANICC Stage Rally Championship believes that this event will challenge even the best. William Creighton, current Motorsport UK Junior British Rally Champion and one of the UAC Future Champions will be entertaining the crowds so keep up to ‘speed’ with our live streaming via youtube and facebook.
Top 10 entries:
Alastair Fisher & Gordon Noble Volkswagen Polo GTi R5
Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes Hyundai i20 R5
Callum Devine & Shane Byrne Ford Fiesta R5
Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jackson Volkswagen Polo GTi R5
Cathan McCourt & Liam Moynihan Skoda Fabia R5
Derek McGarrity & Graham Henderson Volkswagen Polo GTi R5
Jonathan Greer & Darragh Mullen Citroen C3 Rally 2
Desi Henry & Paddy Robinson Ford Fiesta MK 2
Brendan Cumiskey & Martin Connolly Volkswagen Polo GTi R5
Declan Boyle & James O’Reilly Volkswagen Polo GTi R5
Stendhal Festival has announced that their comedy line-up for this summer’s cavalcade of creativity will be headlined by the one and only Reginald D. Hunter on Saturday, July 2nd.
The hilarious American will be joined by Stendhal’s largest ever offering of amazing homegrown comics including; Micky Bartlett, Dave Elliot, Paddy McDonnell, Mark McCarney, William Thompson, Ruairi Woods, Emer Maguire, Jordan Robinson, Luke McGibbon, Bronagh Diamond, Ciaran Bartlett, Céilí Rae Minogue and Ciaran Franco.
Since his first UK comedy gig twenty-one years ago, Georgia-born Reginald D. Hunter’s searingly honest observations both onstage and on TV and Radio have garnered him a cross-generational fan base.
During that time he has become one of the Comedy industry’s best-known performers for his distinctive take on the most diverse range of subjects. His work can be brutally honest and is often considered to be controversial but it is always meticulously thought out and he has never been afraid to face challenging issues head on even when the focus is on his own principles or beliefs.
He reached the final of So You Think You Are Funny in 1998 during his first visit to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and was nominated for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer in 2002 and then nominated for The Edinburgh Comedy Awards main prize in 2003 and 2004.
In 2006 he won the Writers’ Guild Award for Comedy for his show Pride and Prejudice and Niggas.
His TV appearances have included Never Mind The Buzzcocks, QI and Have I Got News For You? He also filmed two series of the BBC2’s hugely popular Reginald D Hunter’s Songs Of The South & Reginald D Hunter’s Songs of The Border, documenting Reginald’s epic road trip through 150 years of American popular song.
Reginald regularly tours the UK and Ireland and he has been seen by audiences around the world from America to Australia.
Festival Director Ross Parkhill said that he is excited to welcome Reginald to the event: “Reginald D. Hunter is without question one of the funniest stand-up comedians I have ever seen live. He is a regular visitor to Ireland and has a great understanding of what we find funny. We are all delighted that he will be joining us at Ballymully Cottage Farm in July.
Ross added: “The funny doesn’t stop there though, as always we have a stellar cast of indigenous standup comics, some really well known like Micky Bartlett, Emer Maguire, Paddy McDonnell and some brilliant up and comers like Céilí Rae Minogue. So, if you are looking your funny bone tickled this summer, Stendhal has you covered.”
For tickets and more information visit www.stendhalfestival.com
