Month: September 2022

Tourism Chief Meets Hastings Hotel Group Trainees

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Pictured (l-r) are; Andrew McCullough, Pearse Copeland, Aine Kelly, John McGrillen, Margarida Periera, Amy Howard and Nicole Hardy. Photo by Jonathan Porter // Presseye.

Tourism NI’s Chief Executive John McGrillen met with trainee managers at the Grand Central Hotel this week as part of a skills and training programme hosted by the Hastings Hotel Group. 

Commenting on the meeting Mr McGrillen said;

“Tourism is a job intensive industry and provides a wide range of employment opportunities for young people at all levels from front of house through to management and senior leadership roles.

“Across the UK, 50% of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 find their first job in the tourism and hospitality sectors, many of whom develop the life skills they require to move into other sectors of the economy and develop successful careers”.

“One of the greatest strengths that Northern Ireland has as a tourism destination is our people who genuinely welcome visitors to our shores and go the extra mile so that visitors enjoy their time here. As we recover from the economic shocks of the last two years it is vital that our young people continue to have a wide range of opportunities in tourism and hospitality. We in Tourism NI will do all we can to work with business owners and leaders to address the issues and challenges ahead”.

Award-Winning Drama at Armagh’s Market Place

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An award-winning play, ‘Green & Blue’ tells the story of a developing friendship between an RUC officer and a Garda officer on the border at the height of the Troubles. This is a beautifully written play about what it means to be human in extraordinary circumstances, and what it’s like to be hunted when you’re protecting a man-made line on the ground.

The play stars two of Northern Ireland’s finest actors, James Doran and Vincent Higgins. James Doran plays Garda officer Eddie O’Halloran, originally from West Cork, patrolling the Monaghan side of the border while Vincent Higgins is David McCabe, an RUC officer whose experience of patrolling the Fermanagh side is vastly different from his southern counterpart.

Set in 1994, just before the IRA ceasefire, the pair recount their experiences, taking in the history of the conflict in Ireland, how they joined their respective organisations and the day-to-day life of working in a disputed territory.

The play is laced with humour, insight and lots of touching moments. Despite their different backgrounds, Eddie and David strike up a common bond and begin to learn more about themselves, their similarities as well as their differences. David’s experiences are harrowing, steeped in violence and the threat of violence, while Eddie’s are much more ordinary except for his occasional run-ins with the local IRA commander.

But there is a brooding sense of what happens on one side of the border affects the other side. The two areas share a mutual dependence. With that air of comradeship felt by two people doing the same job, the pair decide to meet in a farmer’s field that straddles the border and find out that the ‘grass is no greener for sure’ on the other side of this invisible divide.

Every line of the play is loaded, each scene redolent of the overall tragedy of Irish history and its wasted lives. These two ordinary men represent all of us and our place in a divided land. It allows us to glimpse the human beings behind the uniform. It eloquently explores the human cost of man-made borders.

‘Green & Blue’ will be staged at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre on Wednesday 21 September at 8pm. Tickets priced £15 and £13 [concession] can be booked online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre, or through the Box Office on 03300 561 025. This show is part of the Theatre’s Autumn 22 Drama multibuy offer.

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

 

Tourism NI Announces Shortlist for Giant Spirit Awards

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Pictured (l-r) are Mark Mulholland, Diageo, Eimear Callaghan, Tourism NI and Helen McGorman, Tourism Ireland. Photo by Matt Mackey / Presseye

Following a record number of entries Tourism NI has announced the shortlist for its newly launched annual awards programme aimed at showcasing and rewarding best in class in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Renamed The Giant Spirit Awards, the event has been aligned more closely to the award winning destination brand Northern Ireland ~ Embrace a Giant Spirit 

The 2022 event will recognise and celebrate the resilience and spirit of the industry in facing the challenges of the last two years as well as those who exemplified the values of the destination, innovated and built competitiveness.

The awards gala dinner and presentation will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the Slieve Donard Resort, Newcastle on Thursday 6th October 2022.

 

SHORTLIST

Best Bed & Breakfast / Guesthouse

Blackrock House Luxury B&B, Portrush, Co. Antrim 

Brook Lodge Guesthouse, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry

Kiltariff Hall Country House, Rathfriland, Co. Down 

 

Best Food and Drink Experience, Large

Fish City, Belfast 

Friels Bar & Restaurant, Swatragh, Co. Londonderry

Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch, Co. Down 

Killeavy Castle Estate, Co. Armagh

Best Food and Drink Experience, Small

NearyNógs Stone Ground Chocolate, Kilkeel, Co. Down 

NI Food Tours Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen, Killinchy, Co. Down

Taste and Tour, Belfast 

The Chocolate Manor, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry 

Walled City Brewery, Derry~Londonderry 

 

Best Hotel, Large

Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel, Derry~Londonderry

Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry~ Londonderry 

Clayton Hotel, Belfast 

Killeavy Castle Estate, Co. Armagh

The Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint, Co. Down

 

Best Self Catering, Large

Dunamoy Cottages and Spa, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim 

Larchfield Estate, Lisburn, Co. Antrim 

 

Best Self Catering, Small

Aurora North Coast, Bushmills, Co. Antrim

Coastguard Boat House, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim 

Keenaghan Cottage, Belleek, Co. Fermanagh 

Quarry Hill Church, Strangford, Co. Down

 

Best Tourism Experience, Large

Friels Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh, Co. Londonderry 

Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch, Co. Down 

Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, Co. Down 

National Museums NI – Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

The Spa at Galgorm, Galgorm, Co. Antrim

Titanic Belfast, Belfast

 

Best Tourism Experience, Small

Bakehouse, Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry

Carlingford Lough Ferry, Greencastle, Co. Down  

Castle Archdale Boat Hire and Watersports, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh 

Cranfield Alpacas, Kilkeel, Co. Down 

Lough Neagh Artisans, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry 

Portrush Surf School, Portrush, Co. Antrim

 

Most Innovative Business, Large

Friels Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh, Co. Londonderry 

Further Space, Northern Ireland wide 

Killeavy Castle Estate, Co. Armagh

Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry 

Visit Derry, Derry~Londonderry 

 

Most Innovative Business, Small

Castle Archdale Boat Hire and Watersports, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh  

NearyNógs Stone Ground Chocolate, Kilkeel, Co. Down 

Paul Cunningham Mourne Larder, Co. Down 

The Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down 

Tumble Circus, Belfast 

Urban Scale Interventions (USI), Belfast 

 

Most Promising Student

Hastings Hotels – Marisa King

The Bakery by Yellow Door – Emma Jayne McCartney

Titanic Hotel – Jordan Sloan

 

Local Spirit Award

Gordon Wilson – Montalto Estate

Jamese McCloy – Mid Ulster Cluster

Jamie Hamill – Coleraine BID

Mary McGee – Mid-Ulster District Council

Mick Boyle – Killeavy Castle Estate

The wait is over. Enchanted Winter Garden is back!

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Northern Ireland’s premiere Christmas event, Enchanted Winter Garden, is returning to the award -winning Antrim Castle Gardens. In 2021 this Christmas spectacular welcomed a staggering 119K visitors to our Borough. This year’s event will run for from Saturday 26 November until Tuesday 20 December, from 4.30pm – 9.30pm.

Once again as the winter sun sets over Lough Neagh, Antrim Castle Gardens will come to life with a magical Christmas experience for all the family. Dazzling illuminations, artisan food stalls, walkabout characters and star attractions, including the Big Wheel, Helter Skelter and The Wonderland Wood, are all making a welcome return.

Christmas pixie making mischief in Antrim Castle Gardens.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy some new attractions at this year’s event including a new and improved Santa’s Grotto, Pixie Path and Whoville Village, which will include the return of fan favourite the Grinch.

 An Evening of Inclusive Enchantment will run on both Wednesday 7 & 14 December with reduced numbers, lighting and sound levels, Sensory & Quiet room, ideal for children and adults with additional needs.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross commented “I am delighted that Enchanted Winter Garden is returning to Antrim Castle Gardens. In 2021 it attracted an incredible 119K visitors to our Borough and I hope this year we can encourage these visitors and more to return.

The event has something for everyone. It is a great way to not only see what Antrim has to offer, but also spend quality time with family and friends over the festive period.”

Tickets for the event are now on sale with tickets priced at £7.50 adult, £5 child, £22 family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) and under 2s free.

This year, to offer a little extra help for families over the festive period, residents from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will be able to enjoy the event at a reduced price (£6 adult, £4 child, £18 family ticket), which can be claimed at point of sale using your home postcode.

To book visit enchantedwintergarden.com. Our Arts and Culture Customer Hub service, which includes a live chat facility and direct telephone number (T: 0300 123 7788 calls charged at local rate) that can assist with ticket queries if customers are unable to book online. The Customer Hub operates Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.

Light up your Christmas with a visit to Enchanted Winter Garden and make memories with family and friends.

“MISSION SANTA” BLASTS OFF AGAIN FOR CHRISTMAS 2022

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Following on from last year’s success, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is once again planning an out of this world experience for families across Northern Ireland as it launches this year’s Mission Santa event.

Ready to blast off for its third year, the spectacular space pantomime has been created by BNL Productions to get Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s visitors into the festive spirit.

Along with Marzipan the Elf, visitors to the event will be able to help save Santa from inside mission control during an immersive and theatrical show.

The exciting experience includes access to an exclusive dome show, titled the ‘The Alien who stole Christmas.’ The show will be displayed in the magical star dome theatre, and every child in attendance will receive a present and a printed family photograph.

Education and Outreach Manager at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Sinéad Mackle, said: “Following on from the resounding success of Mission Santa in 2019 and 2021, we are excited to welcome visitors to the 2022 event.

“This enchanting adventure captures the magical essence of Christmas in a unique experience, harnessing the wonders of space and the drama in a live theatrical show.  The high demand for tickets over the last few years has ensured that Mission Santa is a must-see festive event that children and adults alike will not forget.”

Mission Santa lasts 90 minutes and will run every Saturday and Sunday from 19th November – 23 December. Pre-booking is essential as places are limited.

There are also a number of relaxed performances and school bookings are available. Tickets are £20 per child and £18 per adult. Tickets can be purchased via www.armagh.space

The 1975 SSE ARENA, BELFAST: 30 January 2023

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The 1975 release ‘I’m In Love With You’ – the third track from their highly anticipated forthcoming new album ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’.

 

You can listen to ‘I’m In Love With You’ HERE while you can watch the video, directed by Samuel Bradley, HERE.

 

‘I’m In Love With You’ follows recent releases ‘Happiness’ and ‘Part Of The Band’, the band’s acclaimed comeback single which Pitchfork praised as “the kind of grand, playful pop song that only this band could pull off”.

 

All three tracks will feature on ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’, the band’s fifth studio album, released Friday 14th October via Dirty Hit and available to pre-order now at the1975.com.

 

In support of ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’, the band have also announced details of the UK & Ireland leg of their ‘At Their Very Best’ tour in January 2023. Tickets are available via fan presale from Wednesday 7th September, with tickets then on general sale on Friday 9th September. You can find more information HERE.

 

The 1975 made their long awaited live comeback last month, headlining Japan’s biggest rock festival Summer Sonic 2022 in Tokyo and Osaka before returning for two triumphant homecoming headline slots at Reading & Leeds Festival.

 

The band will hit the road again in November and December for the North American leg of their ‘At Their Very Best’ tour. Tickets are on sale HERE with a number of dates, including New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden, already sold out.

 

Formed in Manchester in 2002, The 1975 have established themselves as one of the defining bands of their generation with their distinctive aesthetic, ardent fanbase and unique sonic approach.

 

The band’s previous album, 2020’s ‘Notes On A Conditional Form’, became their fourth consecutive No. 1 album in the UK, landing at No. 1 in Australia too. The band were named NME’s ‘Band of the Decade’ in 2020 after being crowned ‘Best Group’ at the BRIT Awards in both 2017 & 2019. Their third studio album, ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’, also won ‘Mastercard British Album of the Year’ at the 2019 ceremony.

 

The 1975 UK & Ireland 2023 Tour Dates:

 

Sun 08/01/23 – Brighton – Brighton Center

Mon 09/01/23 – Bournemouth – Bournemouth International Center

Tue 10/01/23 – Exeter – Westpoint

Thu 12/01/23 – London – The O2

Sun 15/01/23 – Birmingham – Resorts World Arena

Mon 16/01/23 – Cardiff – Motorpoint Arena

Thu 19/01/23 – Glasgow – SSE Hydro

Fri 20/01/23 – Manchester – AO Arena

Sun 22/01/23 – Nottingham – Motorpoint Arena

Mon 23/01/23 – Leeds – First Direct Arena

Weds 25/01/23 – Newcastle – Utilita Arena

Thu 26/01/23 – Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena

Sun 29/01/23 – Dublin – 3Arena

Mon 30/01/23 – Belfast – SSE Arena

​​‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ Tracklist:

 

  1. The 1975
  2. Happiness
  3. Looking For Somebody (To Love)
  4. Part Of The Band
  5. Oh Caroline
  6. I’m In Love With You
  7. All I Need To Hear
  8. Wintering
  9. Human Too
  10. About You
  11. When We Are Together

https://the1975.com/

https://twitter.com/the1975

https://www.instagram.com/the1975

https://www.tiktok.com/@the1975

 

www.instagram.com/trumanblack

https://www.instagram.com/bedforddanes75

https://www.instagram.com/1975adam

https://www.instagram.com/rass1975

 

Storytelling, culture and comfort From Heart to Hearth

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Professional storyteller, Karen Edwards is offering visitors a cultural experience that brings together tales for young and old alike, with a tailor-made entertainment package, featuring optional self-catering accommodation, in the coastal village of Glenarm.  

From Heart to Hearth was founded by Karen in 2016, alongside her husband Sid, who’s also an avid lover of traditional Irish music and folklore.

Tying in storytelling with visitor accommodation has meant that as well as offering storytelling sessions throughout Ireland, she can offer a totally bespoke experience with the beautiful scenery and the traditional Irish music she and her husband both love and play. 

As an in demand storyteller she has travelled extensively. “I have told stories down at Cape Clear Island off the coast of Cork, Derry, Hillsborough Castle, Bagenal’s Castle in Newry, alongside many local venues in Mid and East Antrim,” Karen explained. “I do a lot of seasonal themed events.

“I also enjoy working with people who have dementia as well as intergenerational work with nursing homes and schools.”

Karen’s passion for stories came at an early age.

“As a little girl, I wanted to be a writer. I’d always loved stories.” Although Karen started her career as a journalist, she spent most of her working life in local government and was constantly on the lookout for more creative avenues. So when the opportunity presented itself to take voluntary redundancy this gave Karen time to focus on her storytelling which she now pursues full time with her business, From Heart to Hearth.

“And I will always be grateful to my mentor, world-renowned storyteller, Liz Weir for enabling and empowering me as a professional storyteller”.

Over the years, Karen’s life experiences and performances have developed her storytelling finesse to include a wide range of traditional techniques drawing on local and international tales, with a mix of Irish folklore and comedy. Storytelling performances are interspersed with tunes on Killarney D and Low D whistle.

Karen regularly performs at celebrated local events, including being a guest storyteller for NI Libraries Yarnspinners.

“I also work in conjunction with the Glens Storytelling Cultural Heritage Group that’s headed up by Liz Weir,” she said. “We run the popular Glens Storytelling Festival, which last year went virtual, reaching audiences all over the world. Recently we have been doing online work with people who have dementia.”

Karen loves to keep busy, has just released a CD of children’s stories and is working on a book.

“The CD has been funded by the Arts Council NI and features all my own stories – it is something I’ve always wanted to do” she explained. “All the stories originate from Owey Island, off the coast of Donegal, where I stayed from March until November last year.  

“We went last March to self-isolate and the next thing we knew, we were in lockdown and ended up staying, so I made the most of my time there.”

Her current work at From Heart to Hearth specialises in offering bespoke storytelling packages for culture seekers looking to soak up local life in Glenarm, as well as optional accommodation for those who want to stay longer.

Her self-catering property, Channel Vista consists of a fully equipped 4-bedroom semi-detached bungalow, which sleeps six and offers stunning sea views, from Glenarm Bay to the beautiful Scottish Isle of Jura. It is situated right on the scenic Antrim Coast Road within the coastal village of Glenarm, being 50 metres from the shoreline and a five minutes’ walk from Glenarm Forest, which is home to native red squirrels. Also within walking distance is Glenarm Castle, one of Ireland’s oldest estates, which boasts a variety of fun activities for all ages with places to shop and eat and a tranquil walled garden.

It has all modern conveniences, including free Wifi, a fully equipped kitchen, oil-fired central heating, combined bathroom/toilet, with over-the-bath shower, as well as offering a traditional open fire and secluded enclosed BBQ patio area to the rear.

“We’ve had a lot of returning customers,” Karen said. “They love the scenic location. They love the fact that it’s convenient to everything on the Causeway Coastal Route and the attractions of Belfast – plus the location is beautiful.”

Guests can choose to include the storytelling experience as part of their stay. Storytelling sessions can take place beside the open fire, on the terrace at the rear of the property or in another location of the guests’ choosing, such as Glenarm’s beach.  

Karen said that in addition to guests loving her storytelling and her and the traditional music on offer locally, they delight in Sid’s exciting stories about his time as an extra in Game of Thrones. They particularly enjoy the tranquillity and what they can see while relaxing. “The view is something that really stands out for people,” she said. “They just love it. When you see the sun rise over Glenarm Bay it really does take your breath away.”

 

To find out more about Karen’s storytelling sessions visit https://www.channelvistaholiday.com

 

Top Blues Artists Return To Blues Cafe At Deers Head

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Local blues singer Tony Villiers is among the artists taking to the stage at The Deer’s Head in Belfast for the return of the Guinness Blues Cafe.

Tony Villiers and the Villains will perform on Saturday September 17 as the popular blues event returns after a summer break.

Also on the autumn bill are The Davy K Project, Chris Taplin Blues Band and Frank Carberry Blues Band & Guests.

Organised by the Belfast City Blues Festival the Blues Cafe has already welcomed thousands of people through its doors since its inception in August, 2021.

Promoter Seamus O’Neill said he was delighted to be bringing the Blues Cafe back to The Deer’s Head.

He added: “We started the Blues Cafe to get musicians back into work but also to create a magnificent Saturday afternoon vibe, which we have done with an outstanding team and venue. It’s been great for the city and for the people.

“Between now and Christmas we have a host of brilliant bands lined up; everyone is in for a brilliant Saturday afternoon you just won’t want to miss.”

Performing alongside the Villains, Tony Villiers hopes the power of everything blues and country music will put a smile on the faces of those in attendance.

Tony said: “The Deer’s Head is perfect for blues and country blues music. It’s an incredibly well organised venue with a great sound system and an amazing crowd. It’s always full of music lovers, which is the key to creating a good vibe. Performing at the Deer’s Head makes being a musician so much easier.

“The Guinness Blues Cafe has always been a great idea, and I think its success over the last year proves that. Afternoon shows are becoming much more popular now and there’s always a certain ambiance to the gig that a night time gig doesn’t always have.

“It’s such a solid concept and adds a new element to the culture surrounding blues music. It’s something out of the ordinary, which is always a good thing.

“We’ll have our talented band members joining – Aidan Migillian on drums, Damien Shields on bass guitar and Doc Doherty on electric guitar, and playing alongside these three is just heaven alone. 

“People can expect good, honest music played well. We just want to put a smile on people’s faces.”

Chris Taplin of the Chris Taplin Blues Band shared that he was excited to bring high energy, classic blues to his show on October 1.

He added: “It’s going to be great getting back to The Deer’s Head in October. It’s a great great venue with a great stage and sound; it’s just a really good setup. I would say it’s one of the best stages and one of the best sounds for music in Belfast.

“It’s going to be great having something on every week for blues fans again, the more the better. The calibre of musicians who play at the Blues Cafe is just second to none and it’s something you won’t get anywhere else on a Saturday afternoon.”

For more information and tickets go to eventbrite.co.uk/belfast-city-blues-festival

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