Month: January 2023

Preparations are underway at the City of Derry International Choir Festival for an extra special edition to mark its tenth anniversary, taking place on 18-22 October 2023.

The Festival is now accepting entries for its full selection of events, so get your applications in as soon as possible in order to avoid any disappointment – you won’t want to miss this year’s very exciting programme.

In 2023, Derry Choir Festival will bring together singing groups of all sorts, from across the UK and Ireland, including local community singers from the region’s thriving choral scene, as well as a new crop of international choirs who will compete for the Oak Tree of Derry trophy.

School, local, national and international choirs are invited to join us for a 5-day feast of singing, which will include concerts, pop-up performances and educational workshops, all taking place in the Millenium Forum, the Guildhall and in a varied selection of venues across Derry, Strabane and Donegal.

Participating groups and local audiences will also be treated to a programme of concerts by world class guest artists. The long list of outstanding groups who have appeared at previous festivals includes The Sixteen, Tenebrae, Voces8, The King’s Singers and The Real Group, as well as a series of truly memorable gala concerts from the Festival Chorus and the Ulster Orchestra. Full details of the programme will be announced over the course of the coming months, so keep an eye on the Festival’s website and the usual social media channels.

Artistic Director, Dónal Doherty, commented, “I am already very excited about the plans we are putting in place for our 10th anniversary festival. 2013 was a transformative cultural experience for everyone in the city and region and our aim is to relive that excitement and to recapture that energy in our most ambitious programme to date.”

For information on how to take part visit www.derrychoirfest.com, or to connect with us on social media, visit facebook/CityofDerryInternationalChoirFestival, IG: @derrychoirfest or Twitter: @derrychoirfest

 

A £30,000 investment at Crumlin Glen is a welcome boost for local walkers and joggers to enjoy a safer route around the Glen.

This recent upgrade was part funded by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, along with DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) through its “Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation” (TRPSI) programme.  

The three-week project included trail resurfacing and laying of bitmac which connects the upper and lower trails near the river bridge, as well as new fencing and handrails for safer, easier access. This will help encourage a wider range of locals and visitors alike, to be physically and mentally healthy by being active outdoors.

Further improvements to the town include the restoration of the Clock Tower, along with the installation of decorative railings, planting, and surrounding groundworks. Crumlin Glen, one of the Council’s Green Flag sites also recently received a new bright blue ‘buddy bench’ as part of the Loneliness Network initiative.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross, said, “Crumlin Glen is a beautiful place to visit in the Borough and this recent upgrade will greatly enhance people’s visit.

“The Council is committed to making our parks and open spaces more accessible and safer for everyone. Crumlin Glen is one of many of our outdoor spaces to have received a recent investment. Last year, path improvements and associated works were also made across the Borough, including Muckamore, Rea’s Wood and Burney’s Lane to name a few.”

Teresa O’Neill, DAERA’s Rural Affairs Director added, “This project is another example of how DAERA develops partnerships and funds initiatives which benefit rural communities. These upgraded trails, which received £22,500 from DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme, will open up a host of opportunities for locals and visitors alike.  

Teresa continued, “The TRPSI programme aims to tackle poverty and social isolation in rural areas through organisations working in partnership and I want to congratulate Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council on working closely with DAERA to develop these enhanced facilities at Crumlin Glen. Projects like this are really important in sustaining and improving the health and wellbeing of local rural residents, both young and old.”

Love LegenDerry Food Month has a mouth-watering programme to tempt foodies

Derry ~ Londonderry’s status as an international foodie destination will be in focus in February as the city hosts a month-long campaign to celebrate the North West’s outstanding food and drink, and the people who produce it.

The Love LegenDerry Food Month will create a platform for the city’s chefs and producers to showcase just why Derry and the wider region features on the bucket lists of those planning food themed breaks in 2023.

The campaign has been launched by the LegenDerry Food Network in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council and Visit Derry and will feature a series of special events and a mouth-watering food experiences. In addition, an immersive new food trail will launch as over 40 businesses from across the city and wider area come to showcase how they are using local food to offer a unique and authentic visitor experience.

Visit Derry Chief Executive, Odhran Dunne said the city has become a real melting pot of different flavours with chefs celebrating the very best of local produce by serving up both traditional dishes and international cuisine.

He said: “This city has always been known for its warm and welcoming hospitality but now it is really making a name for itself around the world as a foodie destination.

“From food trucks serving exciting dishes to fine dining restaurants, we have such a wide selection of wonderful food and drink on offer in Derry.

“Our local produce is second to none and it is fantastic to see such an exciting and dedicated group of outstanding chefs determined to serve the very best seasonal ingredients in their businesses.

“From growers, producers, chefs, brewers and restauranteurs there is something really fantastic happening in Derry at the minute, and the Love LegenDerry Food Month will create the perfect platform to showcase this to visitors.”

Odhran also highlighted some of the amazing food stories taking place in Derry including the Lough Foyle Native Oyster.

“Our oyster is perhaps symbolic of the food scene here in Derry. A once abundant resource was in real danger of dying out before a major effort was made to help it flourish once again.

“Today the oyster sustains a buoyant local fishing fleet, with local chefs embracing this wonderful product and making it the star of some of their dishes. It doesn’t stop there either as the Walled City Brewery have used the oyster to brew their famous Foyster Stout.

“The food and drink scene in Derry is thriving and certainly worth raising a glass to.”

James Huey, owner of Walled City Brewery said: “When my wife and I opened Walled City Brewery in May 2015, we had no idea of the success that would follow, although it hasn’t come without lots of hard work and dedication.

“Having recently launched our new taproom which showcases the best of local produce, we truly understand the value of collaborating with our business neighbours and the endless advantages it brings.

“Ourselves and Sippy Fest dreamt up the concept of Foyster during late-night, beer-fuelled chats about how to celebrate the Lough Foyle Flat Oyster which is native to our shores and a true pearl of the Foyle.

“In addition, we work with the fantastic team at Foyle Bia Marra, a family-run business with decades of experience and expertise in the Irish seafood industry, to ensure all of our oysters are of the highest quality and sustainably sourced. Every part of the oyster is utilised to create a unique, decadent, yet subtle stout, available for visitors to try and much loved by the locals.

“The launch of Love LegenDerry Food Month is an extremely exciting opportunity for everyone involved in the food and drink business in Derry and the wider region. We are delighted to have the chance to join forces with local producers and chefs alike to really showcase the amazing array of food and drink experiences on offer here.”

Some of the stand-out events taking place at Love LegenDerry Food Month include:

Beer & Cheese Longtable: Feb 17th

Hosted by Soda & Starch and Artis, this will be a series of long table events which will showcase a selection of local suppliers. It will also involve talks by the producers followed by a sharing banquette based around their produce.

Soda & Starch are a staple in Derry. An independent family run and chef (Raymond Moran) owned Bistro, Soda & Starch, who are renowned for cooking and serving great food, work with local suppliers, families and producers to give the best seasonal ingredients for their changing menus.

Following the success of the outside dining concept at Soda & Starch recently, Ray Moran in collaboration with Phelim O’Hagan, decided it was time to introduce something new and revamp the existing interior space. This is when Artis was born, offering a new high end dining experience in the Craft Village. Celebrating local produce is at the core of the new eatery, perfect for family gatherings and much-needed reunions.

Urban Foraging: Feb 11

This unique foraging tour and cookery experience, organised by local food business Lo & Slo, will take guests on a tour through the historic St. Columb’s Park. Guests will be encouraged to clean and chop the produce to make wild garlic and nettle pesto with dandelion petals.

The bespoke meal will be a sharing charcuterie board (including kid friendly options) showcasing the fresh pesto, local food from local producers and preserved foods (with recipe cards of how-to). This will truly be a food experience not to be missed.

Couples Cooking Experience: Feb 17 – 18th

This is an exciting immersive and interactive dining experience specifically created for couples who want to learn new skills in the kitchen.

Hosted by Fairley’s Flavours, Chef Fairley will take you through a simple but delicious menu, step by step.

Growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, chef Fairley Ramraj’s Indian heritage meant his family loved cooking bold, flavour-packed dishes with the freshest ingredients. When he moved to Northern Ireland, Fairley missed the flavours of his home country, and decided to introduce them here in LegenDerry.

You and your partner will have the amazing opportunity to learn some of Chef Fairley’s fantastic recipes first hand as you cook alongside him to make a delicious six-course meal to remember.

Sperrin Goat Experience: Feb 17-18

Hosted by Dart Mountain Cheese and Craigbane Farm, the Sperrin Goat Experience will involve an enthralling visit to the goat farm to meet the baby goats followed by a special goats’ cheese sampling tour. These handmade, artisan cheeses are bursting with local history and heritage, and firmly rooted in the Sperrins.

Open to parents and their children, this one-of-a-kind experience will offer you the delicious opportunity to sample the multi award-winning product and breathe in the fresh air whilst taking in the beautiful landscapes around you.

Oyster & Stout Festival: Feb 24-25

The Oyster & Stout Festival will take place at multi-award-winning restaurant and taproom, Walled City Brewery. Located at the heart of the city, Walled City Brewery pride themselves on providing a uniquely local experience to all their guests, from the ingredients in their delightful craft beer to their use of local produce in their enticing menu. With 15 different beer taps, the largest number in the city, Walled City Brewery is the perfect destination to experience the tastes from the local area. The festival will be a weekend celebration for locals and visitors from beyond, serving up the Lough Foyle Native Oyster with a variety of stouts including the brewery’s very own Foyster Stout.

If you are thinking of experiencing Love LegenDerry Food Month, why not book an overnight stay or two in one of the cities beautiful accommodation offerings? Whilst you are here, there is plenty of other experiences to explore, from the famous 400-year-old walls, the fascinating museums, murals and street art, and the beautiful wider region.

Full details are available at www.legenderryfood.com/events For information on great places to eat and drink as well as places to stay, log onto www.visitderry.com

Leading local health charity, Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) celebrated the launch of their annual event, the Red Dress Fun Run, at Stormont Estate this week.

The Red Dress Fun Run, supported by MACE and Musgrave MarketPlace, is a five kilometre event which aims to raise funds for the charity’s care and prevention services and research, as well as awareness for heart disease. What makes the event different is that it is an all-inclusive fun run and people of every generation, age and ability are encouraged to take part by running, walking, dancing, skipping or wheeling the route.

Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s vision is a Northern Ireland free from chest, heart and stroke conditions and the charity is leading the fight against these illnesses by funding ground-breaking research and providing life-saving prevention and care services. The charity relies on local support, with almost 90% of their services funded by public donations.  The funds raised from this years Red Dress Fun Run will help ensure NICHS can continue to support the thousands of local people who are living with chest, heart and stroke related conditions.

Last year the charity hosted their biggest and most successful Red Dress Fun Run to date, with just under 600 participants coming together at the live event at Stormont, as well as the virtual version which saw participants taking part in their local area, and raising a staggering £50,000 to combat heart disease. The same format remains for 2023, allowing people who can’t make it to the main event to complete 5K their way during the month of February.

NICHS ambassador and firefighter Graham Ross from Whitehead will be taking part for the sixth year running in memory of his father. Graham always brings the fun to the event and loves, in his words, “dressing up like an eejit and doing silly things if it helps raise awareness and funds for our local heart charity.” In 2021 Graham ran dressed as DC Comic hero The Flash as part of the virtual event, and in 2022, he stepped out at Stormont as Spider-Man, a role he will reprise this year!

Graham explains; “I lost my dad in 2016 and with every step I take, I get a chance to remember him and raise money to help fight against heart disease.  I hope he will be proud of me. I also run for my little daughter Eva. Being fit and healthy means everything to me and I hope I can inspire other local families, all generations, to join in the fun this February and take positive steps to keep well both mentally and physically.”

Tara Currie, Events and Marketing Manager at NICHS, is urging the public to sign up to the event saying; “Sadly, four people in Northern Ireland die every day from heart disease and coronary heart disease is the biggest single cause of premature deaths in the under 75s. So please come run, walk, dance, skip or wheel 5K with us on Sunday 26^th February 2023 at Stormont Estate, or if you can’t make the live event you can support us by doing 5k your way any day, or over days, in February. Dress red, wear your heart on your sleeve to remember a loved one and together we can help rebuild thousands of lives and make a lasting change towards heart health in Northern Ireland. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun – even the family pooch!”

The charity will once again partner with MACE for the 2023 event and is also delighted to welcome sister company Musgrave MarketPlace as a supporter. Diane Anthony from Musgrave says; “MACE and Musgrave MarketPlace are both backing NICHS’s call for people to dress up in red and wear their heart on their sleeve at this year’s event, which is set to be fantastic. Whether you’re taking part in memory of someone you have lost to heart disease, celebrating someone who is living with a heart condition, or to prevent heart disease happening to someone in the future – sign up and join us to support this worthy cause!”

Primary school pupils are also invited to join in by hosting their own fun run anytime this February. Each school that takes part will receive a certificate of thanks to show how much they raised and there is an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes.

If you have been inspired to step up to the challenge you can sign up to the Red Dress Fun Run at www.nichs.org.uk/RedDressFunRun. A special early bird offer runs until the end of January. You can find out more about getting your primary school involved at www.nichs.org.uk/PSRedDressFunRun.

A popular pairing since the 1600s, gin and gingerbread will come to life in the iconic, lifesize Gingerbread House at Titanic Hotel Belfast this month.

A new combination for the multi award winning hotel and restaurant, three gins will be served at an exclusive tasting event, beginning with a mulled gin on arrival. The tasting event can be coupled with a three course dinner after, ingredients of which will follow the gin and gingerbread theme.

Executive Chef at Titanic Hotel Belfast, Nigel Mannion, said: “Our Gingerbread House has become a fabulous feature in our award winning Wolff Grill restaurant and so we decided to create a gin and gingerbread tasting opportunity to showcase pairings which have been popular for hundreds of years, against the backdrop of our Gingerbread House.

“The gin and gingerbread event will also offer guests the chance to experience a three course gin and gingerbread inspired meal, comprising of cured trout, duck breast and parfait to complement the theme perfectly. We have collaborated with United Wines to ensure that the vision for the mouth-watering tasting will be unique and exquisite. Their gin specialist will deliver a presentation delving into the 17^th century history of gin and gingerbread in the most appropriate of settings.”

Adrian McNally, General Manager of Titanic Hotel Belfast, said: “At Titanic Hotel Belfast we are always seeking to create new and exciting experiences for our guests. We believe that this event kicking off 2023 is unique in every way as it gives guests an opportunity to visit the only life-size Gingerbread House in a hotel in Northern Ireland while sampling some of the most wonderful tasting gins.”

The Gin and Gingerbread Experience at Titanic Hotel Belfast takes place on 12 and 13 January 2023 from 6.00pm until 7.30pm and is priced at £15.00 per person. The three course evening meal is priced at £35.00 per person and pre-booking is advised. To book a place at the Gin and Gingerbread House Experience in Titanic Hotel Belfast or to enquire about the three course dinner menu, please email: restaurantmgr@titanichotelbelfast.com