Author: whatsonni

GREAT ULSTER PUBS GO PINK FOR GIRO D’ITALIA

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As the build up for the Giro d’Italia gets under way, pubs across Northern Ireland are getting in the Pink, with special Giro themed promotions, competitions running as part of The Great Ulster Pub Week, , which runs until this Friday, 9th May 2014.

As the build up for the Giro d’Italia gets under way, pubs across Northern Ireland are getting in the Pink, with special Giro themed promotions, competitions running as part of The Great Ulster Pub Week. Pictured: The Coachman in Magherafelt is one of four local pubs organising a Giro fun cycle this week. For further information, including daily events highlights, Giro d’Italia themed highlights and a Pub Finder, visit www.greatulsterpubweek.com or find The Great Ulster Pub Week on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and Instagram using the hashtag, #UlsterPubWeek Picture by Michael Browne.

From Giro themed gin cocktails at Muriel’s Café Bar, Belfast, to a Giro fun cycle in Magherafelt, an Italian Whiskey Club night at The Hudson, Belfast and a Giro themed pub quiz at Bureau by The Lough in Whiteabbey, Ulster’s Great Pubs are gearing up to welcome the iconic cycle race in style.

Pubs taking part in The Great Ulster Pub Week are also decking themselves out in fuchsia, rose and cerise to create a big bright welcome to the world’s cyclists as they descend en masse to Northern Ireland this week.

Iconic Belfast Pub, The Duke of York has painted the benches in its picturesque cobbled laneway pink, with coordinated floral baskets and decorations adding to the Giro themed feel.

The National Grande Café has installed an eye-catching window display, with a pink bicycle, wheels and Italian bunting becoming quite a talking point.

In Portrush, a big pink ‘RAMORE’ sign in the ilk of the famous Hollywood sign now graces the rooftop of the Ramore complex. Meanwhile, The Harbour Bar – Pubs of Ulster’s Pub of the Year 2013 – will host a charity ‘Pink Night’ on Thursday, with bar staff being kitted out in pink waistcoats and aprons and punters being encouraged to don their best pink clobber to raise money for Willie’s Orphan Fund.

Pubgoers cycling to selected Great Ulster Pub Week pubs in Belfast City can also avail of a free Coca Cola as part of the brand’s Designated Cyclist campaign. On presentation of their cycling helmet, or bike lock, cyclists can redeem a complimentary Coca Cola in selected venues, including White’s Tavern and The Cloth Ear.

And there are Giro themed competitions galore running throughout The Great Ulster Pub Week too; The National Grande Café and The Cloth Ear in Belfast are running a competition this week to win top of the range cross trail bikes, whilst The Dirty Onion, also in The Cathedral Quarter, has flights for two to Italy up for grabs. Check out the venues’ Facebook pages for further details.

The Great Ulster Pub Week kicked off on Thursday 1st May and runs until Friday 9th May, coinciding with Stage One of the Giro D’Italia Big Start, which will see the Team Time Trial take place in Belfast.

Commenting on The Great Ulster Pub Week’s Giro themed events and activities, Mark Stewart, chairman, Pubs of Ulster said:

“The packed programme of Great Ulster Pub Week activity, including an array of Giro d’Italia themed events, highlights the incredible range of cultural activity taking place in pubs right across Northern Ireland. We hope the week ahead inspires people to explore some of our truly Great local pubs, whilst gearing up for the great spectacle that will be the Giro d’Italia.”

In pubs right across Northern Ireland, The Great Ulster Pub Week is creating a real buzz, serving as an important reminder of how ‘Great’ Ulster’s pubs truly are.

The Great Ulster Pub Week runs until Friday 9th May and is supported by Discover Northern Ireland, Coca Cola, Coors Light, Guinness, Harp, Heineken, Jameson and Tennent’s, with media partners, Downtown/Cool FM, Hospitality Review NI and The Sunday Life.

For further information, including daily events highlights, Giro d’Italia themed highlights and a Pub Finder, visit www.greatulsterpubweek.com or find The Great Ulster Pub Week on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and Instagram using the hashtag, #UlsterPubWeek

Indigo Moon Shadow Puppet Theatre retells the Jungle Book

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It is the Jungle Book, but not as you might know it. Indigo Moon Theatre’s latest production veers away from Disney’s song-filled retelling. Instead, this shadow puppet show looks back to Rudyard Kipling’s original Victorian stories.

“It is important that people do not expect the Disney version – there’s no singing in it,” said Anna Ingleby, Indigo Moon’s puppeteer.

“Disney’s was a masterpiece of its type, but there was no way we were going to go anywhere near that. What we wanted to do was look at the spirit of the original.”

Fearless and free, Mowgli the ‘ man-cub ‘ finds fun and friendship despite learning to live by the Law of the Jungle. Mowgli’s daring adventures in the dangerous world he inhabits, are brought to life by Indigo Moon Theatre with inventive shadow theatre, original music and colourful digital projection.

The Hull company’s show, which sees Anna tell the stories with 30 different puppets, follows the “positive” aspects of Kipling’s tales.

“When you reread the books, there is quite a lot of it that is of its time – there is killing, revenge and colonialism, which was something we did not want to dwell on,” she said.

“Instead we look at the co-operation between the characters in the jungle.  One of the things we wanted to focus on was of people being ‘one blood’, which is used a lot in the book. The animals in it are a metaphor for humans.”

First published in the 1890s, the collected stories of the Jungle Book told moral tales through characters including Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolf cubs.

Alongside puppetry, Indigo Moon’s 50-minute production will use original music written by Haviel Perdana, who runs the company with Anna.  Anna has lived and worked in London for 12 years, which is where she set up Indigo Moon.

The show has been directed by London-based puppeteer Steve Tiplady. Steve worked on The Firework Maker’s Daughter, a co-production by The Opera Group and Opera North, which premiered at Hull Truck Theatre this year.

“He is one of the few people who understand the potential of shadow,” said Anna.

“There’s a handful of about five companies working on shadow puppetry in this country, including us. People like ourselves and Steve are really establishing the art form in this country, and trying to develop it.”

Jungle Book

When: Thursday 22nd May at 10.30am (50 minutes with no interval)

Where: The Burnavon theatre, Burn Road, Cookstown.

Tickets: £4. Ages four and over.

Contact: Call the Burnavon Box Office or visit http://www.burnavon.com/theatre/whats-on/Jungle-Book-Indigo-Moon/info

Directed by Steve Tiplady

Performed by Anna Ingleby & Haviel Perdana

Original Music by Haviel Perdana

Characters designed by Susanna Samanek

Scenery by Haviel Perdana & Anna Ingleby

AWARD-WINNING DRAMA AND BLUES GUITAR LEGEND ON MARKET PLACE STAGE

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Des Keogh, one of Ireland’s foremost actors and entertainers, brings his hugely successful and award-winning show ‘The Love Hungry Farmer’ by John B. Keane to The Market Place Theatre in Armagh for the first time.

It tells the story of John Bosco McLane, a bachelor of ‘indeterminate’ age and according to his own assessment, ‘past his best’ and evidently still a virgin. McLane’s amorous adventures range from the hilarious to the pitiful. John B. Keane ranks among the great Irish writers. His plays include ‘Sive’, ‘The Field’ and ‘Big Maggie’. ‘The Field’ became an Oscar nominated film starring Richard Harris.

The Love-Hungry Farmer will be staged on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May at 8pm. Tickets are priced £14.50 and £12.50 (concession).

Blues fans will be delighted with the return of guitar legend Ronnie Greer, who has been at the centre of the blues scene in Ireland for over forty years now, having shared the stage with some of the greatest names in blues. His distinctive guitar style, melding hard edged Chicago blues with bebop jazz inflected lines, has been critically acclaimed as world class. His recent album release,’ A Lifetime With The Blues’, has also been hailed as one of the finest ever blues albums to come out of these shores.

Ronnie brings his powerhouse band back to the Market Place, featuring some of the best musicians in the country. Brilliant singer | guitarist Anthony Toner, keyboard wizard John McCullough, and the peerless rhythm section of bass player Alan Hunter, and drummer Colm Fitzpatrick, operate on a level with Ronnie which has to be heard to be appreciated.

The Ronnie Greer Blues Band will perform at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Saturday 17th May at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced £10 each. Tickets for all events can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

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.

www.marketplacearmagh.com

Northern Ireland’s Premier Vintage Fair Coming To Ballymena

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This month Northern Ireland’s favourite vintage event, the fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage & Handmade Fair, will be making its very first visit to Ballymena when it appears at the Rosspark Hotel, near Kells on Sunday 18th May with a spectacular extravaganza of unique treasures for sale and a big helping of timeless glamour, reminiscence and fun.

Norma Jean Vintage - X-perience Boudoir

This popular event has been taking shoppers from all over Ireland by storm since 2008, and the visit to Ballymena will mark the 45th Frock Around The Clock fair. Visitors on the day will be able to shop for high quality vintage, handmade and upcycled treasures from a fantastic line-up of handpicked Irish vintage dealers, designers and crafters offering an unrivalled array of vintage and handmade fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectibles, crafts, gifts, art, children’s wear and much more. It’s the hottest shopping destination to find the coolest stuff on the planet for your wardrobe and home!

The impressive exhibitor list will include Norma Jean Vintage with vintage dresses & fashion accessories, statement hats and headpieces by designer Sophie Dinsmore of Lower Than the Angels, Alfie Loves Design offering handmade and restyled homewares and soft furnishings, Strictly Vintage, specialists in high end American costume jewellery from the 1920s to 1960s, Tiny Tower Vintage Interiors showcasing unique vintage eiderdowns, linen, china, paintings and antique books and toys, Rehinged Furniture selling fabulous refurbished furniture, as well as original papercut products and artworks by Paper Picnic, retro photography by X-perience Boudoir, and gorgeous handcrafted jewellery and lampshades by Emily Loves Vintage.

Visitors will also be able to relax and revive on the day and soak up the vintage atmosphere by sinking into an armchair and partaking of the Rosspark Hotel’s afternoon teas served from 2.30 – 5pm – with assorted finger sandwiches, homemade scones with jam & cream, and mini desserts.

Frock Around The Clock will take place on Sunday 18th May from 12 – 5pm at Rosspark Hotel, Doagh Road, Kells, Ballymena BT42 3LZ, and admission costs £3.

More information on the event and the exhibitor list can be found online at www.frockaroundtheclock.com.

12 Days of Pink

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Larne Cycling Exhibition

1st May-1st June
Larne Museum and Arts Centre, Victoria Road, Larne
The team at Larne Museum and Arts Centre have created a Cycling Exhibition, which will feature existing museum displays as well as new past, present and future artefacts donated by local people. You’ll be surprised at the local links that Larne has with cyling.
Come along to the Museum Auditorium on Victoria Road, Larne during the month of May and broaden your knowledge of all the disciplines of cycling on display. If you have something you feel would enhance the display, and you would be happy to contribute to the display for the month get in contact with our Museum team now!

‘Pop-Up Pop-In’ Outdoor Opera

Friday 2nd May
7.30pm
Broadway Bandstand, Main Street, Larne
In conjunction with Opera NI, the “Jewels of Italian Arias” outdoor Opera has been organised to give an Italian flavour to Larne Town to coincide with Giro d’Italia fever!
This open-air event will take place at Broadway Bandstand, which will be turned into an Italian Piazza in the lead up to the Giro d’Italia Event. You’ll be able to sit and enjoy the opera, and sample some Italian refreshments while you do so! If the weather is right, you’ll think you were in Italy!!
The event is free and everyone is welcome to come along and get a taste of Italy, in the heart of Larne town!

Carnevale Parade

Saturday 3rd May
2pm-4pm
Larne Town Centre
Street entertainers, bands, performers and uni -cyclists will parade through Larne mainstreet on Saturday 3rd May entertaining the local public. If you know of any groups or people who would also like to take part in this, then we would love to hear from you! Contact our events team now! Members of the public will be encouraged to take part in a fancy dress bicycle parade at Broadway Bandstand. There will be live music and performers as well as much more festival activity!

Illumination Bike Ride

Sunday 4th May
8.00pm-9.00pm
Larne Main Street
We are encouraging families to take part in this unique event! Be creative and decorate your bike with LED lights/glow sticks etc and come along and take part in our Illumination Bike Ride. (Our local lighting and electrical retailers can help you to decorate your bikes accordingly) Those illuminated bikes will look great at dusk while they cycle around the Main Street Course (closed to traffic). Its the only time you’ll ever get to cycle around Larne Main Street with no traffic!
Park your car in one of the adjacent main street carparks and bring your bike to the start line, and why not come down a bit earlier and avail of the free ‘Bike Check-Up Workshop’ provided by Larne Team Madigan club members at the Quay Street/Main Street Junction (outside Maud’s Ice Cream)
Our marshalls and Larne Team Madigan volunteers will take everyone on a special route around the town which will be lit up with Giro d’Italia inspired projections, lighting and installations, with some street entertainment provided by Chaine FM at Broadway Bandstand. Of course there will be ‘free time’ to cycle around the route on your own!
Our special Piazza will be open once again at Broadway, where spectators can sit back, enjoy the atmosphere and have some refreshments! But we want as many people to get out and get cycling!
The event is free of charge, and open to EVERYONE! Come along and get involved! Dont forget to wear PINK!

Illumination Cycle Route

Pink Family Bike Ride

Monday 5th May 2014
2pm-4pm
Larne Promenade (starting from Larne Leisure Centre)
Another of our family bike ride events, this time taking place on Bank Holiday Monday from Larne Leisure Centre. Your task this time is to decorate your bike pink, and wear as much PINK as you can to tie in with the Pink Giro d’Italia theme! Cyclists will be accompanied around the Promenade route by volunteers and marshalls from Larne Team Madigan club, before being given the opportunity to cycle at their leisure.
There will also be a free ‘Bike Check-Up Workshop’ provided by Larne Team Madigan club situated at the Leisure Centre on the Promenade, so fell free to bring your bike along for a check up!
Italian Refreshments will be provided by the Prom Cafe, and Chaine FM will be popping along to provide some enjoyable entertainment for all! Some street entertainers will also be mingling amongst participants to make the day as enjoyable and fun as possible.
The Prom Cafe have also organised for the Belfast ‘Playbus’ to arrive come along from 12-1.30pm, so why not bring your younger children along before the bike ride to have some extra fun on the promenade!

Giro d’Italia Race Day

‘Little Italy in Larne Market Yard’

Saturday 10th May
12pm
Larne Market Yard will be turned into ‘Little Italy’ with a special Italian Market. There will be entertainera and unicycling displays, while local BMX Club East Coast Raiders will provide a BMX display in the market yard.
There will also be several food demonstrations, a range of Italian and other refreshments available, circus performers , live music from bands and the Chaine FM Team, and the Giro race streamed live on big screens so you dont miss any of the action! It is also hoped that the route of the Giro d’Italia race will cycled by willing volunteers using exercise bikes in the Market Yard.
Come along and get involved in the buzz of the day, as we build up to the race peleton coming through the town (anticipated between 3-4pm). The race will make its way down the coast road and through larne town via Circular Road, before turning left at the Market Yard and heading towards Glynn Village along Bank Road. There will be plenty of viewing points to see the race coming through so be sure to get down early! And remember, WEAR PINK!
It is envisaged that road closures and diversions will be in place during race day. In partnership with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, PSNI and Roads Service we will publicise this information as and when it is received. If you intend to come to Larne Town for race day, we advise you to park in carparks located around Victoria Road, Redlands Estate, and if you intend to park in town carparks please plan to arrive before mid-day! For more information, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Events Team.

Bicycle Art Parade

April-June 2014
Standard PVC cycling sculptures will be given to local artists and local schools to decorate in their own style. Once completed, these will go on display in various locations throughout the Larne Borough from April – June. A map of the unique bicycle art trail will be created. When this outdoor exhibition has finished these scultpures will be then auctioned off for charity.
There is still an opportunioty to sponsor one of these sculptures, with the proceeds going to charity! To find out more, contact our events team now!

Design a Cycle Jersey
Local Schools Competition

March 2014
Thank you to all the local primary schools in Larne Borough who took part in our ‘design a cycle jersey’ competition. Templates of a cycling jersey were given out to all primary school children in the borough and we received thousands of entries back in. After some difficult decisions, the winners were:
Kate Ewings St Anthony’s Primary
Ciara Gault Larne and Inver Primary School
Ciaran O Neil St John’s Primary School
Abbey McKeown Olderfleet Primary School
These winning designs will be made up and form part of the Cycling exhibition during the 12 days of pink, before being framed and presented to the winning schools. All other submitted entries will be on display at Larne Tourist Information Centre from 1st April 2014.
Some of the entries will be displayed at Larne Visitor Information Centre in April leading up to the Giro d’Italia. There will be four winning entries picked who will have their jersey made into a presentation jersey for their school.

Local Community Festivals

Alongside our ‘12 Days of Pink’ it’s heartening to see the interest shown from all our local communities to get involved with the Giro d’Italia. With millions of spectators watching the race worldwide, this is a fantastic opportunity to show Larne in all its PINK glory! Our communities are committed to activate as much local interest as possible, and bring everyone out to the roadside to support the race as it passes through, creating an electric atmosphere in the process.
More details will emerge in the coming weeks, but we have confirmed Community Events in Carnlough, Glenarm, Ballygally, Drains Bay, Glynn Village and Larne Rugby Club and Ballycarry! Make sure you support their efforts and get behind these events! And remember, WEAR PINK!

Contact our Events Team:

If you would like more information, please feel free to contact one of our Event Team:
Rachael McMaster – Events Officer
02828 263047 mcmasterr@larne.gov.uk
Hazel Bell – Town Development Officer
02828 263041 bellh@larne.gov.uk
Ainsley McWilliams – Tourism Officer
02828 260088 mcwilliamsa@larne.gov.uk
Niall Curneen – Sports Development Officer
02828 260478 curneenn@larne.gov.uk

North Down Tourism events, this coming week and next…

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03 MAY – 09 MAY

Until Sunday 20 July, Exhibition: Brian Desmond Hurst, Film Director

North Down Museum, Bangor

Free admission.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Until Sunday 1 June, Exhibition: Percy French Art

North Down Museum, Bangor

Free admission.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Saturday 3 May, Project24 1st Birthday Celebrations
Project24, Bangor Seafront
Join the party! There will be music, art demonstrations, a craft fair plus much more.
Free. 12noon-5pm.
Info: project24ni.com

Saturday 3 May, Night at the Museum
North Down Museum, Bangor
‘Stars and Mars, Moon and Jupiter’

In conjunction with the Irish Astronomical Association
Cost £1 admission.
Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com
Saturday 3 May & Sunday 4 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 3: Children’s Crafts, Archery
Sun 4: Jumping Clay, Face painting
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Sunday 4 May, Holywood Through the Ages Walking Tour
Holywood Town
Learn of Holywood’s colourful history from the establishment of a monastic settlement to the Motte, where King John is said to have spent the night.
Tickets £3 (limited availability). Pre-booking essential. Starts 2.30pm.
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Monday 5 May, Merry May Day
Holywood Town Centre
Free event, 10am-4pm.
Stalls, fancy dress competition, children’s traditional Maypole dancing and a highlight of the event, winners of BBC 2 Folk Awards ‘The Demon Barbers’ will be performing their XL show for the first time in Northern Ireland!
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

10 MAY – 16 MAY

Until Sunday 20 July, Exhibition: Brian Desmond Hurst, Film Director

North Down Museum, Bangor

Free admission.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Until Sunday 1 June, Exhibition: Percy French Art

North Down Museum, Bangor

Free admission.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Saturday 10 May, Glass Making Workshop

North Down Museum, Bangor

Costs £25. 2pm-4pm. Create a beautiful glass bowl with local artist Kenny Devon.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Saturday 10 May & Sunday 11 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 10: World of Owls, Children’s Crafts
Sun 11: Clown Activities
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Thursday 15 May, Arco String Quartet, plus special guests The Farriers

Council Chamber, Bangor Town Hall

The Farriers will join Arco String Quartet for a captivating evening full of excitement and charm, set in the stunning Council Chamber of Bangor Town Hall.

Tickets £11 Adult, £9 Child. Starts 7.45pm. Pre-booking essential.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

ALSO…

Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 July, Heartbreak Productions presents ‘Pride & Prejudice’

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Tickets £6. On sale now! Book online or call for tickets. Pre-booking essential.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Book online: www.northdown.gov.uk/arts

‘Big Big Sing’ is coming to Ballymena!!

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Like to sing? In the shower? In a choir? In your head so no-one can hear? Big Big Sing is for YOU!

Audiences enjoying a sing-a-long at a past Big Big Sing Event.

Come and join the crowd for an evening of song and fun in mass singing sessions led by an inspirational choirmaster, who will have you singing Commonwealth-style. Enjoy some brilliant sounds and rhythms from Africa, the Caribbean or India and get into the mood for this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
Everyone is welcome – you don’t need to read music or have any previous signing experience – just come along, join in, and sing up.
Big Big Sing is a UK-wide singing project which aims to inspire thousands of people to join in the celebrations for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games through singing.
Part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme. Big Big Sing is supported by Glasgow 2014, Spirit of 2012 Trust, Creative Scotland and Glasgow UNESCO City of Music.

The Big Big Sing will be in Ballymena, the only venue in Northern Ireland, on Thursday 15th May from 6.30pm – 9.30pm so if you want to get involved or for more information contact The Braid Arts Centre Box Office on Tel: 02825635900 or online at www.bigbigsing.org

Rathlin Sounds off with Maritime Festival

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The heart of the Causeway Coast and Glens newest nautical festival returns with a boom this year as the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival was launched by Chair of Moyle District Council Cara McShane, Michael Cecil from the Rathlin Community and Paul Kerrigan from Ballycastle community on Thursday 1st May.

Rathlin Sounds off with Maritime Festival with Caroline Carey, Tourism Development Officer, Moyle District Council and John Morton, Harbourmaster: The heart of the Causeway Coast and Glens newest nautical festival returns with a boom this year as the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival was launched. The festival will run from 23 May – 1 June and will see a packed programme including walking tours, boat trips; sports such as paddle boarding, kayaking and dinghy sailing, a programme of traditional music including street entertainers' competition open to everyone, traditional sessions in local pubs and hotels in addition to sampling the local fayre. For further information about the festival log on to www.heartofthecausewaycoastandglens.com/maritimefestival or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre 028 2076 2024.

The Festival, now in its second year, celebrates the rich maritime heritage and history of Rathlin Island and Ballycastle and promises to be a week of spectacular sailing and sod-based activities.

Organised by Moyle District Council, Ballycastle Community Development Group and the Rathlin Development & Community Association, and sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, there will be something for land and sea lovers, with sailing, historic and modern craft, demonstrations, exhibitions and guided walks, seafood themed markets as well as menus, music and entertainment.

Chairperson of Moyle District Council Cllr Cara McShane said, “We are really looking forward to welcoming visitors and locals to Rathlin Island and Ballycastle. The beauty of the Causeway Coast and Glens is renowned the world over and the Rathlin Sound is a hidden gem that is ready to be discovered.”

Caroline Carey, Tourism Development Officer, Moyle District Council , said “Following the success of last year’s event, we’ve come back bigger and better with a range of events and activities for all the family. Whether you want to try your hand at paddle boarding or kayaking, take a sunset boat trip in one of the most scenic locations in Ireland or simply taste the best of local fayre – with a market, special seafood menus in local restaurants and cookery demonstrations – there will be something for everyone to enjoy at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival. There are plenty of events to choose from including fantastic family friendly events.”

The celebration is centred on Rathlin Sound, the body of water that lies between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle on the spectacular north coast of Ireland, right in the heart of the Causeway Coast and Glens and the opening weekend will feature a fancy dress parade with the backdrop of the Tall Ship and finishing with music and a seafood barbeque on 23 May in the Diamond, Ballycastle.

“Over the course of the week we will be celebrating our passion for the sea, local culture, heritage and history culminating in Rathlin’s ‘Big Lunch’, music from ‘Goats Don’t Shave’ and traditional boat races on the 1st June. We look forward to visitors arriving by boat and of course by road, bike and bus and cannot wait to share our little part of the world with the world.

“The packed programme includes walking tours, boat trips; sports such as paddle boarding, kayaking and dinghy sailing and both Ballycastle and Rathlin will definitely be ‘sounding off’ with a programme of traditional music including street entertainers’ competition open to everyone, traditional sessions in local pubs and hotels.”

The festival will run from 23 May – 1 June. For further information about the festival log on to www.heartofthecausewaycoastandglens.com/maritimefestival or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre 028 2076 2024.

ARMAGH CITY PREPARES FOR A VIKING INVASION

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It has been 1,000 years since Brian Ború, High King of Ireland, went to battle with the Vikings at The Battle of Contarf and as part of Armagh’s Brian Ború millennium celebrations, a large scale Viking Tented Village will be on The Mall in Armagh City from Saturday 3rd to Sunday 4th May as Armagh City and District Council invites you to explore what life was like in Medieval times.

The event is the finale to a thirteen day festival, commemorating Brian Ború’s connections with Armagh and his burial at Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral. The special festival of events forms part of an Ireland-wide commemoration of the millennium anniversary. Armagh, as the final resting place of Brian Ború is one of four locations across Ireland taking part in the national programme and joins Clare, which was the seat of Brian’s High Kingship of Ireland, Tipperary, where Brian was crowned High King and Dublin, where Brian Ború was killed following his victory over the Viking rulers of Dublin at the Battle of Clontarf, in the special commemorations.

The Viking Tented Village on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May will see over 100 Viking warriors set up camp in the encampment for the weekend. Visitors will get the chance to see how life was in Brian Ború’s lifetime as Viking re-enactors work, cook, eat and sleep on site. Mock battles and a longship abandoned on The Mall will give visitors a glimpse of what life might have been like at the time.

Re-enactment group Fingal Living History Society, who travel all over Europe re-enacting Viking life, will set up the replica village, featuring over twenty Viking tents, to provide an insight into the daily life of the invaders, with costumed characters taking part in a range of activities from making weapons to cooking. There will also be children’s story-telling and talks on The Battle of Clontarf.

The Viking Tented Village will consist of:

  • Living History Encampment: an area with authentic tents featuring Viking warriors and Viking families. The encampment will also have an exhibition featuring crafts displays including blacksmithing, fabric crafts, silversmith, leather work, bone carving, carpentry, pottery,  coin minting and much more.
  • Falconry display: There will be falconry displays at 1.00pm and 4.00pm each day, with visitors being given an opportunity to see Golden Eagles, Vultures, Hawks and Owls in flight.
  • Cookery Displays: learn about the ancient cooking methods with camp fire cooking displays. All the re-enactors will be wearing authentic Viking dress and using authentic replica tools.
  • Military Display: Viking weapons and armoury will be on display with the re-enactors giving a short presentation on the weapons and their uses. Members of the public will be given the opportunity to ask questions and hold the weapons and armour.

The village will be open to visitors from 11.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday 3rd May and 1.00pm to 4.30pm on Sunday 4th May. Falconry displays will take place at 1.00pm and 4.00pm daily, craft demonstrations at 3.00pm daily and children’s story-telling at 2.30pm and 3.30pm daily. Admission to the event is free.

Guides for the Brian Ború festival are currently available at City Centre venues or they can be downloaded from www.armagh.co.uk. For further details contact Armagh Visitor Information Centre on 028 3752 1800.

Vintage Fête Returns to Springhill!

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Visit Springhill, Moneymore this May bank holiday weekend where the beautiful National Trust property will once again come to life with the sights and sounds of a bygone era as it hosts its fantastic Vintage Fête for a 2nd year.

The event welcomed nearly 3000 visitors in 2013 and this year’s event is set to be bigger and better. Visitors can pick up some retro and vintage inspired china, home furnishings, bunting, jewellery, soaps, candles and other handcrafted items from our quirky range of handpicked trade stands.

Specialising in supplying the ultimate party pieces, ‘Granny Shaws’ vintage candy will attend the event for the first time. They offer a wide range of products from handmade candy, popcorn, bespoke chocolate and candy floss. Local lady Jill Morton, also known as ‘Jill’s Cakes’ will also attend the event for the first time on bank holiday Monday. Jill will be selling homemade vintage cupcakes and cake-pops and visitors can pick up a bargain 6 cupcakes for £5.

On Sunday 4th May, visitors can relax in the beautiful gardens of Springhill and enjoy the charismatic sounds from Kelly Smiley. Expect to hear classic tracks from artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Etta James and of course those hits from the classic Ratpack greats. On bank holiday Monday 5th May visitors will be entertained by the sophisticated sounds of the Swing Gals, one of Northern Ireland’s only all-girl vocal collectives, well known for their close harmonies and interpretations of jazz, pop and easy listening favourites.

Another highlight of the event will be the spectacular display of nostalgic games and attractions; Coconut shys, ‘Splat the Rat’ and ‘Hoopla’ to name but a few will keep the whole family entertained for hours. Swing boats, a sky rider, a vintage rifle range and Springhill’s very own fortune tellers ‘Mystic Meg and her sister Peg’ will complete the entertainment line-up.

Springhill Vintage Fête will take place at Springhill, Moneymore on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 May from 12-5pm. Normal Admission, National Trust Members Free. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/springhill

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