Author: whatsonni

Enjoy a car-cation with Stena Line in Britain this summer and save up to £1,000*

KEEPING children happy throughout the summer holidays is never plain sailing and Northern Ireland’s leading ferry company Stena Line is only too aware of this.

Stena Line is coming to the rescue of parents trying to keep the children entertained by offering a cost-effective car-cation holiday in Britain, saving over £1,000!*

The ferry giant is offering customers a number of different options for those who haven’t managed to escape the unpredictable Northern Ireland weather including a car-cation in Britain from £84** single, an exciting day out at M&D’s theme park from £25** or a family holiday at Haven from only £449**.

A price comparison with a family break in Salou, Spain with a well-known travel operator for seven nights in August was £1778* whereas Stena Line customers can enjoy a family week with Haven in the Lake District for £789*, with massive savings of up to £1,000.

For those looking for a short city break, Stena Line also has it covered with great cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester. Alternatively, have all the fun of the fair with a theme park break to Alton Towers or M&Ds. Prices start from £89** per adult and up to two children under 14 stay and travel free when sharing a room with two adults.

Stena Line’s Marketing Manager Ian Baillie is advising customers it isn’t too late to get a holiday booked before the kids go back to school and make the most of this year’s summer savings.

“The summer holidays can be an expensive time for parents having to keep the children entertained for two months, but it isn’t too late to book a car-cation to Britain with Stena Line and make savings of up to £1,000, compared to a week abroad in Spain.

“Whether it’s a week in the Lake District, a day trip to M&D’s theme park or a city break in Edinburgh or Liverpool, Stena Line has a host of options for every family holiday,” said Ian.

“What’s more, the holiday fun starts as soon as you step onboard as the Stena Superfast ferries on the Belfast – Cairnryan route have a Curious George themed play area onboard for kids and X-box Kinect for the older children while the parents can relax and surf the web on the free to use iPads. The Stena Lagan and Mersey on the Belfast – Liverpool route also offer onboard entertainment for kids from soft play areas to Playstation 3’s while parents can make the most of the onboard shop. Cabins are available on both routes to ensure you arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed,” he added.

For more information click on www.stenaline.co.uk, call 08447 70 70 70 or visit your local travel agent.

* Price comparison for 2 adults and 2 children travelling to Salou for 7 nights on 31^st July staying in self-catering accommodation against 2 adults and 4 children travelling with Stena Line from Belfast to Cairnryan or Liverpool to the Lake District and staying for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom mobile home. **Single economy online fares subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

A group of advisors – made up entirely of children- is being recruited by the National Trust to provide advice on how to get more of our children outdoors.

The idea follows the charity’s recent Natural Childhood Report and 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ campaign, and shows the Trust stepping up its game in encouraging children to explore the outdoors and get closer to nature. Properties in the Northern Ireland, such as Downhill Demesne, Mount Stewart and Florence Court are all looking for help from local children.

The National Trust is looking to sign up ten children aged between seven and twelve to the council [1] where they will play an important role in developing the charity’s outdoor campaigns, and making their properties more fun for younger visitors.

The perfect candidate will be brimming with enthusiasm and fun, plus have a natural love for the outdoors and fresh air. Potential applicants are also required to have an adventurous spirit and a wild imagination. A fondness for rolling down hills or jumping in muddy puddles would be considered a bonus.

To offer children a chance to try out the National Trust and get inspiration on what they would like to change if they were appointed to the Kid’s Council, the Trust will be opening up the doors, of many local places, to children for free until 31 August. To access your free kids entry, simply download your voucher at www.u.tv/nationaltrust.

The successful council applicants will be announced later in the year and will be offered free year long access to National Trust places for themselves and their family. Canoeing, surfing and camping will be part of the winning prize to ensure kids and their families experience the full National Trust experience. The Kids’ Council will meet throughout 2013 and report their findings into the National Trust’s Visitor Experience Director, so their suggestions can be put into practise to help make the outdoors more fun for the nation’s kids.

The application process will close on 7 September 2012. Applications can be downloaded from the website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kidscouncil and sent back via email, post or handed in at National Trust properties [2]

Tony Berry, Visitor Experience Director of the National Trust, comments:
“We are really committed to helping kids enjoy the great outdoors and we want to make our places the most fun and family-friendly day out destinations in the UK. I’m really excited that our new Kids’ Council will help us do just that. Our kids go free promotion for the entire month of August will not only give kids and their families the chance to get out and explore, but hopefully inspire them to apply for our Kids’ Council and let us know what we can do better in the future.”

The poetry sessions this year at Stendhal Festival of Art are back bigger and better on August 17 and 18 as this year our poetic justice comes courtesy of several leading local poets and is headlined by the wonderful Mark Niel.

Mark Niel is a Stand up Poet who brings smart lines and high-energy performance poetry to unsuspecting audiences. A different act or excellent MC, Mark has a regular weekly slot on BBC radio and has performed at major festivals such as Latitude and Green Man.

A frequent headline act on the Poetry Circuit, Mark has also made an impact on comedy and cabaret shows playing at many theatres and festivals. Undercutting his middle-class, middle-aged, middle-management image and his lyrical rants about his frequently misspelt name or frustrations of Fridges in shared houses have entertained audiences of all ages.

We are also delighted to be showcasing the very best in local poetic and spoken word talent and are delighted to welcome members of the Jane Ross Writers Group, The Flowerfield Writers group and the Derry Scriptwriters group to our all new Poetry Corner area at Stendhal this year.

Vin McCullough, Bernie Kerr, Freya Clements, Julianne Campbell, Lynne Edgar, Felicity McCall, Mary Hayward, Richard McKeever, Michelle McCartney, Ken McCormack, Mandy Taggart, Siobhan McKinney and Debbie McCune amongst others will be regaling us with poems, short stories, monologues and excerpts from their own novels throughout the day and everyone at Stendhal is delighted to have so many talented writers coming along to introduce poetry corner in style.

This year Stendhal is also delighted to announce that the craft fair will also return with aplomb this August in a brand new craft marquee.

Featuring the very best local craft creators, Stendhal invites you to be inspired by some fantastic handmade arts, crafts, clothing and accessories by Shianti Vintage, Rainbow Tye-dye, Speckled Hen Crafts, Celtic Gems, Naninui, No. 9 Crafts, Battfizzmelt, Icandy Jewellery, Urban Girl, Golly Molly Bags, Secret Swan Boutique, Shera Crafts and others.

Tickets for Stendhal Festival of Art are going fast so make sure to pick yours up soon at The Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Frank Owens, The Alexander Arms or on Ticketmaster soon to avoid missing out.

The NI International Airshow will be sponsored by insurance giant, RSA, when it returns to the seaside resort of Portrush on 8th and 9th September.

Coleraine Borough Council, the organisers of the show, has also confirmed that The Red Arrows will give their only display in Ireland this year at the popular event. The world’s top aerobatic display team joins an impressive line up of 20 aircraft each day which will feature a mix of jets, World War 2 fighters, stunt planes and helicopters.

Once again Ireland’s biggest air show will have no admission fee and continues to offer a wider range of attractions than in any other year.

As usual up to 100,000 spectators from all over the country are expected to attend the family event which, in addition to a comprehensive line-up in the air, will feature a non-stop programme of arena shows, family entertainment, sea manoeuvres and rescues, exhibitions, competitions, give-aways and the large trade village.

The horse shoe bay at the West Strand is one of the most picturesque settings of any UK airshow with crowds lining the beach, harbour and cliffs from Blackhill to Ramore Head.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has also confirmed financial support to the event as part of their Our Time, Our Place initiative.

The Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor Sam Cole said, “The airshow at Portrush is one of the most important dates on the North Coast in this special year of outstanding events. I am delighted that Council’s Events Team will again manage this popular highlight of the summer which is a key economic driver for the Borough. These type of events rely on support from the private sector and I am delighted to welcome our new title sponsor, RSA, along with the on-going support from Northern Ireland Tourist Board”.

Jack McIlduff , Managing Director, RSA NI said “2012 is proving to be a significant year for Northern Ireland and RSA NI Insurance is thrilled to be involved with the Airshow, which is unquestionably one of the most prestigious events in the calendar. We are really excited about the line-up and are particularly delighted that the RSA NI sponsorship has contributed to bringing the Red Arrows back to the North Coast for another breathtaking display. It is certainly shaping up to be a wonderful family orientated weekend of fun and entertainment and we look forward to being part of it”.
NITB’s Events Manager Eddie Rowan commented, “Northern Ireland Tourist Board is delighted to once again support the NI International Airshow in this fantastic year of the ‘ni 2012: our time, our place’ programme. Portrush has recently hosted the most successful ever Irish Open and combined with the ever popular Airshow, there is significant increased visitor appeal to the North Coast. We are confident that this will be a truly unique and stand out event in this year’s packed programme.”

The event opens at 11am each day with air displays from 12noon-5.30pm. Organisers are promising more surprises in the coming weeks but in the meantime details and pictures of the aircraft can be found on niinternationalairshow.co.uk or on Facebook (PortrushAirshow) and Twitter (PortrushAirshow).

The world’s largest public art exhibition of life-sized cows has been herded into Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has moooved in on the act with its very own ni2012 cows.

The art exhibition will see up to 200 fibre glass cows transformed into magnificent sculptures by local artists and community groups and NITB’s herd of cows have been designed using the ni2012: our time, our place colours of pink, blue and yellow.   The ni2012 cows are visiting towns and cities around Northern Ireland during the summer for one week at a time and after appearances in Portrush, Derry~Londonderry, Bangor, Warrenpoint and Omagh the cows are grazing in Armagh w/c July 30^th on the Mall. The cows will then moove onto Belfast, Enniskillen and Downpatrick and NITB is encouraging people across the country to be the first to greet the cows.

The ni2012 herd could move to any location at any time in search of greener grass so look out for them wherever you are.  To follow the cows as they travel around Northern Ireland visit www.ni2012.com.  Pictured is one of the herd at the Killnasaggart Pillar Stone in County Armagh.  The pillar is thought by some to go back to pagan times and that originally a small stone bearing two semicircular indentations lay in a cavity on top of the pillar stone.

The story goes that there was once a famous cow in the glen that gave milk in abundance to everyone who came. One day a person attempted, when milking the cow, to procure the milk through a sieve. The cow was so angry that she stamped her foot into this small stone and fled the glen never to return!

Join the National Trust on Sunday 5 August from 12 noon to 5pm for some kite flying fun at Downhill Demesne, Castlerock.

The high-flying spectacle will offer fun for all family as a kaleidoscope of kites of all sizes fly over the stunning coastal estate.  There will be kite performers and a wild geese parachute display.  To add to the festive atmosphere there will a kids area to make crafts, bouncy castles, exhibitors, craft and food stalls and much, much more…

Toby Edwards, National Trust Site Manager for Downhill Demesne said:

“This is Downhill’s second year holding the Kite Festival and we’re looking forward to a fantastic day out for everyone.  The festival isn’t just about watching the professionals – you can bring your own kite, make one on the day or buy one from the experts and fly it in the wonderful landscape of Downhill Demesne.   This promises to be a spectacular event full of colour and fun – so bring the family along and let’s go fly a kite.”

Festival highlights will include Wild Geese display, Blo-karting demonstrations, hot air balloon display and variety of exhibition stands.

Marvel at the amazing displays of interesting shapes, sizes and colours of kites as the experts work their magic in the sky.  Bring your own kite and enjoy a fun packed day with attractions and entertainment for all the family.

If you don’t feel like flying a kite, then why not just come and watch one of the most colourful and exciting events on the North Coast this summer.

Bring your own kite and enjoy an action packed day with attractions and entertainment for all the family.

What a great way to spend a summer day!

Admission: Adult £4.50, Child £2.25 and Family £11.25.

National Trust Members Free Admission

For more information contact 028 7084 8728 or find us on Facebook.

It was a glorious day in May 1911 when Titanic’s anchor first arrived into Belfast after its travels from Netherton, England.

The anchor was made by Hingley’s and transported by 20 shire horses through the streets of nearby Dudley on the start of its journey to Belfast.  The anchor arrived on the Heysham boat and was pulled by another 16 shire horses through the streets of Belfast to the H&W shipyard.

Today, 100 years on, the cast of The Titanic Boys recreated this famous arrival and paid their respects to the men who build the world’s most famous ship.  To celebrate the launch of this spectacular new musical, Martin Lynch and JJ Gilmour and their team transported a life-sized replica of the anchor, pulled by shire horses, from The Harbour Commissioner’s office, through Belfast City Centre, to the new Titanic Belfast, where, to the delight of the Belfast public, they performed a sneak preview of the show.

Waiting at Titanic Belfast to greet the anchor was East Belfast’s Sammy Wilson, Minister of Finance and Personnel, and relatives of the Guarantee Group – the nine Belfast men whose tragic story is documented by Lynch and Gilmour’s The Titanic Boys.

Two weeks before the Titanic was due to depart, designer Thomas Andrews selected four young apprentices to sail on the maiden voyage as part of the nine-strong Harland & Wolff Guarantee Group. They were to act as trouble-shooters, dealing with snags and problems and taking notes for improving the ship.

The Titanic Boys is the powerful true story of nine ordinary Belfast men who found themselves at the centre of an extraordinary world event. They knew the Titanic better than anybody else in the world. They built it. Sailed on it. And died on it. For the first time – this is their story.

With fantastic music and songs by JJ Gilmour (Dancing Shoes – The George Best Story) and Martin Lynch’s unerring accuracy for the Belfast character, this show is a roller coaster of highs and lows, featuring laugh-out-loud comedy alongside some of the most powerfully poignant scenes you’re ever likely to witness.

The World Premiere of a new Musical by Martin Lynch and JJ Gilmour: The Titanic Boys produced by GBL Productions will open on Wednesday, 8^th August, (closing 25^th August) 2012, at The Grand Opera House, Belfast.

Tickets for The Titanic Boys are selling fast. To book your tickets today, please contact The Grand Opera House Box Office on 028 90 241919 or log onto www.goh.co.uk.

A special thanks to Northern Ireland Tourist Board, The Europa Hotel, Titanic Belfast, Corry’s Timer Yard and White Star Momentos kindly Supporting The Titanic Boys.

With special thanks to George Fawcett of George Fawcett Carriages for providing the beautiful horses.  For bookings visit www.georgefawcettcarriages.co.uk

While the Ulster Grand Prix and the North West 200 are now well known to motorcycle road racing fans in Ireland, there was a time when the Enniskillen 100 was equally prestigious.

Between 1929 and 1952, seventeen races were held on the six and a quarter mile triangular course between Mossfield, Sydaire and Ballinamallard. Many of the leading Irish and overseas riders of the day competed in the race over the years and local heroes diced with famous names like Artie Bell from Belfast, Joe O’Neill from Dublin and many others. The Enniskillen 100 was always held on a Wednesday afternoon, as that was the half-day for shops in Enniskillen.

Unusual aspects of the event include the fact that the race scheduled for 22^nd June 1949 had to be postponed to 21^st September, because a heat wave had melted the tar and left the circuit in a dangerous condition. Even more unusual is that the winner of the 1936 race, Percy Farlow from Maguiresbridge, had an artificial leg.

The last Enniskillen 100 was held on 20^th August 1952. There was no race in 1953 because an application for a Road Closure did not reach Fermanagh County Council in time. Interest and enthusiasm waned and in 1955 the Killinchy 150 took the place of the Enniskillen 100, which was consigned to the history books.

Interest in the Enniskillen 100 did not disappear totally however and a group of local enthusiasts, mindful of the fact that the 60^th anniversary of he last race was approaching in 2012, persuaded Fermanagh District Council to assist with plans to revive the event in some shape or form. Various ideas and options were explored, including the possibility of running a parade type event for vintage racing motorcycles on the old course. As a Road  Closure could not be obtained, the organising committee decided to hold an ‘Enniskillen 100 Revival’ event at Enniskillen Airport on 25^th August 2012.

The core of the Revival event will be demonstration runs and parade laps by a wide variety of historic motorcycles, on a course laid out at Enniskillen Airport. It is planned to have static displays, guided bus tours of the old circuit, a PSNI BikeSafe event, displays of historic racing and rally cars and a selection of other attractions for motorsport enthusiasts and the general public alike.

A motorsports Event Management company, Real Time Promotions, has been brought on board to assist with the organisation and support obtained from Fermanagh District Council. While the heat wave of 1949 is unlikely to be repeated in the damp summer of 2012, the organisers are confident that the Enniskillen 100 Revival on 25^th August at Enniskillen Airport will provide a mix of nostalgia and excitement an that the event will become an established fixture on the Fermanagh events calendar.

Further Information can be obtained from Eddie McGovern Fermanagh District Council, Town Hall, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT74 7BA or by calling +44 (0)28 6632 5050.

Michael McGarrity on +44(0) 28 68628111.

Wayne Owens, Real Time Promotions +44(0)2892 662422

This Thursday evening the Belfast style thermometer is set to go haywire as Andrew Mulvenna hosts the ‘Nite Tribe’ collection at his Mid Summer Style Party.

The charity event (in aid of Ovarian Cancer Research and Angels of Hope) hosted by the twice NI Hairdresser of the Year, will open with a fashion show featuring clothes from the homegrown talents of Reudi Maguire and hair and beauty by Andrews award-winning team.

Belfast based Ruedi Maguire’s signature look combines luxury silks and chiffons with leather to create a unique and effortlessly chic style. For the Nite Tribe show, Ruedi’s collection has taken colourful, feminine style and given it an edgy, metropolitan flare for the modern day women.

Leading makeup artist Michael Phillips, (whose credits include Gok Wan’s ‘How to look good naked’, MTV EMA Music Awards, Attitude Magazine, and is the face of New CID Cosmetics with brand founder Kelly Colman on QVC UK, Italy and Germany), will be flying in to lend his expert advice on what’s hot and what’s not within the fabulous New CID make up range this season. Michael Phillips (Mikey) is then set to style the glamorous A-list bridal party of Rochelle Wiseman from The Saturdays, who is marrying JLS member Marvin Humes this weekend for one of the most talked about weddings this year.

Andrew Mulvenna, host of the event said ‘We are very much looking forward to launching the new seasons trends which feature striking natural looks with metallic flashes. Belfast women have a great new romance with style going on, our job is to help them maintain a fashion forward look and to help them feel good about themselves. The Mid Summer Style Party is a celebration of looking good and feeling good, it’s also an opportunity to support two fantastic charities, Ovarian Cancer Research and Angels of Hope, which safeguard the health and wellbeing of women. Both charities are close to our hearts as sadly we lost our close friend and colleague Grainne to cancer last year, tonights event is also a celebration of her life.’

Throughout the Salon, Style Zones will offer guests an opportunity to learn more about hair up-styling, seasonal make-up tips, and skillful blow-drying. The new revolutionary wonder tool, Kerastase’s Micro Scanner will be exclusively launched and demonstrated on the evening. This breakthrough device (available only at Andrew Mulvenna Hair Salon) analyses hair to detect the best-suited products to pamper each individual client, helping them achieve luscious locks.

With a fabulous raffle to raise money for the charities guests will, upon a donation, receive a luxury goody bag filled to the brim with hair and beauty treats.

The Mid-Summer Style Party will be held this Thursday from 6pm at Andrew Mulvenna’s hair spa, located on 10-12 Cromac Street, Belfast, with all funds raised being donated to Ovarian Cancer Research and Angels of Hope.

Stendhal Festival of Art is delighted to announce its comedy line-up for this year’s festival which takes place at Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady, on August 17 and 18.

Get set to laugh the night away with the brilliant comedic stylings of Phil Kay and Dave Thompson.  Scotsman Phil Kay’s comedy is a unique blend of energy, improvisation and leaps of imagination that take his audience on a joyride they’ll never forget. Even Phil has no idea what might happen when he unleashes his crazy brand of improvised comedy mayhem. He possesses the rare gift of creating a space where audiences feel like they are kids again, all taking part in a practical joke.

Phil launched his stand-up comedy career with a bang in 1989, quickly garnering a host of awards, nominations and glowing reviews. Since then, the plaudits have never stopped as he conquered first the live stage and then television, with appearances on such shows as Phil Kay Feels, (Ch 4), Next Stop Phil Kay (Ch 4), Edinburgh Nights (BBC1), Montreal Festival of Fun (Ch 5) and plenty more besides including a couple of appearances on QI.

Phil’s first love, however, remains live stage work ¬ and only by watching his live performances will audiences really see him at his very best. Phil Kay is stand-up comedy’s answer to spontaneous human combustion ¬ a rare, explosive and always surprising phenomenon that simply cannot be contained in a box or represented on a cathode tube.  Phil tours Britain constantly and is a firm favourite at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he performs yearly to sell-out crowds and critical acclaim. Over the years he has completed several highly successful tours of Australia, performing at the Adelaide and Melbourne Festivals.

Since then, he has travelled the length and breadth of the globe administering his special blend of comedy genius.
“You have to be born with comic talent such as his… It’s a gift from the gods, a freewheeling mind that’s utterly without boundary.” ***** (Metro).  Cited as: “One of the funniest joke writers in the country,” by Time Out Magazine, Dave Thompson may be best known for playing Tinky Winky in the Teletubbies, especially after he was sacked in July 1997 because the BBC thought his interpretation of the role was ‘unacceptable’.

Dave also plays a semi-regular character in both series of Al Murray’s sitcom Time Gentlemen Please, and has two cameo roles in Ben Elton’s feature film Maybe Baby. Dave has appeared in ITV’s The All New Harry Hill Show, and TV Burp! and plays various roles in Harry Hill’s stage show, Wild Horses.  Dave is an international stand-up comedian and compere, known for his brilliant one-liners and odd persona. He has written for Harry Hill’s TV Burp! and The Sketch Show, which were broadcast on ITV. Both series of The Sketch Show have sold around the world, including to CBS in America.

He also co-wrote (with Jim Tavare) part of the book Sit Down Comedy, which was published in August 2003. Dave also writes for other stand-up comedians appearing live and on TV. These include Bruce Forsyth, Boothby Graffoe, Jim Tavare, John Moloney, Dominic Frisbee, Phil Davey, and Tony Law.  “Dave Thompson is hilarious and goes down a storm with the crowd.” (DAILY MAIL).

For further details on what else is on offer at Stendhal Festival of Art visit www.stendhalfestival.com.