Author: whatsonni

Aspects Festival is delighted to welcome Al Mennie to its Young Aspects programme. The Big Wave Surfer, writer and athlete will be giving a special talk in Studio 1A, Bangor on Friday 1 March. Author of several children’s books, Al will share insights into his writing journey and what inspires him.

Al Mennie is probably best known for his big wave surfing exploits. From humble beginnings playing on the beach at Castlerock to eventually becoming a pioneer of big wave surfing in both Ireland and at the infamous location of Nazare in Portugal.

​Al is also a writer and has written a number of books, from an autobiography to books to help adults and children with fear, anxieties and being confident. His book Confident Kris tells the story of Kris and his life as a Viking child living with his widowed mum. It explains how he uses strength and confidence to combat fears and worries, and to not let other people’s opinions impact him. The book deals with bullying and how to make sure you don’t waste a minute of your day. Al’s latest book Billy the Basking Shark is designed to educate young people on the importance of protecting nature and the ocean from pollution.​

Speaking about his Aspects appearance, Al said: “I have been writing almost every day since I was a child. I am inspired by life and the environment around me and I look forward to speaking to the audience about this at Young Aspects Festival”. 

Aspects Festival Director, Patricia Hamilton said: “We are delighted to welcome Al Mennie to our Young Aspects programme. Al is an inspiration and I’m sure our audience will enjoy hearing about his writing. I would encourage everyone to book a ticket and come along.”

Young Aspects is presented by Ards and North Down Borough Council and will run from 1 – 3 March at various locations around Bangor. Tickets are on sale now.

To view the full programme and to book tickets, visit: https://aspectsfestival.com/whats-on

As part of its ongoing mission to improve the lives of people living with dementia, leading local charity Dementia NI has chosen Ballymoney as the location for its new Empowerment Group, with the launch event taking place on Thursday 22^nd February 2024, 12pm-2pm, at Ballymoney Town Hall, 1 Townhead Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6BE.

Dementia NI has more than 12 Empowerment Groups across the whole of Northern Ireland. These Groups provide a place for local people in the early to middle stages of dementia to come together, share experiences and provide peer support to one another. The Groups are also a place for Dementia NI members to press for changes in policy and services and challenge the stigma of dementia.

The charity is inviting everyone in the local area to join them for their Dementia NI Engage and Connect launch event. Whether you would like to talk with Dementia NI members about their experiences of living with dementia or are looking for information on practical support available in your local area, Dementia NI encourages you to come along. The event also offers the chance to find out about volunteering and fundraising opportunities with Dementia NI.

Dementia NI Founding Member John McErlane, who set up the charity with four other people with dementia after being diagnosed in his early fifties, comments, “I am delighted that Dementia NI is starting an Empowerment Group in Ballymoney. Bringing people together with a dementia diagnosis is very powerful. We can learn a great deal from each other as we are all in the same boat. Starting a new group in Ballymoney is very exciting for me, the new members and the people of Ballymoney”.

Reflecting on the support he received following his diagnosis with early onset dementia seven years ago, Dementia NI Member and Trustee, Davie McElhinney, 60, says, “Since joining Dementia NI, the support I’ve received has really helped me. After my first group meeting, I felt better. Getting to meet the other members has provided me with confidence and a new outlook.”

Commenting on the upcoming event, Conor Lawell, Empowerment Facilitator at Dementia NI, says, “Dementia NI is coming to Ballymoney with some of our existing members and championing our message of hope – that with the right support, it is possible to live well with dementia. We invite members of the public to join us to come and hear what we have to offer. We look forward to seeing you on the day.’’

Come and talk to the Dementia NI team, get involved and help the charity make a real difference to the lives of local people. See you there!

For further information on Dementia NI’s Empowerment Groups, please contact Empowerment Facilitator Conor Lawell on 07734 375 583 or email conor@dementiani.org

To find out more about the work of Dementia NI, visit our website at www.dementiani.org

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is encouraging visitors to explore spectacular walking routes in Ballycastle and the Glens of Antrim during the upcoming Walking Festival 2024 from Friday March 15 – Sunday March 17.

Local activity providers, Far and Wild will deliver the festival – now in its 4^th year – over a variety of stunning forest, mountain and clifftop trails, highlighting the unique history, heritage and mythology surrounding this location.

Launching the event, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan said: “The quality and variety of walking trails within our Borough is unsurpassed and the Causeway Coast and Glens Walking Festival provides a valuable opportunity for visitors to the destination and residents of the borough to discover the beauty of our mountain trails and coastal paths.

“I am delighted to welcome walking enthusiasts to discover our magnificent landscape and scenery, both on popular routes and lesser-known paths.”

Kerrie McGonigle, Council’s Destination Tourism Manager added: “The Causeway Coast and Glens Walking Festival 2024 further enriches the superb walking product available to visitors in the Borough and adds to the world class visitor experience that the Causeway Coastal Route offers.”

The Walking Festival begins on March 15, with ‘Fairy Lore and the Glens’, a moderate looped way marked walk on Ronan’s Way, taking in the historic landscape of one of the nine Glens of Antrim, Glendun.

This walk showcases the environmental and human heritage of the Glens and how local lore governs the ways native populations have interacted with landscape down the ages.

The second day of the Festival on March 16 explores ‘The Living Edge: Where the Land Meets the Sea’, along the dramatic cliff-scape at Fairhead and Murlough Bay, overlooking the Sea of Moyle.

This walk will illuminate the connection with Rathlin Island and the Scottish western seaboard through the ages, from the pre-Christian period to the modern era.

The final walk of the Causeway Coast and Glens Walking Festival on March 17 will take place on open country, trails and minor roads, on the challenging ascent to the summit of Lurigethan Mountain.

With ancient remains dating from neolithic times and beyond, ‘Settlement in an Iconic Landscape’ entwines history with glacial geology in a breathtaking location overlooking Waterfoot Bay and Cushendall.

Accompanied children over 12 years can be accommodated on these walks, but the adjacent high cliffs and steepness of the ascent should be noted by parents.

These walks are suitable for everyone with good fitness levels and walkers with prior hillwalking experience.

Waterproofs and hiking boots are required and a packed lunch with at least one litre of water is recommended.

The nature of the landscape determines that unfortunately dogs cannot be accommodated on these walks.

Each walk is £10 per person, including refreshments, and bookings can be made via https://www.farandwild.org/causeway-coast-and-glens-walking-festival.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, officially opened Dementia NI’s unique art exhibition at Ards Art Centre last week.

The Real Lives: The Art Of Living With Dementia exhibition is free to visit and runs until 24 February. It explores what it is like living with dementia in Northern Ireland while challenging widespread stigma about the condition.

The exhibition features pieces created by members of the Dementia NI charity, all of whom live with a diagnosis of dementia, and showcases captivating photography and striking patchwork quilts.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said:

“There are over 20,000 people living with dementia across Northern Ireland, many of whom live in our Borough, and Age UK’s statistics suggest this could rise to 60,000 by 2050. Years of stigma and misunderstanding have led to common misconceptions about what it means to live with dementia but this exhibition sets out to challenge these misconceptions, transforming how people view the condition and starting conversations through the medium of art.”

The exhibition features patchwork quilts created during an online project organised by Dementia NI and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, to help local people with dementia stay active during lockdown. Working with Arts Council art tutors, Dementia NI members were encouraged to make their own heirloom quilts which tell the story of their lives.

Dementia NI member, Allison Batchelor, is exhibiting her patchwork quilt which she created to represent what is important in her life. She said:

“When you receive a diagnosis of dementia you believe your life is over and that it’s impossible to learn new skills. However, this isn’t the case. During lockdown, Dementia NI developed this amazing art project which was run via Zoom. Through this we learnt many new skills and produced first class artwork. We are challenging the public’s perception of what dementia looks like and are constantly endeavouring to break down stigma and barriers. This art project was so enjoyable, and I am very glad to have been involved.”

Claire-Rose Canavan, Dementia NI Empowerment Facilitator, said:

“This exhibition is really special to our members, and we are so thrilled they permitted us share it with the public. It shares a message of hope that many people with dementia are still able to enjoy life in the same way as before their diagnosis and live well with dementia. We warmly invite everyone to come along and view it for themselves.”

The free-to-attend exhibition is open Tuesdays to Fridays (10am – 4pm) and Saturdays (10am – 1pm) until 24 February. For more information, visit andculture.org.uk.

Join James Huish and his band for a romantic evening of swing and jazz this Valentine’s Day!

Songs from Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Dean Martin and Elvis Presley etc, in the new iconic Avenue Arts Centre on the Lisburn Road in Belfast. A beautiful building full of character, formerly an old church now transformed in to a stunning theatre space.

Immerse yourself in the timeless melodies and toe-tapping rhythms that defined an era. With his smooth and velvety voice, James and his 10 piece band will transport you back to the golden age of jazz, serenading you with soulful renditions of love songs that will make your heart flutter.

Whether you’re looking to impress your date or simply want to indulge in an enchanting musical experience, this concert is the perfect way to celebrate the most romantic day of the year. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening filled with passion, charm, and the irresistible magic of swing jazz. Book your tickets now and let James Huish and his band sweep you off your feet this Valentine’s Day!

Book your tickets now  at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/theavenueartscentre/t-jzmrnqo

Date:12th February 2024

Venue: The Avenue Arts Centre. Belfast.

Time: 8.00pm

Running time approx 2 hours

Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre is delighted to partner again with the Steinbeck Festival in 2024 to host a captivating program of events that celebrate the legacy of John Steinbeck through art, music, storytelling, and spoken word.

The festival promises a wonderful blend of cultural experiences for attendees of all ages, inviting them to immerse themselves in the literary world of Steinbeck.

The Steinbeck Festival 2024 kicks off with two engaging exhibitions: a display of book covers created by local primary school students and The Dustbowl Photography exhibition, which this year explores the theme ‘People’.

The timeless appeal of John Steinbeck’s works and his profound impact on the world of arts and culture will also be celebrated with a diverse range of live events, bringing together literature, film, music, and community engagement.

Mark Carruthers will engage in a thought-provoking conversation on Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume, with former BBC Journalist, and author of John Hume – The Persuader, Stephen Walker (2 Feb). Then, the Swingtime Starlets will transport the audience to the golden era of the 40s and 50s with an exceptional night of music on 24^th February.  Tickets for both these events can be booked at roevalleyarts.com

There will also be a number of free events, including a live link up with the National Steinbeck Center, Salinas, California where attendees will have the opportunity to view some of the centre’s East of Eden related articles. Following this Dr Linda McKeown (QUB) will discuss East of Eden in its social context and consider Steinbeck’s thinking behind writing the novel.

On 8^th February, come along for a captivating evening of verbal art by local poets and storytellers. Then, award-winning Northern Ireland film producer and screenwriter, Greer Ellison will give an illustration talk on 22^nd February, offering insights into his illustrious career, sharing clips from his latest film, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of film and media.  Meanwhile, the Steinbeck Cafe in Drumceatt Square will host a lively Book Club discussion focused on Cannery Row on 27^th February.

Secondary school GCSE groups are invited to a special programme of exploration and learning, delving into the literary masterpiece Of Mice and Men. Following the discussion, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a screening of the 1992 film adaptation and an introduction to the live music of the era by Allan Nicholl (21 and 22 Feb).

All bookings for events can be made online at roevalleyarts.com or by calling the box office on 028 7776 0650. Book is essential for free events.

The Arts Centre galleries are open throughout the festival as follows:

• Monday: CLOSED
• Tuesday: 9:30am – 5pm
• Wednesday: 9:30am – 5pm and 7pm – 9pm
• Thursday: 9:30am – 5pm and 7pm – 9pm
• Friday: 9:30am – 5pm
• Saturday: 10am – 1pm

For further information visit www.roevalleyarts.com

Dobbins Inn, County Antrim

This cosy Inn is one of the town’s oldest buildings. You can simply relax by the open log fire or explore the town’s Norman Castle that has dominated this part of Belfast Lough since the 12^th century. There’s lots to do in the area, from exploring the Causeway Coast, visiting the waterfall at Glenoe, or taking a walk to the Blackhead Lighthouse near Whitehead. Great food and a warm welcome await in the quaint Landings Restaurant. Avail of an overnight stay and a one course meal, with a hearty breakfast the next morning from £50 pp. Visit https://dobbinsinn.co.uk for more information.

Walsh’s Hotel, County Derry~Londonderry

Nestled at the foot of the Sperrins in the town of Maghera, this hotel is a great base to explore the lovely scenery of Mid-Ulster and County Derry~Londonderry. The hotel is offering a Children’s Adventure Package where you can spend the day at the nearby Jungle NI watching your little treasures have the time of their lives at the Treetop Adventure before heading back to the cosy comfort of the hotel’s Helena’s Bistro, where the kids can eat free. Then enjoy a great family breakfast the next morning.  From £256 based on two adults and two children. Visit https://www.walshshotel.com for more information.

Lough Erne Resort, County Fermanagh

Escape to this five-star resort, located minutes from the island town of Enniskillen. Nestled on a 600-acre peninsula between Castle Hume Lough and Lower Lough Erne, it has spectacular views of the Fermanagh Lakelands and The Faldo Course. This hotel has welcomed many a celebrity and world leader. Why not feel special and pamper yourself at The Thermal Suite and Infinity pool at the Thai Spa, complimentary for all hotel guests. Then tuck into a delicious meal at the Loughside Grill. There is a wonderful Irish breakfast to enjoy the next morning, paired with memorable views. You can stay in a lodge or suite as part of this Stay and Dine deal for £269 per room based on two people sharing (Sun- Thurs). Visit https://www.lougherneresort.com for more information.

Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Subject to availability.

For more information on what’s on or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/