Author: whatsonni

NW200 to go Ahead!

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The Coleraine and District Motor Club is delighted to announce this year’s fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 will take place as planned on May 7-13

 

As has been well documented over the past month, this year’s event had been thrown into jeopardy by a huge increase in the cost of public liability insurance.

A new insurance deal has finally been secured and the crucial intervention of Co.Tyrone businessman, Derek Keys, with a generous donation from his company, Euro Auctions, has ensured the 2023 NW200 can go ahead.

“March 2023 represents the 25th anniversary of Euro Auctions and helping the North West 200 gives us the ideal chance to thank all of those people who have supported us over that 25 year journey.” Mr Keys said.

“The event sees over 195,000 people visit the region and many businesses, both large and small, depend upon events like this to bring trade and prosperity into the North West area. This event is part of our region’s heritage and I am delighted that with a little help from Euro Auctions, the event can now proceed this year.”

“We are very grateful to Derek Keys and Euro Auctions for this very generous support.” the NW200’s Mervyn Whyte, said.

“In the absence of any financial assistance from government, the sport has been left to its own devices to deal with the insurance crisis. Mr Keys intervention has been crucial in saving this year’s North West 200. We also wish to express our gratitude to the many members of the motorcycle racing community who donated so generously to the crowd funding initiative launched by the Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre.”

 

 

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CELEBRATE ST.PATRICK’S DAY WITH BUSHMILLS 10 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT 

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Bushmills, Co Antrim: Looking for an extra special gift to celebrate with on St. Patrick’s Day?

The Bushmills® Irish Whiskey 10 Year Old Single Malt is an exquisite Irish single malt whiskey that has been triple distilled, matured, married and bottled at the world’s oldest licenced whiskey distillery in Bushmills, Co. Antrim.

Bursting with notes of zesty citrus fruits, honey, milk chocolate and toasted wood, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt boasts the same unwavering quality renowned by Bushmills whilst its chic design will stand out at any occasion.

Whether it’s straight up, neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail, at the heart of a perfect serve, there is always Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt.​ Below we share one of our most popular cocktail serves which embodies Bushmills’ rich heritage and tradition, coupled with a contemporary and approachable twist.

Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. The Bushmills Way! 🥃

Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt RRP €46 / £32

 

PATRICK’S WHISKEY SOUR

A guaranteed crowd pleaser to kick off your celebrations this St. Patrick’s Day. Made to sip, savour and enjoy with friends.

Ingredients

  • 2 parts Bushmills 10 YO
  • 1 part fresh lemon juice
  • ½ part sugar syrup
  • ½ part egg white
  • Few dashes of orange bitters
  • 1 part lime juice
  • Lemon peel

Method

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with a lemon peel. Enjoy!

For exclusive news, private events and limited-edition products, join the Bushmills Giant community www.bushmills.eu/bushmills-giants/  

Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this week across NI

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Antrim

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the heart of Lisburn at a special tea dance event at Market Square on Friday 17th March.

Find out more HERE

Armagh

Join Lurgan Action Cancer Community Group on Sunday for a 5K Mother’s Day Walk within the beautiful surrounds of Lurgan Park on Saturday 18th March, both an uplifting and tranquil experience.

Find out more HERE

Belfast

Check out the The 2:19 Blues Band, St Patrick’s Day with support from The John Andrews Band Live at The Pavilion, Belfast . These gigs sell out FAST

Find out more HERE

Down

Enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Trail in search of mischievous Leprechauns at Montalto Eastate. You will receive a pack from our Ticket Office which will include a map to help you with your search.

Find out more HERE

Fermanagh

The St Patrick’s Day Fringe events take place at various venues across Enniskillen, 16th and 17th March.

Find out more HERE

Derry/Londonderry

Celebrate the arrival of Spring in all its colourful splendour with a magical programme of music, dance, food and folklore this St Patrick’s Day at the Spring Carnival Derry 2023.

Find out more HERE

St Patrick’s Day family fun at the Hill of the O’Neill in Dungannon. Come along to our FREE celebrations on the Hill from 1pm – 4.30pm! (No booking required).

Find out more HERE

10 things to do in Northern Ireland Next Week

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Here are ten exciting things to do 20 – 26 March 2023

 

  1. Walled City Music Festival, Derry~Londonderry, 23 – 26 March. The Walled City Music Festival returns to Derry~Londonderry in 2023 with an incredible line-up of international guest artists. Solo pianist Barry Douglas, cellist Raphael Wallfisch with pianist Cathal Breslin, and mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty with pianist Fiachra Garvey, are all set to perform in the beautiful Christ Church venue.
  2. Season Opening Car and Superkart Race Meeting, Kircubbin, County Down, 25 March. On Saturday 25th March 2023 the opening race meeting for cars and Superkarts takes place at Kirkistown Racing Circuit on the Ards Peninsula. A full race programme is in place which features Formula Ford 1600s, Saloons and GTs, Modi-5-Cup Mazda MX5s, Roadsports, Kirkistown Fiestas, NI Sevens and Superkarts. Visiting classes include Formula Vee and Legends.
  3. Foraging At Tully Castle, Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh, 25 March. Join Geopark Guide, Tony to experience what’s out and about in the beautiful setting of Tully Castle. Unleash your inner forager and learn all about the fruits that can be used to create your own jam. This activity is sure to be good fun with a cooking demo and some treats but will also give you the knowledge needed to forage for your own food.
  4. Forage in the Forest, Belfast, 25 March. Spring is a fantastic time to explore the edible delights of the woodland and surrounds on a walk through the beautiful Lagan Valley Regional Park ending with refreshments on the barge.
  5. Omagh Sperrins Walking Festival, Gortin, County Tyrone, 25 – 26 March. Get your walking boots ready for the Omagh Sperrins Walking Festival, taking place across the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB). The programme, developed and delivered by The Sperrins Partnership and outdoor experts Far and Wild, is designed to help walkers of all abilities to enjoy our beautiful landscape as well as promoting health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Sperrins Walking participants will not only enjoy discovering a destination filled with unique tourism experiences, but a great choice of walks ranging from leisurely strolls to more demanding longer walks, all in small groups, guided by experienced leaders.
  6. Saturday Observing Sessions at OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Omagh, County Tyrone, 25 March. Drop by OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory every month to check in on what their astronomers are up to as they delve into the dark skies. Weather permitting (if we have clear skies), you’ll be able to view live astronomical imaging with their high end Meade LX600 and camera system and also take part in some eyepiece observing outside with their range of refractor telescopes. Maybe you’d like to bring your own observing setup too – the more the merrier.
  7. “Spring” into Summer with lunch in the Walled Garden, Helen’s Bay, County Down, 26 March. Get ready to set your clocks one hour ahead, and “Spring forward” with a delicious lunch to celebrate the official awakening of summer in the Walled Garden. You will be welcomed with a refreshing summer cocktail, before a relaxing stroll through the garden where you will hear about the exciting garden restoration project and vision for the future. This will be followed by lunch served in Old Mill House, created by talented local chef, Nina Christinacce, from Lightfoot, Bangor who shares a passion and vision for the environment and will use fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, as well as whatever bounty the garden has to offer.
  8. Star Tracking Evening with Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, County Armagh, 23 March. Join them for a special Star gazing evening with the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society for Irish Astronomy Week 2023. Have a telescope but not sure how to use it? Then this is the session for you. NIAAS members and AOP staff will be on hand to answer any questions you have. There will also have telescopes set up outside for stargazing and planet spotting (weather permitting).
  9. Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market, Hillsborough, County Down, 25 March. The popular Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market returns to the historic village for the first market of 2023. Set against the tree-lined ‘The Dark Walk’ and Hillsborough Fort it makes for a lovely day out, especially when combined with a browse of the independent shops and eateries in the village. The market features over 40 stalls of the finest local and seasonal farm-to-market produce and artisan food from across Northern Ireland for you to discover.
  10. Awakening the Walled Garden – Bangor Castle, Bangor, County Down, 25 – 26 March. As part of a weekend of walled garden experiences across the Borough, Spring into AND, join the fun in Bangor Castle Walled Garden to enjoy this beautiful Victorian garden with a host of free activities for all ages on Saturday and Sunday, 12noon-4pm. There will be live music, children’s entertainment and demonstrations, including wood carving. Tours of the garden and Castle Park will let you hear all about the horticulture history of both and the wildlife that calls the park its home. Why not bring your own picnic to enjoy in the garden or grab a cuppa and treat from Coffee Cure? In addition, there are ticketed dining experiences on the 25 March. Check website for more details.

Booking is essential for most activities. 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/

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM ANNOUNCES SERIES OF EVENTS FOR IRISH ASTRONOMY WEEK 2023

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– Family Friendly Events to Take Place on Site at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium From 21st to 24th March 2023 –

 

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has announced that a number of family friendly events will take place on site from 21st to 24th March, as part of the inaugural Irish Astronomy Week 2023.

The events will include:

Introduction to Astrophotography by Paul Evans, which will take place on 21st March at Armagh Planetarium. In this talk, amateur astronomer and photographer, Paul Evans, will outline basic astrophotography methods and will share a number of his own astrophotos.

He will explain how, thanks to the evolution of modern cameras, astrophotography is no longer the preserve of those with expensive equipment, and how aesthetically pleasing and educational  photographs of the night sky can be taken using fairly basic equipment.

The Look Up! A Spring Night Sky Tour Dome Show will take place on 22nd and 24th March at Armagh Planetarium. Suitable for adults and children aged over 8 and produced by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, this 30 minute presenter-led show will take visitors on a seasonal tour around the night sky, as seen from Ireland. The show is ideal for amateur astronomers or those interested in learning about the night sky.

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Library Open Afternoon, a free event which will take place from 2-4pm on 22nd March at Armagh Observatory. The Observatory’s library contains over 4,000 books and over 10,000 journals. During this event, staff and students will be on hand to answer any questions.

This is a drop in session, with exhibitions, displays and experts on hand, visitors will be free to browse, read and peek behind the scenes of the specialist library.

The Star Tracker Evening will take place on 23rd March. Suitable for adults and children aged over 8, this event will include a viewing of the Look Up! Spring Night Sky Dome Show, followed by a telescope workshop and live stargazing with the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomer Society.

The Staring Into Space PhD Afternoon will take place on 24th March. It will see visitors join Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s PhD students for an afternoon of short talks and demonstrations centred around the astronomical tools that they use.

Admission to this event is free.

Themed ‘The Stars for Everyone,’ Irish Astronomy Week 2023 will see events take place indoors and outdoors, right across the island of Ireland, from the 20th to 26th of March 2023. During the week, astronomers of all ages will be able to enjoy the celestial waltz of the crescent Moon as it moves past the bright planets Jupiter, Venus and Mars.

Helen McLoughlin, Senior Education Officer at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, says, “We are delighted to take part in Irish Astronomy Week 2023 and to welcome visitors to the series of events that we will be hosting as part of this important initiative.

“As a leading centre for astronomical research and an advocate of STEM education, we are very much aligned with Irish Astronomy Week 2023’s goals of connecting people with the universe, and promoting an appreciation and understanding of the night sky, along with the ability to enjoy it in a non-intrusive and non-destructive manner.”

To book tickets for these events, visit: https://armaghobservatoryplanetarium.ticketsolve.com

C2C Coming to Belfast in 2024!

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FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME C2C WILL BE ON THE ROAD AND VISITING BELFAST AT THE SSE ARENA IN 2024!

** EARLY BIRD TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY 17TH MARCH AT 10AM **

After another hugely successful festival this year with headliners; Thomas Rhett, Lady A and Zac Brown Band, C2C is delighted to announce that it will return in March 2024 with early bird tickets available on Friday!

C2C festival will return on Friday 8th to Sunday 10th March to The O2, London and OVO Hydro, Glasgow but for the very first time C2C will be leaving our friends the 3Arena in Dublin and will be going on the road. In 2024 C2C will visit Northern Ireland at The SSE Arena, Belfast.

Early bird tickets are available from Friday 17 March at 10am

Country to Country has become a staple in the UK festival calendar and has brought country music to the UK and Ireland masses, with tens of thousands of fans attending each year. The festival will bring three days of the best in country music and programming that fans have come to love and expect from the weekend, with performances from the world’s best country stars as well as emerging talent from Nashville, UK and Europe.

The full line-up will be announced later in the year along with more exciting announcements and further news from the festival.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE ST PATRICK’S DAY IN LINEN QUARTER

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This March 17th, why not paint the town green and celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Belfast’s Linen Quarter. Fast becoming one of the city’s most vibrant and must visit areas, the district is home to some of the best Irish food, music venues, pubs and nightlife – just a stone’s throw away from Belfast City Hall.

Here’s five ways to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Linen Quarter.

Féile Trad at The Points

Traditional music is the celebration of sound and storytelling, and Linen Quarter is home to a rich music scene which embodies the spirit of Belfast. Visit the Points in the heart of the Dublin Road on March 17th and enjoy a full day of singing, dancing and great craic!

Family Fun at FLAXX

FLAXX on Brunswick Street is one of Linen Quarter’s newest social spaces – a outdoor hub with seating, performance area and stage, back open just in time for St Patrick’s Day. FLAXX has something for all the family with live music on the day, a BBQ and games area.

Voices of Belfast – St Patrick’s Day Parade

Kicking off at 1.30pm, the annual St Patrick’s Day parade is due to be a colourful display of costumes and musical performances. Why not take in the views from Linen Quarter on Donegal Street South or escape the crowds in the city’s tallest cocktail bar, the Grand Central Observatory.

Raise a Pint at Fibber Magee’s

Based in Robinsons, one of Belfast’s longest running bars, Fibber Magee’s is steeped in Irish tradition and a renowned spot for live music. Pull up a stool on the bank holiday, enjoy a creamy pint of stout and one of their famous Steak and Guinness pies.

Street Food at Trademarket

Bored of Irish stew? In the centre of Linen Quarter you’ll find Trademarket, home to a vast range of tasty street food from around the world, cocktail creations and independent retailers. Just a five-minute walk from City Hall, it’s a hidden gem you’ll definitely want to experience.

 

Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this weekend.

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Antrim

‘Les Nuits d’Été’ or Summer Nights is a song cycle which we will stage in the round, performed by mezzo soprano Sinéad O’Kelly and pianist Bryan Evans in the historic Courtyard Theatre in Newtownabbey.

Find out more HERE

Armagh

The award-winning Celtic Soul are returning to The Market Place with their definitive tribute to Van Morrison.  Following a sell-out performance at Belfast’s Ulster Hall in 2019 they went on to receive an IMRO Gold Award for their performance in Radio Ulster’s Astral Weeks special.

Find out more HERE

Belfast

Step inside the family home of footballing superstar George Best, as it would’ve been in the summer of 1961 when a fifteen-year-old George left to follow his dreams in Manchester.

Find out more HERE

Down

Featuring the perfect combo of organ and trumpet, Matilda Lloyd and Richard Gowers bring their highly acclaimed UK tour to Portico of Ards.

Find out more HERE

Fermanagh

Floral workshops at Rossclare Lodge. Sunday 12th March at 2.30pm – living wreath of bulbs and spring flowers – £38 per person, or £65 per couple. Lovely gift for Mother’s Day. Refreshments included.

Find out more HERE

Derry/Londonderry

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Seamus Heaney, and explore through his words and imagination the people and place that so inspired him.  Described by Michael Longley as “an echo chamber for the poet’s beautiful lines”, Seamus Heaney HomePlace features a fully interactive exhibition over two floors, filled with personal stories, images and the voice of the poet himself.

Find out more HERE

Tyrone

The award winning Cash Returns takes to the stage to celebrate Johnny Cash’s first ever Irish tour back in 1963. 60 years later the love for the Man In Black’s music is now as strong as it ever was.  See them perform live in Omagh this weekend!

Find out more HERE

 

 

10 things to do in Northern Ireland 

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Here are ten exciting things to do 13 – 19 March 2023

 

  1. Array Collective: The Druthaib’s Ball at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, 24 February – 3 September. The Druthaib’s Ball is the 2021 Turner Prize-winning installation by the Belfast-based artists collectively known as Array Collective. They are the first artists from Northern Ireland to win the prestigious Turner Prize. The acquisition to the Ulster Museum collection was supported by the Art Fund and the Department for Communities.
  2. St Patrick’s Celebrations, Belfast, 10 – 19 March.Belfast’s annual St Patrick’s Celebrations returns 10-19 March with a fantastic line-up. The focus in 2023 will be a celebration of local music across various genres, paying tribute to the city’s UNESCO City of Music status. Check website for full programme.
  3. Hinch Big Bash St Patrick’s Day Distillery Tour, Ballynahinch, County Down, 17 March. Take a tour of Hinch Distillery and finish with a whiskey tasting this St Patrick’s Day for only £17. Check website for information and to purchase a ticket.
  4. Sunday Session: St Patrick’s Weekend, Armagh, County Armagh, 19 March. With over 50 countries around the world celebrating St Patrick’s Day, join in the fun with live music, poetry and dance in the beautiful surroundings at the Navan Centre and Fort, where they are hosting a wonderful showcase of culture and entertainment for the entire family.
  5. St Patrick’s Day Family Paddle, Warrenpoint, County Down, 17 March. Begin the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in style by joining Geology Rocks Adventure Tourism on the water for a paddle board event on the beautiful shoreline of Warrenpoint, Carlingford Lough. Check website for information.
  6. St Patrick’s Day at Slemish, Broughshane, County Antrim, 17 March. Join the fun on Friday 17 March to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and take part in the annual trek up Slemish to enjoy the spectacular views. The walk to the summit and back is 1.5km and takes approximately one hour in good weather.
  7. Dark Skies In Lough Navar, Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh, 17 March. Join Terry Mosley from the Irish Astronomical Association to experience the dark skies and the abundance of stars and planets (including Venus and Mars) with a focus on what you can see with the naked eye. Please wear suitable footwear and warm waterproof clothing.
  8. The Spirit of the Bann, Coleraine, County Londonderry, 17 March (more dates available.) Causeway Coast Foodie Tours is delighted to host you on ‘The Spirit of the Bann’, a very special river whiskey tasting experience. This is an ideal and unique opportunity to slowly savour distinctive colours and flavours, enjoy a warm glow and celebrate the beautiful blend of natural and man-made wonders the stunning Causeway Coast has to offer.
  9. Leprechaun Treasure Trail at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, 17 March. Can you find Montalto’s Leprechauns? Enjoy a St Patrick’s Day Treasure Trail in search of mischievous Leprechauns. You will receive a pack from their Ticket Office which will include a map to help you with your search. Explore the Trails & Gardens and have some fun along the way. When the Treasure Trail has been completed you may also receive a reward from their ‘Pot of Gold’.
  10. St Patrick’s Day celebration at Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon, County Tryone, 17 March. This St Patrick’s Day, come along to a celebration on the Hill from 1pm – 4.30pm. (No booking required). They will celebrate St Patrick’s Day with live music, face painting, Irish dancing, amusements, arts and crafts and more. Sure to be fun for all the family. Headlining the St Patrick’s Day event is the renowned Blackwater Céilí Band.

 

Booking is essential for most activities. 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/

Council’s packed Coronation programme ‘fit for a King’!

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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is hosting a wide range of family friendly events and initiatives to celebrate the Coronation – ranging from big screen broadcasts, to community grants and activities for local schoolkids.

At a meeting of Council on Monday night, Councillors agreed to a comprehensive plan to mark the historic event locally.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, with Chair of Council’s Coronation Working Group, Cllr Cheryl Brownlee.

The programme is led up by Council’s Coronation Working Group, which includes Cllr Cheryl Brownlee (Chair), Cllr Keith Turner, Cllr Matthew Armstrong, Cllr William McCaughey, Cllr Gregg McKeen and Cllr Lauren Gray.

The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort takes place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May 2023.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman, Wing Commander, Noel Williams, said: “The Coronation ceremony will be broadcast live on big screens in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena, with a range of activities and free entertainment taking place at the same venues.

“In the coming days, Council will be inviting local community groups to apply for grants of up to £500 towards hosting their own events and celebrations within the Borough. This may include those groups wishing to take part in the ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ on Sunday 7 May, for street parties on Monday 8 May, or other celebrations. Interested groups should follow Council’s social media channels for the very latest information.

“Members of the public are also invited to take part in ‘The Big Help Out’ on the Bank Holiday Monday, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.”

Other activities planned include the lighting up of key buildings in the area, the planting of Coronation-themed floral displays, the rollout of commemorative coins and special colouring books, tree-planting, jewellery-making workshops, certificates for newborns, exhibitions and talks.

Chair of Council’s Coronation Working Group, Cllr Brownlee, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating the Coronation in Mid and East Antrim, and look forward to delivering a programme of events and activities designed to be enjoyed by all our residents.

“Our Borough has strong links with the Royal Family and we look forward to promoting and indeed building on those ties in the weeks, months and years ahead.”

Further details will be made available in due course, with updates posted at midandeastantrim.gov.uk/coronation

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