WITH the highly anticipated Series 2 of Bridgerton on our screens, the Culloden Estate & Spa is helping fans feel part of the drama.
Guests of the 5-star hotel are being invited to experience the splendour of high society with a scandalously decadent Bridgerton-inspired afternoon tea in the hotel’s stunning setting overlooking Belfast Lough.
Such a treat seems fitting for a hotel that’s part of the luxury Hastings Hotels group.
Tastebuds will be tickled with a demi-tasse of soup (a small cup to the ordinary person), followed by elegant finger sandwiches, warm buttermilk scones with lashings of clotted cream and a sumptuous array of pastries and cakes – all served in fine bone crockery laid out on a suitably dressed antique table.
Along with the finest selection of speciality teas and coffees, guests have the option of adding a glass of champagne to enhance the experience.
And if you’re feeling specially audacious you can partake in Lady Whistledown’s Gossipy Gimlet cocktail – cleverly disguised in a teacup to avoid any scandal.
Dressing up for such a sanctimonious occasion is optional but will not be frowned upon.
The Bridgerton-inspired afternoon tea costs from £35 per person and is served daily at 1.30pm.
Garden Show Ireland will return from Friday 29th April until Sunday 1st May with celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin announced as show ambassador
Press Eye Northern Ireland Wednesday 16h March 2022 Photographer Darren Kidd / Press Eye (L-R) Megan mercer (aged 8) and Myla Johnston (aged 7) from King’s Park Primary School in Newtownabbey transform into Antrim Castle Garden’s very own gnomes under the watchful eye of celebrity Gardener Diarmuid Gavin and as they celebrate the launch of Garden Show Ireland 2022. Garden Show Ireland returns to Antrim Castle Gardens, from Friday 29th April until Sunday 1st May. Tickets can be purchased online at gardenshowireland.com with under 16s going free.
Northern Ireland’s leading gardening event, Garden Show Ireland, is set to make a highly anticipated return to Antrim Castle Gardens from Friday 29th April until Sunday 1st May.
Widely regarded as a highlight of the events calendar across Ireland, the 3-day event has consistently attracted almost 30,000 visitors eager to immerse themselves in what is a festival of flowers, food and fun!
Fresh from announcing the return of the event at last year’s One Giant Weekend, renowned celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin will officially open Garden Show Ireland on Friday 29th April.
Alongside his show ambassador role, Diarmuid will also be involved in the forthcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations, creating a permanent, bespoke installation within Antrim Castle Gardens intitled the ‘Clockwork Garden’. The garden, similar in style to Diarmuid’s critically acclaimed ‘garden of pure imagination’ created at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2016, will be the first of its kind to assume permanent residency in any garden across the UK.
Commenting on his involvement and subsequent installation, Diarmuid said:
‘I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Garden Show Ireland and delighted that visitors to the show will be able to catch a glimpse of the Clockwork Garden build in real time! My inspiration for the garden comes from some of the UK’s most imaginative minds, resulting in an active, entertaining and playful space. Every 15 minutes the garden actually comes to life and engages in a short performance which certainly surprises spectators and creates a few smiles! It has been my dream to bring it home to where it belongs and Antrim Castle Gardens is that place.’
‘It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to work alongside students from CAFRE in the physical building of this project. These young people are our next generation of horticulturalists, and their enthusiasm and hard work should be both applauded and nurtured.’
In addition to enjoying a weekend of gardening expertise, ideas and inspiration, visitors will also have the opportunity to visit the Food NI Food Pavilion to observe chef led food demonstrations and sample food from some of Northern Ireland leading artisan food producers.
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb, commented:
‘Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has been hosting Garden Show Ireland since 2014 and we are very excited to, once again, welcome the event back to Antrim Castle Gardens for 2022. Our gardens are of the most unique and historically intact gardens in the UK and throughout Ireland, therefore the perfect space for Northern Ireland’s premier horticultural event. We are excited to see the Clockwork Garden in action, and its permanent residency in the gardens will be a wonderful tribute to Her Majesty The Queen in the year of her Platinum Jubilee.’
‘As a result of recent world events, individuals have become much more aware of their outdoor space and the need to create a sustainable environment that meets the needs of future generations. On arrival to the show you will actually be greeted by the residents of Scarecrow Avenue, all of whom have been created by our local primary schools using a combination of re-cycled or borrowed materials. Our schools are also being encouraged to create miniature gardens in anything from a bucket to an old boot, either of which can attract, feed or even reproduce your own version of a bird, bee, bug or butterfly!’
Claire Faulkner, Event Director of Garden Show Ireland, added:
‘Since its inception in 2004, Garden Show Ireland has grown significantly, in both profile and attendance. With the shift towards holidaying at home and generally spending more time in our gardens and on home improvements, we have no doubt that this year’s event will be our biggest yet.
It’s wonderful that after a difficult few years we are able to host a 3-day celebration of this calibre, made even more special with the talented Diarmuid Gavin opening the show! Visitors will be spoiled for choice, with green fingered experts on hand to guide them through all their gardening quandaries, whether that be the creation of a climate friendly garden or the addition of an organic vegetable patch to an outdoor space. With everything from a live jazz band and stilt walkers to crazy golf and dog shows in our dedicated ‘Doggie Zone,’ Garden Show Ireland certainly has something for the entire family…including your pets!’
Garden Show Ireland runs from Friday 29th April until Sunday 1st May. A courtesy shuttle bus will operate from The Junction between 10.15am and 6.15pm each day. There will be a plant and produce creche available for visitors who want to store their garden purchases while they browse, and these purchases will be allowed on board the shuttle.
Tickets for Garden Show Ireland cost £10 and can be purchased online at gardenshowireland.com. Children under 16 go free.
Dozens of prehistoric toy brick dinosaurs will arrive at Armagh Observatory & Planetarium this summer, showcasing over 20 species for a Jurassic scale display. This is the first time the Brickosaurs! Evolution will be showcased in Northern Ireland this June and tickets are now on sale.
The towering 3-D brick dinosaurs are made using more than 2 million toy bricks and an interactive expedition will be on display at the Planetarium, making it a perfect place to visit this summer to excite families and dinosaur enthusiasts alike.
Presented and built by Brick Live, the Brickosaurs exhibition has been touring across the UK and its next stop is Armagh Observatory & Planetarium this summer.
Visitors will have the chance to go back in time and come face to face with pre-historic creatures such as the seven-metre long Spinosaurus, a nodding Heterodontosaurus and a huge Mosasaur emerging from the water.
There will be plenty of photo opportunities too, including a sit-in Carnotaurus, a giant dino egg, and the chance to get up close to nine adorable baby dinosaurs.
Ria Mee, Senior Education Officer, from Armagh Observatory & Planetarium said: “The display is something totally different for us and we are delighted to host such a fantastic event. We haven’t had an exhibition of this scale before, and we are excited to welcome guests this summer for an immersive and educational adventure.”
Brickosaurs is a spectacular experience for the whole family. To witness the scale and the detail that has been lovingly crafted into these models is something that never fails to amaze.”- Christina Anthony, director, BRICKLIVE
The exhibition will be available to visit from Saturday 11th June – Sunday 31st July 2022.
Tickets are on sale now. Book online today at armagh.space. Pre-booking is essential and exhibition entry is free with any dome show purchase. Separate exhibition area tickets are available for anyone not choosing a dome show.
If you fancy making memories with family and friends this year, discover what Ards and North Down has to offer with a selection of fantastic experiences that allow you to explore fascinating places, enjoy delicious food and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Borough!
Launching the Experience Ards and North Down programme for 2022 – Jill Hunter and Rua, Tracey Jeffery (Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen), Christine Casey (Kiri Cottage) and Iain McCarthy (SUP Hub NI). Image: Graham Baalham-Curry.
From April through to the end of the year, a fabulous selection of experiences will be available in Ards and North Down. ‘Spring’ into action this April with the Castle ParkMinibeasts Kiddies Walk (13 April). Or if you fancy something a little bit different this Easter Sunday, why not try an Easter Egg Hunt on water with the Easter SUP Experience (17 April) at Ballyholme Beach.
If you ‘knead’ some time for yourself, try the Kneading Yoga Experience (20 April) in the beautiful surroundings of Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen where a one-hour yoga session will be followed by some delightful homemade breads and delicious cake. Alternatively, the Weaving with Nature Experience (22 April) lets you learn basic weaving skills in the stunning Kiri Cottage, using materials you’ve foraged for in the heart of Ards Peninsula.
Looking beyond April, more experiences will be on offer including a High Tea at Sea (7 May) speedboat experience, Garden Escape (14 May), Art in the Garden (20 May) watercolour workshop and a Bat Walk and Talk (26 May) in Crawfordsburn Country Park.
As we enter the summer months, many more experiences will be available with plenty to satisfy those who are fond of water. The SUPaoke Experience (3 June) combines paddleboarding with some fun karaoke in the middle of Belfast Lough, or spend some quality time with your family and make great memories by taking a guided kayak tour for Family Time on the Water (5 June).
If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on dry land, why not celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and take a guided walking tour of Bangor with the Jubilee Jaunt Back in Time (5 June) where you will uncover the town’s Royal connections.
Find out what it takes to look after Castle Espie with the Ranger for a Day Experience (18 June) or if you prefer to go for a walk with your furry friend and enjoy a gin cocktail, Paws for Gin (19 June) is definitely worth a look.
With many more Experiences in Ards and North Down available over the coming months, there will be plenty of things to do during all seasons of 2022!
Experiences must be pre-booked so book early to avoid disappointment. For more information, including ticket prices, terms and conditions, and a full list of available Experiences, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com/experienceAND.
Celeste Barber comes to the Ulster Hall, Belfast on Sunday 18 September 2022.
Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am, including 50 Meet & Greet Packages, which will include the best seats in the house plus a socially distanced photo opportunity with Celeste and a signed poster.
Hailed as the “Australian Queen of Comedy”, Celeste’s original celebrity parody Instagram account has attracted over 8.1 million followers.
In 2019 she released her best-selling book Challenge Accepted and she was also seen on the 2019 Showtime Special of the same name. In 2020, she won the AACTA (The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards) for Favorite Comedy Performer of the Decade and in 2021, took out a Webby Special Achievement award.
Celeste won the ‘Funniest Lady on Instagram’ Award 2017 on WhoHaha.com; a digital platform co-founded by actor, director, producer, Elizabeth Banks which showcases women in comedy around the world.
In 2019 she was included in Variety Magazine ‘Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch’ and she hosted the 5th Annual Daily Front Row Awards at the Beverly Hills hotel where the best in fashion in Hollywood are honored.
She is currently shooting her Netflix Comedy Wellmania, a new comedic drama series based on the novel Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness. The show centers around human tornado Liv (Barber) and a major health crisis where she is forced to rethink her ‘live fast die young’ attitude. Throwing herself body-first into a wellness journey, she tries everything from the benign to the bizarre in an attempt to get well quickly, and reclaim her old life.
In the summer of 2019-20, Australia that was ravaged by extreme bushfires and Barber raised 51 million dollars to support the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Brigades Donation Fund. Her fundraiser drew global attention and broke records, and help fund much-needed upgrades and providing high-tech equipment to ensure fires are better prepared for the next bushfire season.
International guitar sensation Jon Gomm is set to headline the Ards International Guitar Festival when it rocks into Newtownards next month from 7 – 10 April.
Based in Leeds, Jon Gomm is an acoustic singer-songwriter with a revolutionary virtuoso guitar style, where he uses one acoustic guitar to create drum sounds, basslines and twisting melodies all at the same time.
Jon wrote his first song at the age of six and was soon accompanying his father to gigs in his hometown of Blackpool. Touring musicians would often stay at the Gomm household on the understanding that Jon would get a guitar lesson – which meant he had one-to-one instruction from such blues legends as BB King and Jack Bruce of Cream.
Nowadays, Jon tours worldwide. In January 2012 his song Passionflower went viral online, with the video passing six million hits, resulting in national TV appearances in the UK, Portugal, Holland, Brazil and Turkey. His debut CD Hypertension has sold over 50,000 copies at the time of writing, and his second CD Don’t Panic sold out within 3 days of appearing on Amazon. His videos are watched tens of thousands of times within minutes of appearing on YouTube.
The festival is delighted to also welcome Carlow-born virtuoso Shane Hennessy back to this year’s line-up. Shane who is supporting Jon Gomm at his Queen’s Hall gig, is known for high energy and variety at his live shows – listeners can expect anything from Bach to Beyoncé! Irish Music Magazine also referred to him as “one of the most exciting live performers of his generation”. Coming from a background in Irish traditional music, Shane has been captivating audiences globally for the past few years, with sell-out solo tours in Europe, Russia, and the United States under his belt, as well as regular appearances at major international music festivals. He has released four albums of original music, with the most recent Rain Dance being hailed as “a triumphant reaffirmation of his virtuosity and compositional excellence” by Irish Music Magazine.
Over the years Shane has collaborated with Tommy Emmanuel, worked with Grammy-winner Bill Whelan (composer of Riverdance), and was named Male Musician of the Year at the 2021 American Listener-Supported Radio Awards.
Jon Gomm and Shane Hennessey will play at The Queen’s Hall, Newtownards on Saturday 9 April. Tickets cost £15 and are on sale now.
Eddi Reader is perhaps Scotland’s greatest living female voice. In 2022, she celebrates her 40th year on stage with a ’40 Years Live’ concert tour, arriving at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Tuesday 29 March.
From her earliest years playing the folk clubs of Western Scotland and learning how to street sing across Europe, Eddi’s path soon led her to a professional career in music as a backing singer for Eurythmics and Gang of Four. Her band Fairground Attraction had huge international success and number one hits with ‘Perfect’ and debut album ‘First of a Million Kisses’ which stormed the charts in the late 1980s.
Throughout her successful solo career, Eddi has released consistently great works, including highly acclaimed albums such as ‘The Songs of Robert Burns’ and last years ‘Cavalier’. She has won Brit Awards, been awarded four honorary degrees and an MBE, sung to millions on some of the world’s greatest concert and festival stages and collaborated with a host of stars across a myriad of genres including Folk, Jazz, Pop, World, Punk and even Classical work with various orchestras.
The ’40 Years Live’ tour promises to be something special, as with any Eddi Reader show, the magic is being made in the moment, no two performances are ever the same.
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.
Make way for a crackin’ Spring and Summer with a visit to epic, Derry~Londonderry
Far and Wild Foodie Cycling. St Columbs Park House, Limavady Rd, Londonderry, BT47 6JY, United Kingdom.
Now that the longer, brighter days are upon us, it is the perfect opportunity to make plans for lots of exciting and unforgettable experiences this spring and summer. If you’re looking to try new things and see amazing places right on your doorstep then Derry~Londonderry should be on your bucket list, explained Odhran Dunne, CEO, Visit Derry.
“The Walled City offers something for everyone”, said Odhran. “Thrill seekers can now experience an exhilarating cruise along the River Foyle, or zip through the treetops at Oakfire Adventures. You can still do the favorites like walk the iconic city walls on a guided tour, or if you want a contemporary take on the city visit the locations where Derry Girls was filmed.
“In the coming months, there are numerous events and outdoor activities for all the family to enjoy as well as new experiences and lots of ways to keep entertained in our many theatres and museums; it’s a place like no other so get planning now to ensure 2022 is a LegenDerry Spring and Summer.”, said Odhran.
EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED
A festival city renowned for its buzzing atmosphere, 2022 is jam-packed with incredible events to look out for.
About Us (Creativity Unboxed) – a spectacular, free open-air event that combines live performances and multimedia installations to celebrate the history of the universe from Big Bang to the present day arrives in Derry from 15th – 21st March.
Spring Carnival – returns in all its splendor with a magical programme of dance, folklore, music, and food.On March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day the vibrant Carnival Parade will kick off from 3-4pm.
Walled City Passion – is an exciting new festival and modern re-telling of the Easter story staged along the Walls of Derry and in Guildhall Square. Creating an electrifying event for all the family and told through live streaming and performance, this unique production will run from 14th – 16th April.
Our Place In Space (Creativity Unboxed) – is an out of this world experience centered on an epic-scale model of the solar system designed by artist and children’s author Oliver Jeffers – and created as a 3D sculpture trail stretching 10km. You can walk the trail in Derry from 22nd April-22 May.
City of Derry Jazz Festival – Northern Ireland’s biggest and best jazz festival is back. There’ll be big-band performances, solo gigs, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra with Brazilian musical legend Hermeto Pascoal, Imelda May, Jumpin Up! and much more from 28th April – 2nd May.?
O’Neills Foyle Cup – Ireland’s premier youth soccer event will attract hundreds of teams from across the world from 18th – 23rd July.
Foyle Maritime Festival –the most highly anticipated event in the North West of Ireland will return from 20th – 24th July alongside the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet. Highlights include the Legenderry Street Food Festival, live music, street animation, marine themed installations, and much more.
Millennium Forum – Other not-to-be-missed events coming up include Give My Head Peace in March, Derren Brown in April, SIX UK Tour in August and Celtic Women in August.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Giddy Up! – City of Derry Equestrian offers a guided horse-riding experience and is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the panoramic views of Derry, Donegal and beyond. Crindle Stables, located on a working farm and stud, offers horse riding lessons and quirky activities for the beginner to the advanced rider.
Far and Wild – a new Foodie Cycle Tours offer an historic view of the city and features two great culinary experiences, or you can get adventurous and enjoy a paddle boarding experience as you glide under the iconic Peace Bridge.
Thrill seekers – Oakfire Adventures is a mecca for thrill seekers who love canopy high tree-to-tree crossing, free fall Tarzan swings and riding super-fast very long zips. Limitless Activity Centre offers the chance to pilot a hovercraft and operate a Powerturn Buggy go-karting or Creggan Country Park has land and water-based activities including canoeing, aqua inflatables, raft building and pier jumping.
Foyle Venture Cruises – blow away the cobwebs with an exciting boat cruise along the iconic river Foyle taking in the beautiful sights of the historic city, its bridges and local wildlife.
FOOD AND DRINK
Wild Atlantic Distillery and Gin School – hear about the art of distillation and even distil your very own bottle of gin using a beautiful, authentic mini copper pot still.
Derry’s Famous Beer and Cheese Tour – hear the stories of the people producing wonderful craft brews at Northbound Brewery before a visit to Dart Mountain Cheese to meet the cheesemakers and sample the range of award winning cheeses.
Artis by Phelim O’Hagan – a new high end dining experience in the Craft Village, Artis is a celebration of local produce and more than 43-years of Michelin Star restaurant experience.
MAKE MY DAY
Visit Derry Pass – access 10 attractions and activities across the city including the iconic Guildhall, Tower Museum, Siege Museum, Bogside History Tours and The Museum of Free Derry; tours of the City’s cathedrals and churches; and access to several guided tour options that take in the bustle of the city.
REST EASY
There is a superb variety of places to stay in Derry~Londonderry so whether you like a little luxury, spa breaks, boutique escapes or family friendly accommodation, the city has it all.
For more information on things to do in Derry~Londonderry, click on www.visitderry.com or call + 44 (0) 28 7137 7577.
The UAC Easter Stages Ltd is thrilled to announce that following a two-year break, due to the global pandemic, the Circuit of Ireland International Rally is set to return on Easter weekend, Friday 15th and Saturday 16th April 2022.
Craig Breen and Paul Nagle on their way to victory on the ‘Circuit’ in 2019
We are also delighted to announce that Wastewater Solutions are continuing to support the event as title sponsors. Wastewater Solutions Managing Director, Philip Johnston, commented ” I am extremely pleased to see the Circuit back and look forward to working with the team to provide another Easter Classic; who knows I might even compete this time!!”
Clerk of the Course, Nigel Hughes, stated ” We are very grateful to Philip for his continued support. We have been working hard during our enforced respite to come up with a plan for the rally that will appeal to competitors, spectators and fans. We are also very conscious that Covid remains as a threat to our population and hopefully the route for 2022 reflects our thinking whilst endeavouring to keep the public safe”.
The Wastewater Solutions Circuit of Ireland International Rally will be the First round of the FIA Celtic Rally Trophy and the third round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. The action focuses on the North West corner of Northern Ireland and the 12 stages will provide competitors with fast flowing and technical challenges on both days.
Event Headquarters in Carey Cleaning Machines will be beside the service area in the Livestock Market in Ballymena helping to reduce the road mileage for competitors and facilitating easy access for spectators.
Entries will open at 8:00 p.m. on 7th March 2022 via rallyscore at www.rallyscore.net and regulations will be available from the event website www.circuitofireland.co.uk We look forward to seeing you out there and welcome the ‘Circuit’ back in style!!
UK City of Culture contender Armagh City reveals fresh nine-day festival bounce for 2022
Tuesday 8th March: St Patrick’s historical home, Armagh City, has launched a new and inspirational nine-day festival programme to celebrate the life and legacy of Ireland’s world-famous patron saint which kicks off on Thursday 10 March.
This year’s Home of St Patrick Festival combines exceptional live music, comedy art, poetry, theatre, film, dance and thought with great debate, adventure and lots of family fun.
The Home of St. Patrick Festival has established itself as one of the UK and Ireland’s best events to mark St Patrick’s enduring impact on the island of Ireland and on the world. Renowned for converting Ireland to Christianity centuries ago, it was in Armagh that Patrick began his Christian mission and his legacy lives on in this ancient, unique and beautiful place.
Armagh’s iconic Market Place Theatre plays a big part in this year’s festival, hosting performances from big name comedy acts including Jason Bryne and up-and-coming cult comedy hero Owen Colgan.
Acclaimed tribute band Celtic Soul and the showstopping, global award-winning Sitkovetsky Trio will also bring their unique classical power to Armagh for this year’s special series of events. The trio have played in world renowned venues such as Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Frankfurt Alte Oper, Palais des Beaux Arts, Musée du Louvre, l’Auditori Barcelona, Wigmore Hall and Lincoln Center New York.
In Ireland’s oldest city and famed for its history, heritage and stunning Georgian façades, storytelling and walking tours are another big feature of this year’s programme which reliably includes the annual St Patrick Lecture, St Patrick’s Vigil and community procession.
Art is as important as ever in 2022 as internationally-acclaimed artist Desmond Kinney brings his large-scale murals and public art works with a theme of myths and legends to a city which also celebrates Armagh Art Club’s 60-year milestone with special showcase of its work at Market Place Theatre.
There’s plenty for kids of all ages too, including art and craft workshops, ahead of two big family days out planned for Thursday 17 March in The Shambles Yard, Armagh. On Saturday 19 March, Banbridge’s gorgeous Solitude Park will be the place to be to enjoy live music, face-painters, fair rides and more.
