Author: whatsonni

The Market Place Theatre’s full programme of interactive workshops is back to bring a bit of sunshine to Autumn 2020.

It’s time to get out, get creative and get happy! With full safety measures in place and limited numbers, you’ll need to be fast to secure your place for what has fast become the most popular interactive experience around.

Bake Off fans will be delighted with the tasty range of baking experiences on offer from learning how to create bespoke children’s birthday cakes to decorating an in-vogue drip cake. Or why not allow the kids take part in decorating their own range of Christmas cupcakes, piped and decorated with a selection of seasonal decorations.

Wanting to create a unique piece for your home? Then you’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of imaginative workshops enabling you to produce beautiful items of homeware. Why not make your own super-cute dog-shaped cushion, or learn how to weave stunning, contemporary coasters. Use winter foliage and greenery to produce a gorgeous willow door wreath to add the wow factor to your home. Or design, construct, carve and decorate your own Moroccan styled ceramic lantern.

If looking after yourself and your appearance is more your thing, then you can join one of our make-up masterclasses, and gain confidence in perfecting your look. Or you can learn old style tailoring by designing and stitching a gent’s tweed necktie. There’s a superb opportunity for youngsters to learn how to create an item of clothing from scratch with The Great British Sewing Bee’s Angeline Murphy. Or you can accessorise after completing your very own bespoke leather wallet or belt, hand-crafted to your specifications.

These are just a selection of the amazing workshops on offer, with many more to choose from this Autumn and Winter, so get the creativity flowing again, and come along and immerse yourself in one of these hugely engaging experiences.

Tickets for these, and many more incredible workshop experiences, can be purchased by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre

Keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, 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.

Antrim Castle Gardens has been awarded Tourism Northern Ireland ‘We’re Good To Go Certificate.

Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI) working in partnership with Visit England, Visit Scotland and Visit Wales have developed this standard to ensure a common approach across the UK to provide reassurance that safe working guidelines in relation to COVID-19 have been adopted. 

Antrim Castle Gardens has been a safe haven for locals and more recently visitors as lockdown restrictions have relaxed. With additional visitor services now available at the award-winning Gardens a number of COVID-19 secure measures were put into place to ensure that Executive guidance on the operation of visitor attractions during recovery was fully complied with.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Jim Montgomery said “I am delighted that Antrim Castle Gardens has received this accreditation allowing visitors to feel confident about the management and operation of this attraction during recovery. It is so important for our health and wellbeing to enjoy the freedom of open spaces and with record numbers availing of the Gardens during this pandemic our focus on public safety is paramount.”

Businesses operating within the visitor economy including accommodation, visitor attractions, restaurants and pubs, business conference and events venues and tour and coach operators are currently eligible to apply for the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard.

Discover Northern Ireland helping to save your holiday break

September 7: Northern Ireland’s hotels and restaurants are excited to be giving a warm welcome to visitors after reopening, meaning it is just a small step to a giant adventure this autumn.

Now you can embrace Northern Ireland’s giant spirit with a staycation at one of the many B&B’s, luxurious spa hotels and great value self-catering properties on offer.

Discover Northern Ireland has selected the best offers of the week because, this year, it’s not about how far, it’s about how fun.

County Tyrone 

Two and Three-Night Family Breaks, Glenavon House Hotel (3*) from £95 per person sharing 

Enjoy a fantastic family break and chill out in one of Glenavon House Hotel’s spacious family rooms including a full breakfast each morning to set you up for a busy day ahead. Two and three-night breaks available and includes use of the hotel’s luxurious leisure facilities, 20 metre swimming pool, kids pool, sauna, fitness suite and steam room. (Kids hours apply for leisure facilities).  Please note the changing rooms and the Jacuzzi in the leisure facilities are currently closed following Government guidelines. There is also tons to do nearby including movie nights at the local cinema, local playparks, feed the ducks at Drum Manor Forest Park or enjoy a day out at Jungle NI. To book call +44 (0 )28 867 64949. Offer available until 31^st December 2020. Subject to availability 

Derry~Londonderry

One-Night B&B, Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel (4*) from £89 per room per night based on 2 people

An ideally located family run hotel less than five minutes drive from the centre of the historic walled city of Derry~Londonderry and on the main route to the Giant’s Causeway. Enjoy this 4-star hotel with leisure facility, including a 20m pool, kids pool area, fully equipped gym, luxurious beauty suites, hot tubs and day spa. The hotel has its own newly refurbished, and award winning restaurant and bar on site.  To book call +44 (0) 28 7186 0606. Offer available until 31^st March 2021. Subject to availability.

Belfast

Autumn Staycation Deal, Stormont Hotel (4*) from £45 per person sharing, plus 20% off if you stay for two+ nights

Experience a staycation without the fuss. Just minutes away from the City Centre and adjacent to Stormont Estate, the Stormont Hotel offers the perfect location for a visit to Belfast or exploring County Down and beyond. Stay 2+ nights and get 20% off the total price. Your staycation includes luxurious overnight accommodation with Full Irish Breakfast, exclusive ESPA products, luxury bathrobes & slippers and complimentary WiFi with access to over 7,000 digital newspapers & magazine. To book call +44 (0) 28 9065 1066. Offer available until 30th December 2020. Subject to availability.

Just days after his 75^th birthday, rock legend Van Morrison has confirmed a series of socially-distanced live shows at Belfast’s Europa Hotel in October.

The socially-distanced concerts will take place over three nights on October 29, 30 and 31at the world-famous hotel, which is part of the Hastings Hotels group.

Tickets will be sold in pairs or by tables of eight and the maximum number at each show will be 184 as part of measures to adhere to social distancing legislation in Northern Ireland.

The performance with the Belfast native will be preceded by a drinks reception and two-course supper showcasing the best of Northern Ireland produce.

Ticket prices for the first two rows are available at £250 per person, or £2,000 for a table of eight, and all other tickets are £150 per person or £1,200 per table of eight

The world famous four-star Europa Hotel is located in the heart of Belfast City Centre and offers a choice of 272 hotel rooms – including 92 executive bedrooms and suites.

The elegant decor, contemporary bistro, bustling bar and relaxing piano bar lounge make it the hotel of choice for business and leisure guests visiting Belfast.

Due to its prime location, the Europa Hotel is a short distance from many of Belfast’s top visitor attractions including the Ulster Museum, Grand Opera House and Titanic Belfast.

Hastings Hotels has been voted Ireland’s best luxury hotel group for the past two years.

The Hastings collection has seven hotels, including the five-star Culloden Estate and Spa, the world-famous Europa Hotel, the four-star Stormont Hotel and Northern Ireland’s largest hotel, The Grand Central Hotel.

Tickets for the Van Morrison concerts can be purchased through Ticketmaster or for further information go to www.hastingshotels.com/europa-belfast/events

The City of Derry International Choir Festival recently announced exciting plans for an online edition this October, 21-25, featuring an exclusive concert by guest artists Tenebrae, a massed sing of Danny Boy conducted by world-renowned composer/conductor Bob Chilcott, and a virtual Choral Trail featuring performances from choirs across the globe.

In addition to the already top-quality programme, the festival will include a second exclusive filmed concert by leading Irish a cappella ensemble Ardú. Founded by Derry man Ciarán Kelly and based in Dublin, the award-winning group specialize in arranging well-known popular music for six voices, creating funky beats, rhythms, melody and harmony with only their voices. The performance will take place in the spectacular surroundings of The Glassworks, Derry, and will be free to view on the festival’s social media channels and website.

Furthermore, festival organisers have announced a school choir project as part of their programme of events this autumn, featuring 10 post-primary schools from Derry, Strabane, Omagh and Donegal. Representatives from each school will take part in a virtual choral performance of the much-loved Over the Rainbow, which will be premiered on the opening night of the festival, Wednesday 21 October.

Familiar faces feature in a short mini-series of programmes, commissioned for daily broadcasts during festival week, that dive into the archive of the last seven years of guest artists, international choirs, youth and community singing, from the inaugural festival in 2013’s City of Culture year to 2019’s seventh edition of the festival.

Festival Director Dónal Doherty says, “In a time of social distancing and isolation for so many, we have never felt such a strong desire from our many contributors and participants to feel connected through music. Friends from our previous seven festivals will be joined by many new friends from all over the world to help us create a truly memorable celebration of song for Festival 2020. We look forward to welcoming you to the party!” Further programme information and details of how to participate in the 2020 festival at www.derrychoirfest.com. 

To mark the 35th anniversary of the discovery of RMS Titanic (1st September), Dan Gordon, Northern Irish actor, director and playwright, specifically of the critically acclaimed The Boat Factory, a play about the Harland and Wolff Shipyard where his ancestors worked, is challenging locals to discover more about RMS Titanic this Autumn along the Maritime Mile.

Dan is aware that everyone thinks they know the story of RMS Titanic but he has been revisiting his roots and pulling out the archives to discover ‘Titanafacts’ and some of the best stories about the ‘Boat Factory’ or ‘his family firm’; that locals, kids and adults alike, should know. These include:

• It took three years and approximately three thousand men to build RMS Titanic … but Harland and Wolff had to prepare for two years to be able to build the world’s biggest ships.
• She cost about £1.5 million – but to build her today would cost millions!
• At the time, Belfast was the fastest growing city in the British Empire, it was the linen and ropework capital, with the largest ship building firm in the world. Evidence of this can still be seen along the Maritime Mile today – it was like a city within a city.
• People were proud to work in the Shipyard – it took five years to become a qualified joiner in the yard… the same time as it would take to become a doctor.
• Titanic was nearly 270m long, long enough to span three tempestuous Atlantic Ocean wave crests …. You can see the outline of the deck plan on the Titanic Slipways.
• She was made of steel plates held together with 3 million rivets. You can see the size of these panels inside Titanic Belfast’s grand Atrium.
• She was powerful and had three engines… She generated the same power as 46,000 horses.
• She had three wheels for steering.
• She had four funnels – three that worked and one to make her look grander. They were so big that a train could drive through them!
• She was very grand indeed, she had a gym, a Turkish bath, a kennel for first class dogs, and a squash court. The first class cabins on Titanic, were the same standard as hotel cabins, second class was as good as first class on other ships,.. and she even had a heated swimming pool. Today, you can find some of the same tiles that were used for the swimming pool in the Titanic Hotel Belfast.
• The famous staircase, which was among the most luxurious appointments on the ship, was inspired by the staircase at Belfast City Hall.
• Titanic was launched in 62 seconds on 31^st May 1911 from the Slipways. On the same day, the Olympic, and the tender ships Nomadic and Traffic left Belfast, drawing over 100,000 spectators and journalists travelling from London and America.
• Exact numbers of those travelling on the Titanic is debated to this day. What is known is that over 1,500 souls perished that night.
• It took over 70 years to find the exact location where RMS Titanic had sunk.

She now lies 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, nearly two and a half miles (4000m) below sea level overlooking a small canyon below.

Dan commented, “On this day, 35 years ago, Dr Robert Ballard and French diving engineer Jean-Louis Michel discovered the world’s most famous ship’s final resting place and the world was captivated but she was built here, by us. Being from Northern Ireland, we all think we know the story and there is nothing new to discover. However, Belfast is the home of RMS Titanic, her history is ingrained here and it’s our duty to keep the story alive for future generations. Therefore, I’m encouraging locals to look closer, go deeper and be surprised by what they didn’t know this Autumn.”

Judith Owens, Titanic Belfast’s Chief Executive, “At Titanic Belfast, we celebrate the hard work and ambition that built RMS Titanic so naturally we love Titanafacts and will be sharing Dan’s favourites throughout the month of September on our social channels. To support Dan in his mission to get locals to rediscover RMS Titanic this Autumn, we are running our ‘Kids Go Free’ throughout September and October so families can enjoy Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic and discover the world-famous story right on their doorstep.”

Kerrie Sweeney, Chief Executive of Titanic Foundation, commented, “Visitors can also create Titanic Memories along the Maritime Mile. Titanic Belfast, the building itself and the surrounding area has secrets and symbolism ingrained in it, and as such we have developed a new Maritime Mile Treasure Trail for families to learn more about Belfast’s iconic waterfront or for those who want to delve deeper and learn more about the men who built the ship they can visit our free exhibition – Out of Stores –  in Titanic Belfast’s Andrews Gallery, showing how Belfast’s shipbuilding legacy was born.”

Titanic Belfast is registered with the ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry standard and through its “Confidence Charter” is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its visitors and crew. Measures including advanced booking only, prearranged time slots, reduced capacity, vulnerable time-slots, themed one-way tour, sanitisation stations and social distancing throughout, advanced cleaning regimes, fresh air-conditioning, contactless and cashless experiences and a grab and go food offering have been introduced to allow visitors to have a memorable and safe experience. Customers must book online in advance of their visit to Titanic Belfast. For more information visit titanicbelfast.com or maritime-mile.com.

Ireland’s Orchard County’s award-winning food and drink event confirmed for a September return

Northern Ireland’s best-loved celebration of local food and drink is officially back on the menu this autumn as Armagh’s Food & Cider weekend safely returns next month with an exciting new line-up of events including cider tastings, orchard tours and grand farm-to-fork treats.

Famed the world over for its Armagh Bramley apples, top class cider and its local quality cuisine, the region’s award-winning food and drink experience will share its proud heritage with locals and visitors alike from Thursday 24^th until Sunday 27^th September.

Food and drink lovers this year are invited to enjoy more than 20 pre-bookable events to celebrate Armagh’s unrivalled Food Heartland status and the warmth of its welcome in the ultimate weekend of culinary indulgence.

Already six years old, this annual weekend in one of this Island’s top foodie destinations and provides a perfect pairing of gastronomic delights and cidery experiences that will have you coming back for more.

This special gourmet weekend is led from the front by some of the area’s best local chefs, including Ireland’s Hotel Head Chef of the Year, John Whyte, from Armagh City Hotel, and Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, Simon Dougan, Yellow Door Deli, Joyce Brownless, Blackwell House and Fiona and Rory Chapman from On the Hoof as well as a legion of local food producers who have worked creatively together to produce a unique menu of food events that combine tradition and contemporary taste.

Weekend highlights include tours of Armagh’s famed apple orchards accompanied by exclusive tastings and talks with global cider expert and author Gabe Cook and a scrumptious five-course feast curated by Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars’ Catering at the stunning Crannagael House.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Kevin Savage, said:

“Enriched by a beautiful landscape and a welcome that will warm your heart, Armagh is the perfect location to celebrate this year’s harvest and the quality, heritage and experience we have producing the best food and drink available anywhere in the world. 

Developed with everyone’s safety in mind, this year’s special series of events rightly commends our proud past and our present culinary successes and I’m delighted that this award-winning event is back on the menu this year so that more people can enjoy our local provenance, meet the people behind it and share many memorable stories for years to come.”

Supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, this year’s weekend includes many of the area’s leading visitor venues including Blackwell House, Long Meadow Cider Company, Armagh Cider Company, FE McWilliam Gallery & Studio, Elmfield Estate, Crannagael House, Armagh City Hotel, Navan Centre & Fort, The Vault and Groucho’s on the Square.

There is also plenty to entertain younger family members too, including a lunch inspired by the Celts at Navan Centre & Fort and a foraging event at Oxford Island to seek out wild and tasty ingredients. From Armagh City to Banbridge, Scarva and Portadown to Markethill and Richhill, there are plenty of tasty events to get your teeth into.

Armagh Food & Cider Weekend carries the accredited ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard developed by VisitEngland in partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, which means all events fully adhere to government and public health guidance.

To see the full programme of events and to book your place at these unmissable events, visit www.visitarmagh.com/foodandcider.

Social distancing has put a stop to some things we love like gigs, trips to the theatre and festival season but lovers of live entertainment tired of cancelled events, will soon be able to shake-off their lockdown blues when a new drive-in Auto-Arts festival parks up at Catalyst, Queen’s Island , Belfast.

Lough Down takes place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September 2020 and boasts a weekend line-up of feel-good entertainment including music, opera, comedy and arts while following social distancing guidelines.

While lockdown and social distancing makes conventional gigs impossible, the Lough Down Festival is a creative alternative and much-needed opportunity for culture fans to safely engage with the arts.  The festival also showcases Northern Irish talent providing a boost to local arts organisations, suppliers and individuals scrambling to replace lost income. 

Audiences will take part in the interactive event from the comfort and safety of their cars, parked in front of a performance set, with live action transmitted directly from the stage to LED screens and through a dedicated FM radio channel to their car radio.

Speaking at the launch Festival Organiser, Sarah-Jane Montgomery from MayWe said: 

“MayWe are so excited to be offering fans of live arts and culture something new to enjoy.  Lockdown has shown just how important the arts are to our mental health and wellbeing for young and old. As well as catering for adults during the festival we will also feature a ‘May Wee Ones’ mini-morning series of events with family-oriented content and earlier start times.

“It’s great to be able to provide families and friends with a much-needed distraction to stay local and social but while, we love putting on a good show, we don’t want to risk anyone’s safety so strict hygiene measures in line with government guidelines will ensure a safe environment for all. 

“We are delighted to be doing our bit to keep our local arts alive. Our Artists and creatives make our community vibrant.  It’s MayWe’s aim to generate new ways to support the sector during this time.  We would especially like to thank Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their contribution and Catalyst for allowing us the use of their site and kindly donating their hire fee towards artists. 

“The Lough Down Drive-in Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity for all of us as a community to celebrate the best of home grown talent and support our local artists and creative and technical teams”.

Live show tickets range from £15-£20 plus booking fee, per vehicle.  Test Drive Tickets priced at £10, per vehicle are available for community groups and those who may experience barriers to attending the arts.

For further details and to be the first to secure tickets when bookings go live visit www.facebook.com/MayWeEvents

Tourism NI and Arts Council of Northern Ireland team up with award-winning arts organisation, Snow Water, to bring visitors on a 300 year musical journey

25th August: The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, County Tyrone, launches ‘Folk Park Live’ this week on 27th August, taking visitors through a 300 year musical journey. This is an exciting new tourism experience by Snow Water, an award-winning arts organisation that celebrates NI’s finest artistic talent.

Snow Water has gathered together some of Northern Ireland’s most talented and versatile musicians to take visitors on a journey through music and song that charts the stories of emigration. Visitors will enjoy an immersive audiovisual tour of the museum, with songs that tell of the lives and plight, the hardships and the successes of those who had to leave Ulster over 300 years.

A partnership between Tourism NI and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, ‘Embrace the Place’, was established in 2019 to animate key tourism sites across the region by using the arts to tell the stories of that particular area, offering visitors something new and inspiring to enjoy. Following an investment by Tourism NI, Snow Water was commissioned to present a collection of original art work that reflects the heritage of the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh. 

Rosemary Lightbody, Experience Development Manager, Tourism NI, said:

“Embrace the Place has been an opportunity to collaborate innovatively with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland across some of our most iconic visitor destinations including experiences at Belfast’s Maritime Mile, Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Navan Fort in Armagh and now, Folk Park Live at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh.

“Snow Water’s Folk Park Live, the final project in this initiative, delivers a whole new layer of emotion to the visitor experience at the Ulster American Folk Park and a deep connection with the place and its stories of emigration. This new interactive visitor trail also compliments Tourism NI’s new experience brand, Embrace a Giant Spirit, as through the tremendous musical talent of the participating artists and the emotional stories within the songs, visitors are taken on a journey that truly engages with the authenticity of the destination and the spirit of its people.”

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented:

“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to see the final project from the Embrace the Place programme of events, Folk Park Live, launch at the Ulster American Folk Park, where it will be enjoyed not only by visitors to the museum but also to digital audiences around the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many of our venues and tourism sites have had to close their doors and it’s heartening to once again see this wonderful space reopen and present this terrific new musical experience that we can all engage with and be inspired by.

“We are proud to partner with Tourism NI on the Embrace the Place initiative which has been a tremendous success and has breathed new life into some of Northern Ireland’s most scenic and iconic locations by re-telling stories of those areas through the arts. Huge congratulations to Snow Water who now present an incredible line up of some of the region’s top musicians to take audiences on an immersive, thrilling musical journey charting the story of Ulster emigration.”

This new experience features musical talents such as Neil Martin, Jack Warnock, Gemma Bradley, Niall Hanna, Maurice Leyden, Eilidh Patterson, Gareth Dunlop, No Oil Paintings, Cathal Hayden, Mary Dillon and ROE.

A live performance from each musician was filmed at 12 locations across the Ulster American Folk Park to create a musical experience that can be enjoyed both online and on site at the Ulster American Folk Park. It includes songs from home and songs written from afar about home; Scottish-influenced fiddle music and piping; Appalachian music; religious songs; fast, lively energising music and slower reflective pieces.

Aaron Ward, Head of Audience Development, National Museums NI, added:

“We are very excited to give a warm welcome back to visitors at the Ulster American Folk Park and to launch this new partnership project, Folk Park Live. This immersive music trail is a great way to creatively and authentically explore new ways of bringing the heritage at the museum to life. The artistry from Snow Water combined with the museum expertise from National Museums NI has created a unique experience that our visitors will greatly enjoy, both from home and while they are visiting.”

Book tickets online in advance to guarantee your timeslot, with a range of ticket options available. The new visitor experience is included in the cost of the ticket. Visit www.nmni.com/whats-on/ulster-american-folk-park-tickets for more information. The experience is also available to view at www.folkparklive.com.

Enjoy a luxurious overnight stay at the Culloden Estate & Spa from as little as £85pps room only.*

This magnificent 5-star hotel is just six miles from Belfast and boasts stunning views over Belfast Lough and across County Antrim.

The Culloden stands in 12 acres of beautiful secluded gardens and woodland and offers a fabulous range of dining options including The Lough Bar offering light snacks and the hotel’s famous decadent Afternoon Tea and the Cultra Inn, a cosy bar and bistro which nestles within the Estate and is perfect for a tasty lunch or evening. The Spa at Culloden has partially reopened for residents of the hotel and will fully reopen at the end of September following the completion of a renovation programme.

Until the middle of September, the Culloden will be home to the Jawbox Mobile Bar, which is located on the lawn outside the Cultra Inn, and offers a delightful selection of gin serves, wine and beer.

For further information or to book go to www.hastingshotels.com or call 028 9047 1066

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.