Are you back in business? Then let us know! Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is encouraging businesses to get involved in a ‘Back in Business’ campaign, aimed at helping local retailers and town centres bounce back from Covid-19.
Funded by the Department for Communities (DfC) and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAREA) through their Town Centre Recovery Revitalisation Programme, a considerable proportion of an initial £255k allocation will be used to help retail and town centres recover from Covid-19.
Businesses registering as part of the scheme will be able to participate in various initiatives to promote the Borough and encourage people to shop local. To take part, local businesses need to register online. All registered businesses will receive a supply of merchandise as well as the opportunity to get involved in case studies and editorials to give them an extra publicity boost. There will also be a range of Back in Business ‘Roadshows’ across the Borough later in the year which registered businesses can get involved in.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery said, “The ‘Back in Business’ campaign focuses on promoting our local businesses by driving footfall to our town centres. The Council will be carrying out a range of marketing activity in the coming months to promote town centres via social media, outdoor media as well as radio campaigns. All activity will focus on directing the public to our website, so it is important for businesses to register to ensure they are listed. Whether you are a butchers, florists, hair dressers or corner shop, I would encourage all local businesses to get involved and help the local economy get back on track.”
The ancient Cathedral City of Armagh is undoubtedly one of the most visually stunning and historically intriguing locations on the island of Ireland.
From pre-historic landscapes to an unmatched Georgian architecture, modern day Armagh is built against a rich backdrop of antiquity, clearly visible through its iconic buildings and beautiful open spaces.
One of the best ways to discover the delights of the city, and become immersed in its culture, past and present, is through an official guided walking tour.
Under the guidance of experienced tour guide, Donna Fox you will walk through Armagh’s vibrant and varied history as you hear stories and anecdotes about the area, learn about the city’s renowned Georgian architecture and take a leisurely stroll along the distinct cobbled streets as you uncover some of the city’s hidden gems along the way
Guided walking tours operate Thursday – Sunday at 2pm until 13 September. The meeting point is the Celtic Cross on Market Street adjacent to the Marketplace Theatre. Each tour will last approx. 75 minutes, with the tour all outdoors.
Sensible footwear and clothing is recommended and please note some uneven or narrow streets will be part of the tour.
WITH the third series of ‘Derry Girls’ hitting our TV screens later than originally planned, fans can still get a piece of the action with special experiences from the Everglades Hotel.
There’s the chance to dine like a Derry Girl with an Afternoon Tea complete with themed goodies including the famous cream horn and enjoy a Derry Girls summer staycation with a guided tour giving you the chance to walk in the footsteps of a true Derry Girl around the city’s walls and Bogside and visit some of the filming locations. Guests will also have the chance to get a photo taken with the Everglades famous resident, Michelle the Derry Girls duck!
Neil Devlin, General Manager of the Everglades Hotel said: “Michelle, Erin, Clare and Orla have won the hearts of people around the world and we are delighted to celebrate the success of Derry Girls with our hugely popular themed Afternoon Tea and staycation experience – it’s a must for all fans!”
DERRY GIRLS AFTERNOON TEA – £30pp. Inspired by the show, the menu features the cream horn shared by Grand Joe and his floosy, a cone of chips in homage to the Chippy fiasco, the famous Derry sausage roll baps, a classic Tayto Cheese & Onion sarnie and a host of local tray bakes that would make Ma Mary proud.
BE A DERRY GIRL from only £80pps. With luxurious overnight accommodation and breakfast the following morning, themed Derry Girls Afternoon Tea with cocktail and your very own Michelle, the Derry Girls duck to take home with you.
DERRY GIRLS TOUR PACKAGE from only £95pps. Enjoy luxurious overnight accommodation and breakfast the following morning, guided Derry Girls Walking Tour, themed Derry Girls Afternoon Tea with cocktail and your very own Michelle, the Derry Girls duck to take home with you. This package is available on Fridays and Saturdays only and the tour takes place at 3pm every Saturday with Martin McCrossan City Tours.
“The walls are nothing short of spectacular” says Erin in Season 1 – well go and see for yourself with the Derry Girls Tour. Get your photo taken at Free Derry Corner and Dennis’ wee shop whilst hearing about life in the Bogside during the troubles from an expert local guide. See the Guildhall, where President Clinton was welcomed to in the early 90s as portrayed in season two and walls. You’ll also have the chance to take a selfie at the famous Derry Girls Mural.
Northern Ireland’s biggest celebration of cultural diversity, the Belfast Mela goes virtual for 2020 with a week-long series of more than 50 free events planned from Monday 24th August to Sunday 30th August at www.belfastmela.org.uk
Get ready for Mela at Home Ð A free week-long virtual celebration of culture and diversity from Monday 24 August to Sunday 30 August.
Nisha Tandon, OBE, founder of Belfast Mela is pictured with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey to launch this yearÕs Virtual Belfast Mela in Botanic Gardens with chinese dancers Weihong and Michelle and mexican
Highlights of this year’s Mela at Home, sponsored by Sensata Technologies, include a wonderful line up of music, dance, food, art, theatre, discussion and wellbeing from around the world presented by local artists and performers living in Northern Ireland. An engaging and interactive Mela at Home festival map transports visitors to a virtual Botanic Gardens with a range of new exciting events on offer each day including spectacular performances on the World Stage, a variety of cookery demonstrations in the Palm House, relaxation workshops in the World of Wellbeing, plus interactive theatre, animation, storytelling and much more for children.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey announced this year’s Mela at Home Festival saying: “The award winning Belfast Mela, launched by the one of the city’s leading cultural groups – ArtsEkta, is now the biggest celebration of cultural diversity in Northern Ireland. I am delighted that ArtsEkta have shown resilience and adapted with a very exciting virtual edition of the festival – Mela at Home.
“It has never been more important that we find strength in our diversity and be proud of all communities who make up the unique fabric of Belfast. Belfast City Council is delighted to have recently supported Mela as one of the city’s four signature events through its ‘Imagine’ funding scheme. With significant investment over the next four years, festivals and events are a cornerstone of our new 10 year cultural strategy – A City Imagining. This funding will be used to help support the growth and development of the Mela in the long term and we look forward to seeing how ArtsEkta continues to create innovative opportunities for cultural engagement in our city.”
Nisha Tandon, OBE, Founder of Belfast Mela and Director of ArtsEkta said: “We really hope our virtual festival brings people some joy, positivity and hope in these very strange times. Recent events have also created momentum in communities in every corner of the globe with equality and rights firmly under the spotlight. Our vision is a society that respects different cultures and communities in Northern Ireland. We will continue to play our part in challenging racism and prejudice by using arts and creativity to help us all embrace our differences and celebrate our similarities.
“We encourage you to log onto our new website www.belfastmela.org.uk to pick your favourite events, many of which are interactive and created with every member of the family in mind. And of course, we’d love you to support the festival by purchasing a limited edition Mela Culture Box to create your very own pop up Mini Mela at home.”
Martin McDonald , Chair of Community Relations Council (CRC) says: “The Belfast Mela is one of the brightest and best festivals the city enjoys and offers a glimpse of the forward-looking intercultural and diverse place Belfast is becoming. CRC is proud to have funded this event over the years through our CR/CD Small Grants Scheme and supported it to develop into one of the largest celebrations of cultural diversity on the island of Ireland.”
Roisin McDonough, CEO, Arts Council NI says: “As one of ArtsEkta’s long-term principal funders, through our National Lottery and Exchequer funds, the Arts Council welcomes the creative approach that the festival team has taken to this year’s Mela. We hope this year’s virtual Belfast Mela leaves you feeling uplifted, enriched, inspired and entertained in those very special ways only the arts can do.”
Mela at Home starts on Monday 24th August at www.belfastmela.org.uk and runs until Sunday 30th August with a variety of events lined up each day. All events are free of charge. Follow all the fun on ArtsEkta’s social media: Facebook – facebook.com/artsekta1 and Instagram and Twitter @artsekta
Mela at Home is supported by the following organisations: Funders: The Executive Office; Belfast City Council; Arts Council for NI; Community Relations Council. Title Sponsor: Sensata Technologies. Media Partners: UTV and U105. Digital Partner: Flint Studios. Friends: Department of Finance, Department of Justice, NICS HR, Equality Commission Encirc and Phoenix Gas.
Ferry travel to Britain with car and accommodation from £565 per family of four
If you thought holidays this year were cancelled think again as leading Ferry Company Stena Line is offering families across Northern Ireland a memorable car-cation to Britain this Summer.
Holidaymakers are invited to experience the best of Britain’s landscapes, history and heritage when they travel via Cairnryan or Liverpool by car from Belfast. Check out Stena Line’s holiday deals here.
Alton Towers / Theme Park Break from £565 per family of 4 (+ entry tickets)
Enjoy all the fun of the fair at the largest theme park in the UK, Alton Towers spans 910 acres of
central Staffordshire with a great selection of attractions for all the family.
Price includes return ferry travel with car and 2 nights 4* hotel bed and breakfast at the Hilton St Georges Park, Burton-upon-Trent. This modern hotel features an indoor pool and spa and is 35 mins drive from Alton Towers, 30 mins from Drayton Manor Theme Park, 45 mins from Bear Grylls Adventure & 1 hour from Cadbury World.
LEGOLAND® Windsor / Theme Park break from £580 per family of 4 (+ entry tickets)
Take in the 55 rides and attractions where children can fly through the treetops to escape fearsome
dragons or ride the thrilling rapids. LEGOLAND® Windsor is ideal for children between the ages of 3 to 12.
Price includes return ferry travel with car, 2 nights 4* hotel accommodation and breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Gerrards Cross. The hotel is 30 mins drive from LEGOLAND® Windsor, 25 mins from Warner Brothers Studio Tour London, 40 mins from Whipsnade Zoo and 30 mins by train to Central London.
Scottish Borders family break in Peebles from £595 per family of 4
This modern hotel is located near Glentress Forest for mountain biking and hiking and Go Ape Treetop Adventure. Walk along the Tweed Valley railway path or just enjoy this beautiful part of Scotland.
Price includes return ferry travel with car, 2 nights 4* hotel accommodation at the MacDonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa Hotel with breakfast. The hotel is 15 mins drive from Glentress Forest, 5 mins from Go Ape and 1 hour to Edinburgh.
Ayrshire self-catering apartments from £709 per family of 4
Relax in these apartments in the small seaside village of Turnberry, just 45 minutes’ drive from
Cairnryan. Enjoy the sandy beach nearby and historic Culzean Castle a short drive away.
Price includes return ferry travel with car, 2 nights 4* self-catering accommodation in a 2-bedroom apartment at the fully equipped Turnberry Apartments.
English Seaside break in Blackpool from £735 per family of 4
All the fun of a traditional seaside holiday in Blackpool with great beaches, three fabulous piers,
theme park rides and one of the longest promenades in the UK to walk along.
Price includes return ferry travel with car, 2 nights 4* hotel accommodation at the Big Blue Hotel, including breakfast. The hotel is located on South Shore right beside the Pleasure Beach.
Scottish Highlands half-board break in Aviemore from £869 per family of 4 Enjoy the great outdoors in Aviemore with the Cairngorm National Park and Cairngorm Mountain or enjoy numerous activities at nearby Rothiemurchus Estate.
Price includes return ferry travel with car, 2 nights 4* hotel accommodation at the MacDonald Aviemore Hotel plus full Scottish breakfast and dinner for 2 adults and 2 children under 10. Children 11+ pay for dinner as taken.
All breaks are based on 2 adults + 2 children (under 16) including return ferry travel with your car from Belfast to Liverpool or Cairnryan and sharing a family room (or 2 bedroom apartment), subject to availability. You can extend your ferry ticket for free (when confirmed at the time of booking and subject to any difference in fare) and breaks of any duration are possible.
Stena Line is the Irish Sea’s leading ferry company with an unrivalled choice of routes and sailings. Stena Line offer great onboard facilities such as free movies, free wifi, amazing value onboard shopping, luxury Stena Plus lounge, ensuite cabins, children’s play areas, and a choice of places to dine.
If you’re thinking of a break to Britain this summer or over the October half-term break, book now and bag yourself a real bargain at www.stenaline.co.uk/famholsgb
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Art Centres and Museums will remain closed until January 2021.
The decision was taken at a Council meeting on Tuesday 4th August 2020.
The affected facilities are Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady (incorporating Limavady Museum), Ballymoney Museum (in Ballymoney Town Hall), Coleraine Museum (temporary exhibition space in Coleraine Town Hall) along with Ballycastle Museum and Green Lane Museum in Roe Valley Country Park which normally open seasonally.
They were initially closed back in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and since then staff have focussed their efforts on providing arts and museum services online.
This successful switch, which saw them deliver a broad range of activities and resources including virtual exhibitions, distance based learning, live streamed music events, access to collections and heritage trails, will now continue for the remainder of the year.
You can still connect with the Art’s Centres online programmes including exhibitions, their Northern Lights virtual music, readings and spoken word programme along with limited workshops. The team is also planning a new range of outdoor creative events including plein air painting and drawing sessions for adults as well as parent and child photography workshops at some of our most scenic locations.
Staff are grateful to everyone who has supported their online activities over the past number of months, especially all participants and contributors, and they look forward to warmly welcoming everyone back when they re-open again.
The Arts Centres would also like to thank their many loyal venue hire clients and ask for their continued patience and understanding at this time.
Museum Services will continue with its online archive project, ‘Dear Diary Life in the Age of COVID-19’, and the team is thankful to those people who have already donated their photographs, videos, poems and drawings which will tell the story of this time in years to come.
For more information on the Museums Service’s digital programmes visit www.niarchive.org where you will discover an abundance of virtual trails, resources, exhibitions and significant collection objects and submissions to its ‘Dear Diary’ project so far.
For those who don’t have digital access, Museum Services are continuing to make their History Book Bags available, which are full of fascinating local heritage publications and activities. You can also catch the latest photos from our archives in the Coleraine Chronicle’s ‘Down Memory Lane’ section.
For more information or to make a contribution to ‘Dear Diary’ please email cms@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or follow the Museums Facebook pages.
What would you do if the moon fell from the night sky…?
Maverick is the most loveable doggie. He’s cute, cuddly and super smart. Maverick and the Boy love to play. One day, they even get to play with the Moon!
Come and join the adventure and help Maverick and the Boy use their Magic to get the Moon back into the sky!
Maverick, The Moon and Me is a visual, interactive story for young children and their families with Magic and beautiful live music.
Armagh County Museum, Market Place Theatre and Brownlow House follow Navan Centre & Fort and FE McWilliam Gallery in opening their doors
Several more of Armagh’s top visitor attractions will reopen their doors in August, including Armagh County Museum, Brownlow House and the Market Place Theatre, it was confirmed today.
FE McWilliam Gallery in Banbridge and Armagh’s Navan Fort & Centre reopened this week.
With new safety measures introduced which adhere to government and public and health guidance, Armagh Country Museum opens on Wednesday 12 August from 10am until 4pm and admission is free.
The oldest county museum on the island of Ireland and set in Armagh City’s beautiful tree-lined Mall, its collections capture centuries of stories relating to the people who lived, worked and had connections with this famous city and historic county. With collections ranging from local history and fine art to archaeology and natural history, this is the ideal place to experience a flavour of the famous ‘orchard county’.
You can also enjoy the museum’s newest exhibition, Troubles Art, which continues until October and which draws from the art collection at National Museums Northern Ireland featuring artists’ response to the troubles and border counties. Part of the Making the Future project, a cross-border cultural heritage programme funded through the PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), it’s definitely worth a visit.
Another place to explore this summer is Armagh’s much-loved Market Place Theatre – just a short stroll from the Mall – and is preparing to reopen safely for visitors from Friday 7 August. This flagship venue will be open from Thursday to Saturday every week from 10am to 4pm, welcoming visitors to view a fantastic photographic exhibition by Vincent Loughran in its spacious gallery.
The Market Place Theatre’s hugely popular interactive workshop programme will also resume on Saturdays throughout August. Places are still available for creating your own Macramé Plant Holder on 15 August. Unfortunately all other workshops are sold out. Booking for the Macramé workshop and further information is available by contacting the box office during its opening hours on 028 3752 1821 or through www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre.
Meanwhile, the grand Elizabethan Brownlow House safely reopens to visitors on Monday 4 August in Lurgan Park, Northern Ireland’s largest and most beautiful urban park. Built in age of grandeur and cultured tastes, Lurgan Castle as it’s known locally is an imposing building situated just a few minutes’ walk from the Lurgan town centre. Built in 1833, this Grade A listed destination should be on everyone’s itinerary this summer.
Visitor safety is a priority across all reopening venues and new measures are firmly in place for the everyone’s health and wellbeing.
For more information and ideas on things to do, places to visit, eat, drink and enjoy, www.visitarmagh.com.
Belfast’s First Citizen was the first official visitor to the world-class experience since it closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak on 18th March 2020. At the sneak preview, he experienced Titanic Belfast’s one-way, self-guided themed tour throughout the galleries and SS Nomadic, which from the 1st – 31st August 2020 can be enjoyed for free by NHS workers as a thank you for their work during the pandemic.
Judith Owens, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast commented, “We are absolutely delighted to open our doors again. Welcoming visitors, telling stories and creating experiences is what we do best. Now more than ever, we need the support of our city and Northern Ireland, and we’ve been working away behind the scenes to ensure that those who come to visit have a truly memorable Titanic experience. For us, home is where the heart is and this has never been more apparent. As one of Belfast’s iconic symbols, we are always keen to play our part and reflect the city’s spirit. While everyone in Northern Ireland has done their bit, our NHS staff, from emergency services to healthcare workers, were are on the front line dealing with the spread of coronavirus and this is our way of saying thank you to our local heroes for their hard work and bravery.”
Throughout the pandemic, Titanic Belfast was a symbol of Northern Ireland’s spirit and sported a colourful rainbow illumination at night as a display of positivity and hope and lit up blue for Clap for Carers as a gesture of its appreciation to the NHS.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey commented, “Titanic Belfast is synonymous with Belfast, it is an inspiring testament to RMS Titanic and our city. As First citizen, it was a privilege to be its first official visitor and experience the enhancements it has made for locals this year. There is no doubt that discovering the world-famous story on our doorstep evokes a sense of civic pride and I would encourage locals to support the world-leading attraction by visiting this summer.”
In addition to its one-way, self-guided themed tour, visitors will be able to experience its award-winning outdoor Discovery Tour, Titanic Foundation’s Out of Stores Exhibition and its new Maritime Mile Treasure Trail, which will be launched in August.
Kerrie Sweeney, Chief Executive of Titanic Foundation Limited, the charity that owns the iconic building, explained “Together with Titanic Belfast, we wanted to offer more for our visitors. That’s why we have opened our archives for the ‘Out of Stores’ Exhibition in Titanic Belfast’s Andrews Gallery for those who want to learn more about the men who built the ship and will be launching our new Maritime Mile Treasure Trail so that local people and visitors can discover the history ingrained in this area whilst enjoying this expansive outdoor space in the heart of the city.”
Titanic Belfast is ‘We’re Good to Go’ registered and its Galley Café will be taking part in the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Initiative. It will be accepting pre-bookings only and operating on a reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing. It has also implemented stringent protocol around hygiene, while staff will be practicing and encouraging physical distancing measures at all times. For those NHS frontline workers that would like to avail of the free admission must claim their ticket before their visit by phoning Titanic Belfast in advance. For more information visit titanicbelfast.com.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is showing support for the local tourism providers through funding of £82k to market and promote the Borough as a location for visitors to enjoy and experience.
As part of this project, the Council will be working in partnership with Tourism NI through its ‘small step to a Giant Adventure Campaign’ to maximise the promotion of tourism, accommodation and hospitality providers in the Borough.
There are also plans to develop activity taster sessions, tours and itineraries to highlight the outdoor experiences the Borough has to offer which will be rolled out in the coming months. A grants programme will also be developed to specifically address current industry deficiencies and act as a catalyst for further tourism development.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery said, “The tourism sector has been hit hard by the recent pandemic and it is promising to see this investment from Council. We have a vast offering of exceptional places to eat, stay and enjoy in our Borough and this funding will help promote and attract people to come and visit the Antrim and Newtownabbey area through the planned marketing campaigns and initiatives.”
