Author: Tina Calder

8 New Jobs Created At Derry/Londonderry’s Moksh Indian Restaurant

By

Authentic flavour-packed menu prepared by passionate chefs

A new restaurant has opened in Derry/Londonderry following the expansion of a well-known local takeaway.

Moksh, which has created 8 new jobs in the city, has launched its new restaurant on the city’s Spencer Road where beautiful Indian meals are prepared by their top rated chefs.

The new restaurant builds on Moksh’s already renowned flavour packed takeaway service and has created eight new jobs.

It is owned by businessmen Umesh Aggarwal, Pushpender Thakur and Sushil Malik.

Co-owner, Umesh Aggarwal, said the restaurant stands out for its commitment to authentic Indian cuisine, emphasising fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

“We invested in the whole building,” he said. “Refurbishing the interior and exterior with Moksh colours to create a calming ambiance.

“We hired additional well-trained staff to help create a happy and friendly environment where people can come to relax and enjoy authentic Indian food and drink.” 

Mr Aggarwal said the ambiance of the restaurant is designed to reflect Indian culture. Bringing people together to provide a memorable dining experience. Additionally, Moksh prioritises sustainability and local sourcing.

“We have a diverse menu that includes regional specialities, vegetarian and vegan options in unique fusion dishes.

“We offer a wide range of different authentic Indian Starters, Curries, Biryani’s, Kebabs, Naan, Rice, Vegetarian curries & Chef’s Specialities as well as Soft and Alcoholic Beverages.”

Since opening in 2023 in its previous Culmore premises in 2023, the move to Spencer Street earlier this year enabled Moksh to develop the high standard restaurant.

Fellow co-owner Pushpender Thakur said customers will be able to choose from rich and creamy curries, sizzling kebabs, fragrant biryani, or the tantalizing goodness of Indian street food.

“Our diverse menu offers a delectable selection of dishes that cater to every palate, from mild to fiery, vegetarian to meat-lover, and everything in between, said Mr Thakur. 

“Our chefs are passionate about crafting each dish with the finest ingredients and traditional Indian spices to ensure an unforgettable dining experience.

“And, don’t miss our Chef’s Specials, where our culinary experts showcase their creativity with innovative, one-of-a-kind creations that will surprise and delight your taste buds.”

Partner in the business Sushil Malik said the team were looking forward to extending the Moksh Indian Restaurant welcome to all lovers of great food.

He added: “Whether you’re planning a cosy night or hosting a gathering of friends and family, Moksh Indian Restaurant is your go-to destination for delicious Indian food that never compromises on quality or authenticity.

Join us on a flavourful journey through India’s culinary treasures. Taste the Moksh difference today.”

Moksh Indian Restaurant is at 162 Spencer Rd, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 6AH.

Our Common Home Exhibition Highlights Environmental Responsibility at 4 Corners Festival

By

A striking photography exhibition exploring environmental responsibility is set to open as part of the 2025 4 Corners Festival.

The Our Common Home Exhibition will launch at 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, at 4pm on Friday January 31, marking the beginning of its week-long run.

The 4 Corners Festival, now in its 13th year, runs from January 31 to February 9 with a mission to inspire connection and reflection across Belfast’s communities. 

This year’s theme is HOME?, offering another year of diverse range of events including art, music, drama, and faith-inspired activities aimed at encouraging attendees to explore new corners of the city and forge meaningful connections. 

Speaking of the exhibition, director of Westcourt Centre, Cormac McArt said: “The idea for the exhibition this year came around because 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si, which was Pope Francis’s encyclical about environmental responsibility and care for the earth. 

“The exhibition will be produced by Westcourt camera club, a local camera club of around 20 members who will create a series of images that reflect environmental responsibility on our own doorstep. It’s no longer a case of hearing about climate and environmental issues in other parts of the world – we’re now seeing very real concerns on our own doorstep

“We think of things like Lough Neagh, Belfast Lough and how we can reduce the carbon footprint locally, and how each of us, with our daily actions and routines, can take more responsibility in terms of the environment.”

Our Common Home Exhibition commemorates the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si – On Care For Our Common Home. The encyclical, addressed to all people, advocates for environmental responsibility and a global dialogue on creating a sustainable future. 

Co-founders Steve Stockman and Father Martin Magill said the festival is a celebration of diversity and belonging, with this year’s events rooted in the concept of home as both a physical and emotional space.

Speaking of the exhibition Martin said: “This is now the third year we have worked with Westcourt Camera club.  We’ve gone back to them again this year because they take time to understand the theme we choose for the festival.  In the previous two years, I’ve been moved by the photographs which the club have curated, indeed photographs and the accompanying text are powerful and compelling”.

The wider 4 Corners Festival will encompass a wide variety of talks, discussions, practical workshops and more, spreading the word of local and global contextual issues across its ten day run. 

Aimed at broadening perspectives and helping people to think about bigger issues, such as homelessness, the care of our common home, the earth, transport and accessibility within our home city, these heavy integral topics are interwoven together with lighthearted festivities like music, poetry, drama and the visual arts.

The event’s schedule of activities will also challenge attendees to step beyond the physical and psychological ‘corners’ of Belfast, discovering new parts of their city, fresh perspectives and meaningful connections.

4 Corners Festival is supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund, The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Belfast City Council Good Relations Fund, St Anne’s Cathedral Sitout and Linen Quarter BID.

For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com

Explore Enterprise Helps Entrepreneur Sally O’Kane Turn Her Company Concept Into An Impactful Business

By

2024 marked a year of reinvention for Sally O’Kane, with the challenges of navigating both a redundancy and a divorce needing her attention alongside being a single mother to her 10-year-old twin boys.

Deciding to take back an element of control in her life, Sally took a leap of faith to turn her extensive experience in environmental management into a business of her own, launching SOK Consultancy with the backing of Enterprise NI’s Explore Enterprise support service.

Hailing from Elgin, Scotland originally but living in Northern Ireland for the last 16 years, the Feeny resident opted to curate a sustainability-focused business that aims to help companies embrace circular economy principles and reduce their environmental impact.

Along with the help of Roe Valley Enterprises mentor and business advisor Alice Quinn, Sally took the step to start her business after 13 years as Head of Compliance and Sustainability at Frylite, joining the Explore Enterprise service within weeks of leaving her job. 

Reflecting on her journey, Sally said: “I had an opportunity to take redundancy and it was really a question of where do I want to go next?

“I had the idea for my own business during COVID, I really wanted to be able to do something different than what I’ve been doing for 13 1/2 years, where I could use all the knowledge and experience I’d gained in nearly 25 years in the industry.

“I wanted to put that experience and time to good use to support businesses on their journey to developing sustainability plans and looking at carbon reduction, so I knew that there was a good opportunity for me to go out on my own as a consultant, and that’s where I approached Explore Enterprise.”

After seeking guidance on setting up her now-budding consultancy company, Sally credits Alice’s expert guidance and positivity as an invaluable source of encouragement and practical advice.

Sally said: “Alice has been fantastic from day one. 

“She has supported me through everything, from applying for grants to building my confidence when I had doubts. 

“On the hard days, she’s reminded me why I started this journey and kept me motivated.

“The people I’ve met through the programme have become friends and a support network, so it’s been vital, especially as someone working solo.”

SOK Consultancy focuses on helping SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) navigate sustainability planning and resource efficiency, offering tailored support to clients, from waste management audits to developing carbon reduction strategies. 

Identifying her passion for applying simple, achievable steps for businesses to integrate sustainable practices, Sally transformed the support given to her during her time with the service into support that she can give to other businesses.

She said: “A lot of smaller businesses struggle with where to start, so my role is to help them see that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s about creating a practical plan that fits their goals and reduces environmental impact.

“Enterprise NI was very much there to support me and help me on that journey, whether it’s been confidence building or marketing.”

Sally’s expertise builds on her experience implementing a five-year sustainability strategy for Frylite, where her work sparked an interest in applying sustainability on a broader scale, particularly in areas like reducing waste and incorporating circular economy principles.

Starting her business as a single mother hasn’t been without its challenges, but Sally sees her journey as proof that change is possible with determination and support.

She said: “Sometimes, it’s hard to acknowledge the wins when you’re in the middle of everything, but I’ve learned to celebrate keeping things going. 

“Every three months, I set small milestones, and so far, I’ve been able to say, ‘Yes, I can keep going.’

“I needed a career that suited my family life better and starting my own business gave me control over my schedule, but while it’s still hard work, it’s a step forward for all of us.”

For those considering starting their own business, Sally hopes that her story will inspire others, particularly women balancing family commitments or personal challenges, to believe in their potential.

She said: “If you’ve got that feeling in your gut, don’t ignore it because you don’t need all the answers to start, you just need to take the first step. 

“The help from the Explore Enterprise Support Service is fantastic and there’s someone there who wants to see you succeed.

“I also kind of feel that from the women I’ve met in the last six months, there are lots of other women that are in the same boat as me, whether they’re divorced or they’ve got children and they’re trying to balance their job. 

“There’s so much opportunity and if you’ve got that drive or the idea, there shouldn’t be anything that stops you, and I know that sounds a bit cliche, but maybe that will help to inspire somebody else in a similar situation to go for it.”

Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Explore Enterprise Support Service has provided £1.8 million in support to help entrepreneurs like Sally realise their dreams.

Sally O’Kane’s journey is just one example of how the Explore Enterprise Support Service empowers individuals to turn challenges into opportunities, building thriving businesses that make a difference.

For more information on Enterprise NI go to www.enterpriseni.com

Exploring Home? Anthony Toner and Andrea Montgomery Join 4 Corners Festival Line-Up

By

As part of the much-anticipated 4 Corners Festival 2025, songwriter Anthony Toner and artist/playwright Andrea Montgomery will take centre stage in an intimate and thought-provoking event titled In Conversation About Home. 

Hosted by festival co-founder Steve Stockman, this annual conversational series will delve into the theme of Home?, offering a unique blend of music, art, and storytelling.

Taking place on Friday February 7 at 7.30pm at Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast the show is just one of a series of interesting and thought-provoking events in the festival calendar.

Anthony Toner, well known for his heartfelt songwriting, brings a deeply personal perspective to the discussion. 

From reflecting on his childhood on Coleraine’s Harpur’s Hill estate to capturing the spirit of East Belfast in his album Six Inches of Water, his work encapsulates the complexity of what it means to belong.

Joining him is Andrea Montgomery, an accomplished playwright, director, and producer whose artistic journey spans four continents. 

Born in Delhi, raised in Canada, and now calling East Belfast home, she offers a global yet deeply personal insight into the concept of ‘home’.

This event promises an engaging exploration of the questions that lie at the heart of this year’s 4 Corners Festival theme. What does it mean to call a place home? How do our experiences shape our understanding of belonging?

Steve Stockman, co-founder of the 4 Corners Festival said: “As soon as we came up with HOME? As the theme for the Festival, I wanted Anthony for the In Conversation as he always writes about our wee place. 

“I then thought I’d like his partner Andrea to join him and as it turns out she has been making home in various different places all her life. 

“The perfect couple to talk about HOME? I cannot wait.”

The 4 Corners Festival, now in its 13th year, runs from January 31 to February 9 with a mission to inspire connection and reflection across Belfast’s communities. 

This year’s theme is HOME?, offering another year of diverse range of events including art, music, drama, and faith-inspired activities aimed at encouraging attendees to explore new corners of the city and forge meaningful connections. 

Co-founders Steve Stockman and Father Martin Magill said the festival is a celebration of diversity and belonging, with this year’s events rooted in the concept of home as both a physical and emotional space.

The wider 4 Corners Festival will encompass a wide variety of talks, discussions, practical workshops and more, spreading the word of local and global contextual issues across its ten day run. 

Aimed at broadening perspectives and helping people to think about bigger issues, such as homelessness, the care of our common home, the earth, transport and accessibility within our home city, these heavy integral topics are interwoven together with lighthearted festivities like music, poetry, drama and the visual arts.

The event’s schedule of activities will also challenge attendees to step beyond the physical and psychological ‘corners’ of Belfast, discovering new parts of their city, fresh perspectives and meaningful connections.

4 Corners Festival is supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund, The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Belfast City Council Good Relations Fund, St Anne’s Cathedral Sitout and Linen Quarter BID.

For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com

Local Charity Explores Parallels Between M.E. And Long Covid With Leading Experts At Newry Event

By

Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland recently hosted an evening that highlighted the devastating effects of post-viral illness, through an exploration of the striking similarities between Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) and one group of Long Covid patients diagnosed with Covid-induced M.E..

The event provided information centred around M.E., including a screening of an episode of ‘Dialogues From a Neglected Illness’, followed by a compelling Q&A session with renowned experts and advisors to the charity, Dr. William Weir and Prof. Tom Trinick, OBE.

Held inside Newry’s Mourne Country Hotel, the October 4 event was aptly titled ‘The M.E. & Long Covid Connection’.

Fourteen years on from its inaugural event and campaign launch, the charity has held 16 major conferences and provided virtual webinars, as well as presentations to GP surgeries and Trust headquarters across Northern Ireland.

Speaking on the importance of the charity and its work, Joan McParland, MBE, explained that there is a shocking lack of formal support for sufferers and their families or carers, in Northern Ireland, something that Hope 4 ME works hard to combat.

She said: “There was a recent coroners inquest in England into the death of 31 year old Maeve Boothby O’Neill, severely affected by M.E., and who tragically died at home as a result of malnutrition. The inquest highlighted a number of serious failings in the way that people with very severe M.E. are cared for by the NHS.

“The coroner’s ‘Prevention of Future Deaths’ report, outlined a number of recommendations and immediate actions for the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to take. The establishment across the country of a small number of specialist ME/CFS centres with dedicated hospital beds, for the assessment and management of people with very severe ME/CFS, being a key priority.

“The politics behind M.E. not being recognised as a severe illness and disability, worthy of NHS services equitable to any other condition, are immense and multi-faceted, not just here in Northern Ireland, or the UK, but globally.

According to Joan, patients on the ground are left today with little or no formal support or health services. At times it can even take years to receive an accurate diagnosis, often sourced privately at great personal cost, with important guidance towards safe and appropriate self-management from the doctor, often lacking.

She explained: “Our job as a charity has been to host education conferences for health care providers since 2011, to raise their awareness of M.E. and associated illnesses. Research shows that early diagnosis and early intervention can give patients the best chance for improvement, and to avoid a worsening of symptoms and overall deterioration.”

October 4 saw a specially-curated video and slide presentation made by Rebecca Logan and Joan McParland shown to attendees. Rebecca, formerly an A&E nurse and fitness instructor, was diagnosed with Long Covid in 2020, and now M.E..The video was aptly named – ‘Long-Covid & M.E. Cousins’ and the presentation offered a powerful look into the numerous parallels of living with Long Covid and M.E., a condition that affects millions worldwide.

Speaking about the importance of these discussions due to a severe lack of government funding and exploration, Joan said: “We’re the only all-volunteer led charity in N.I. offering a free, CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified M.E. course along with free information packs for healthcare providers, and also providing support for patients and family members.

“I could never have imagined that getting sick with a sudden flu-like, viral illness and developing M.E., 26 years ago, would also plunge me into what’s been described during a Westminster M.E. Debate as ‘the greatest medical scandal of this century’—yet here we are since the first documented case nearly 100 years ago in Los Angeles County Hospital, still without services, a diagnostic test, effective treatment, or cure. ‘The Tangled Story of ME/CFS’ film accurately documents how over the last 50 years, properly structured biomedical and behavioural research have been constantly obstructed by a powerful psychiatric lobby and explains why M.E. patients still face stigma, disbelief and how the fundamental systemic injustice continues.”

Linda Campbell, Hope 4 ME Chair, added: “It is scandalous that patients and their families have to do all the work. The education and recognition should have been in place long ago.

“We have had to push every step of the way, and even now, the government is only just starting to acknowledge the issue, but it’s still us doing the work behind the scenes.

“The work we’ve done has been essential in pushing for better recognition and education, but the struggle for proper care and understanding continues.”

During his speech at the event Dr. William Weir, a retired Infectious Disease Consultant with a particular focus on the immunology of infectious disease and M.E., shared his expertise on the pressing need for comprehensive research and clearer clinical guidelines.

Also in attendance was Prof. Tom Trinick OBE, who recently retired as Clinical Director of Laboratory Medicine at South Eastern Trust, and who ran a Fatigue Clinic for patients with conditions including M.E., CFS, Post-Viral Syndrome, and Long Covid, who offered his insights into the medical challenges faced by those living with M.E. and Long Covid. Both experts agreed that the lack of effective treatment options is a significant barrier to improving patients’ quality of life, and that continued collaboration between the medical community and patients is essential.

The poignant event not only educated attendees, but also fostered meaningful dialogue with healthcare decision makers about the future of NHS M.E. services and research, and the need for continued advocacy for those affected by these debilitating conditions.

For more information about Hope 4 ME go to hope4mefibro.org 

Wonderful Wander To Explore Belfast’s Rich History And Evolving Landscape As Part Of 4 Corners Festival

By

A unique walking tour through one of Belfast’s most historic areas is set to uncover the city’s fascinating stories of migration, transformation, and community.

As a long-standing staple of the 4 Corners Festival the annual Wonderful Wander will take place on Saturday February 8 from 1.30pm.

Starting at Writers’ Square, opposite St Anne’s Cathedral, the event invites participants on a thought-provoking journey through a historically significant part of Belfast. 

The walk, organised in collaboration with the North Belfast Heritage Cluster, will highlight the massive social and cultural transformations of the area. From waves of migration to the recent influx of students and redevelopment projects, the event delves into the evolving fabric of the city.

Led and hosted by festival volunteers David Campton and Mylie Brennan, the Wonderful Wander promises an engaging mix of storytelling and even poetry. Participants are encouraged to bring their own stories to share. The route also examines the profound impact of these changes on various places of worship in the area.

Speaking of the event, David said: “Over the years Jim Deeds and I have just loved to wander around different bits of this wonderful city of ours with a ‘few’ friends – introducing them to new places or, through stories and poems, getting them to look at familiar places through fresh eyes. This year, sadly, Jim can’t be with us, but Mylie brings her own energy and insights, and I am excited to be working with her.”

The walk concludes at the Girdwood Hub, where refreshments will be provided, offering an opportunity for further connection and reflection.

Mylie said: “The Wander is a fantastic way to learn more about our beautiful city, whether you’re new to Belfast or if you’ve been here your whole life. 

“As a professional tour guide, I’m excited to wander around with my pal, David, talking about our history and the people who shaped it. We both love Belfast, telling stories, and having a laugh, so our guests can expect to learn something new and have a bit of fun along the way.”

The Wonderful Wander is part of the broader 4 Corners Festival, which runs from 31 January to 9 February. 

Now in its 13th year, the festival features an inspiring lineup of free events including art, music, discussions, and workshops across the city. 

This year’s theme, HOME?, explores the concept of belonging and community, with events aimed at fostering deeper connections within Belfast’s diverse neighbourhoods.

The wider 4 Corners Festival will encompass a wide variety of talks, discussions, practical workshops and more, spreading the word of local and global contextual issues across its ten day run. 

Aimed at broadening perspectives and helping people to think about bigger issues, such as homelessness, the care of our common home, the earth, transport and accessibility within our home city, these heavy integral topics are interwoven together with lighthearted festivities like music, poetry, drama and the visual arts.

The event’s schedule of activities will also challenge attendees to step beyond the physical and psychological ‘corners’ of Belfast, discovering new parts of their city, fresh perspectives and meaningful connections.

4 Corners Festival is supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund, The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Belfast City Council Good Relations Fund, St Anne’s Cathedral Sitout and Linen Quarter BID.

For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com

18 Unique Events Taking Place At The 4 Corners Festival This Year

By

The 4 Corners Festival is returning in 2025 for its 13th year, and is jampacked with a range of exciting practical workshops, talks, discussions and sport activities across Belfast.

The thought-provoking theme of this year’s festival is HOME?. Steve Stockman, the festival’s co-founder, describes home as “a powerful metaphor, used by poets, preachers, politicians and others seeking to paint a picture of a sense of belonging to a place.” 

Fellow co-founder Father McGill hopes that the festival will bring “awareness to the residents of all four corners of Belfast, rather than just shedding light on the encouragement of tourists to the city.”

As always, the 4 Corners Festival’s events are all free of charge and run from the 24th of January to the 9th of February, with an array of themes such as music, discussion, sport and faith.

Here are 18 unique events taking place during the festival in 2025.

  1. Our Common Home Exhibition

Launch event Friday 31 January 4pm, open Saturday 1 February – Sunday 9 February 10am – 6pm, late night art Thursday 6 February, 2 Royal Avenue.

In 2015, Pope Francis published ‘Laudato Si – On Care For Our Common Home,’ an encyclical which was addressed to “every person living on this planet” and considered how we can care for the planet and shape its future through our everyday decisions and actions.

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of this letter, and climate change and pollution remain major concerns for us all.

During this 8 day exhibit, Westcourt Camera Club will use photography to highlight issues of environmental responsibility which are on our own doorstep.

On Thursday there will be a late night opening of the exhibition.

For more information, go to www.4cornersfestival.com/festival-events/our-common-home-exhibition/

  1. Peacemakers

Saturday 1 February – Saturday 8 February 2025, 12pm – 3pm, 2 Royal Avenue

This exhibition at 2 Royal Avenue gives you the opportunity to participate in the making of a unique piece of art with Gardner & Gardner’s ‘Peacemakers’ large-scale French knitting loom. Drop in to chat with the artists and try your hand at this simple but beautiful craft.

Throughout the week the piece will grow, with its richness of colour and texture reflecting the vibrancy of the city we call home and the interconnection of the individual strands of our stories. 

On the final day the yarn will be cast off, stretched out and measured, creating a single textile piece that will be presented on the final day of the festival.

This event is hosted by Heidi and Peter Gardner, who are a Glasgow based husband-and-wife artist duo. Since its first installation in Scotland in 2014, Heidi and Peter have travelled with the Peace Loom to multiple cities. 

Once completed, the installation will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland to reflect the community of those who live, work and socialise in Belfast.

For more information, go to www.4cornersfestival.com/festival-events/peacemakers/

  1. 4 Corners Knitters

Saturday 1st February 2025, 2pm – 4pm, St John’s Newtownbreda (Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church), 374-378 Ormeau Road.

4 Corners Knitters has returned in 2025, this year falling on St. Brigit’s Day. Knitters and Crafters are invited to gather for a morning of chat and creativity.

Now a staple in the festival programme, this session connects craft lovers from across the city and newcomers are very welcome.

This year, participants can also learn how to make a St. Brigit’s Cross. The St. Brigit’s Cross is a symbol of Christ’s death and resurrection, and is traditionally hung in homes.

In line with the event’s tradition, the knitted items will be gifted to asylum seekers and charities dedicated to helping with homelessness across Belfast.

For tickets, go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489238

  1. Truth, Love or Promise 

Saturday 1st February 2025, 7:30 PM, Stranmillis College Drama Theatre, Stranmillis Road.

As part of the festival, Nuala McKeever is performing her smash hit comedy drama, Truth, Love or Promise.

In this powerful, poignant and hilarious one woman show, Nuala plays 3 women who meet at a Creative Writing class in Belfast. 

Over the weeks, Brenda, Maureen and Joanna get to know each other through their stories. But it’s the things they’re leaving out that really tell the tale.

The play carefully deals with themes such as grief, loss and how to deal with life when it doesn’t turn out how you expected.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489251

  1. Morning Service

Sunday 2 February 2025, 9:30 AM, Church of St John the Evangelist, 444 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 6EN

The festival presents its annual broadcast service on BBC Radio Ulster. Those interested can listen over the radio or secure one of 300 tickets to attend the broadcasting in person.

Speaker Lorna Gold will share thoughts on our responsibilities within our shared home – Earth. 

Music will be provided by Canticle Sacred Music Society, the choir of the Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489255

  1. Caring For Our Earthly Home

Sunday 2 February 2025, 7:00 PM, Jennymount Methodist Church, 222 North Queen Street.

The Bible has much to say about God’s love for Creation and our shared responsibility to care for the earth, our home. Yet our common home is in danger. 

The crisis we face is due principally to our failure to see the connections that bind us to each other as family, and to our planet as home. Dr. Lorna Gold, chair of the Laudato Si’ Movement, will be unpacking this idea. 

Lorna takes a look at the constant threats posed to our world as a result of climate change in her book, Awakening to Our Children’s Future.

Her work within the Laudato Si’ Movement has helped to equip both members of the catholic church as well as others who share the same concerns about climate change to better understand the crisis at hand, as teaching them how to have a positive impact on the environment.

There will be music from Cork songwriter Claire Sands, who reimagines the trad song in her debut album, which blends and blurs musical genres, subject matter and languages.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489258

  1. Home Ground – Stories from Knockbreda Community Wildlife Garden

Monday 3 February 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Knockbreda Community Wildlife Garden, Rosetta Road.

The festival is hosting a colourful and engaging tour of Knockbreda Community Wildlife Garden.

Starting as a lock-down project on a desolate piece of abandoned ground, Knockbreda Community Wildlife Garden has developed into an oasis for the local community, where remarkable things can happen in a beautiful space. 

As you tour the garden, come and hear stories of how it came to be, accompanied by music, poetry and reflections.

Note re accessibility: This tour is mostly across level wood-chip paths but also includes some slopes and uneven ground.

For tickets, go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489259

  1. Naming Belfast – learning about street names in the four corners of Belfast

Monday 3rd February 2025, 7:30 PM, The Duncairn, Duncairn Avenue.

Embark on a journey through the history of the four corners of Belfast, led by Dr Paul Tempan, Fr Martin Magill, Linda Ervine along with singer songwriter Brian Houston.

Belfast has a deep history and legacy that spans many centuries. Some of our ancient names survive but many have been buried under layers of conquest, empire, and the influence of external events.

Explore the rich tapestry woven throughout the city by our streets, their stories and their names.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489265

  1. Home In A Time Of Homelessness

Tuesday 4 February 2025, 7:30 PM, St Comgall’s, Divis Street.

Homelessness is a constant and prolific crisis, existing as various forms of displacement and ruining health, lives, communities, habitats, creativity, and hope.

Siobhán Garrigan, Loyola Professor of Theology at Trinity College Dublin, will look at theological perspectives on homelessness, arguing that for theology to play its part in ending homelessness, it must better understand its own idea of ‘home’.

She will challenge the mistaken theology of home that modern perspectives of homelessness are built on, and will suggest new theological responses to consumerism and nationalism which cause so much of the homelessness experienced in today’s world.

Asking people to imagine home as ‘participating instead of possessing’, in every sphere of life, Siobhán will encourage us to engage with a theology of home capable of preventing homelessness and not merely ministering to people experiencing it.

There will be music from festival regulars Caroline Orr, Norman McKinley and Peter Greer.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489267/r/sm

  1. Game of 4 Corners

Wednesday 5 February 2025, 6:00 PM, QUB PEC, Stranmillis Embankment.

The Game of 4 Corners returns to the festival in 2025 for young people aged 11-14. 

Whether professional or amateur, sportspeople often represent more than themselves in their chosen field, becoming ambassadors for and developing accountability to both their team and their home. How do we play sport in a way that brings honour to our home and how do we build a shared home that encompasses the values we want to reflect?

In partnership with Peace NI, participants will try out basketball, Gaelic football, rugby and soccer in integrated teams from all four corners of Belfast. Local sportsmen and women will mentor the players while they explore the impact of home on the way sport is played.

Pre-registration is required for this event which is open to individuals and youth groups from across Belfast. 

To reserve a place for your child, go to tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489273/r/sm and join the guestlist. You’ll then be sent a registration form.

  1. On The Literary Streets Of Home

Wednesday 5 February 2025, 7:30 PM, Cathy Short Theatre, Jennymount Business Park, North Derby Street.

Belfast, all four corners, fights way above its weight when it comes to the arts in general and literature in particular.

Acclaimed novel writer and director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University, Glen Patterson, will read excerpts from his book and open up about the impact of home on his writing. There will also be readings from poets, opening up different corners of the city and different corners of our hearts.

For tickets, go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489277

  1. Paradise Island

Thursday 6 February 2025, 7:00 PM, Methodist College (Whitla Hall), 1 Malone Road.

Come along to Methodist College’s Whitla Hall as primary school pupils from across Belfast (assisted by Play it by Ear Drama Company) get washed up on Paradise Island and find out what makes a home a home.

Play it By Ear Drama Company is run by Chris and Ross, who love to help children build their confidence and release their creativity through theatre.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489278

  1. Can We Bring Reconciliation Home?

Thursday 6 February, 7:30 PM, St Mary’s College, 191 Falls Road.

How well is Northern Ireland progressing on the path to reconciliation? What obstacles do we face and what approaches should we be taking to build on the work that has been done and bring reconciliation home?

Hosted by Will Leitch, this event will feature panellists Davy Adams, Nicola Brady, Monica McWilliams and Spike Murray to discuss these questions. 

As a prelude, a group of local actors will perform an adapted version of John Paul Lederach’s drama based on Psalm 85.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489280

  1. Transport For A Shared City

Friday 7 February 2025, 12:00 PM, Grand Central Hotel (Panorama Suite), 9-15 Bedford Street.

Transport infrastructure has an important role to play in the development of Belfast as a shared city, with the potential to increase accessibility across the 4 ‘corners’ and enable the creation and maintenance of connections across the city and beyond.

The festival will host an early afternoon discussion to explore the role of public transport on community integration. 

Supported by LQBID, the panel will share findings from their recent expert table discussion on the subject as well as allowing for attendees to pose questions and discuss their views.

For tickets go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489281

  1. In Conversation About Home with Anthony Toner and Andrea Montgomery

Friday 7 February 2025, 7:30 PM, Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, 77 University Street.

For the festival’s annual In Conversation event, Steve Stockman talks to songwriter Anthony Toner and artist/playwright/director Andrea Montgomery. 

Anthony has written songs about his childhood home, growing up on Coleraine’s Harpur’s Hill estate and his album, Six Inches Of Water, about East Belfast.

Andrea Montgomery is an experienced writer, script editor and producer. She has worked on four continents, from Ireland to China, Greenland to Iran. 

Born in Delhi, she has Canadian roots and is now making a home in East Belfast.There’s no doubt that she’ll have a lot to say about home. There will also be music and art to enjoy.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489283

  1. Wonderful Wander

Saturday 8 February, 1:30 PM, starting at Writers’ Square (opposite St Anne’s Cathedral).

The Wonderful Wander is back for 2025, delivered in association with the North Belfast Heritage Cluster. 

Although the wander itself is a comparatively short walk, starting at Writer’s Square, it takes in the massive changes of such an historically important part of the city.

These monumental changes range from different waves of migrants making Belfast their home, through to the recent influx of students in response to the latest of many physical developments in the area and producing demographic, cultural, political and religious changes.

Along the way the significant implications of these changes on all the different places of worship will be explored. 

As always, the wander will be peppered with stories, poems and perhaps even songs, led by Jim Deeds and David Campton. Refreshments will be provided afterwards at Girdwood Hub.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489285

  1. Iain Archer – 30th Anniversary Homecoming Concert

Saturday 8 February 2025, Lyric Theatre (Naughton Studio), 55 Ridgeway Street.

In 1995 a young Bangor singer songwriter audaciously filled the Lyric Theatre. In the 30 years since, Iain Archer has won two Ivor Novello Awards for Run with Snow Patrol and Hold Back The River with James Bay, the latter being nominated for a Grammy.

Iain Archer’s incredible songwriting skills have led to artists such as Liam Gallagher, Noah Kahan, Jake Bugg and Shania Twain asking to write with him.

He is returning to the Lyric Theatre three decades later for a rare homecoming concert on the 8th of February.

Seats will be unallocated and on a first-come-first-served basis. For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489560

  1. I’ll Call You Home

Sunday 9 February 2025, 7:00 PM, St Colmcille’s Church, 191a Upper Newtownards Road.

The 4 Corners Festival’s closing event will make sense of the Festival and send attendees out encouraged and inspired to make Belfast a home for themselves and everyone.

The creativity of the festival will be reflected on with the presentation of the finished Peacemakers project. 

Rev. Neil Craigan, author and minister at White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and friend of the festival, will speak to tie up the Festival. The festival will end with the sound of Dana Masters’ song ‘I’ll Be Your Home.’

Attendees will then be led out of the festival by Andrew Masters, a Vineyard pastor in Lisburn. This event is an empowering and unforgettable way to close the festival, in line with the theme of home.

For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/4cornersfestival2/1489584

Arts Care’s Christmas Show Brings Joy and Creativity to Knockbracken Healthcare Park

By

Arts in health charity Arts Care recently hosted its much-anticipated Christmas show at Knockbracken Healthcare Park, welcoming over 100 attendees, including service users and staff from day centres across the Belfast Trust. 

The event marked a joyful return of the annual celebration after a four-year hiatus, with the pandemic putting the tradition on pause since 2019.

The show was a vibrant celebration of creativity and connection, featuring performances by Arts Care’s talented artists and participants. Even Arts Care CEO Barry Macaulay took to the stage with his lively appearance as Elvis, adding a touch of festive fun to the occasion.

Musician Brendan Popplestone delivered an emotional performance, playing both in a band and accompanying a service user while dancer Carmel Garvey captivated the audience with four stunning performances alongside service users from ETC and the Junction Club, showcasing the transformative power of collaboration through the arts.

Arts Care artist Helen Shields was also on hand throughout the day having accompanied a number of her service users to the event.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, Belfast Trust staff formed an ensemble, performing some beautiful music on violins and cello. 

This year’s Christmas show was a testament to Arts Care’s mission of empowering well-being through the arts in Northern Ireland. By creating inclusive and creative experiences, Arts Care continues to bring joy and connection to healthcare and community settings.

For more information about Arts Care and its transformative programmes go to artscare.co.uk

Comedian Nuala McKeever Brings Acclaimed Comedy Drama to 4 Corners Festival

By

Belfast comedian Nuala McKeever’s acclaimed one-woman show, Truth, Love or Promise is set to take centre stage at the 4 Corners Festival next year.

Promising an evening of laughter, poignancy, and powerful storytelling the show will take place on Saturday February 1 at Stranmillis College Drama Theatre.

Part of the festival’s packed 2025 lineup the hilarious show, written and performed by McKeever and directed by Dan Gordon follows three women – Brenda, Maureen, and Joanna, who bond through a Belfast creative writing class. 

Their shared stories gradually reveal unspoken truths, exploring themes of loss, grief, and life’s unexpected twists with a perfect balance of humour and pathos.

Speaking of the production, comedian and writer Nuala McKeever said: “I’m excited to do Truth, Love or Promise for the 4 Corners Festival.

“I’ve performed the play North and South over the past year and a half.  It’s had rave responses from the audience and critics alike.

“Originally I was commissioned to write a one woman play for Dunboyne College in Co Louth, for International Women’s Day.  I had a dream about Dan Gordon one night. Next day I asked him if he’d direct. He said yes and we were off.

“The play almost wrote itself. I would be lying in bed and the characters would start talking. I’d simply say the dialogue into my phone and then type it up the next day.

“Of course, there was a lot of work to shape it and edit it down to 70 minutes, but the original idea just emerged from the ether.

“Clearly, looking at it, it’s inspired by my life over the last 11 years, since the untimely and traumatic death of my partner Mike in 2013.

“It isn’t autobiographical but it does deal with grief and loss.  Basically, it’s the idea of what do we do when life doesn’t go the way we expected? Are we just victims? Do we have any power?

“I set it in a Creative Writing class. Three women meet. We think we know who they are and what they’ll be like, but, as in real life, each of them has something going on behind the façade. And some of what’s going on is quite surprising. Even shocking.

“It’s about the power of telling your story. Of being seen and heard. Of finding common ground with other, completely different people. It’s about finding connection. It’s about challenging our solid identities and discovering the  joy of coming home to who we really are.”

The 4 Corners Festival, now in its 13th year, runs from January 31 to February 9 with a mission to inspire connection and reflection across Belfast’s communities. 

This year’s theme is HOME?, offering another year of diverse range of events including art, music, drama, and faith-inspired activities aimed at encouraging attendees to explore new corners of the city and forge meaningful connections. 

Co-founders Steve Stockman and Father Martin Magill said the festival is a celebration of diversity and belonging, with this year’s events rooted in the concept of home as both a physical and emotional space.

A well-known name in Northern Ireland, Nuala McKeever first rose to fame as part of the award-winning Hole in the Wall Gang and later made history as the first woman in Ireland to host her own television show, The McKeever Show. 

Her career has spanned stand-up comedy, playwriting, international touring, and broadcasting, and her latest production delves into identity, love, and the strength of friendship.

David Campton, 4 Corners committee member, said: “Last year’s 4 Corners theme was Stories this year it is Home? 

“This superb one woman show written and performed by Nuala McKeever is a perfect bridge from one to the other as we hear a range of diverse stories emerging around a creative writing group that sheds light on this city we call home.”

The wider 4 Corners Festival will encompass a wide variety of talks, discussions, practical workshops and more, spreading the word of local and global contextual issues across its ten     day run. 

Aimed at broadening perspectives and helping people to think about bigger issues, such as homelessness, the care of our common home, the earth, transport and accessibility within our home city, these heavy integral topics are interwoven together with lighthearted festivities like music, poetry, drama and the visual arts.

The event’s schedule of activities will also challenge attendees to step beyond the physical and psychological ‘corners’ of Belfast, discovering new parts of their city, fresh perspectives and meaningful connections.

4 Corners Festival is supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund, The Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Belfast City Council Good Relations Fund, St Anne’s Cathedral Sitout and Linen Quarter BID.

For more information about the festival and to keep up to date with programme updates go to 4cornersfestival.com

Co Antrim Man Darren Crawford Turns Unemployment into a Thriving Cleaning Business with Enterprise Support

By

After months out of work, Co Antrim man Darren Crawford has turned his experience in hospitality cleaning into a successful business, building a thriving company that has already secured major contracts.

Originally hailing from Ballymena and now living in Randalstown, Darren struggled to find employment that was flexible enough to cater to his partner’s health needs. 

For Darren, self-employment presented the perfect opportunity for a flexible career path that he could be truly passionate about, so he signed up to the Enterprise NI Explore Enterprise Support Service.

Although the idea of setting up Auburn Cleaning Services was daunting at first, Explore Enterprise helped the 33-year-old transform his past experience with cleaning hospitality venues into a viable company.

According to Darren, being able to explore the early stages of the business was invaluable in helping him find his feet.

He explained: “The bread and butter of the background of the business is where I didn’t really have any experience, because I had experience in cleaning but I didn’t have any knowledge about running my own business. 

“So Explore Enterprise helped me in getting the first parts sorted and telling me the kind of things that I needed to run the business officially.”

After settling on a cleaning company, Darren started building a customer and client base for all areas of the business, including both corporate and domestic jobs in Northern Ireland.

“Most of my work is domestic cleaning regularly for customers on usually a weekly or fortnightly basis” he said. 

“There have also been a couple of things that I’ve done outside of that, such as builders’ cleanses, deep cleans and end-of-tenancy projects.” 

The business has seen several successes since it began operating in January 2024, a testament to the hard work and commitment of both Darren and his Antrim Enterprise Agency business adviser, Karen Wilson.

Despite having less than one year’s experience in running Auburn Cleaning Services, Darren signed a contract with Bann Limited, a national construction company based in Portadown to clean 46 student accommodation units over the summer.

Speaking on his business relationship with Bann Limited, Darren believes that this opportunity would not have been a viable scenario without the help of Enterprise NI and, more specifically, his business adviser Karen.

He said: “I think the service was quite instrumental in me getting it simply because Karen had done some advertising on the Enterprise page.

“Karen had just helped me receive a small grant to get some uniformed wear as well as printed leaflets out, so she decided to do a promotional post where I had the uniform on.

“That’s where Bann Limited saw me because most of my advertisements up to that had usually been to domestic customers and it wasn’t a terribly long time after that advert went out that I heard from Bann with the offer.

“I was expecting the business trajectory to be a fairly slow but steady expansion, so when they approached me for that contract, it was a huge achievement and I didn’t expect such a large contract so soon.

“I don’t think I would have gotten that if it wasn’t for the Explore Enterprise Support Service.”

Darren initially wasn’t sure what to expect from the service, but he quickly found it to be more than just a simple startup guide, gaining invaluable knowledge about the often-overlooked aspects of running a business.

From sorting the necessary insurance to managing finances and tax records, Darren learned the fundamentals of establishing a solid business infrastructure.

One of the most surprising aspects of the service, according to Darren, was the depth of support available, receiving help in every imaginable area relating to the world of business.

He said: “The amount of advice and services that were offered was incredible and if there was ever a question they didn’t know the answer to, they found someone who did.”

The added exposure from the Explore Enterprise programme, including assistance with branding and marketing, has helped him establish a professional presence in the market.

Reflecting on his experience, Darren believes that the Explore Enterprise Programme was crucial for his success since he began Auburn Cleaning Services 11 months ago. 

“The service exceeded my expectations, from the grant support to the marketing advice, and it has given me the tools to succeed” he said.

“The fact that there was always someone to help me with everything from A to Z was a huge relief.

“The support I’ve had has made all the difference. It’s not always easy, but it’s been worth it.”

Darren’s success story is just one of many that Enterprise Northern Ireland is proud to support. Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Explore Enterprise Support Service helps ambitious entrepreneurs like Darren turn their dreams into thriving businesses.

For anyone considering starting their own business, Darren’s advice is simple: “Take the leap. 

“There’s a lot of support available, and if you have a dream, just go for it. The service  is there to help you every step of the way.

“It does take a bit of courage to start your own business because there are a lot of risks, especially when you’re just starting out, but when you have something like the Explore Enterprise Support Service, there is constant help available. 

“Sometimes it feels like you are on your own, but if you contact your local enterprise centre, it’ll really help in addressing whatever concerns you have and getting the business set up in a way that’s more official so that you have less worries. 

“I would highly recommend working with them, because to me it was invaluable and I don’t think I would have gotten to where I am today without that assistance.”

For more information on Enterprise NI go to www.enterpriseni.com

© Copyright What's On NI 2017. All Rights Reserved.