Tourism NI has welcomed the news that four towns in Northern Ireland have been awarded the friendliest visitor destinations in the UK with Enniskillen in County Fermanagh voted number one most welcoming in the UK.
Alongside Enniskillen, Ballycastle, County Antrim; Bushmills, County Antrim and Newcastle, County Down all appeared on the Booking.com top 10 most welcoming list.
Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen said the news was a much needed boost for the tourism sector in Northern Ireland that has experienced a two year blow to an industry which was riding high after a record breaking 2019 when revenue surpassed £1 billion for the first time.
He added: “While it has been two years of unprecedented crisis for the industry, I am pleased to know that despite the enormous challenges, our towns have dominated the top 10 list of friendliest visitor destinations. The news comes in the same week as the Game of Thrones Studio Tour opens its doors to the public and will help to put Northern Ireland on the map as a must visit destination for those far and wide.”
McGrillen believes the tourism industry has been incredibly resilient in the face of the global pandemic.
“There will be brighter opportunities in the years ahead and I have confidence that with the appropriate support, tourism in Northern Ireland will bounce back,” he said.
Other locations which made the top 10 list were Frome in Somerset; Glastonbury, Somerset: Shetland; Wick, Highlands and Kelso, Scottish Borders.
Following research from more than 232 million verified reviews as part of Booking.com’s 10th annual Traveller Review Awards, the awards recognise more than 1.25 million travel providers around the world for their hospitality, including 53,623 in the UK.
The winning list was decided by the total share of Traveller Review Award 2022 recipients when compared to the total number of eligible properties in that town or city.
McGrillen added: “Tourism is absolutely vital for us as it provides passengers for our public transport and supports sea and air routes; it generates revenue to support our culture and heritage assets and can contribute to the protection of our natural environment; it provides revenue for central and local government and promotes a positive image of Northern Ireland overseas, supporting foreign direct investment.”
With only a few weeks left of Slow Food Causeway Events, the calendar is jam packed with a mixture of some familiar Slow Food favourites and new events.
Originally founded in Italy during the 1980s to combine the regional traditions with the slow pace of life. Since then, the Slow Food movement has evolved worldwide and hopes to preserve the ‘unique culinary heritage’ of NI.
Taste Causeway is an accredited Slow Food destination, one of only a handful of destinations in Ireland to be awarded the accolade by the global Slow Food Movement.
Slow Food Causeway celebrates the unique food and drink culture of the Causeway Coast.
Here are 7 upcoming Slow Food Causeway Events happening:
1 & 2. Slow Food Causeway: Sourdough Baking Classes with Ursa Minor
Sunday, February 6 and February 20, 9am – 5pm
Come along and spend your Sunday learning the art of traditional sourdough making with the talented team of bakers at a Slow Food 2020 accredited bakery, Ursa Minor Bakehouse.
The class will cover the theory on 3 different types of bread, using both sourdough culture and yeast and all guests will have the opportunity to take home their loaves for family and friends to enjoy.
This hands-on afternoon is ideal for those who are curious about butchering and want to improve their skills.
Led by the highly skilled team at the award-winning Broughgammon farm, each guest will be taught everything they need to know about butchering from knife handling skills, cutting techniques.
After the event, guests can take home a complimentary boning knife and the meat cuts ready to cook.
5. Slow Seafood Soiree with Native Seafood and Paula McIntyre
Sunday, 20th February, 7pm
Join in on the celebration of our local, seasonal fish with Slow Food Director Paula McIntyre MBE at Native Seafood in Portstewart where you will enjoy a seven course tasting menu, drinks and music.
6. The Spirit of the Bann Tour with Causeway Coast Foodie Tours
Saturday 26th February, 2:30pm
The award winning Causeway Coast Foodie Tours are back this Spring with their very special ‘The Spirit of the Bann’ river whiskey tasting experience along the picturesque river.
‘The Spirit of the Bann’ along with White River Charters are hosting an afternoon full of exquisite whiskey flavours accompanied by an array of tasty award-winning local Slow Food produce.
Where better to celebrate our unique Slow Food food and drink heritage than via a journey on the River Bann alongside the beautiful site of Mountsandel, Coleraine.
7. North Supper Club by Ursa Minor at a Secret Location
Saturday 26th February, 7pm to late
Join the casual and relaxed evening with friends and enjoy a delicious feast, celebrating the best local produce with Ciara from Ursa Minor.
Enjoy three courses of beautiful seasonal food served under twinkling lights and candlelight in an unbelievably special location five minutes from Ballycastle.
After dinner, guests will be entertained by some of the finest voices on the island right now; the stunning vocal harmonies of Lemoncello; superb Dublin poet & playwright Stephen James Smith & the enthralling experimental folk artist Joshua Burnside.
The Causeway Coast and Glens is Northern Ireland’s first accredited Slow Food destination, Taste Causeway, the collaborative network of local food and drink businesses was awarded the accolade by the global Slow Food Movement following a rigorous assessment process.
To launch and celebrate this prestigious award Taste Causeway is running a six month programme of events, dining experiences, tours and special menus.
Taste Causeway is delivering Slow Food Causeway with funding from Tourism NI in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. For more information go to tastecauseway.com/slow-food-causeway or follow the hashtags #SlowFoodCauseway and #TasteCauseway
The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is bringing classical music back where it belongs; live on stage, with a thrilling line-up of the best of our local musical talent.
Join Ulster Touring Opera on Wednesday 16 February for ‘A Night At The Opera’. BBC Radio Ulster Classical Connections presenter John Toal, hosts a stellar quartet of singers, including award-winning mezzo-soprano Carolyn Dobbin and rising star Amy Ní Fhearraigh, performing a programme of much-loved opera arias, duets and ensembles.
Renowned pianist Ruth McGinley will perform music by opera’s greatest composers including Mozart, Puccini, Rossini and Verdi.
The evening will also feature the world premiere of an exciting new piece by Brian Irvine, commissioned by Ulster Touring Opera. Don’t miss this opportunity to join us for a night of celebration and surprises though the magic of opera! Tickets are priced £17.50 and £15 (concession).
Belfast-born Michael McHale has established himself as one of Ireland’s leading pianists and has developed a busy international career as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. He returns to The Market Place on Thursday 17 February, with a programme which will include Beethoven’s Sonata no.8 in C minor op.13 ‘Pathetique’ and Sonata no.14 in C# minor op.27 no.2 ‘Moonlight’, Linda Buckley’s Solas na Géalai, and a new commission from rising NI composer Áine Mallon: Raindrop Prelude.
A multi award-winning musician, Michael has performed as a soloist with the Minnesota, Hallé, Moscow Symphony and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras, City of London Sinfonia, London Mozart Players and all five of the major Irish orchestras. Tickets for this performance are priced £15 and £12.50 (concession).
Festival of music and light comes to the Walled City
The historic Walled City of Derry will come to life in February with an immersive music and light festival called, ‘Illuminate’. Taking place over two weekends, 17th to the 20th and 24th to the 27th of February, visitors can expect a breath-taking display of music, drama and art installations telling the incredible stories of a legendary place. Illuminate is a free, evening event, wheelchair and pram friendly; the fully accessible route is the perfect activity for all the family. For more information on Illuminate, click on www.visitderry.com/illuminate or call Visit Derry on + 44 (0) 28 7137 7577. Pictured at the launch of Illuminate is one of the colourful characters that visitors can expect to see, ‘Viking’. For more information on Illuminate, click on www.visitderry.com/illuminate or call Visit Derry on + 44 (0) 28 7137 7577.
The historic Walled City of Derry will come to life in February with an immersive music and light festival called, ‘Illuminate’.
Illuminate will brighten up the dark winter nights with a trail of live projection shows across the city’s most iconic buildings, turning them into spectacular pieces of art.
Illuminate will run over two weekends, 17th to the 20th and 24th to the 27th of February, and visitors can expect a breath-taking display of music, drama and art installations telling the incredible stories of a legendary place, explained Odhran Dunne, Visit Derry.
Odhran said: “Illuminate is a new festival that’s going to be an atmospheric spectacular featuring state-of-the-art projections which tell the unique story of Derry along a 1.5km route. Adults and children will be transfixed by the live illumination experiences as the story unfolds on their walk around the 400-year-old walls. It’s an experience like no other this February and not to be missed.”
The magical trail of live projection shows will transform familiar buildings and fortifications into huge night-time audio-visual animations that play for a few minutes as visitors walk past.
“Attendees will be treated to captivating displays created by local lighting and visual production company, Visual Spectrum”, said Odhran. “Plus, a full programme of entertainment, performances, music and drama that will re-imagine public spaces across the city, showcasing our diverse arts and cultural offering.”
The trail charts five eras in the city’s history from early settlement on a wooded island in the River Foyle right up to the vibrant city of today, continued Odhran: “People will relive, in epic fashion, some of the dramatic scenes from the Siege of Derry 1689, learn of the city’s more recent history and how the city has been reimagined. There are six key locations to look out for, including the wonderful 400-year-old walls, the original Walled city gates, the iconic Guildhall and St. Columb’s Cathedral.”
The Illuminate programme also includes a series of energetic music gigs in intimate spaces, in partnership with Music Capital, showcasing established and emerging artists to bring audiences a truly memorable experience.
Odhran said: “Headline music performances include Neil Cowley, who returns following his stint as the Musician in Residence for Derry’s UK City of Culture, Irish contemporary folk music band, Kila and Donegal sisters, The Henry Girls.”
Ryan Vail, Visual Spectrum, said: “The festival will see the biggest projection show illuminating the Story of Derry to ever come to the City. Using the newest technologies such as lidar, Visual Spectrum will transform the most iconic buildings in the city. The various sites will animate the city’s history in a way that’s never been done before. Viewers will experience a range of different styles of projection and projection mapping at this festival.”
A trip to Derry~Londonderry wouldn’t be complete without sampling the delicious food and drink, warm hospitality, exciting things to do and places to explore.
Odhran added: “The City has more than its fair share of fantastic restaurants and cafes, craic filled bars and hotels, a bustling street food scene, and hidden gems, like the Derry Craft Village to explore. We have award-winning craft beers brewed at Walled City Brewery, Redgate Ciders and Northbound Brewery and some of the best local food and drink producers around.
“The Siege Museum and Museum of Free Derry tell visitors about our fascinating history as do the sociable walking and foodie tours. For active visitors there are pursuits like an exhilarating Foyle Venture Cruise and Far + Wild foodie cycle tour. Or get the most from your stay with a Visit Derry Pass that gives access to ten attractions and activities across the city”, concluded Odhran.
Illuminate is a free, evening event, wheelchair and pram friendly; this fully accessible route is the perfect activity for all the family. There is a schedule of ticketed concerts in the Guildhall, St Augustine’s Church and other venues. Hotel accommodation starts from £45per person sharing, so turn your February trip into a weekend escape.
For more information on Illuminate, click on www.visitderry.com/illuminate or call Visit Derry on + 44 (0) 28 7137 7577.
(L-R): Lord Mayor Glenn Barr, Garry Cairns from Henderson Group, Patricia McEvoy from People 1st, Chair of Economic Development & Regeneration Committee Councillor Declan McAlinden, and Enterprise Development Manager Sarah-Jane Macdonald launching the new ABC HGV Training and Employment Academy which will fully fund 45 HGV training positions and guarantee an interview with a local employer.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council announces the first Labour Market Partnership project with the launch of a brand new Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) HGV Training and Employment Academy, which will deliver fully-funded training for 45 applicants to qualify as HGV drivers and guarantee an interview with a local employer with HGV vacancies.
The ABC HGV Training and Employment Academy will fully fund 45 eligible individuals to gain a HGV licence (Class 1 or Class 2) and a guaranteed interview, on successful HGV licensing. Applications are open until 5pm Monday 31 January 2022.
The programme has been designed to respond to specific local needs by closing the gap between local employer needs and the chronic skilled labour shortage in the HGV sector. Funding has been provided by the Department for Communities through the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Labour Market Partnership.
Minister Hargey welcomed the announcement of the HGV Training Academy being launched by Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council in partnership with the Department for Communities.
“I am delighted that my Department has been able to fund this much-needed programme, providing critical support to an industry that has been hit hard by the pandemic. The Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Labour Market Partnership training programme will help people improve their employability skills and provide opportunities to fill significant vacancies during a difficult period for the North’s haulage industry.”
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Alderman Glenn Barr said:
“The ABC HGV Training Academy is an excellent opportunity to participate in a fully-funded training programme and an interview with a local employer with current HGV vacancies.
“Interest in this programme is expected to be very high so I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about it to check the eligibility criteria and apply early. I’d also encourage local businesses who have any HGV vacancies to get in touch as a key part of the programme is matching applicants to your specific needs.”
Applicants to the ABC HGV Training and Employment Academy must be resident in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough; aged over 21; willing to undertake a medical examination; hold a valid UK Driving Licence. They must also fulfil at least ONE of the following criteria: currently unemployed; under-employed; employed but at risk of redundancy; or employed and interested in upskilling or reskilling.
If you are interested in joining the ABC HGV Training and Employment Academy as a candidate, or if you represent a local employer in the ABC Borough and would like to tell us about your specific transport and logistics recruitment needs and offer an interview to a qualified candidate, get in touch by contacting: academy@people-1st.co.uk<mailto:academy@people-1st.co.uk> or calling 028 3834 7000. More information including full eligibility criteria can be found at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/hgvacademy<http://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/hgvacademy>.
Various courses will be available commencing early February 2022 comprising: a one-day theory lesson; 25 hours online training; theory test; five-day practical lesson (including test) over one week. Following successful completion of the theory and practical tests, participants will attend a one-day employability session; one-to-one mentoring including help with updating your CV and preparing for interview, after which they will be invited to attend interview(s). Applicants must be available to attend all sessions. All training will be carried out in the Craigavon area.
The ABC HGV Training and Employment Academy is part of the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Labour Market Partnership (LMP), a joint public/private sector initiative which aims to ensure that a quality skills provision is driven by demand for skills in the economy, leading to reduced unemployment. Other LMP programmes will be announced throughout the year across various employment sectors.
When it comes to marketing your business, product or service most small businesses will depend on digital channels such as their website, social media and other platforms such as Google My Business.
According to Social Media Examiner 96% of small businesses say they use social media in their marketing strategy whilst HubSpot reveals 48% of companies in general will leverage blogging in their content marketing strategy.
In order to truly maximise the opportunities available online to market and promote your business it’s important to have a robust digital and content marketing strategy and plan.
According to Google 59% of shoppers say they’ll research a product before making an in-store or online purchase.
Belfast based multi-disciplinary marketing and communications agency Excalibur Press has launched a new webinar training series aimed at helping businesses create a social media content strategy and improve their blogging and content marketing as well as giving top tips and tricks to creating effective communications for promoting your product online.
Speaking of the sessions Tina said: “Micro, small and medium businesses more than ever before need support and assistance with their marketing.
“For many of those businesses that spend is a luxury and often the first to go when things get tough.
“There’s no question the last few years have taken their toll on business owners and the fight to survive and thrive has become a crowded space.”
Tina explained the 90 minute sessions are specifically designed to “offer business owners practical and actionable support that will help them streamline, maximise and optimise their marketing activity.”
She added: “Throughout the sessions I will be revealing all the tools, systems and processes we use at Excalibur Press to create good quality content and marketing tactics for our clients as well as lift the lid on the secrets other professionals don’t want you to know.
“These sessions will help businesses reduce their stress levels when it comes to creating a social media content strategy, improving their blogging and content marketing as well as creating effective communications for promoting their product online and honing their marketing messages and brand story.
To book on to How To Supercharge Your Blogging & Content Marketing (January 28), Set Up Your Social Media Content Strategy & Plan (February 4), Creating Killer Comms & Content To Sell Your Product Online (February 11) or Everything You Need To know To Create Your Brand Story (February 18) go to excaliburpress.co.uk/2022-training-webinar-series
Give the gift of food this Valentines with a sweet treat from Belfast’s homemade food delivery service, Dished Up Deli, with their ‘Love In A Box’ Valentines range.
Made to order and delivered straight to your door, the collection includes a decadent chocolate brownie box and a belgian chocolate geometric heart filled with a choice of rose water sponge or chocolate brownie.
Founder of the food delivery company which was started over the first lockdown, Philip Davison, believed there is an emphasis on buying personalised and thoughtful gifts this year due to Brexit’s influence on Northern Ireland.
“I’ve seen a definite rise in consumer demand for personalised gifts instead of the typical off the shelf items especially due to Brexit, we are now shopping more locally and supporting local businesses like myself who have the capacity to offer customisable gifts,” he said.
Philip has also created an at home Valentines meal menu for those wanting to bring the restaurant to their living rooms this year.
The luxury four course ‘Heat at Home’ meal for two features a colourful chorizo salad, mouthwatering slow cooked beef, fresh meringues and a cheese board with crackers and chutneys.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions on hospitality, Philip recognised the demand to create an at-home dining experience for couples to still celebrate the most romantic day of the year.
“There has been an increase in people renovating their homes over lockdown and creating a nicer environment to relax and enjoy a romantic meal in.
“This year due to Covid, restaurants will also be working at less capacity so trying to secure a booking over the Valentines weekend will be much more competitive”.
After sharing images of food he made throughout lockdown, hospitality management graduate Philip decided to make the leap and complete requests from family and friends.
Since then, his business has expanded to offering rotating weekly menus, savoury and sweet snacks which are based around quality homemade cooking paired with innovation to match the needs of the seasons.
“Over the several lockdowns I shared pictures of some creation on Facebook and got slightly hounded,” he explained.
“I finally got a call saying would you make that dinner for me and my friend and that is how Dished up Deli was born.”
Orders received by 6pm on Wednesday 9 February will be delivered on Friday 11 February between 5-8pm.
For more information visit dishedupdeli.com or social media @dishedupdeli.
Comedian William Caulfield is back on The Market Place Theatre stage with the latest of his ‘Our Jimmy’ shows featuring the beloved Ulster characters first created by the late James Young.
Far from being dated, William has transported them right up to date and we meet them in newly written sketches and songs in the present day.
All the usual characters are there, Derek, Lily O’Condriac, Emily Beattie, Willie Simpson, Billy Hulk, the wee Schoolboy, the shipyard worker and Orange Lil. Wondering what they are up to in the present day? Come and find out!
As well as new sketches, some of the iconic and poignant monologues still feature. William will be joined by two of Northern Ireland’s talented actors, Orla Mullan and Keith Lynch.
Book now – sure it will be a quare geg!
‘Our Jimmy – Past & Present’ will be on stage on Friday 28 January at 8pm. Tickets are priced £21, and can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre
Flowerfield Arts Centre is celebrating the return of live indoor music by giving away free tickets to a special performance by American folk artist Sam Amidon.
The gig in Portstewart on Sunday 6th March at 3pm is one of only two dates the artist will perform in Northern Ireland as part of his 2022 tour, which takes in venues across the USA and Europe so it’s an exciting opportunity for local music lovers.
Lucky winners will be selected at random on Monday 14th February 2022 to receive a pair of tickets – a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day and an opportunity for the Arts Centre to show its appreciation to its supporters.
A singer, fiddler, banjo player and guitarist originally hailing from Vermont in the US, Sam has released six solo albums on the Nonesuch and Bedroom Community labels, most recently 2017’s The Following Mountain.
His material often consists of adventurous reworkings of traditional American ballads, hymns, and work songs, with the New York Times writing that he, ‘transforms all of the songs, changing their colours and loading them with trapdoors’.
The albums have been deeply collaborative in nature, inviting contributions from musicians such as composer Nico Muhly, guitarist Bill Frisell, and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler.
Sam has also recorded or performed as a guest artist with musicians such as Bon Iver, Emmylou Harris, Tune-Yards, Pekka Kuusisto, and his wife Beth Orton. He has also appeared as a soloist performing with ensembles such as the Kronos Quartet, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and the Aurora Orchestra, among others.
The son of Peter Amidon and Mary Alice Amidon, both well-established folk musicians who raised him on a diet of old Irish and Appalachian folk, Sam has released a string of acclaimed albums, ranging in theme from interpretations of traditional Irish fiddle pieces to old-time melodies and tales from traditional American folk history.
His albums draw on old work songs, ballads, hymns, and other sonic artefacts from the past, reimagining them in bold, creative new ways to breathe new life into them and recontextualising them alongside original compositions.
To be in with the opportunity to be on the guestlist for this one-off gig please register your details at www.flowerfield.org.
For further details contact Flowerfield Arts Centre on 028 7083 1400.
The Big Friendly Giant (BFG) in Pictures exhibition, is coming to the Flax Gallery, Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey, from Thursday 3 – Friday 25 February. The exhibition features 40 reproductions for Roald Dahl’s much-loved story, ‘The BFG’ including illustrations not used when the book was first published in 1982. The exhibition charts the development of one of the most iconic characters in children’s literature and offers a glimpse of a BFG that might have been. These are exhibited alongside reproductions of the final illustrations for the book, providing a fascinating insight into the collaboration between author and illustrator Quentin Blake.
The exhibition is free of charge and will open during the following hours;
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am-5pm
Wednesday: 9am-8pm
Saturday: 10am -4pm
Sunday: 10am-2pm
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Billy Webb said “I am pleased that the Flax Gallery at Theatre at The Mill is hosting this remarkable exhibition. This is a great opportunity for the public to visit a display of such calibre. BFG is known worldwide and I am thrilled that we have this on display in our Borough.”
The BFG is a children’s book which tells the story of a friendship between 10-year-old orphan Sophie and a friendly Giant.
