Now in its 5^th year the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in partnership with UTV, 18 – 25 July continues to get bigger and better every year.

But did you know that the main event the world famous Highland Games, 18 – 19^th July, has been hosted at Glenarm Castle since 1994 and since then has attracted over half a million visitors!  The Festival is now recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest cultural family events which continues to expand and deliver fun filled entertainment under that well-known saying – something for everyone!

Following a record crowd last year, the Glenarm Castle Highland Games, is back on Saturday 18^th & Sunday 19^th July.  Making a welcome return will be strongman events alongside traditional Highland Games.  New to the games this year, and a major coup, is the County Antrim Pipe Band Championships which will feature numerous bands from across N.Ireland and Scotland.  There is also an expanded action packed programme of events including live wrestling, additional music stages, more local foods, pop-up restaurants, shopping, a new kids zone, and back by popular demand, the ‘world’s only’ sheep fashion show. On Saturday 18^th July the evening music concert will rock with nostalgia as Bay City Rollers starring Les McKeown take to the main stage along with Bagatelle, Hothouse Flowers and support from Rob Strong, Runabay and XOD dancers.

Adrian Morrow, Festival Director, commented;
“ We are delighted that we are approaching such a fantastic landmark at Glenarm Castle  – 20 years of the Highland Games and this year is our  5^th P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival.  We are one of the few remaining long standing annual events within the NI events calendar and this is all down to our fantastic team, who are already working on the event for next year, as well as our partners and sponsors who enable us to continue to deliver a diverse and ever expanding programme every year. The line- up this year is phenomenal with more music, more food, more sport – there’s just more festival for everyone. We are of course indebted to our sponsors – P&O Ferries, UTV, Tourism NI plus many more as well as our visitors, who support us every year, to who I say a huge thank you from all the team at Glenarm Castle – without you there is no festival .”

Joanna Walsh from P&O Ferries, title sponsor of the event, said;

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“P&O Ferries is proud to be title sponsor for the 2015 Dalriada Festival. Each year, the festival improves more and more with the promise of fantastic food, great music and sporting action to keep the whole family entertained. It is sure to be another successful year!

“As operators of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between Larne, Cairnryan and Troon, P&O Ferries is looking forward to welcoming many visitors from Scotland on board our sailings this summer to bring them across to the event. We wish the festival every success!”

Michael Wilson, Managing Director UTV, added;

“UTV has been a part of the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in Glenarm for the last four years and we are delighted to be lending our support once again this year. UTV is all about family entertainment and the Dalriada Festival is a perfect partnership. The event is first class family entertainment with the caliber of the musical line up, the food on offer and events surrounding the week. The Festival just gets better. It will be an event for all the family to enjoy.”

Eddie Rowan, Event Manager, Tourism NI:

“Tourism NI is once again pleased to support the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival.  It is a pleasure to see this fantastic festival grow from strength to strength as it continues to significantly increase visitor appeal to the North Coast of Antrim.  The range and quality of activity on offer will not only generate a substantial impact on the economy but also contribute to Northern Ireland’s positive profile as an attractive destination.  I wish all the participants and visitors a very memorable trip to Northern Ireland and to Glenarm for this action packed week of events.”

Following on from the Highland Games will be an action packed week in Glenarm Village and surrounding area which will feature  the biggest range of sporting events to be held at any festival in Northern Ireland.  Events include beach mounted relay, Dalraida wipeout, bubbleball soccer tournament, kids duathlon, sprint triathlon, super endurocross, Dalriada 5k and 10k run, rowing and sailing regatta.  Closing the festivities will be the ever spectacular fireworks finale.
For further information including Highland Games day passes (book online and SAVE 20%), Saturday evening concert tickets (£28.50) and camping packages visit www.dalriadafestival.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.ie

The Willis Clan is a family band of twelve brothers and sisters from Nashville, Tennessee – Music City USA, where they perform regularly on The Grand Ole Opry alongside many of the country superstars you may know.

The Willis Clan is a family of amazing musicians, dancers, athletes, writers, and artists. They have Irish roots and started out in Irish music and dance, being placed in the top 5 at the World Championships of Irish Dance in 2013, and winning the Fleadh Cheoil in 2012. Now they perform many genres of music such as bluegrass, country, and pop, in addition to Irish, to create a unique blend of the old and new.

They were contestants on Season 9 of ‘America’s Got Talent’ making it to the live rounds and getting to perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The Willis Clan will perform at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh for one night only on Friday 5^th June at 8pm. Tickets are priced £10 each. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Famed Iceman Trevor Robertson sails in for Rathlin Maritime Sound Festival

INTERNATIONALLY renowned sailor, Trevor Robertson, is sailing to Rathlin Island for the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, and will be giving a talk on ‘Three Winters on Ice’ on Wednesday, 27^th May 2015 in the Parochial Hall, Rathlin.

Born in Africa, raised in Western Australia and now sailing all over the world, Trevor Robertson initially trained as a geologist and worked on an off- shore oil rig. Trevor built his own 35-foot steel cutter named Iron Bark in Maryborough, Queensland before moving abroad.

Learning that a month on an oil rig could fund a whole year of sea travel aboard his beloved Iron Bark, Trevor repeated this pattern to fund his sailing obsession, allowing him to embark upon some spectacular journeys.

Trevor Robertson is the only sailor in history to have overwintered, frozen in the ice in both the Arctic and Antarctic, both in the same boat. It is these kind of achievements that saw Trevor and his wife, Annie, jointly awarded the highest accolade in the sailing world, the Blue Water Medal of the Cruising Club of America.

Having recently arrived in Scotland from Newfoundland, Trevor passed through the eye of Hurricane Cristobal, which was caused by a post-tropical depression, blowing at force twelve, so a short hop across the Irish Sea in the month of May to the stunning Rathlin Island will be a much easier journey.

Speaking ahead of his talk in Rathlin, Trevor explained: “When I received an invitation to come to the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival to give a talk, I was only too delighted to accept! I’m going to be delivering a discourse on my sailing adventures around the theme of ‘Three Winters in the Ice’, and exploring my time spent overwintering.

“I’m also looking forward to having a chat with some like-minded individuals and engaging on some of the activities on Rathlin.”

Caroline Carey, Tourism Officer at Causeway Coast and Glens said; “The Festival Committee are only too delighted to have the famous Trevor Robertson visit our Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival. Many in the seafaring world will have heard of Trevor and his fantastic sailing exploits. I’ve no doubt that he is a very welcome addition to our many events and activities taking place over the ten day Festival.

“The focus turns to Rathlin particularly over the weekend beginning Friday 29^th May with traditional boat racing and demonstrations, a Vikings battle, a Big Lunch and the Rathlin Coastguard Rescue Team Line Throwing competition.

“There really is something for everyone at this Festival so if you are at loss at what to do, it really would be worth listening to Trevor Robertson telling of his extreme adventures, never mind watching the Viking battle or having a Big Lunch!”

For further information about the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, log on to www.heartofthecausewaycoastandglens.com/maritimefestival or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre on 028 2076 2024 or email ballycastlevic@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.

Design addicts and home makers will be flocking to Belfast when The Modern Home Show appears at Malone House on Sunday 14th June featuring a perfect blend of vintage interiors and contemporary design for the stylish home.

The unique and exciting event will afford visitors the perfect opportunity to choose unique focal pieces for the home from design originals of the 1930s – 1970s and to invest in the collectibles of the future from a carefully edited selection of Irish vintage dealers, designers and artisans.

Boasting 40 quality exhibitors from all over Ireland, The Modern Home Show will showcase affordable 20th century design classics including the best in vintage furniture and homewares sourced from all around the globe, as well as innovative restyled creations. Visitors will also be able to purchase contemporary designs for the home with everything from ceramics, cushions and art prints to quilts, candles and rugs, as well as textiles, haberdashery and artisan food!

Brought to you by the inventive folks at Frock Fairs NI, creators of the fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage & Handmade Fairs, this event promises to be the hottest home and interiors destination this year with the coolest stuff on the planet for your abode! Exhibitors include Dublin-based Kirk Modern and Mid20c who specialise in mid-century furniture and decorative items, Donegal-based artist Paul Brady who designs and builds robot sculptures from found objects and bespoke furniture from aircraft fuselage, ceramicist Patricia Millar who produces unique ceramics inspired by the landscape and history of the Ards Peninsula, beautiful tweed textile art from Laird and Gillie, and limited edition giant bolsters and floor cushions, colourful throws and quilts from Shabbie.

With cool and laid back sounds provided by Back Alley Beats,  who will also be selling original rock prints, The Modern Home Show will enjoy the fun and relaxed atmosphere that has become a trademark of all the events from Frock Fairs NI – it’s a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

The Modern Home Show takes place from 12-5pm on Sunday 14th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Belfast BT9 5PB. Admission costs £3 for adults and children go free. More information can be found at frockfairsni.com.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited one of Northern Ireland’s most famous houses and gardens today as they marked the official reopening of Mount Stewart, following an £8m restoration project by the National Trust.

The Royal couple were met on arrival by Lady Rose Lauritzen and Mr Peter Lauritzen. Lady Rose’s family has lived at Mount Stewart since the 18^th century.

The welcome party also included Heather Thompson, Northern Ireland Director, National Trust and Jon Kerr, National Trust General Manager.

TRHs were invited to tour the reinvigorated house and see previously unopened rooms. They also enjoyed some of the many new items that are on display including no fewer than 11 family portraits by Sir Thomas Lawrence, PRA (1769-1830), perhaps the greatest British portrait painter of the early 19th century.

Amongst the more striking items now on display is the Congress of Vienna Desk which belonged to Viscount Castlereagh when he was British Foreign Secretary at the close of the Napoleonic Wars and is said to have been used at the signing of the Treaties of Paris and Vienna in 1814 and 1815.

TRHs took the opportunity to meet with a number of National Trust staff and volunteers who played a pivotal role in the three year restoration project.

Speaking about the historic visit, Jon Kerr, manager at Mount Stewart said: “It has been a huge privilege to welcome the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to Mount Stewart today and the perfect way to mark the reopening of this famous house which has been restored to its former glory.

“It has taken a team of hundreds of people to bring our vision for this grand house to life including builders, joinery apprentices and expert conservators and curators. So today was a real opportunity to celebrate with some of the team.

“We also couldn’t have done it without our 200 volunteers who have helped with every aspect of the project including the restoration of fabrics and furniture. They will also play a huge role in welcoming many more visitors over the coming months and years. ”

Before departure, the Royal Couple received a gift of plants connected to the world famous gardens at Mount Stewart.

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The £8million restoration project at Mount Stewart was funded by the National Trust with support from partners including the Garfield Weston, the Wolfson Foundation, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Royal Oak Foundation, the B H Breslauer Foundation, the Lauritzen Foundation, Friends of National Libraries, NI Museums Council and a range of individual National Trust supporters.

The property stayed open throughout the restoration so that visitors could see some of the conservation in action.

Other highlights for visitors to Mount Stewart will include:

–          A selection of rooms open to view for the first time, including family and guest bedrooms.  Visitors will be able to find out more about key members of the family, in particular Charles and Edith Londonderry and their daughter Mairi in the newly opened billiards room.

–          A world class collection of family portraits by Sir Thomas Lawrence, recognised by many as the greatest British portrait painter of the early 19th century.

–          One of Northern Ireland’s most famous paintings, Stubb’s ‘Hambletonian, Rubbing Down’ has been given a brand new frame.  Hambletonian was one of the best thoroughbred racehorses of the late 18th century, having won all of his races, except one.

–          A collection of beautiful table silver including  ambassadorial silver used by Charles Stewart while British Ambassador in Vienna 1814-22;  a set of early 19th century racing cups including three Doncaster Cups, one of which was won by the great racehorse Hambletonian.

[3] H&J Martin were the lead contractor on this project. H&J Martin were founded back in 1840 and the family owned company has been going strong ever since. H&J Martin have a close affinity with the conservation of historic buildings being responsible for the construction of some of Ireland’s most iconic buildings. Belfast’s City Hall, famous around the world, was built by the company along with other famous city landmarks such as the Central Library (the first free library in Belfast) and the Opera House along with many similar buildings both in Belfast and Dublin. Belfast’s Opera House became the city’s first listed building and H&J Martin has revisited the building twice in recent years, to carry out major conservation works.

H&J Martin’s Chairman Billy Martin MBE stated. “Care for historic buildings is in our blood, everyday our staff pass spectacular buildings which are part of our history as well as the history of the region. We are proud to have been involved in the restoration of Mount Stewart house and we are particularly proud that so much of the works could be carried out by local craftsmen and women, helping to demonstrate the strength of the construction industry in Northern Ireland.”

About the National Trust

The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 775 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas for great value family days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (May 25-31).

• GAA Legends Exhibition Game, St Patrick’s Park, Castlewellan Road, Newcastle, Co. Down, May 25.  Some of Ireland’s renowned sports legends will participate in an exhibition game involving personalities from a range of sports including hurling, Gaelic, football, rugby and soccer. From 7pm.

• Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation, Royal Country Down, Newcastle, Co. Down, May 28-31. Visit this ‘unmissable’ event and get involved in making history at Royal County Down golf course when superstars such as Sergio Garcia, world number one Rory McIlroy, and Rickie Fowler will compete for the illustrious title of Irish Open champion! Beginning at various times per day.

• Mourne Landscape Guided Bus Tour, Donard Park, Newcastle, Co. Down, May 27. Come along and enjoy a guided bus tour through the Mourne Mountains, with lunch in Annalong overlooking the Harbour and Cornmill then enjoy the afternoon sightseeing and cultural experience. The event is free (lunch additional). Departs from Donard Park at 10.00am.

• Banff Film Festival – World Tour, Theatre at The Mill, Mossley Mill, Co. Antrim, May 27-28. The world’s most prestigious mountain film festival presents two incredible evenings of extraordinary short films. Follow the expeditions of some of today’s most daring adventurers, see incredible footage of adrenaline packed action sports and be inspired by thought-provoking pieces, shot in some of the world’s most far flung locations. Show begins at 7.45pm.

• Evening Of Music and Song with The Priests, St Patrick’s RC Cathedral, Cathedral Road, Armagh, Co. Armagh, May 29. Enjoy an evening of music and song with ‘The Priests’. The classical music trio ‘The Priests’ will present a special concert for audiences to sit back and get lost in.  Concert starts at 7.30pm.

• Rogue Robots – A Lasertag Activity, W5 at Odyssey, Belfast, May 23-25. Rogue Robots is W5’s new laser tag activity for summer 2015 and is a fun challenge for all the family. You will learn how to use phasers and then be challenged to deactivate robot targets as you make your way through two target range sets. Have you got what it takes to be a member of RoboSquad and will your squad deactivate the most robots in the time available to make it onto the Roll of Honour? Check w5online.co.uk for available time slots.

• Loughfest at Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Co. Fermanagh, May 30.  The annual extravaganza is a free event which promises thrills and spills for the whole family with a range of activities including climbing walls, bouncy castles, high ropes course, face painting, fossil making and rubbing and much more! From 12-4pm.

• International Children’s Day, An Creagán, Creggan, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, May 25. Celebrate international culture and heritage at this fun-filled day of international arts and crafts. The festival brings world geography to life through hands-on activities that help to give the children a taste of some ancient traditions. There will be arts and crafts from around the world, Henna, face painting, storytelling and much more.

• Wild West Party, The Jungle NI, Moneymore, Co. Londonderry, May 30. In celebration of their 10th Birthday The Jungle NI are hosting a Wild West Party. The event will be staged in The Jungle’s activity barn which boasts a bar, state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. Visitors are encouraged to adopt the funky theme and come dressed as Cowboys or Indians and dance the night away to Country Music provided by a top local DJ. There will be a Rodeo Bull contest with prizes up for grabs in addition to some dancing wild-west cowgirls.

• Fringe Festival – Comedy Night, Mary’s Hall, Main Street, Newcastle, Co. Down, May 29-30. Northern Ireland’s queen of comedy May McFettridge headlining on Saturday night for even more laughs. Friday show starts 7.15pm and 8pm on Saturday.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.

Down

Families and Garden fans are in for a treat on Sunday 24th May at the Clandeboye Estate Food, Craft and Garden Fair in association with Simon Brien Residential.  What could be better than a Sunday afternoon spent with the family enjoying the picturesque surroundings of Clandeboye, one Northern Ireland’s most beautiful private estates?  Enjoy a delicious lunch, music, local crafts and children’s entertainment in the Courtyard followed by a leisurely walk through the private gardens and arboretum at Clandeboye – a rare treat as the gardens will only be open to the public once in 2015.

Armagh

This Sunday is Welly Sunday at Navan Fort.  A free family event celebrating our great Irish weather so get the wellies out and enjoy some fun making the most of that favourite footwear.  Have fun with welly throwing and welly games.  Even make your wellies into a useful garden planter to take home.  Jumping in muddy puddles on the day is a must!  Don’t forget to bring your wellies!

Fermanagh

The County Fair at Florence Court takes place this Sunday 24th May with dog shows, rare breeds, live music, craft stalls and much more from 12noon-5pm. Normal National Trust admission applies.
Members go free.

Tyrone

This Saturday 23rd May from 10.00 am the Royal Hotel in Cookstown are hosting a charity craft fair and coffee morning in aid of the Mid Ulster Dementia Support Group. Admission is £5.

Derry

‘Be Our Guest’ is a Disney themed Charity Gala at the Maldron Hotel Derry this Saturday 23rd May, where you can escape into an enchanting world filled with musical performances, dance and even a Princess Pamper corner to treat yourself for a night.  Dress to impress or dress as your favourite Disney character, with raffles, competitions and much more, it’s sure to be a magical night for all. Beautiful princesses will be there to guide you through the night with photographers on hand to capture each moment.  There will be a VIP after party for those over 18.  All proceeds are going to Aware Defeat Depression and Link Music Academy.  Tickets are available on the night, no pre-booking required.

Antrim

At the very heart of the spectacular Causeway Coast and Glens the communities of Ballycastle and Rathlin Island would like to extend a very warm welcome and would like to invite you to come along and join in and help celebrate the rich and diverse maritime culture during the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival. The festival is centred on Rathlin Sound, the body of water that lies between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle.  The festival opens with an evening parade at Ballycastle seafront on Friday 22 May and continues through the week and both weekends until the closing event on Rathlin on Sunday 31 May 2015.

Belfast

Bonkers Betty’s Bizarre Bazaar.  A big bunch of artisan makers, bakers and sellers, all together under one roof. Come and see our wares at Fortwilliam and Macrory Church, Antrim Road this Saturday 23rd May for out-of-this-world, unique, precious handcrafted goodies! All our traders are handpicked to ensure only the finest and most quirky, unusual products are on offer. All of our traders are local, and we aim to make your visit to our fair a unique experience with something for everyone on offer!

Add your events free at www.whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.

Planning permission has been granted for a new four-star boutique hotel in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee today approved the application from Titanic Foundation Ltd and Titanic Quarter Ltd, for the conversion and refurbishment of the Harland and Wolff headquarters and drawing offices into a 84-bedroom hotel with heritage-related tourist and event facilities.
It’s the first major application that the committee has approved since council became responsible for planning in April, under Local Government Reform.

Giving the green light to the development, committee chairman Cllr Matt Garrett said it represented another boost for tourism in the city.

“The H&W site and the drawing offices are iconic on the city’s landscape, and it’s exciting that this project will be breathing new life into these beautiful buildings for a whole other generation of visitors and tourists to enjoy,” he said.

“The development work will be sympathetic to the heritage of the buildings in order to preserve the history of the site.”

Cllr Garrett added: “We have seen what a huge success story the Titanic Belfast visitor centre has been and this new development will further enhance the tourism offering in the Titanic Quarter area, so entwined with the city’s shipbuilding history.”

A number of remedial works – including archaeological digs and environmental impact assessments – will have to be carried out at the site before construction work can begin.

Planning permission had already been approved for a 111-bed hotel on the site; however the application was revised and a new one submitted for a 84-bedroom hotel.

It’s understood the development could generate up to 250 jobs during construction and 75 once the hotel opens.

The current buildings on the site were built between 1900-1919 as part of the world famous Harland and Wolff shipyard.

The committee considered a total of 33 applications at tonight’s meeting.

For more information on council’s planning role, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/planning

Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to welcome the return of the much-loved Sea Bangor Maritime Festival which is taking place this June 27 & 28.

Sailing into Bangor for the event is the impressive tall ship “The Morgenster” along with the HMS Ramsey navy vessel which will both be moored alongside The Eisenhower Pier and open to the public for both days of the festival.

“The Morgenster” has been sailing as a clipperbrik since 2008 after being restored. The owners Marian and Harry Muter aimed to build a beautiful historical ship, one to pleasantly spend time on and as a bonus they built her to be a great sailing vessel, as it can always be found in the leading group at the Tall Ship Races.

If you fancy sailing the high seas on the spectacular “Morgenster,” there are opportunities available for hour-long sailings on both evenings. The sailings will be at 7:00pm on June 27, and at 7:30pm on June 28. Tickets cost £15 each and are available now at Bangor Visitor Information Centre, Ards Visitor Information Centre and North Down Museum.

This year’s Sea Bangor, which is being kindly sponsored by Tourism NI, is absolutely packed with something to do for everyone. Situated in a tented village in Quay Street car park, highlights of the festival will include the “Big Bangor Bake Off” competition hosted by SERC which will include baking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a cake contest and pancake challenges. Over in the kid’s tent “Tiddlers,” Cahoots NI will be performing a special magic show and The Dockside Emporium which is being hosted by Bangor’s Craft Emporium promises to be a world of entertainment and wonder with demonstrations and crafts from lots of local artists.  With maritime themed street theatre, a gourmet food tent, a fantastic live music programme, an aerial display from the Twister Aerobatic Team, Jet Lev demonstrations and so much more, Sea Bangor is definitely not to be missed!

Speaking about the event, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Events Officer, Wendy Smith said; “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Sea Bangor back as part of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s 2015 Events Programme. It’s always a great event with something on offer for all the family and we would encourage everyone to come on down and join in the fun.”

Sea Bangor will be open from 10am to 6pm on Saturday 27 June and Noon to 6pm on Sunday 28.

For further information check www.visitardsandnorthdown.com