The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s will be popping up all over Belfast  this weekend (Friday 20th September- Monday 23rd September)  with a taster of what is in store for this year’s event which takes place from 17th-27th October.

Supported by Arts and Business Northern Ireland Pop Up Festival will be visiting Victoria Square, Connswater Shopping Centre, The Kennedy Centre, Queen’s University and Culture Night throughout the weekend with tickets, entertainment and much more. For more information visitwww.belfastfestival.com.

Topics as diverse as Irish sportsmen’s contribution to the Spanish Civil War and Hare Coursing in Victorian Connacht were down for discussion at the 9th Annual Conference of Sport History Ireland at the University of Ulster’s Magee Campus.

The Sport History Ireland Society was established in 2005 to promote the study of the history of sport in Ireland and its impact on Irish life and society. This year, for the first time, the conference was held inNorthern Ireland and attracted the largest ever number of delegates.

There was a particular focus on Ulster’s rich and unique sporting heritage with contributions from leading scholars in sports history from home and abroad.

The keynote address was given by Dr Dónal McAnallen who explored issues surrounding the past and present commemoration of historical events by sports bodies during the present ‘decade of centenaries’.

“The specific events individual sporting bodies will either choose or not choose to commemorate over the next ten years will provide aninteresting insight into both past and contemporary issues within those organisations,” said Dr McAnallen.

Dr David Hassan of the University’s Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute and chairman of the organising committee said Dr McAnallen’s presentation was stimulating and thought provoking.

“It highlighted some of the many issues facing sporting organisations, such as the recent excess of commemoration surrounding the GAA’s 125th anniversary in 2009 which created something of a distortion concerning the popular view of the Association’s early history.

Dr Hassan continued: “We are absolutely delighted to have been able to attract this prestigious event to Magee and that so many local sporting enthusiasts were able to attend.

“Following on from a memorable night at the Magee campus earlier this year to mark the 125^th anniversary of Derry GAA, the conference underlines the important role the University performs in engaging with the local sporting public.”

Not surprisingly, during the 125^th Anniversary of the founding of the GAA in the host county of Derry, work on that organisation remained prominent throughout the conference programme.

Other highlights from the event emerged when Tom Hunt, who has been commissioned to write the official history of the Olympic Council of Ireland, spoke about the battle between Irish Olympic officials and the International Olympic Committee to achieve Olympic sporting jurisdiction over a 32 countyIreland.

Dr Ida Milne of the Oral History Network of Ireland presented her novel work on the largely undocumented contribution of Irish Protestants within the GAA in twentieth century Ireland.

On a similar theme, Eoghan Corry, one of Ireland’s most prolific sports writers, discussed how religion has so often influenced both the participation in and reporting of specific sports in modern Irish history.

Sport History Ireland Chairman Dr Richard McElligott presented a fascinating paper on the almost total collapse of the GAA in 1890s Ireland and the remarkable parallels between its near destruction then, and present difficulties the organisation faces in a time of recession and mass emigration.

In his presentation, Dr Hassan spoke about the sporting legacy of Dick Fitzgerald, the famous Kerry captain who was perhaps Ireland’s first domestic sporting superstar, and the resonance of his early writings on themodern face of Gaelic football.

Fermanagh Live are delighted to welcome Paul Murray to talk about Bram Stoker, his influences and impact on popular culture over the last 100 years as part of the fantastic FLive line-up!

Be part of the audience as Paul Murray shares his fascinating insight on the man who created Dracula, looking at what influenced one of the most gripping and enduring stories of our times.

Today, the Twilight series continues a love affair with Vampires that has fascinated people since ancient times. Though it can be said that this latest love affair started with Bram Stoker’s Dracula over 100 years ago in 1897.

A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin and with an illustrious career in the diplomatic service spanning 40 years, Paul Murray is also an award-winning writer and novelist, whose biographies include ‘A Fantastic Journey: The Life and Literature of Lafcadio Hearn’ and ‘From the Shadow of Dracula: A Life of Bram Stoker’.

It’s when talking about Bram Stoker that Paul really comes into his own, delivering engaging lectures that are also entertaining. He has appeared on radio and television and in a number of documentaries, while continuing to publish on the subjects of both Lafcadio Hearn and Bram Stoker.

Bram Stoker, originally from Ireland and a minor but distinguished Victorian novelist, took six years to write Dracula. Published in 1897, it cleverly unfolds in a late Victorian England of plate cameras, phonographs and other nascent technologies. The contemporary setting thrilled his readers, bringing an element of reality to an otherwise darkly supernatural tale. Paul will take you through the novel’s extraordinary literary influences, which ranged from east European travel books to scientific tracts on South American blood-sucking bats.

Join Paul for this free event on Thursday 3^rd October, 6pm at Enniskillen Library to find out more about the man who wrote Dracula, a story that continues to grip the world so irresistibly.

Find out more at FLive.org.uk, like facebook.com/fermanaghlive or follow @fermanaghlive on Twitter – #FLive2013.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (September 23 – 29).

• Basement Gallery Art Exhibition, Castle Coole, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, September 21 – 29.  The historic Basement Rooms at Castle Coole provide the perfect setting for this art exhibition where visitors will have the opportunity to admire and purchase wonderful pieces of art from renowned artists.

• Aspects Literature Festival, various venues across Bangor, Co. Down, September 25 – 29.  Bangor prepares to rub shoulders with the literati at the 22^nd Aspects Irish Literature Festival which will showcase as many forms of writing as possible.

• Junior Ranger Club, Lurgan Park, Co. Armagh, September 25.  An after school activity for budding park enthusiasts.  Learn about birds and wildfowl, trees, bugs and study nature with a fun workbook to complete.

• Belly Laughs, various venues across Belfast, September 25 – October 6.  Continuing to go from strength to strength, this year’s Belly Laughs sees a whole heap of new venues, some hilarious stand-up comedy, bus tours and a dash of comic theatre.

• Murder of The Dis-Orient Express, The Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, September 26 – 27.  Join this Murder Mystery evening and as you enjoy your dinner onboard the train journey from Istanbul to Constantinople things take a turn for the worst.  When the train stops in Byzantium a man is found dead.  With six suspects to chose from, can you work out who killed him?

• The Bjorn Identity, Market Place Theatre, Co. Armagh, September 27.  Probably the finest Abba show this side of Sweden with all the greatest hits including Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Waterloo and Dancing Queen.

• The 1^st Annual Tattoo, Odyssey Arena, Belfast, September 27 – 28.  This historic event will showcase some of the finest musicians and dancers from across Ulster in a two hour event which will allow the artists and bands to feature and showcase their talents.

• The Beekeepers Gathering and Honey Show, The Guildhall, Co. Londonderry, September 28.  A full day of interesting talks by a wide range of speakers for novice, beginner and experienced beekeepers as well as a wide range of exhibits from all over Ireland including honey cakes and mead.

• The Extra Ordinary Ella Fitzgerald, The Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, September 28.  An all-star line up to include some of the most prominent names in the UK and Irish jazz scenes, celebrating the life and music of the great Ella Fitzgerald.

• Belfast Day, City Hall, Belfast, September 29.  A day of diversity to celebrate the city of Belfast including music, culture, sports, food and family fun.  Make sure you take the unforgettable Nearly True Tour of the City Hall and meet captivating and eccentric characters along the way.

Community groups and organisations from across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to apply for free tickets for top gigs at this year’s Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s thanks to a Community Ticketing scheme from Ulster Bank.

Groups including disability support, young and older people and other associations and societies will have the chance to enjoy some of the best festival events completely free.

Ellvena Graham, Head of Ulster Bank Northern Ireland says the scheme is part of the bank’s commitment to all Northern Ireland communities.

“Arts should be accessible to everyone and the Ulster Bank Community Ticketing scheme has helped thousands of people who might not otherwise have to chance to get to events enjoy these,” says Ms Graham.

Tickets will be available to see some of the world class acts appearing at this year’s Festival across a diverse range of performances including:

• • ‘Bullet Catch ‘ – an edge of the set theatre show featuring magic, mindreading and the notorious stunt itself
  • Eric Bibb – the cult American blues singer will be performing live at Festival’s new music club at the Elmwood Hall
  • Waiting for Godot – this Northern Ireland premiere offers a new way of hearing Beckett with Gare St Lazare Players Ireland bringing their experience to bear in this classic tragicomedy
  • Arts Nova Copenhagen – one of the world’s finest vocal groups who will perform in the magnificent setting of St Gerard’s Church, Belfast.
  • Memories d’una puca – a new contemporary theatrical styled dance piece which takes three characters on a live changing journey
  • The Swan Songs of Strauss –a celebration of Strauss for the closing concert for this year’s Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s with The Ulster Orchestra.

Community groups can apply for tickets under the scheme by entering their details at www.belfastfestival.com/BookNow/UlsterBankCommunityTickets/.

All applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 30^th September.

FLive are delighted to bring you another FREE event as part of this year’s spectacular FLive programme. Dip into the BBC’s Community Archive with 3 very special programmes featuring the people and places of Fermanagh over the last 40 years.

Working with the Fermanagh Trust, BBC Northern Ireland are dusting off their Community Archive and delving into some very special footage as part of a short series of screenings especially for Fermanagh Festival Live.

Showing at the Clinton Centre, each beautifully made film will be introduced by a guest speaker, setting the scene for treasures that feature local people, traditions and history. Sure to evoke many memories, there’ll also be time for a short discussion afterwards.

The season begins on Thursday 3^rd October with The Loughsiders and The Island Town, presented by Father Brian D’Arcy. The Loughsiders will be of particular interest to fans of its presenter, Seamus Heaney, whose recent passing provoked much sadness around the world. It’s a fascinating, poetic celebration of the islands and waterways of Fermanagh, with Heaney’s script really bringing to life striking descriptions of the natural world, ancient traditions, beliefs and connections between past and present. It’s a little bit of television perfection first broadcast in 1972 and precedes a showing of Enniskillen – The Island Town, part of the Ulster in Focus series for local schools, presented by Hugh Dixon. It’s the story of Enniskillen told through its architecture and, if you were in school in the early eighties, it’ll transport you right back to the classroom.

Friday’s screening is The Impartial Reporter, first broadcast in 1993 and a look behind the scenes at the workings of a local newspaper. Part of the ‘Plain Tales’ series by Carlo Gebler, the programme looks beyond the business of newsgathering and reporting to reflect on the impact of the troubles on everyday life, human tragedy, political tensions and the changing role of the newspaper in the community.

On Saturday lunchtime, ‘The Winding Banks of the Erne – The Way That I Went’, explores the folk stories, music and traditions of rural Fermanagh, with more than a little local humour! This partly autobiographical piece features Paddy Tunney talking to local people about their customs and beliefs, paying tribute to ‘the world of the imagination’.

All screenings start at 1pm and finish around 2, so they’re perfect to catch in your lunch hour.

Tickets are available FREE – visit www.FLive.org.uk to find out how you can get yours.

Find out more at FLive.org.uk, like facebook.com/fermanaghlive or follow @fermanaghlive on Twitter – #FLive2013.

Down

Finghin Collins, the Irish piano virtuoso, has played the world from Chicago to Seoul and now Portaferry on Saturday 21^st September.  His recordings are worldclass and recently he has been appointed an Associate Artist of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. Collins will perform Haydn Sonata in E flat major Hob XVI:49, Chopin Mazurka Op. 17 no. 4 and Debussy Estampes. Dearbhla, his sister, also an international pianist, will join him to play Schubert’s “Fantasie in F minor”.

Tyrone

Culture Night Strabane – A Day & Evening of Free Cultural Events takes place this Friday 20th September with music, comedy and dance events taking place. In Strabane, Sion Mills, Newtownstewart, Plumbridge, Donemana and Beady.

Fermanagh

Wrestling Superstars are taking a break from their tours of America, Europe, Japan & Mexico to take part in a giant one-off extravaganza in County Fermanagh.  The Lakeland Forum Leisure Centre is the venue for this year’s must-see event where fans will have the chance to witness the passion of dedicated athletes perfecting their craft.  Wrestling Superstars will collide in an epic encounter inside the ring that’ll grip the audience’s attention like nothing you have seen before.  The spectacular event takes place on September 21st with doors opening at 7.30pm and show time at 8.00pm. Spectators will get the chance to get up close and personal with their favourite stars.

Derry

Moondog Productions Ltd presents the hit news comedy panel show, The Blame Game, featuring comedians Tim McGarry, Colin Murphy, Neil Delamere and Jake O’Kane with special guest.  Both shows will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Ulster on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th September. Tickets are free! If you would like to attend a recording at the Millennium Forum on any of the above dates, please apply for tickets at: bbc.co.uk/tickets.  Doors open at 6pm and will close at 6.45pm when there will be no admittance to the theatre.

Armagh

Shoppers will get a lot more than they bargained for at Rushmere this Autumn as the popular shopping centre and Retail Park gets set to host their biggest interactive Sci-Fi exhibition on 21st and 22nd September, with charitable donations collected over the two-day event going to support Save the Children.  Sci-fi and fantasy film fanatics of all ages will get the chance to see some of their favourite characters come to life at the fully interactive Heroes and Legends exhibition, which has been organised by The Emerald Garrison, famed for their Star Wars costume club and life-like film set design.  Whether you’re a Gryffindor or Slytherin fan, want to find out if the inside of the Tardis is really as big as it seems,  or are just curious about what it’s really like to be a GhostBuster, the Emerald Garrison Heroes and Legends exhibition will have it all.

Antrim

The Streets Alive project will ensure that the streets and key locations within Portrush Town Centre will become a hive of activity for one day – this Saturday 21st September. There will be activities to suit all age groups and abilities, for individuals and family groups alike.  Activities will include abseiling, Portrush Peninsula Walking Tour, On-Street Live acoustic music sessions at town centre locations,  surfing lessons at East and West Strand Beaches,  Activ8 Adventure Challenge, Multi Sports Cage Action, Urban Street Dance displays and DJ, Street Basketball Blitz, kite flying and much more!

Belfast

The fifth Culture Night Belfast is arguably the hottest date in the city’s packed cultural calendar this Friday 20th September. And with over 250 free, family-friendly events taking place right across the city, organisers are promising “even more of everything” in this year’s event.  From the yoga-tastic big opening to the grande flaming finale featuring Firepoise and the Ulster Youth Orchestra, Culture Night Belfast literally has something for all tastes and dispositions.  The city will once more be illuminated, transformed and opened up in unpredictable and spectacular ways – for all to enjoy!

University of Ulster staff, postgraduate students and students from the School of English and History’s Poetry Society, star in the new series of BBC2 NI Ulster-Scots programme, ‘Santer’, which begins a new run on Wednesday September 18.

Episodes four and five of the six-part TV series, will be broadcast on October 9^th and 16^th, and discuss the tradition of ‘reading houses’ in Ulster and their links to 19^th century Ulster-Scots poets.

Reading houses were essentially social gatherings, where those who earned enough money to have leisure time, gathered together to read and recite poetry, discuss history, theology and politics, and the fundamental issues of the day.

Attired in authentic costume and reciting readings in Ulster-Scots, University of Ulster students literally bring 19^th century Ulster and the ‘Reading House’ back to life.

University of Ulster lecturer, Dr Kathryn White, who acted as consultant and also presents on the programme said: “This has been a fantastic experience for our students and has helped them engage with the literary traditions of this region, as well as giving them an insight into television production.

“The ‘Ulster-Scots Poetry Project’, which supplied many of the poems for the series is delighted that many more people will have the opportunity to learn about Ulster’s literary history.”

Head of the School of English and History at the University of Ulster, Professor Jan Jedrzejewski, commented: “I am delighted to see some of my colleagues and students helping to recreate the history of 19^th century book clubs – this is precisely the kind of occasion where the past that we study and the present that we live and work in, come together in a meaningful way to produce new concepts, ideas, and insights, for ourselves and for the community at large.”

Dr Frank Ferguson, Director of the Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies said: “This programme demonstrates how the research strengths we possess in Ulster-Scots literature, culture and history at the University of Ulster, can provide film makers with the key materials they require and shows the literary skills and performance talents of our colleagues and students.”

For further details about ‘Reading Houses’ and ‘The Ulster-Scots Poetry Project’, contact Dr Kathryn White at: k.white@ulster.ac.uk

The new six-part series of ‘Santer’ begins on Wednesday 18^th September at 7.30pm on BBC2 NI.

Aspects Irish Literature Festival

Friday 25^th – Sunday 29^th September, Various Locations, Bangor

The premier Irish Literature Festival returns with a host of events covering writing in all its different forms. From the world of Science Fiction with Ian McDonald and Aidan Harte to America in 1812 with Peter Snow via some wonderful song writing from Kevin Doherty and Pete Roe and the quirkiest look at the writing process you’ll ever get with Wireless Mystery Theatre and Ian Sansom, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone.

Tickets still remain for some events, so buy today and make sure you’ll be at the Festival!

Plenty of talks, readings and performances showing off the best of Irish and British literature – what more could you ask for?! Various prices apply.

For more information find attached the Aspects programme. For tickets book online or contact Bangor Tourist Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069. For info visit aspectsfestival.com

TITANICa

Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, Cultra

The timeless tale of Titanic comes to life through iconic objects. Discover more than 500 original artefacts including the technical drawings used to build Titanic and the Kimono Lady Duff Gordon was wearing as she was rescued. This incredible exhibition will fascinate and mesmerise you as you hear the stories of those who witnessed the heart-breaking disaster. At the outdoor Folk Museum you can look around and be captivated by the era of the world’s most famous ship experiencing the way of life in Ulster at that time.

For more information and pricing visit www.nmni.co.uftm

Workshops at the Pink Pods

Until Saturday 28^th September, Project 24, Queen’s Parade

Karin Patry in the Pink Pod is running a series of workshops in every Saturday throughout September from 10am-3pm. On Saturday 21st September: Make your own personalised big letter in cardboard and transform it into a lamp. Then on Saturday 28th September: Make your very own tripod (a clean & simple wooden stool kit to personalise). The workshops will take a one hour lunch break at midday.

For more information or to reserve a place, contact Karin at the Pink Pod either in person or by email englishcookies@me.com. Karin can accommodate 5 people per workshop, so booking is required. Class costs £40, all materials are included.

Bangor 10K

Saturday 28^th September, Starting Castle Park

North Down Borough Council and North Down Athletics Club are encouraging runners of all abilities to get ready for the Bangor 10K Road Race, which hits the streets of the town on Saturday 28 September 2013.  This popular race from the 1990s was revived in 2005 and each year since then has attracted hundreds of athletes to compete along the course from Castle Park Avenue to Ward Park.  Even if you don’t run call down and support all the competitors.

To find out about registering visit www.bangoraurora.com

Bangor 400- A celebration of poetry and prose

Sunday 29^th September, North Down Museum, Bangor

Novelists, historians, saints and scholars have been writing about Bangor for centuries. The man behind the creation of Aspects twenty-two years ago, Kenneth Irvine, has recruited some of our top local actors to present a special one-off selection of readings to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the granting of our Royal Charter. Four hundred years? Where did the time go?!

Come along and hear excerpts from the writings of Columbanus, Bernard of Clairvaux, Michael Longley, Derek Mahon, John Hewitt, Moyra Donaldson, Colin Bateman, Gerald Dawe, Ian Adamson and many others, all brought to life by a cast of talented local thespians. FREE

For more information visit www.northdowntourism.com

Cedarwood Garden

Until Monday30th September, Cedarwood Garden, Holywood

Be sure to visit this stunning garden in Holywood as part of a lovely relaxing day out. This true plantsman’s garden is situated within the original extensive estate of the historic Lorne House, Craigavad, Holywood, built in 1875 by Henry Campbell, a wealthy linen merchant and founder of Campbell College in Belfast. The garden has been created within an existing framework of mature specimen trees sourced from all corners of the world. This impressive backdrop echoes other gardens created in the same era, such as Mount Stewart.

For more information visit www.cedarwoodgarden.com

Noctuary

Until Monday 30^th September, Sync Space

“Noctuary” is the first solo exhibition by Newtownards based artist and musician James Robert Moore. Presenting a series of hand-produced monotype prints selected from a larger body of recent work, these intimate abstract pieces invoke crepuscular closed-eye visions, twilight landscapes and occulted cellular events, organically grown out of process and an investigation of materials.

James studied Fine Art in London and Southampton, is a member of Seacourt Print Workshop and has previously exhibited in group shows in Northern Ireland, England, Europe, USA and New Zealand. FREE

James Humbert Craig Exhibition

Until Saturday28^th November, North Down Museum, Bangor

In November 1948 Bangor Borough Council received the gift of a Craig painting; it was to mark the beginning of a beautiful collection. To celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of this special occasion North Down Museum will show ‘James Humbert Craig, a Life in Landscapes’.

This exhibition follows the life of Craig from growing up in Ballyholme to his position as one of Ireland’s most renowned landscape artists. The story will be told through some of Craig’s earliest sketches, paintings and photos from private collections.

For more information contact 028 9127 1200 or www.northdowntourism.com

Coming Soon!!

Historical Talks at North Down Museum, Seapark Fireworks, Halloween Fun Day at Cockle Row

N.B Expressions of Interest Sought

Following the success of last year’s Christmas Market, North Down Museum has decided to do it all again this year! The market will take place on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, and North Down Museum is currently looking for Expressions of Interest from anyone who would like to take a stall at the Market. If you would like to be considered as a stall holder or know anyone who may be interested, please visit www.northdownmuseum.com and enter your details on the form provided by the closing date of Friday 4^th October at 4.30pm. PLEASE NOTE: Registering an Expression of Interest does not guarantee that you will be offered a place at the Market.

Please treat this letter as your personal invitation to both a unique day of demonstrations by the cream of crafters from far and near, interesting visitors from many countries, and a memorable evening of music, stories, poetry and craic.

With our new outlet-shop in Berlin now open and absorbing a lot of energy (and time) as well as the mill here at Derrylane busier than ever, we have neglected communication with some of our friends a little bit. Here’s our promise:

Saturday, September 14^th is going to make up for that – and more!!

The Old Flax Mill will provide the unique setting for a gathering of textile-experts, artists, crafters and visitors – as usual from many parts of the world – which you won’t find anywhere else. The complete programme for the day and the evening is going to the media within the next few days (as always, we are keeping a few special surprises “up our sleeves”) – here are some of the attractions “up front”, to water your mouth:

Crafts and Demonstrations Galore!

LYNDA KELLY on her spinning wheel. Lynda is one of the best hand spinners on these shores, her specialist yarns are reputed well beyond Ireland. Experience her in action!

EMMA WHITEHEAD will show hand embroidery. Her pictures on linen are unique and much sought after. Emma’s art of embroidery has no match. She will let you see how it’s done!

CHRISTINE BOYLE stunned many of our visitors with her dyeing-demonstration last year. The owner of the “colour and cloth” company uses natural dyes only and has done some unique work for Flax-Mill-Textiles recently. Her dye-pot will be boiling all day!

JACKI SLEATOR will come to our Open Day for the first time. The County Tyrone based felter and fashion designer will show how wool is being felted.

SHUTTLES FLYING!

We will demonstrate weaving on at least two of our looms. MAURA McKEE from Omagh is going to take the driving seat at one of them and we expect Ireland’s best designer beyond doubt, SARAH MORRISON from Derry City to give us the honour and give our fly-shuttle-loom “the works”.

We will have visitors from Ireland’s oldest linen-mill (Clarks of Upperlands), “old hands” in flax-scutching and some of the new crop of our flax here for you to see. Add to that tailors, knitters, and fashion-designers – where else would you get it?

There will be two blacksmiths showing red-hot skills. BRENDAN COSGROVE is going to give a demonstration in ring-making.

You will find hand-made soap from County Antrim, Ireland’s best wood-turner and his products, unique jewellery, some of it made from bog-oak, coffee roasted in Upperlands, buttons made in Belfast…..you name the high quality product – it’s there for you.

As always, our visiting crafters are “hand-picked” genuine manufacturers. Dealers and “cheap and nasty stuff” won’t be near the place.

Let us spoil you!

How would a piece of home-made cake, freshly baked by one of Germany’s top confectioners, go down? Or – if you care to stay into the evening – a 15 metre long buffet the likes of which you have never seen? Our catering brigade from Berlin is sharpening the knives as we write this.

Very special visitors!

There hasn’t been an Open Day without them and there were always very pleasant surprises. We won’t tell you all of them. We can reveal that BALLYMONEY OLD VEHICLE CLUB is coming to Flax – Mill with a large number of unique classic cars. Their visit in 2012 was absolutely spectacular and we feel honoured to welcome them back this year.

Old bicycles are going on the road to come all the way from England, a steam engine (first time!) will be there, MARTIN WHITEHEAD from Strangford hasn’t told us whether it will be his one-and-only Lagonda or the equally unique Riley – car, he is going to land in……

We could fill pages of good news like this!

N. Ireland’s oldest lady on the road!

Our friend CRAIG MATTHEW doesn’t do “half-measures” – he will drive the country’s oldest commercial vehicle to the Flax-Mill and rumours are that the 1929 Morris-lorry is going to carry a load of flax from our field in Upperlands!

This short version of the programme shows one thing:

It makes absolutely no sense to go anywhere else on September 14^th – and that is only the day, never mind the evening!

The Flax Mill Open Day starts at 9 am and runs to 6pm!

The Evening Concert

“Ireland’s most spectacular private gathering”, a Dutch journalist called it once and 2013 will see another event in a league of its own.

WILLIE DRENNAN, folk-singer, Lambeg-drum-Rocker, fiddler and story-teller without anyone to match him, set the place rocking last year. HE WILL BE BACK! We experienced up to 9 musicians on stage in 2012 – we are going to beat that!

Take this in and tell us where else you could find it

Irelands best bodhran player (and maker), SEAMUS O’KANE! Banjo-maestro JOE DIAMOND! Guitar- and trumpet-virtuoso JOHN TROTTER!  Songwriter/singer BOB SPEERS!

That’s just the tip of the ice-berg, we have a couple of real crackers in the back of our hands, watch out for the local press-reports.

Whether you are going to make it for the Open Day only or for day and evening – I (and all of us here at Flax Mill) would love to welcome you and your friends and family on Saturday, September 14^th! Don’t be shy to pass this on to a good friend and remember:

THERE WON’T BE ANY STRANGERS HERE – JUST FRIENDS SOME OF WHOM YOU HAVEN’T MET!

MARION BAUR

Owner of Flax-Mill-Textiles