Motoring enthusiasts are getting in gear for this year’s much anticipated Cultra Hillclimb event at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum on Saturday 2 June.

The event, the world’s oldest active speed Hillclimb, will see the museum turned into a motorsport venue for the day with a range of cars which span over 100 years, competing on the demanding course, with many others on display.

Organised by Thoroughbred Sports Car Club (TSCC) in association with the museum and supported by North Down Tourism, the event will mark the contribution of two of Ulster’s greatest engineers, County Down men Harry Ferguson and Rex McCandless.

So it is fitting that the Ferguson P99 – the only four wheel drive car to win a Formula 1 race when Stirling Moss drove it to victory in the Gold Cup at Oulton Park in 1961, will visit Cultra for the event.

It will be driven by Stuart Rolt, chairman of the British Racing Drivers’ Club whose father Tony was a Formula 1 racing driver and competed at the local Dundrod TT races.

Other highlights this year will be a range of agricultural, civilian and military four-wheel drive vehicles including the museum’s own McCandless racing car, a rare Jensen FF, an even rarer 4WD ‘original’ Mini and the and McCandless “Mule” 4WD Military Prototype.

This year marks 50 years since the launch of the MGB and a stunning selection of cars from the MG Owner’s Club Northern Ireland will be on display, whilst even more MGs than usual will compete in the Hillclimb competition.

Mark Kennedy, Road Transport Curator at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum said: “This year we will celebrate the work of two brilliant local engineers, Harry Ferguson and Rex McCandless who developed four-wheel-drive cars in the 1950s.

“We’re delighted to have the Ferguson four-wheel-drive Formula 1 car return to Northern Ireland for the first time in 50 years.

“The event will also celebrate half a century of the MGB sports car with a display of these desirable cars in the grounds of the beautifully restored Cultra Manor. This year’s Hillclimb will be a fantastic event for vintage car fans and families alike.”

TSCC President William Heaney, who is co-ordinating the event, said: “For several years the club and museum have been working to bring the P99 Formula 1 car over to Cultra. But it’s been well worth the wait to have this unique opportunity to bring both the Ferguson and McCandless inspired cars together in such an appropriate setting.”

“It’s especially good this year to be working with the local MG Clubs to celebrate a significant anniversary of such an iconic British sports car as the MGB.”

For more details on the Cultra Hillclimb event, visit www.nmni.com & www.tsccni.info

Major event day pricing is applicable.

LIMELIGHT BELFAST PRESENTS
KATE NASH
& SPECIAL GUESTS
THE LIMELIGHT
WEDNESDAY 4th JULY 2012
9pm / £14.50 / Over 18s

Kate Nash fans will be thrilled to hear that the Brit Award winning artist is making a return to Belfast to play The Limelight this July. Kate has been busy working on her as-yet-untitled third album in LA and has announced a UK tour, titled ‘Faster Pussycat Run Run Tour‘. It has also been revealed that Nash will star in two feature films this year, details of which are yet to be announced. Kate Nash sold out her Mandela Hall visit in 2010 and tickets for the Limelight show on Wednesday 4th July are onsale from Thursday 10th May at 9am priced £14.50 + booking fee on www.limelightbelfast.com, www.ticketmaster.ie, Katy Dalys Bar and all usual outlets.

Kate Nash’s whirlwind music career began in 2006 as a 20yr old MySpace phenomenon, before she even had a record deal. By April of the same year she had signed to Fiction, 2 months later ‘Foundations‘ reached number 2 in the singles chart, and by August she was celebrating a number 1 album, that had had to be rush-released due to public demand.

Since then, Kate has followed up with an acclaimed second album ‘My Best Friend Is You’ and is respected for her extra-curricular activities including co-founding the Featured Artists Coalition with Billy Bragg and Blur’s Dave Rowntree and being involved in V-Day – the global movement aiming to end violence against women.

Last year, shocked by the lack of British female songwriters (only 14% of songwriters in the UK that receive PRS are women), she launched Kate Nash’s Rock n Roll for Girls After-School Music Club as a platform to inspire teenage girls to start songwriting and making their own music. Nash is also one of the founders, along with Billy Bragg and Blur’s Dave Rowntree, of the Featured Artists Coalition, which provides a voice for artists at a time of dramatic change in the music business.

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster launched the new look MV Kestrel waterbus on Lough Erne on Friday 4th May.

The pleasure cruiser, owned by Erne Tours, has been rebranded using the ni2012 Our Time Our Place identity developed by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).

Welcoming the commitment of Stephen Nixon, Managing Director of Erne Tours, to the NITB marketing campaign, the Minister said: “As a result of Stephen’s enterprise and investment in tourism , this colourful, eye-catching brand will now be visible on these magnificent lakes. It’s certainly the most spectacular way for visitors to enjoy all that Lough Erne has to offer.

“The ni2012 branding has been developed to send the strongest possible message that Northern Ireland is firmly focused on the future and that the Northern Ireland Executive is determined to create the opportunities which will benefit everyone.

“As she cruises the lakes, the MV Kestrel will surely be one of the most striking symbols of our ni2012 campaign.”

The Minister told other guests at the launch in Enniskillen that she is determined to ensure that benefits, likely to flow from the substantial investment in tourism are shared across Northern Ireland.

“Challenging commitments have been set in the NI Executive’s Programme for Government to grow the tourism economy. From our consultation with the industry on a strategy for tourism, Fermanagh has been identified as one of nine key Tourism Destinations. I want to stimulate the greater engagement of the local tourism sector and local people and create the conditions needed to meet our PfG commitments and draw many more visitors to Fermanagh and other regions in Northern Ireland.

“We will need everyone in Fermanagh to pull together to ensure that Fermanagh and Northern Ireland as a whole really does achieve its massive potential as a truly global tourism destination.

“If we get it right – and I am confident that we can and will do – tourism has the potential to contribute £1 billion to Northern Ireland’s economy by 2020, doubling the contribution it makes today, attracting 4.5 million visitors, up from 3.5 million today, and creating thousands of new jobs across Northern Ireland.”

Choose from our new range of mid week cookery classes at the Mourne Seafood Cookery School overlooking Kilkeel Harbour.

All the classes are designed to be fun, social occasions where you will pick up lots of handy hints and techniques that will impress family and friends. Choose from the Gentlemen’s Cookery Club (Mondays 11th, 18th & 25th June), Intro to Seafood (Tuesdays 29th May, 19th June, 10th July, 9th Aug ), Girls Nite Out (Wednesdays 13th, 27th June, 18th July, 1st Aug) or Come Dine with Me (Thursdays 7th June, 5th & 26th July). Classes run from 6 – 8pm and include 3 courses, starter, main and dessert, cost per person £30.

You will get hands on and then sit down and enjoy each course. You can bring a bottle of wine with you to enjoy with your meal. The classes are taken by chef Roger Moynihan, who has cooked around the world, including South Africa, America, Australia and England and currently chefs at the Sweet Pea Bistro at Annetts Garden Centre, Warrenpoint on Fridays and Saturday nights.

For dates visit www.mourneseafoodcookeryschool.com or to book telephone 028 4176 2525.

THE biggest Countrysports Fair in Northern Ireland is back this May and promises to be even better than before as the two-day spectacular expands to Three Great Events in One Giant Festival.

The hugely popular extravaganza is supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Lisburn City Council and saw 18,000 people attend last year. This year’s festival has been rebranded from The National Countrysports Fair to The Northern Ireland Countryside Festival and is celebrating its 10^th anniversary taking place at Moira Demesne on Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th May.

Families can enjoy all the fun of the fair as children under 16 years can enter free and this year will see three great events – the National Countrysports Fair, the Tea on the Titanic Festival and the Finn McCool Strongman Festival – rolled into one giant festival.

On display for all to see will be the Phoenix Falconry birds of prey, Drakes of Hazard sheepdog and ducks display and Gundog handling demonstrations. There will also be a chance for visitors to try their hand at countrysports activities including clay pigeon shooting, archery and falconry.

The Tea on the Titanic Festival will give guests the opportunity to relax and enjoy some entertainment, food and refreshments.  Music on offer over the weekend will include traditional music and dance from Hugo Duncan and band, The Bjorn Identity Abba Tribute Band and an Elvis Tribute act. There will also be a half-price evening ticket for those wanting to gain entrance and enjoy entertainment each evening from 5.00pm.

The Strongman arena is set to stage the Finn McCool Celtic Games, where five times UK Strongest Man Glenn Ross will host both the Highland and Celtic Games on Saturday 26^th May and the Irish Novice Strongman challenge on Sunday 27^th May. Some of the strongest men in the UK are down to compete in a mixture of traditional lifting, pulling and tossing cabers.

The event also offers novelty events including the Scruffs Dog Show on Sunday, where you can enter your pooch with the chance of being crowned ‘The Scruffiest’, ‘The One with the Waggiest Tail’ or ‘The One the judge would most like to take home’. There will also be a display of the ‘Titanic Dogs’ a Newfoundland, Pomeranian and Pekingese, three breeds of dog which survived the fateful sinking of the world famous ship.

Visitors can tantalise their taste buds at the Food Festival & Farmer’s market which attracts producers from Northern Ireland and abroad. The crafts fair gives visitors the opportunity to peruse a wide variety of country related products from walking sticks to candle making and there will also be vintage vehicles on display including tractors, farm machinery and a range of classic cars.

Event Director, Bill Beckett said, “This year the Northern Ireland Countryside Festival is bigger and better than ever. With the two additional events – Tea on The Titanic Festival and the Finn McCool Celtic Games, as well as the National Countrysports Fair, it really is set to be a fantastic weekend to entertain all ages and tastes.

[more…]

“Whether you want to come for the whole day to view the different displays, take part in the have-a-go events or enjoy the various stalls and musical entertainment as you sit back and enjoy some great food, not only are we providing something for everyone but as kids go free it’s a cost effective family day out.”

The Northern Ireland Countryside Festival runs from 11.00am – 9.00pm on Saturday and 10.30am – 7.00pm on Sunday. The adult admission fee is £10 and children can go free when accompanied by an adult.  The event also offers free on-site car parking.

More information on this and all aspects of the two-day festival is available from the show’s website at www.nicountryside.com and on Twitter @MoiraGameFair and Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalcountrysportsfair

Coca-Cola to get everyone in Northern Ireland to Move to the Beat of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, with the help of General Fiasco!

Coca-Cola has today announced that it will bring General Fiasco – one of the UK’s most exciting indie rock bands – back home to Northern Ireland for a series of spectacular Evening Celebrations along the route of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

Coca-Cola, a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, will bring some of the UK’s most exciting up and coming musicians to perform at the live, free-to-attend events taking place almost every night of the Olympic Torch Relay. Coca-Cola is working with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and host Local Authorities to give thousands more people across the country the chance to move to the beat of London 2012.

General Fiasco will play at the Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebrations across Northern Ireland with performances at:

• East Strand Car Park, Portrush on 3rd June
• St Columbs Park, Derry, Londonderry on 4th June
• Pairc Esler, Newry on 5th June
• Belfast City Hall, Belfast on 6th June

Coca-Cola is encouraging everyone to bring family and friends to their nearest event to join in celebrating the inspirational Future Flames who will have carried the Olympic Flame through their community. Details on the Olympic Torch Relay can be found at: www.london2012.com/torch-relay/about/.

The events in Northern Ireland are part of 61 free Evening Celebrations happening along the course of the Olympic Torch Relay, which sees Coca-Cola taking some of the nation’s most exciting up and coming music acts on tour around the UK. The 61 dates will include performances from Emeli Sandé, General Fiasco, Katy B, Kids In Glass Houses, Little Comets, Loick Essien, Morning Parade, Rizzle Kicks, Tribes, Wombats, Wretch 32 and Young Guns.

Last month, Coca-Cola announced that in addition to the 61 Evening Celebrations, four Special City Celebrations will take place in Cardiff on 25th May, Glasgow on 8th June, Leeds on 24th June and Birmingham on 30th June, culminating with a star-studded finale in London’s Hyde Park on 26th July, the day before the Opening Ceremony.

The Hyde Park Olympic Torch Relay Finale concert – headlined by award-winning rapper Dizzee Rascal and featuring performances from The Wanted, a special performance by Mark Ronson & Katy B, Eliza Doolittle, You Me At Six, Rizzle Kicks, Wretch 32, Morning Parade, Loick Essien and Little Comets – will mark the end of the Olympic Flame’s route across the UK. Tickets costing £15 (plus order processing fee) are available via http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/coca-colacelebrations.

James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, The Coca-Cola Company, said:
“We know that music brings people together in celebration and as a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay we have a fantastic opportunity to extend the magic and excitement of London 2012 to every corner of the UK. We are taking some of the nation’s most exciting musical talent on the road with the aim of getting Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK moving to the beat in celebration of their local Future Flames. We’re encouraging everyone to attend their nearest Evening Celebration – and the spectacular finale in London’s Hyde Park – to soak up the incredible atmosphere as the UK prepares to host to the Games.”

The celebrations form a key part of Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of London 2012 and unite its two campaigns, Move To The Beat, which fuses music and sport to bring teens closer to the Olympic Games through a unique collaboration with GRAMMY award-winning producer Mark Ronson and chart topping dub-step vocalist Katy B, and Future Flames, Coca-Cola’s Olympic Torch Relay campaign which celebrates the best of British youth by giving them the once in a lifetime chance to carry the Olympic Flame.

General Fiasco said: “We’re delighted to be playing as part of four amazing nights back in Northern Ireland in celebration of the Olympic Torch Relay. We feel very fortunate to be part of the event and on home soil. It’s an amazing chance for everyone to experience the buzz of the Games thanks to Coke and awe can’t wait to partake in the celebration of the inspirational Future Flames who are running with the Olympic Torch.”

For details on how to attend the Evening Celebrations in Northern Ireland visit www.london2012.com/join-in/whats-on. Tickets for the Olympic Torch Relay finale in London’s Hyde Park are available at http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/coca-colacelebrations. Registration for the Special City Celebrations in Glasgow, Cardiff, Leeds and Birmingham is now closed.

Internet sensation Poppy D will be in Belfast on Monday 14 May to encourage Queen’s graduates to ‘be inspired’ about their future career opportunities.  One of ‘London’s 1000 most influential people’ in 2011, Poppy D is the founder of ‘What I Wore Today’.

Jonathan Hill, President of Queen’s Graduates’ Association, said:  “We’ve invited Poppy D to address recent graduates and anyone who may still be considering which career path to take.  At 24, Poppy has an inspirational story to tell about how her blog earns her a living and we want to share it with those who are embarking on their careers.”

Poppy D will be joined at the event by Phil Watson, who graduated from QUB in 2008 and now works with LinkedIn.

To date Phil’s job has taken him to London, New York, Miami, Las Vegas and San Francisco.  Phil will share some insights into how every graduate, job seeker and employee can maximise their potential through the power of social media.

Be Inspired is supported by Hastings Hotels and will be held in the Great Hall, Queen’s University on Monday 14 May at 6.00pm.  Queen’s Graduates’ Association members can attend for £5 and non-members – and current Queen’s students – for £20.  For details on how to book your place at the event, simply log onto www.qub.ac.uk/home/Alumni/ or call tel 028 9097 3114.

Twenty years on from his Olympic silver medal win, Wayne McCullough will be in the Old Courthouse, Antrim, for an evening of conversation, on Wednesday 23^rd May.

The event, in aid of Antrim’s Olympic and Paralympic Welcome Host Committee, will give fans of the ‘Pocket Rocket’ a chance to hear firsthand how Wayne’s experiences inside and out of the ring have afforded him such titles as ‘The Best Chin in Boxing’ and the first ever ‘World Boxing Council Ambassador of Peace’.

Wayne McCullough said:  “The Olympic Games will always hold an extra special place in my heart and I’m excited to be involved in Northern Ireland’s preparations ahead of London 2012.  Hosting this event in aid of the Welcome Host Committee, who will welcome the teams to Antrim in preparation for the games, gives me the opportunity to participate in London 2012 without actually stepping into the ring!”

Maeve Kyle, Olympic athlete and Chair of the Antrim Welcome Host Committee commented: “The Committee have been fundraising and organising events for the three Pre-Games Training Camps in Antrim.  The aim is to engage as many young people with the Teams and their sports while they are here and build a legacy that will last long after the Games are over.  Wayne is an inspirational sportsman and we are thrilled that he is helping bring the London 2012 Games to life in Antrim.”

One of the top amateur fighters in the history of boxing in Ireland, Wayne had over 50 International tournaments under his belt including a Commonwealth Games gold medal and fought a total of 319 amateur contests when he won his Silver Olympic Medal at the Barcelona Games in 1992.

Wayne’s professional career began in the United States of America in 1993 and within two and a half years Wayne won the WBC Bantamweight title in Japan – the only British and Irish fighter ever to achieve this.

Wayne will talk about how a failed brain scan and heart stopping moment almost changed his life forever and some 20 years on from Olympic glory, Wayne is now an associate of UFC.  He may even share some moves from the fastest growing sport in the world on May 23^rd in the Old Courthouse!

Tickets for An Evening With Wayne McCullough are priced from £15.00 to £75.00 and are available from the Old Courthouse Box Office tel 028 9446 3113.  Follow Wayne on facebook www.facebook.com/waynepocketrocketmccullough or on twitter @waynemccullough

If you think owning your own private island is strictly limited to the rich and famous think again.

You can follow in the footsteps of Richard Branson and Johnny Depp and get away from it all on your very own island right here on the shores of beautiful Lough Erne.  Join other celebrity Irish island owners including John Lennon, Louis Walsh and Michael Flatley who all snapped up an Irish oasis away from the spotlight.

Stunning Inisliroo Island is up for sale and considering private Irish islands don’t come up for sale too often this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snap up your very own Irish getaway.  Situated just 500 yards from Knockninny Pier in Derrylin, the island comes with full planning permission for a new 2,000 sq ft home.

The Island is also an important part of local history with four generations of the Maguire family farming the island.  After the Second World War the island became famous for its fruit production and its orchard is still fully functional today.  The original family home remains and provides mains water, telephone line and electric generator.

Mark Leinster of selling agents BTWCairns comments:  “This is a truly unique opportunity as in over a decade of working as an estate agent I have not come across an island for sale.  Inisliroo Island has to be seen to be believed – it is a stunning piece of land with breathtaking views of Lough Erne.  Just think what you could do with your very own island – create a technology-free retreat, a nature reserve or even an exclusive holiday location.”

Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty the island provides magnificent views and has its own private jetty.  It is ideally located to take full advantage of Waterways Ireland allowing you to cruise all the way to Limerick.  It also has access to a wide array of watersports and angling.

Inisliroo Island is on the market for £600,000, for further information on the property contact selling agent BTWCairns on 028 90668888 or www.btwcairns.com.

Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company is launching its latest participation and performance programme for Spring and Summer 2012.

The Bishop Street-based dance company will be offering its usual weekly classes for all ages and abilities, from parent and toddler, kids aged 5-12 to adults and older people, starting 4^th May, AND it’s popular summer scheme in July for ages 5-12.

Echo Echo has danced with thousands of people from across the North West and beyond, and encourages anyone interested in dance or movement to come along and join in- no matter what their experience or ability level.

Last term, the company introduced their lunchtime performance events, which will continue in May and June. These are a great way to introduce the public to the performance work of the dancers for a short showing with tea and cake.

The new addition to this term’s programme is Salsa, led by local dancer Ayesha Mailey. Ayesha has been training in salsa for several years and will do two introductory sessions in May as tasters to see what level of interest there is in the city.

Ayesha said: “Salsa is, by its very nature, a fusion dance with its origins in Latin American and European dance and movement styles. It is lively, interactive and great fun.

“My teaching will combine the sensuous and energetic qualities of salsa with the improvisory feel of Echo Echo’s contemporary style. I will teach fundamental footwork and hand styling with the focus on embodying the choreography from the inside out.”

Echo Echo is considered to be Northern Ireland’s leading dance company. The company is known for it’s innovative projects and unique performance style as well as it’s accessibility to people of all ages and ability levels.

The company’s dance courses book up quickly so anyone interested in joining in is advised to book a place as soon as possible. Prices start from £3 per class and £30 for a full course.

Details are available by contacting the Echo Echo office on 028 7130 8883, email info@echoechodance.com or visit www.echoechodance.com

Supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City Council and The Creative Industries Innovation Fund.