It was a glorious day in May 1911 when Titanic’s anchor first arrived into Belfast after its travels from Netherton, England.

The anchor was made by Hingley’s and transported by 20 shire horses through the streets of nearby Dudley on the start of its journey to Belfast.  The anchor arrived on the Heysham boat and was pulled by another 16 shire horses through the streets of Belfast to the H&W shipyard.

Today, 100 years on, the cast of The Titanic Boys recreated this famous arrival and paid their respects to the men who build the world’s most famous ship.  To celebrate the launch of this spectacular new musical, Martin Lynch and JJ Gilmour and their team transported a life-sized replica of the anchor, pulled by shire horses, from The Harbour Commissioner’s office, through Belfast City Centre, to the new Titanic Belfast, where, to the delight of the Belfast public, they performed a sneak preview of the show.

Waiting at Titanic Belfast to greet the anchor was East Belfast’s Sammy Wilson, Minister of Finance and Personnel, and relatives of the Guarantee Group – the nine Belfast men whose tragic story is documented by Lynch and Gilmour’s The Titanic Boys.

Two weeks before the Titanic was due to depart, designer Thomas Andrews selected four young apprentices to sail on the maiden voyage as part of the nine-strong Harland & Wolff Guarantee Group. They were to act as trouble-shooters, dealing with snags and problems and taking notes for improving the ship.

The Titanic Boys is the powerful true story of nine ordinary Belfast men who found themselves at the centre of an extraordinary world event. They knew the Titanic better than anybody else in the world. They built it. Sailed on it. And died on it. For the first time – this is their story.

With fantastic music and songs by JJ Gilmour (Dancing Shoes – The George Best Story) and Martin Lynch’s unerring accuracy for the Belfast character, this show is a roller coaster of highs and lows, featuring laugh-out-loud comedy alongside some of the most powerfully poignant scenes you’re ever likely to witness.

The World Premiere of a new Musical by Martin Lynch and JJ Gilmour: The Titanic Boys produced by GBL Productions will open on Wednesday, 8^th August, (closing 25^th August) 2012, at The Grand Opera House, Belfast.

Tickets for The Titanic Boys are selling fast. To book your tickets today, please contact The Grand Opera House Box Office on 028 90 241919 or log onto www.goh.co.uk.

A special thanks to Northern Ireland Tourist Board, The Europa Hotel, Titanic Belfast, Corry’s Timer Yard and White Star Momentos kindly Supporting The Titanic Boys.

With special thanks to George Fawcett of George Fawcett Carriages for providing the beautiful horses.  For bookings visit www.georgefawcettcarriages.co.uk

While the Ulster Grand Prix and the North West 200 are now well known to motorcycle road racing fans in Ireland, there was a time when the Enniskillen 100 was equally prestigious.

Between 1929 and 1952, seventeen races were held on the six and a quarter mile triangular course between Mossfield, Sydaire and Ballinamallard. Many of the leading Irish and overseas riders of the day competed in the race over the years and local heroes diced with famous names like Artie Bell from Belfast, Joe O’Neill from Dublin and many others. The Enniskillen 100 was always held on a Wednesday afternoon, as that was the half-day for shops in Enniskillen.

Unusual aspects of the event include the fact that the race scheduled for 22^nd June 1949 had to be postponed to 21^st September, because a heat wave had melted the tar and left the circuit in a dangerous condition. Even more unusual is that the winner of the 1936 race, Percy Farlow from Maguiresbridge, had an artificial leg.

The last Enniskillen 100 was held on 20^th August 1952. There was no race in 1953 because an application for a Road Closure did not reach Fermanagh County Council in time. Interest and enthusiasm waned and in 1955 the Killinchy 150 took the place of the Enniskillen 100, which was consigned to the history books.

Interest in the Enniskillen 100 did not disappear totally however and a group of local enthusiasts, mindful of the fact that the 60^th anniversary of he last race was approaching in 2012, persuaded Fermanagh District Council to assist with plans to revive the event in some shape or form. Various ideas and options were explored, including the possibility of running a parade type event for vintage racing motorcycles on the old course. As a Road  Closure could not be obtained, the organising committee decided to hold an ‘Enniskillen 100 Revival’ event at Enniskillen Airport on 25^th August 2012.

The core of the Revival event will be demonstration runs and parade laps by a wide variety of historic motorcycles, on a course laid out at Enniskillen Airport. It is planned to have static displays, guided bus tours of the old circuit, a PSNI BikeSafe event, displays of historic racing and rally cars and a selection of other attractions for motorsport enthusiasts and the general public alike.

A motorsports Event Management company, Real Time Promotions, has been brought on board to assist with the organisation and support obtained from Fermanagh District Council. While the heat wave of 1949 is unlikely to be repeated in the damp summer of 2012, the organisers are confident that the Enniskillen 100 Revival on 25^th August at Enniskillen Airport will provide a mix of nostalgia and excitement an that the event will become an established fixture on the Fermanagh events calendar.

Further Information can be obtained from Eddie McGovern Fermanagh District Council, Town Hall, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT74 7BA or by calling +44 (0)28 6632 5050.

Michael McGarrity on +44(0) 28 68628111.

Wayne Owens, Real Time Promotions +44(0)2892 662422

This Thursday evening the Belfast style thermometer is set to go haywire as Andrew Mulvenna hosts the ‘Nite Tribe’ collection at his Mid Summer Style Party.

The charity event (in aid of Ovarian Cancer Research and Angels of Hope) hosted by the twice NI Hairdresser of the Year, will open with a fashion show featuring clothes from the homegrown talents of Reudi Maguire and hair and beauty by Andrews award-winning team.

Belfast based Ruedi Maguire’s signature look combines luxury silks and chiffons with leather to create a unique and effortlessly chic style. For the Nite Tribe show, Ruedi’s collection has taken colourful, feminine style and given it an edgy, metropolitan flare for the modern day women.

Leading makeup artist Michael Phillips, (whose credits include Gok Wan’s ‘How to look good naked’, MTV EMA Music Awards, Attitude Magazine, and is the face of New CID Cosmetics with brand founder Kelly Colman on QVC UK, Italy and Germany), will be flying in to lend his expert advice on what’s hot and what’s not within the fabulous New CID make up range this season. Michael Phillips (Mikey) is then set to style the glamorous A-list bridal party of Rochelle Wiseman from The Saturdays, who is marrying JLS member Marvin Humes this weekend for one of the most talked about weddings this year.

Andrew Mulvenna, host of the event said ‘We are very much looking forward to launching the new seasons trends which feature striking natural looks with metallic flashes. Belfast women have a great new romance with style going on, our job is to help them maintain a fashion forward look and to help them feel good about themselves. The Mid Summer Style Party is a celebration of looking good and feeling good, it’s also an opportunity to support two fantastic charities, Ovarian Cancer Research and Angels of Hope, which safeguard the health and wellbeing of women. Both charities are close to our hearts as sadly we lost our close friend and colleague Grainne to cancer last year, tonights event is also a celebration of her life.’

Throughout the Salon, Style Zones will offer guests an opportunity to learn more about hair up-styling, seasonal make-up tips, and skillful blow-drying. The new revolutionary wonder tool, Kerastase’s Micro Scanner will be exclusively launched and demonstrated on the evening. This breakthrough device (available only at Andrew Mulvenna Hair Salon) analyses hair to detect the best-suited products to pamper each individual client, helping them achieve luscious locks.

With a fabulous raffle to raise money for the charities guests will, upon a donation, receive a luxury goody bag filled to the brim with hair and beauty treats.

The Mid-Summer Style Party will be held this Thursday from 6pm at Andrew Mulvenna’s hair spa, located on 10-12 Cromac Street, Belfast, with all funds raised being donated to Ovarian Cancer Research and Angels of Hope.

Stendhal Festival of Art is delighted to announce its comedy line-up for this year’s festival which takes place at Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady, on August 17 and 18.

Get set to laugh the night away with the brilliant comedic stylings of Phil Kay and Dave Thompson.  Scotsman Phil Kay’s comedy is a unique blend of energy, improvisation and leaps of imagination that take his audience on a joyride they’ll never forget. Even Phil has no idea what might happen when he unleashes his crazy brand of improvised comedy mayhem. He possesses the rare gift of creating a space where audiences feel like they are kids again, all taking part in a practical joke.

Phil launched his stand-up comedy career with a bang in 1989, quickly garnering a host of awards, nominations and glowing reviews. Since then, the plaudits have never stopped as he conquered first the live stage and then television, with appearances on such shows as Phil Kay Feels, (Ch 4), Next Stop Phil Kay (Ch 4), Edinburgh Nights (BBC1), Montreal Festival of Fun (Ch 5) and plenty more besides including a couple of appearances on QI.

Phil’s first love, however, remains live stage work ¬ and only by watching his live performances will audiences really see him at his very best. Phil Kay is stand-up comedy’s answer to spontaneous human combustion ¬ a rare, explosive and always surprising phenomenon that simply cannot be contained in a box or represented on a cathode tube.  Phil tours Britain constantly and is a firm favourite at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he performs yearly to sell-out crowds and critical acclaim. Over the years he has completed several highly successful tours of Australia, performing at the Adelaide and Melbourne Festivals.

Since then, he has travelled the length and breadth of the globe administering his special blend of comedy genius.
“You have to be born with comic talent such as his… It’s a gift from the gods, a freewheeling mind that’s utterly without boundary.” ***** (Metro).  Cited as: “One of the funniest joke writers in the country,” by Time Out Magazine, Dave Thompson may be best known for playing Tinky Winky in the Teletubbies, especially after he was sacked in July 1997 because the BBC thought his interpretation of the role was ‘unacceptable’.

Dave also plays a semi-regular character in both series of Al Murray’s sitcom Time Gentlemen Please, and has two cameo roles in Ben Elton’s feature film Maybe Baby. Dave has appeared in ITV’s The All New Harry Hill Show, and TV Burp! and plays various roles in Harry Hill’s stage show, Wild Horses.  Dave is an international stand-up comedian and compere, known for his brilliant one-liners and odd persona. He has written for Harry Hill’s TV Burp! and The Sketch Show, which were broadcast on ITV. Both series of The Sketch Show have sold around the world, including to CBS in America.

He also co-wrote (with Jim Tavare) part of the book Sit Down Comedy, which was published in August 2003. Dave also writes for other stand-up comedians appearing live and on TV. These include Bruce Forsyth, Boothby Graffoe, Jim Tavare, John Moloney, Dominic Frisbee, Phil Davey, and Tony Law.  “Dave Thompson is hilarious and goes down a storm with the crowd.” (DAILY MAIL).

For further details on what else is on offer at Stendhal Festival of Art visit www.stendhalfestival.com.

LEADING ferry company Stena Line and celebrity chef Kevin Woodford have really pushed the boat out this week to launch a mouth-watering new menu to cater for all tastes.

Woodford, who is currently one of the celebrity chefs on ITV’s This Morning with presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, has been working with the ferry company for three months across all five of its Irish Sea routes.

His aim is to fine-tune the skills of Stena Line’s culinary team by working directly with the chefs through a series of onboard and offshore workshop and he believes that the partnership has been a recipe for success.

“Training is my passion,” said Kevin, “so I was delighted to be approached by such a fantastic company, and seeing the menu in print and in action really is the icing on the cake.

“The chefs are enthusiastic about what they do and I was thrilled to be able to ignite their passion by sharing my years of experience with them to create this new menu,” he added. “I believe that we have a fantastic product which will enhance the dining experience of the thousands of passengers who travel with Stena Line on a daily basis.”

‘The Kevin Woodford Menu Range’ uses locally sourced, highest quality ingredients and introduces new dishes such as Yellow Thai Vegetable Curry with Jasmine Rice, Freshly Roasted Joint of the Day with Mash and Root Vegetables plus healthy snacks such as Chilled Salad of North Atlantic Prawns  dressed with a Lemon and Coriander salsa.

Popular favourites such as freshly prepared stone baked pizza and lasagne have been tweaked to taste even more delicious and ‘meal deals’ have been created to make sure hungry passengers get the best value on mouth-watering dishes.

The culinary partnership was set up as part of Stena Line’s plan to develop its onboard food offering for customers and comes on the back of company research which shows that quality food provision scores consistently in the ‘Top 5’ requirements of an enjoyable ferry travel experience.

Jamie Christon, Stena Line’s route director for central corridor and head of onboard support services for the UK and Ireland, is delighted with the results and believes the menu will be a huge success. He says:

“Our goal is to help take our food proposition to a higher level and I am confident that The Kevin Woodford Menu Range will do just that. Our chefs have worked to capacity with Kevin and I look forward to hearing customer feedback on the new taste of Stena Line.”

Launching this year’s NSPCC Hack (Hike Against Cruelty to Kids) in association with SPAR in the heart of the Mourne Mountains is local beauty, Jenny Curran, who is helping the NSPCC call on all walking novices or enthusiasts to put their best foot forward and raise vital funds for the charity.

Taking place on Saturday 15^th September 2012 the challenge offers trekkers of all abilities the chance to take in some of the most dramatic scenery and breathtaking views, whilst raising money for this very worthwhile charity. This year, walkers are offered either a 12 or 20 mile route, dependant on their ability and how adventurous they are feeling!

Karen Walker, NSPCC community fundraising manager, said: “Training for the HACK is a great way to start a keep fit campaign and taking part is an amazing challenge and experience. The HACK will be a fabulous day out in the great outdoors and a valuable opportunity to help the NSPCC raise money to support its projects and services in Northern Ireland and across the UK.  Why not sign up with a group of friends or colleagues and make it a real team challenge.”

Now in its fourth year, the NSPCC Hack is a well established event on the walking and fundraising calendar in Northern Ireland. This year, the NSPCC is delighted to welcome on board SPAR as title sponsor. SPAR has been a corporate charity partner with the NSPCC for the last 5 years, but this is the first time it will be sponsoring this challenge. A team of 17 budding walkers from Henderson Group (SPAR) took part last year and raised over £4,000, which was an incredible effort.

Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director for Henderson Wholesale (SPAR) said: “SPAR already has a close relationship with the NSPCC in Northern Ireland and we are delighted to be sponsoring this local challenge. Having first-hand experience in taking part, we at SPAR are keen to get behind this event again and encourage everyone to put on their walking boots – have fun and be healthy, whilst making a difference in helping vulnerable children throughout Northern Ireland.”

The HACK challenge can be great fun, but is hard work. Both routes for the HACK are a demanding physical challenge, and the NSPCC recommends people who register, undertake some training beforehand.  Average walkers should complete the walk comfortably within 12 hours with more experienced faster walkers aiming to complete the long route within eight hours. There will be checkpoints and marshals on route, with radio contact between all checkpoints and the control centre. The terrain is very varied and the weather conditions can change quickly, so suitable walking boots, clothing and accessories, such as a rucksack, are recommended for all walkers.  Check out the training tips section on the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/hack for more information.

The HACK is open to people aged 18 years and over.  The registration fee is £20 for the 20 mile challenge and £10 for 12 mile challenge. For further details and online registrations and payments, please log on to www.nspcc.org.uk/mourneshack or contact the Northern Ireland NSPCC Fundraising office on 028 90 351135.  Final registration date is 30 August 2012.

Once the registration is complete, entrants will receive a walker’s pack outlining their start time and giving further details of the route. Participants can then begin collecting sponsorship pledges from friends, family and colleagues.

Carl Frampton is an Irish professional boxer who fights in the super bantamweight division and is managed by Barry McGuigan. Carl is supporting the Action on Hearing Loss ‘Summer Stroll’ on Saturday 11 August. The walk will take in the picturesque scenery of the North Down Coast, starting at Holywood and finishing up at the beautiful Crawfordsburn Country Park, totalling approximately 6 miles.

Speaking at his local boxing gym, Carl said,

‘As a professional athlete, I really understand the importance of good health – that includes keeping fit as well as looking after your hearing. If you want to have a great day out and raise money for a good cause, then why not go along to the Summer Stroll!’

The event is a perfect family day out and suitable for people of all ages. It promises to be a great event to be a part of. For an added fun twist, Action on Hearing loss ask people to wear items of pink and blue clothing to match their brand colours!

Action on Hearing Loss works to ensure better health for everyone – this includes encouraging people to take care of their hearing and to keep fit and well. ‘The money raised will help to support the 300,000 people who are deaf, have a hearing loss or tinnitus in Northern Ireland.

To find out more about the Summer Stroll, visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/summerstroll or phone 028 9023 9619.

The North Down Pipe Band Championships will return to Bangor on Saturday 21^st July 2012 at The Town Hall which is sure to be a spectacular back drop for this years’ event.

With over 40 bands and 50 Drum Major’s competing, the event promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family.

The Mayor of North Down, Councillor Wesley Irvine said:

“As Mayor of North Down I am honoured to act as ‘Chieftain of the Day’ for this prestigious event. The Championships are a firm favourite in the Council’s Events Programme and brings a great day of family entertainment to Bangor.”

The show kicks off at 12 noon and runs till 5pm so come along for an afternoon of pure entertainment!

For more information phone our Tourist Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit: www.northdowntourism.com

NEST is part of the Cultural Olympiad’s London 2012 Festival and is also the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Artist’s Taking the Lead commission for Northern Ireland – an initiative by all four Arts Councils of the UK to create public art for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“NEST is a an extraordinary and beautiful study of life in Northern Ireland – a strange and unusual ‘census’ that brings together thousands of individual possessions, thoughts, words, sounds and voices for the making of a single landscape, a single sound, a single NEST’

Brian Irvine & John McIlduff: Artistic Directors of Nest

NEST has involved the people of Northern Ireland making art on a massive scale through the simple act of donating an object, telling a story or performing as part of a large community chorus. Almost 2000 objects have been donated by people of all ages and from all walks of in Northern Ireland. Attached to all donated objects is a handwritten label that reveals some personal story, history or commentary associated with each person’s object. These objects have been formed into a massive public art installation inside a huge warehouse called T13, located in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter opposite the new Titanic visitors centre. An unusual ‘census’, NEST is a collection of hidden personal moments – a moving and revealing portrait of the people that make up Northern Ireland.

Central to the installation is a performance of a new oratorio composed by Brian Irvine, performed by the 90 young players that make up the Ulster Youth Orchestra and a specially formed community chorus made up of 200 singers of all ages and backgrounds brought together from different corners of Northern Ireland.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “This is an arts project unlike any other in both ambition and scale. By donating personal items and singing in the large community choir thousands of local people have already contributed to the many stories which make up the final installation, while the live musical element performed by some of Northern Ireland’s most talented musicians will add another unique dimension to this epic project.”

On Saturday 21^st July at 4pm precisely the doors to this extraordinary exhibition will open. The first visitors, VIPs and special guests will assemble in anticipation outside the T13 warehouse from 3pm onwards. The new oratorio will be performed while the first visitors make their way through the exhibition that occupies over one acre of floor space.  The orchestra and choir will perform for the second time at 8pm when the second wave of visitors arrive. The exhibition is FREE, but due to high demand, visitors on the first day must have reserved their FREE tickets via the project’s website www.2012nest.com

No tickets are required between 22^nd and 29^th July when the exhibition will be open daily from 12pm – 8pm. Smaller scale impromptu musical interventions will occur during this period and the installation will run continuously from 4pm on the 21^st July until 8pm on 29^th July 2012. Exhibition catalogues that contain the full list of donated objects and accompanying stories, as well as details of people and groups involved in the creation of NEST will be on sale during the exhibition.

For more information on NEST contact Cathie McKimm, Project Manager, on 07874 023528 or e-mail info@2012nest.com.  Regular updates on the event can be found at www.2012nest.com or on Facebook (nest2012) or twitter (2012nest).

This ‘Small But Massive’ festival gathers pace…

The 12^th annual Glasgowbury Music Festival kicks off this weekend and is set to be one of the biggest and most exciting years for the festival yet.

Recently voted Northern Ireland’s Best Festival at the first ever NI Music Awards, Glasgowbury have arranged a stellar line-up of some of the best emerging and established talent for their July 21^st celebration.

The hills will be alive with the sound of music as NI legends Therapy? cap off this year’s Draperstown based festival in a year that has saw them release their highly acclaimed new album, A Brief Crack Of Light.

With over 20 years of touring experience and stunning releases in the form of the iconic Mercury nominated album Troublegum, Glasgowbury 2012 will make history as the first NI festival headline appearance for the three-piece rock band.

Joining them for the Sperrins spectacular is a host of premier talent including Derry three piece The Japanese Popstars who have enjoyed a massive year with a Choice Music nomination for their acclaimed second album, Controlling Your Allegiance, as well as producing the official track for the Caterham Formula One team.

Meanwhile Fighting With Wire, Glasgowbury 2010 headliners, return to the scene of some of their most iconic performances as they prepare to celebrate the release of their much anticipated second album.

The complete line-up also includes LaFaro, Rams’ Pocket Radio, Wonder Villains, Mojo Fury, Pocket Billiards, Silhouette, Marc O’Reilly, Amidships, Pretty Child Backfire, VerseChorusVerse, Our Krypton Son, Axis Of, Soak, Best Boy Grip, Sons Of Caliber, RunawayGO, Farriers, Kowalski, The Man Whom, Enemies, Katie & The Carnival, Droids, Tied To Machines, The Dead Presidents, The 1930s, Triggerman, Empty Lungs, Swanee River, Tucan, The Jepettos, Scorpion Jack, Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters, John Deery & The Heads, Master & Dog, Humanshield, Mojo Gogo, Icon On Fire, The Red Velvetines, Paul Casey, Ard Ri, Intermission and a festival exclusive performance from Derry’s 4 Conors as well as a special Rural Key Collective showcasing some of the artists breaking through from Glasgowbury’s award winning Rural Key Programme.

Meanwhile Glasgowbury are once again teaming up with the talent behind the legendary Celtronic festival to curate a selection of acts including Space Dimension Controller, Ryan Vail, The Host, Deep Fried Funk and Psycatron.

Elsewhere on site there’s a wealth of activity going on with the return of the G Spot comedy stage featuring some of Ireland’s finest, bone-tickling talent.

And for kids and the young at heart there’s a host of activities from face painting and balloon modelling to samba parades and workshops and iconic Swingball stations.

“This year’s line-up reflects the diversity and scale of talent that we have at our fingertips,” said festival organiser Paddy Glasgow.

“Glasgowbury aims to be the sort of festival which celebrates the best in new and established homegrown talent and the large variety of acts on show this year contributes to what I think is one of the most exciting Glasgowbury line-ups yet.

“The festival is run very much in the spirit of the people and it’s the people what make Glasgowbury so special and I look forward to welcoming them all to Eagle’s Rock once again.”

Glasgowbury 2012 takes place across the weekend of July 21^st and a limited number of tickets are still available to buy. For details on tickets and all things Glasgowbury, see www.glasgowbury.com

Glasgowbury 2012 is supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Arts Council NI.