Thousands of people came together at 17.59 last night, Thursday, 23rd September to raise a toast to Arthur Guinness, the pioneering brewer and philanthropist who introduced Guinness to the world.
Arthur’s Day is a fitting tribute to Arthur Guinness and his legacy, with all ticket proceeds from the day going directly to the Arthur Guinness Fund. The Arthur Guinness Fund has already distributed €1 million to Irish Social Entrepreneurs who are making a positive and sustainable impact on Irish communities.
Over 1,500 planned events took place across the island of Ireland today, with over 150 confirmed artists and 200 hours of live music performances.
Speaking at Arthur’s Day, Tanya Clarke, Head of Guinness said, “Arthur’s Day is all about celebrating the legacy of Arthur Guinness and the iconic brand he created, with all ticket proceeds benefiting the Arthur Guinness Fund. Thousands of events are taking place all around the country today as a fitting tribute to Arthur Guinness. The mix of international acts and emerging Irish talent is incredible and some lucky people even get to enjoy international artists perform in the intimate surrounding of a pub, which has certainly added to the sense of excitement”.
(See below for list of studio artists who made surprise pub performances)
Brandon Flowers performed in Whelan’s Bar, Dublin
Manic Street Preachers performed in Sinnot’s, Dublin
Cathy Davy performed in the Stag’s Head, Dublin
Imelda May led the toast to Arthur at 17:59 in Galway
David Gray performed in Roisin Dubhs, Galway
Speaking at the Arthur’s Day celebration, Westlife said, “Arthur’s Day is the first time we have performed in a pub. It has been incredible, we are so excited to be involved. Here’s to Arthur and a brilliant day!”.
Snow Patrol added, “We’re really excited to be involved with Arthur’s Day this year. It’s great that our fans get to enjoy us up close. It’s also really great that some of Irelands best up and coming acts get a chance to join in.”.
The official Arthur’s Day iPhone app provided people with an opportunity to come together at 17.59 to share in the celebration. Within 72 hours after launch, it had gone to number one in the Apple App Store. It offered information on events taking place throughout the country and allowed users to share toasts with friends and on live TV and also track where their friends were toasting on the night via a geo locater and a Facebook link up.
Arthur’s Day is also being celebrated in other countries with live music events taking place in the USA, the Caribbean and Asia, as well as other countries all across the world.
Drink Responsibly
Visit drnkaware.co.uk for the facts The GUINNESS word and associated logos are trademarks.
Throughout September GUINNESS Black Lager and Cool FM are helping pub and club goers across Northern Ireland make the most of their weekends.
Cool FM and GUINNESS Black Lager will be taking over Saturday nights – on air, in pubs and in clubs. As part of the takeover Cool FM DJs will be playing in venues across the country to ensure that party goers enjoy their night out with the new lager.
The Master Brewers of GUINNESS have built upon 250 years of rich brewing heritage to create this new GUINNESS Black Lager. Hailed as ‘lager evolved’, it takes lager enjoyment to a new level by combining the refreshing taste of lager with a unique flavourful character.
GUINNESS Black Lager, best enjoyed ice cold from the bottle, is currently being trialled throughout Northern Ireland – one of only three countries in the world to experience this exciting product so far. Its unique black colour comes from the roasted GUINNESS barley which is cold-brewed for a crisp, refreshing lager taste.
The GUINNESS Black Lager events are taking place in:
Calling all adrenaline junkies! Aware Defeat Depression has a few spaces for people who want to abseil down Scrabo Tower, near Newtownards! The tower itself is over 100 ft high and offers stunning views across Newtownards, Strangford Lough and further afield towards Belfast and Bangor. Taking place on Saturday 2nd October, we need a few more daredevils to descend over the edge of the viewing platform to terra firma to raise money for Aware Defeat Depression!
Aware Defeat Depression works exclusively in Northern Ireland to support people who experience depression or bipolar disorder. Our support groups and helpline provide vital services to help people recover and lead fulfilled lives, but we need donations to help continue our good work!
One brave member of the Aware team will even be taking up the challenge herself! Lorraine, who abseiled down the Europa a few years ago says, “I can’t wait to abseil down Scrabo! I think it’ll be much more exhilarating than abseiling down the Europa- the view will certainly be much better this time! There is nothing like the euphoria when you take that first peek over the edge as you start to descend!”
If you wish to join Lorraine and raise some sponsorship, contact her on 9032 1734 or email lorraine@aware-ni.org. To make a donation to Aware, just visit www.justgiving.com/aware
For more information on the work that Aware Defeat Depression does or information about the support groups, visit www.aware-ni.org or call the helpline on 08451 20 29 61.
Consumers around the world join in the global celebration in addition to live music events and celebrations in Ireland, the USA, the Caribbean and Asia
23 September, 2010 – The owners of GUINNESS®, the world’s number one stout, is tonight hosting the 2010 Arthur’s Day global celebration, which kicks off at the world famous St. James’s Gate Brewery. Westlife, The Script, Brandon Flowers, Snow Patrol, Kelis, The Manic Street Preachers, Westlife and Paolo Nutini will perform in local pub venues across, Ireland, whilst millions of consumers across the world will take part in a global “To Arthur” toast which begins at 17:59 in Dublin, Ireland and will finish in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 24 hours later.
Arthur’s Day was created in 2009 to mark the iconic brand’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the 9,000 year lease on St. James’s Gate in Dublin by the beer’s famous philanthropist founder, Arthur Guinness. This year’s events will continue to support the philanthropic legacy of Arthur Guinness with the launch of www.guinnessforgood.com <http://www.guinnessforgood.com> , continuing to build on the good work that has already started in supporting social entrepreneurship around the world.
In total over 60 artists will perform across the country with the celebrations beginning at 17:59 local time with the global toast to Arthur Guinness and his remarkable legacy. Consumers will enjoy the celebration at over 30 venues across Dublin, Cork and Galway from intimate gigs in pubs to music venues and a concert at the St. James’s Gate brewery itself.
Additionally, GUINNESS & Co. has recently committed to increasing the Arthur Guinness Fund™ to €7.4 million by 2012 as it continues its commitment to maintaining the philanthropic legacy of Arthur Guinness, by further supporting the search for the next generation of social entrepreneurs worldwide. As part of this, the Arthur Guinness Fund has launched www.guinnessforgood.com and is also announcing a new three year partnership with Ashoka – the world’s leading community of social entrepreneurs – to enable the deployment of the funds to new social entrepreneurial projects around the world. The global application process will begin just after this year’s Arthur’s Day on Tuesday 28 September 2010.
The GUINNESS, ARTHUR’S DAY and ARTHUR GUINNESS FUND words and associated logos are trade marks. As leaders in social responsibility, Diageo and Guinness & Co. encourage everyone to celebrate Arthur’s Day responsibly.
Drink Responsibly
Visit drinkaware.co.uk for the facts The GUINNESS word and associated logos are trademarks.
A year on from the sell-out triumph of their December ‘09 concerts in Dublin and Belfast, Irish rock legends Horslips are back with a new tour for 2010.
Horslips have confirmed they will play the following concert dates: 27 November INEC, Killarney; 28 November Royal Theatre, Castlebar; 01 December Waterfront, Belfast and 04 December The O2, Dublin. Tickets for all concerts will go on sale Friday 17 September at 9.00am.
Last December’s concert dates saw Horslips peform songs from their ten albums and from the Rollback unplugged session to rave reviews in the media and huge feedback from audiences North and South.
The two concerts were flagged as “must see’’ and in response to that strong countrywide interest the band are enthusiastic about taking the show back on the road, this time to a wider audience.
After a brush with illness during the summer which saw the cancellation of Horslips’ “Live At The Marquee” gig in Cork, Jim Lockhart is fighting fit and raring to go…and Ray Fean will fly in from his gruelling tour schedule Stateside to sit in behind the kit. ‘It’s going to be a bit like the old days”, says guitarist John Fean – Ray’s brother.’We’ll be reaquainting ourselves with room service in towns we used to play in our time on the road. This is a tour I’m really looking forward to.”
MCD Proudly Presents
Horslips
Tickets on sale Friday 17 September at 9.00am
The Royal Theatre, Castlebar
28 November 2010
Telephone: 0818 300 000, Book On Line: www.royaltheatre.ie
The Waterfront, Belfast
01 December 2010
Telephone: 02890 334455, Book On Line: www.waterfront.co.uk
The O2, Dublin
04 December 2010
From Ticketmaster
In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):
ROI – 0818 719 300, Northern Ireland – 0844 277 44 55
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie
Bangor-born author and screenwriterof Divorcing Jack, Colin Bateman, has confirmed that he will be making a guest appearance at the 19th Aspects Irish Literature Festival when it takes place in North Down from 22-26 September.
The prolific author will join the Festival’s already stellar lineup that includes fellow Irish crime writers Declan Hughes, author of the Ed Loy PI series and Alex Barclay whose new book, Time of Death, was launched in July 2010.
Bateman will read from his latest book Dr. Yes., which is the latest installment in his Mystery Man series, in which Mystery Man, the owner of the fictional No Alibis bookstore combines book selling with solving crimes in the Belfast area, via many trips to Starbucks.
Festival Director, Patricia Hamilton commented, “As Northern Ireland’s longest running literature festival, Aspects has come of age whilst managing to remain true to its original ethos. It promotes Irish writing in all its forms and has lured big-names to the intimate surroundings of North Down. This year sees a lineup that includes Nobel-Prize winning poet Seamus Heaney, the BBC’s Fergal Keane, Chris Binchy and now Colin Bateman.”
Bateman’s guest appearance will follow the Declan Hughes and Alex Barclay event, Crime Pays, on Friday 24 September, at which all three authors will present readings from their new books.
With tickets still available from the Festival Box office or online at www.aspectsfestival.co.uk, this is sure to be an entertaining event not to be missed.
For general ticket enquires contact the Box Office on 02891 271200 or visit www.aspectsfestival.co.uk
Last Friday night Walshs Hotel in Maghera saw the premier for the new video by local artist Ciaran Gribben aka Joe Echo. As a native of mid Ulster I took Joe up on his kind invitation to join him and guests for a night of live acoustic entertainment which included the premier of the video for his new single “Sink your teeth in”. My friends and I were not disappointed.
Having never met Joe before I was more than pleasantly surprised at the warm welcome I received by this very talented, down to earth softly spoken and mild mannered guy.
The evening’s entertainment kicked off with a treat of a performance by local girl Allie Bradley. Allie, who has collaborated with Aaron Shanley, is Currently recording her own songs under music management company White Mountain Music Publishing & is currently working on her debut album. Her voice is nothing short of stunning.
Next on the bill was Building Pictures, fronted by Ciaran’s brother John Gribben. A top performance, thoughtful lyrics with a soulful voice – talent is evidently in abundance in the Gribbin family.
1.) John Gribbin, a 23 year old from County Derry, Northern Ireland is ‘Building Pictures.’ He is the younger brother of Ciaran (Joe Echo), who recently co-wrote Madonna’s new single “Celebration.”
2.) The Northern Ireland Music Industry Commission (NIMIC) in 2008 selected John to write music under the guidance of established songwriters like Iain Archer (Snow Patrol co-writer) and Eleanor McEvoy (a co-writer of the best selling album in Irelands history).
3.) One of John’s songs, ‘this corner of the room’, was chosen by a London television production company for the soundtrack of ‘Aislings Diary’ RTE1 television in Ireland, and the same song was commissioned for the sound track of ‘Flat Mates,’ for RTP, Portugal’s leading public broadcast channel.
4.) Two songs of Johns, “I’m Serious” and “The Good Will Out” were used on the soundtrack of an online series by Newsweek.com entitled ‘The District,’ which parodies Obama’s first 100 days as U.S president. Check out episode 8 on youtube!
5.) As a member of his brother’s musical alter ego ‘Joe Echo’, where he plays lead guitar and provides backing vocals, 2009 saw John support The Script and James Morrison on their Irish tours, and more recently Paolo Nutini. Summer dates included Oxegen Festival.
6.) John provided backing vocals on the soundtrack of film ‘Heartless’ which is due for release early 2010 and stars Jim Sturgess (Lead role in hit film ‘21’).
7.) June 2009 saw the release of a special edition of ‘Hot Press’ magazine with a free CD of 18 tracks from Glasgowbury festival acts. “Hidden Agenda Types” from Building Pictures was track 14.
8.) 2009 saw the release of two self recorded EP’s, both of which have received widespread airplay on Northern Irelands BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio 1.
9.) John spent the summer of 2009 in New York City gigging with his new found Brooklyn band mates, and also made time to co-write some new songs with established pop writers who have penned songs for the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Robbie Williams in the past.
10.) In recent months John was chosen by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) to be a guest artist on their tour of schools throughout Ireland to give young people guidance with song writing.
Then is was time for Joe to take to the stage to play a set before the video premier. For those of you like me, who are not overly familiar with the Joe Echo here’s an exerpt from his wesite www.joeecho.com to bring you up to speed ….
2009/10 has been a year of building on Northern Ireland artist JOE ECHO’s foundations through continual touring, writing and recording. His Live work includes shows with The Script, Paolo Nutini, James Morrison, Joshua Radin, Powderfinger and Eskimo Joe amongst others. Following successful 2009 summer festivals he toured Australia for the first time playing a major festival in Perth, shows with Paolo Nutini in Sydney and Melbourne and several headline club dates. Touring in 2010 is a priority and he’s recently secured the services of one of the worlds leading live agents, X-Ray Touring’s Steve Strange. Joe says “I’m really happy to be included on Steve’s great clients list that includes Snow Patrol, Coldplay and Eminem and he’s now become an integral part of the Joe Echo team which has gone from strength to strength in the past year.” Summer shows and festivals this year include Ireland’s Oxegen Festival and a most successful recent appearance at Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park with Paul McCartney.
His writing over the past year has been as busy as it’s been diverse as he builds on his now extensive catalogue. Following writing stints with various artists from Paul Oakenfold to Groove Armada the year ended with a Grammy nomination for the Madonna worldwide hit “Celebration” which he co-wrote with Madonna and Oakenfold. His songs have appeared in various TV programmes from a US Newsweek series to Australia’s ‘Home and Away’…. Joe has written, recorded and co-produced all of the original songs for ‘KILLING BONO’, a new movie based on Neil McCormick’s memoirs of his years at school with Bono and U2 and his rather less successful rival band as they went through the 1970’s. Described as an “Irish music-based comedy”, it’s written by Ian Le Frenais and Dick Clement the screenwriters of “The Commitments” and “Almost Famous”, is directed by Nick Hamm and stars Ben Barnes and Robert Sheehan. Filming began in January in Belfast in and the movie, through Paramount, will initially open in 300 cinemas across UK and Ireland in early 2011 along with a SONY MUSIC Entertainment soundtrack album. His other movie work includes recording, co-producing and performing the songs for Philip Ridley’s award winning dark fantasy movie ‘HEARTLESS’ starring Jim Sturgess and released this month to five star reviews along with a UNIVERSAL Records soundtrack album and in the US in October. Another song ‘Waves’ appears in the just released ‘Wild Target’ starring Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt with the soundtrack on SONY/EPIC Records. Two other Joe Echo songs feature in ‘Love and Suicide’, the first American movie shot entirely on location in Cuba. He recently re-mixed tracks for Thailand’s multi-million selling female artist Tata Young. He’s just completed the recording of his first JOE ECHO album prior to Summer shows after which there are plans to spend time in LA, Nashville and New York co-writing and showcasing followed by more touring.
With a voice that is extraordinary and versatile, the future looks very bright for Joe Echo. As Brian Casey put it so succinctly, he’s “No Ordinary Joe”
Watch his new video for “Sink Your Teeth in” shot locally at the Elk nightclub, just outside Toome.
In other news Joe Echo will be appearing on the discussion panel at this years Hot Press Music show on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd of October with Killing Bono director Nick Hamm and if you’re in Dublin this Friday night (24th September) Joe Echo will be playing the Dublin City fm Autumn schedule launch with the Flaws and Miracle Bell at The Village. Tickets are 5euro. Bargain!
Today (21st September 2010) is ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’, a day when people around the globe raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Marking the importance of this day, Jim Wells MLA and Chair of the Stormont Health Committee got on board the Fold Brain Bus – a revolutionary mobile therapy unit from Fold Housing Association that is used to help those diagnosed with dementia throughout Northern Ireland.
The Fold Brain Bus contains leading-edge technology that helps to engage people with dementia through cognitive and physical exercises, which are proven to reduce depression, agitation and stress levels.
According to Eileen Askham, Director of Care Services, Fold Housing Association: “With over 19,000 people across the province affected by the disease, and numbers expected to rise, this year’s theme of ‘Dementia, it’s time for action!’ is increasingly important. Our aim in introducing the Brain Bus is to make a real difference to people with dementia – to help them maintain their independence, and give them more choice and control over their lives”
Next stop! The Fold Brain Bus will be visiting Lisburn city centre on Tuesday 28th September 2010 as part of Age Awareness Week. Everyone is welcome to come on board and try out the technology for themselves.
Belfast zoo’s annual photographic competition, sponsored by HB, is coming to a close this Friday 24th September at 4.00pm. The competition is open to all budding and amateur photographers, with the chance to win cash prizes and for your work to be displayed in the zoo.
Categories include:
Have you got the SNAP factor?
best picture taken by a club photographer;
best picture taken by a visitor;
best black and white picture;
best funny caption; and
best picture taken by someone under 16.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners in an awards ceremony, at Belfast Zoo, in October 2010.
The zoo is open every day from 10.00am to 7.00pm. Last entry into the zoo is at 5pm and animal houses close at 6pm.
Why not visit the zoo this week to take that perfect picture that could win you a cash prize and the snap factor at Belfast zoo.
Snow Patrol added, “We’re really excited to be involved with Arthur’s Day this year. It’s great that our fans get to enjoy us up close. It’s also really great that some of Irelands best up and coming acts get a chance to join in.”.
