PáircFEST 2010 is on the way! Major open-air rock concert for Co. Monaghan.

By

As the main summer concert season approaches, young people form this area are usually planning their trips away to the various venues. However this year they will have the option of enjoying some top class open-air entertainment nearer to home. PáircFEST 2010 is set for Newbliss, Co. Monaghan on Saturday 17th July and boasts a very impressive line-up to entertain its patrons from early afternoon to 11pm.

Top billing on the day will be 3 of the best selling tribute acts currently on the Irish circuit. AZ/DZ will headline, after Knights of Leon, who will be preceded by The Bon-Jovi Experience. Speaking of the up-coming event, organiser Adrian Thompson explained his aims for the day. ‘Our aim is to provide a top class event, run to the highest standards that gives those present the value for money they deserve’. Stated Mr. Thompson. ‘The first thing required for that is of course the bands. We have the best selling tribute bands as well as a number of high quality local bands to get things up and running’.

And it is a packed line-up. Headliners AZ/DZ are a guaranteed great night for all AC/DC fans. Covering all the bands major hits from classic albums ‘High Voltage’ through to the more recent ‘Back in Black’. The band pride themselves on their rocking live performances.

Knights of Leon are an Irish based tribute band playing the complete catalogue of Kings of Leon songs. They display an attention to detail like no other both in terms of musical ability and showmanship. Definitely a show that will be enjoyed. Indeed the Knights will also hit the stage at one of Irelands biggest events this year, when they play Oxegen.

The Bon Jovi experience was formed in 2006 to bring the music of one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world to the venues and festivals of Ireland. Their renditions of ‘Keep the Faith’ and ‘Livin on a Prayer’ will have the audience shouting for more. Which is of course what they’ll get, as this class outfit play hit after hit to satisfy the ardent Bon Jovi fan.

With that excellent line up you may be forgiven for thinking that that is it? Well it’s not. There is much more on offer. Local bands will also take to the stage with their own original material. These bands are Speedking, Gascan Ruckus and Raw Dawgs.

So how do you get tickets for this magnificent event? Adrian Thompsom again, ‘Tickets are now available on line at Ticketmaster.ie and are priced at a very reasonable €32. We also have a number of local outlets such as Dan’s Bar, The Stag Inn and Martins Shop, Newbliss and Matthews, the Diamond, Clones, where a limited number are for sale’. These tickets will go fast, thanks to the excellent line-up, so the organisers advice is to get in early and pick up yours.

In conclusion what’s Mr. Thompson’s hopes for the event? ‘This is going to be a brilliant day, a full day, of live bands playing great music. It’s going to be run professionally to provide a complete enjoyable experience for all who attend. We will cater for all needs on that day both musically and otherwise’ and with a smile Adrian concluded, ‘Our hope is to have people leaving at the end of the night happy and asking us ‘what are your plans for 2011?’.

This event will have a bar serving alcohol on site and so i.d is strictly required for entry. There is also camping available which should be booked in advance. See PáircFEST website for details.

Set sail for the ultimate day trip with P&O

By

This summer the UK’s largest ferry operator P&O is making sure families in Northern Ireland have plenty of guaranteed holiday opportunities with fantastic day trip offers to Scotland.

As the shortest, fastest crossing from Northern Ireland to Scotland, P&O has a huge range of summer activities to entertain even the most active families. From bargain hunting in Glasgow city centre, golfing at the Barclays Scottish Open to a relaxing trip to Galloway Country Fair, families are spoilt for choice with P&O this summer.

One of the most popular P&O day trips is Loudon Castle, Scotland’s Premier Theme Park. P&O is offering Northern Ireland consumers the chance to experience the thrills and spills of this exciting attraction with their day trip service.

Enjoying some fast paced fun at Loudoun Castle!

With over 25 rides, Loudon offers a stunning variety of things to see and do.  From the highs and lows of the vertical launch ‘Brain Stormer’ to live entertainment such as the Big Top circus, magic show and its very own ‘birds of prey’ display, there is something for all the family.  The castle itself is also a big hit with its indoor and outdoor play areas, rare breed animal farm and woodland walks.

Tracy Robb, Marketing Manager for P&O Irish Sea said: “Families in Northern Ireland are always looking for a great day out.  With the shortest fastest crossing people often forget how affordable and hassle-free a day trip to Scotland with P&O can be.  It only takes 2 hours to get from Larne to Troon making a day trip like Loudon Castle a perfect day out.

Prices start from just £22 per adult and £17 per child with four crossings per day between Larne and Troon.

For more information on all day trips or to book, visit www.poirishsea.com

whatsonni teams up with Alive Surf School to offer fans a special discount this week only!

By

Learn to surf this week for a special Whats On NI discounted rate.

OFFER EXTENDED DUE TO HIGH DEMAND!

whatsonni.com have teamed up with Alive Surfschool and are offering whatsonni fans a special discount for next week only!  To celebrate the launch of their ‘Alive on the Coast’ Campaign they are reaching out to families and individuals all over the country to come and try the coolest sport on the planet.  Alive Surf School is the longest running surf school on the north coast and with their instructor being  a lifeboat man, they provide a safe and fun learning experience for all.

Week commencing Monday 5th of July 2010 you can avail of a surf lesson for £15 per person (a saving of 40%) – all you have to do is quote promotional code ‘alive1’ ” to get your discount.  Become a fan of Alive Surf School here <http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Alive-Surf-School/334533619835?ref=ts>) on Facebook and quote ‘alive1’ when booking your lesson and you are ALL SET TO GET WET!

Come Alive this Summer!
Come Alive this Summer!

Be quick because at these prices we expect things to fill up pretty sharpish.  Call Ricky on  07935952532 or email lessons@alivesurfschool.com.  There is also more information and an FAQ about Alivesurf School School and the Surf experience at www.alivesurfschool.com.

Watch this space for weekly ‘Surfisodes’ from the coast – Alive have teamed up with local Digital dudes Awakin™ who are helping to spread the good word on Alive and their North Coast cohorts. The 2 minute Surfisodes will tell you how the summer swell is working out and you’ll get cheeky bonuses on what other funky and fun activities you can get up to on the North Coast. Get in, get on and Come Alive this Summer!  Surf’s up!!!  PS – We hope all the water babes enjoyed the ‘all girls’ sessions over the weekend!

Meet Ricky 🙂

Find Alive Surf School at:

lessons@alivesurfschool.com

07935 952 532

‘In the market’ for Sunday opening

By

Are you ready for Sunday Opening?

Belfast’s historic St George’s Market is to open on a Sunday for the first time, starting this coming weekend, 4 July.

The new Sunday Market – which will open initially for a three-month trial – will be a mixture of the traditional Friday Variety Market and Saturday’s award-winning City Food and Garden Market.

Opening from 10am – 4pm, it also will have a special emphasis on local arts and crafts for the discerning shopper from both home and abroad.  Live music from top local bands and solo artists also will ensure that visitors to the new market are kept entertained.

“Opening the market on a Sunday is an important move for the council, the traders and the city as a whole,” commented Councillor Conor Maskey, Chairman of the council’s Development Committee.

“The council aims to establish a strong reputation for Belfast as a vibrant European city with unique experiences – and St George’s Market is just one of those experiences.  With more and more events taking place on Sundays, and more visitor attractions opening their doors, our message is very clear – Belfast most definitely is open for business seven days a week,” added Councillor Maskey.

Turbulent EDDY wins Sounds Like Summer 2010!

By

Donegal’s rock band Turbulent EDDY rocked the Alley last weekend, snatching the Sounds Like Summer crown against tough competition from Derry and Strabane bands, eager to be seen as the next big band to come out of the North West.

With over 200 people packed into the Alley to see 4 great bands play live and perform their own material it wasn’t long before the audience knew it was going to be an epic final night of this popular North West music festival. Over 5 nights, 50 bands, only 4 bands made it to the final, including Strabane’s Catalyst, Derry’s Rainy Boy Sleep and the Flying Castros, however it was eventual winners Turbulent EDDY which not only took the title but also the prize of a professional video shoot, studio time, photoshoot and marketing support.

On the night the first on stage was Lifford born, Derry singer songwriter, Rainy Boy Sleep, who wowed the audience with a range of quality material, which he later went on to share in the Celtronic Music Festival in Derry. Songs such as Ambulance and I Heart Holidays had the audience transfixed, as this quiet performer offered a stage presence far beyond his youthful years.

Strabane’s Catalyst was the only local band to make the final stages, however this great band certainly produced an outstanding set. Driven by the vocals of local star musician Gav Kelly, he was backed up by his backing band, complete with accordian, violin, mandolin, drums and bass guitar. “The judges loved ‘Legends of Arranmore’” commented Nathan Flatman from the Alley, “If the band can get air play for this wonderful song we are sure some record producer will snap them up. “

Derry’s The Flying Castros, certainly made an impact on the night, with the judges commenting that the band had “the most charismatic front man of the competition.” With such a strong vocal, singer Damien and his Flying Castros immediately captured the audience’s attention and held them there throughout their 30 minute set.

Turbulent EDDY was the last band to take to the stage and they did not miss the opportunity to take the festival by storm. A regular on the Irish festival circuit for a number of years, the band has grown in experience and stature year on year.

The band was knocked out in the heats stages last year, however we were delighted they decided to come back and their hard work has certainly paid off. The band now receives a professional video shoot, studio time, CD production, marketing support and a photoshoot. We would like to thank our sponsors, the Strabane Chronicle for their support during the festival and wish Turbulent EDDY the very best fro the next 12 months as Sounds Like Summer champions!” concluded Nathan Flatman from the Alley. For more information on the Sounds Like Summer festival check out www.alley-theatre.com or visit www.facebook/thealleytheatre.

Festival Offers Bus Service is Support of Green Initiatives

By

Glasgowbury Music Group and Chambers Coach Hire have joined forces to encourage greener transport for this festival season.

In support of greener initiatives and to encourage public transport at the time of the festival, Glasgowbury and Chambers have teamed up to offer return bus services from throughout the province.

The return bus services will operate from selected points throughout the north, departing on Friday evening (July 23rd) to allow campers to avail of two nights camping, before returning to the designated locations on Sunday after the festival.

Buses will run from the following locations from Friday (23rd July) at 7pm and will be charged at £20 for a return journey including unlimited shuttle bus service within the festival site:

– Ballymena – Belfast – Coleraine – Derry – Limavady – Newry (with stops in Armagh & Dungannon) – Omagh – Strabane – Magherafelt (this service will cost £12)

All buses will depart from the festival site on Sunday 25th July at approximately 12 noon, giving campers enough time to make themselves look respectable.

To book a place on any of the bus services or to find out more information, contact Chambers on 028 867 48152 or email mail@coachireland.com).

Eugene Donnelly, Business Development Manager for Chambers, said he was excited to be working in partnership with Glasgowbury while encouraging the use of public transport.

“Chambers and Glasgowbury share a common goal that fans get to the festival safely, securely and on time,” he said.

“We are excited to be working with the local festival to offer festival-goers the opportunity to travel to the event with their friends in a worry free environment.”

Festival organiser Paddy Glasgow has urged the public to help support greener initiatives being introduced by Glasgowbury and avail of the bus services.

“With so many people travelling to a rural area we want to try and encourage public transport where possible and are excited that Chambers will be offering this wide reaching service,” he said.

Glasgowbury 2010, the tenth anniversary of the ‘Small But Massive’ festival takes place on Saturday 24th July and tickets are on sale now. See www.glasgowbury.com for more information.

Small but massive!

Kids take one giant leap into libraries!

By

Libraries Minister, Nelson McCausland, launched this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, on behalf of Libraries NI, at Finaghy Library on Wednesday 23rd June, with a little help from the pupils of Finaghy Primary School.

The Summer Reading Challenge takes place from Saturday 26th June – Saturday 4th September, and aims to keep children reading throughout the school summer holidays. This year’s theme is ‘Space Hop’ which is designed to create a ‘buzz’ around reading and all Northern Ireland libraries are preparing to launch children’s imaginations into orbit through this intergalactic book adventure.

The Challenge is simple – Children are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate or medal for every child who completes the Challenge.

Speaking at the launch, Minister McCausland said:

“The Summer Reading Challenge continues to go from strength to strength every year. This exciting initiative not only encourages our children to read and enjoy books but also promotes quality time and interaction between parents, carers and children. Libraries play a vital role in the development of our children and I would encourage all parents and carers to bring their children along to their local library to take up this challenge.”

The Summer Reading Challenge is an immensely popular and successful reading initiative. Now in its twelfth year, it is created by The Reading Agency, which is an independent charity working to inspire more people to read more.

Libraries NI Chief Executive, Irene Knox explains:

“Research shows that children really enjoy taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, which is a great way to keep children entertained over the holidays. More importantly, it has been proven that children who take part in the Challenge read more books and read more widely than those who don’t, with potentially life-changing results.”

Northern Ireland Libraries are inviting children age 4 – 11, parents and carers to participate in this year’s Challenge from Saturday 26th June – Saturday 4th September.

An interactive Space Hop (www.spacehop.org.uk) website has just been launched, linking children with top authors and illustrators, and giving them space to talk about their favourite books and to share reading ideas.

To find our more about events planned around the Summer Reading Challenge, contact any Northern Ireland library or go to the Libraries NI events website at www.librariesni.org.uk/events.

BBC1 SHOW LOOKING FOR LIVELY, OUT GOING PEOPLE

By

Comedian John Bishop is hosting a brand new Saturday night entertainment show on BBC One about our lives in Britain, and we are looking for people across the whole of the UK to take part!

We want to interview YOU, and hear about YOUR life in Britain! We want to know your opinions and hear your funny stories on topics like growing up, family life, holidays and sport, to parenthood and work!

If you are funny, outrageous, quirky, outspoken or bubbly – and would have no problems being in front of the camera – then this show is for you!

It doesn’t matter what job you do, what interests you have, or where you live – we want to hear from everyone. So, if you think you’ve got something to say then get in touch. All we need is an hour of your time for an on-camera interview, and you could see your life stories forming part of our forthcoming Saturday night entertainment show…

We’re going to be in BELFAST on Sunday 27th June 2010. If you have an hour free anytime during the day or evening then we’d love to meet you for a short screen test!

To apply please contact takepart@objectiveproductions.com with your name, age, where you are from, and all your contact details.

APPLY NOW AND ONE OF OUR TEAM WILL GIVE YOU A CALL!

LIVELY LOUGH !

By

ENNISKILLEN is the place to be this weekend for action-packed free family fun, mesmerizing stunts and displays from World Class adrenaline water junkies as the Waterways Ireland Loughfest returns for a second inspiring year.

Waterways Ireland Fest
Waterways Ireland Loughfest

Waterways Ireland Loughfest takes place on Enniskillen’s Broadmeadow on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June.  The free family orientated event previously attracted thousands of visitors to the waterway for the inaugural event last year with the 2010 line-up ensuring a thrilling action-packed programme of water and land based activities that is sure to entertain everyone!  Cool FM DJ Gareth Stewart will compere the action from the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, Freestyle Jet-skiers and Wakeboard Teams during the weekend long event.

Florida’s Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team will make a return appearance to dazzle the spectators with their multi-award winning performance displays. The Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, a group of talented skiers, will create synchronized ballet lines, blistering barefoot skiing and other acrobatic daredevil feats. The Xtreme Action Freestyle Jet ski Team will also be in attendance headed by Pro World Jet Ski Champion Anthony Burgess, wowing the crowds with inverts of up to 20ft.

The “Lakeland & Inland Waterway Family Fun Day”, providing free entertainment for all the family, centered on the Broadmeadow and Enniskillen Castle areas, will compliment the action on the water.  Experience for yourself a “Taste of the Erne”, with live cookery demonstrations and sampling, take part in a Heritage Walking Tour, enjoy the wonders of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark with Fossil Fun or Exploding Earthquakes, or let the kids loose in the bouncy castle, paint ball and laser tag zone.  Waterbus trips will be available to enable visitors to leisurely enjoy the beauty of Lough Erne.  A range of boats will be on display from Mastercraft Ireland, Hanna Boats and jet Products.  The Edge Watersports will have a wide range of watersports equipment available to purchase.

Paul Hughes from Xtreme Action, management of Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team commented, “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to come back to

Northern Ireland to perform.  The team enjoys performing at Waterways Ireland Loughfest as the location is superb.  It’s like performing in a natural amphitheatre. We’ll be doing some of our most popular routines this year but we will also be introducing one or two new tricks that we hope the crowd will enjoy.

The water-ski team have been practicing hard during the winter months to give the crowd a different show than they would have seen last year and they will be making the trip from their practice lake in Tampa Bay Florida. Pro World Jet ski Champion Anthony burgess will be back with new tricks including the amazing back flip that must be seen to be believed.”

Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications with Waterways Ireland said, “The Waterways Ireland Loughfest attracts local and international audiences to Lough Erne for a fantastic weekend of waterway and waterside activity for all the family.  The boost to the local economy and the increase in potential waterusers is a very welcome outcome.  It is only through partnership that events such as the Waterways Ireland Loughfest can take place.  We are delighted to work in partnership with Fermanagh District Council and the event organisers to deliver the Waterways Ireland Loughfest and I know it will be a tremendous success.”

The Lakelands & Inland Waterways Fun Day (part of the larger Lakelands & Inland Waterways Marketing Strategy will highlight to locals and tourists the diversity and quality of attractions, activities and entertainments around Lough Erne. Providing excellent experiences for locals creates ambassadors for Lough Erne and Fermanagh, builds the brand regionally and will impact on the economy in the longer term”.

Rob Skelly of event organisers Fluid Events commented, “The Waterways Ireland Loughfest has been a phenomenal success since it began.  For 2010, the line-up will be bigger and better cementing its reputation as one of the best water-sports events across the UK and Ireland.  The natural waterway of Lough Erne provides a wonderful platform and backdrop for the magnificent displays”.

Supporting the event is Waterways Ireland, which actively promotes recreational opportunities on the inland waterways. As the navigation authority, Waterways Ireland manages over 1000km of inland navigable waterways and since its inception in 1999 has invested significantly in the development of the waterways and their facilities.  Also supporting the event are Fermanagh District Council, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, Relentless Energy Drink and Yamaha UK.  Jet Products is Ireland’s only official Yamaha Jet Ski dealer.  Operating from Co. Tyrone their staff are factory trained service and repair specialists.

For further information on Waterways Ireland Loughfest click

waterwaysireland.org or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Loughfest

A FATHER’S SORROW REVERBERATES IN NEW COLLECTION FROM POET R.A. WELCH

By

‘Iron hopeless sorrow’ is the overarching tone of Constanza, the new poetry collection from poet and critic Robert Anthony Welch, written in the aftermath of the accidental death of his 26-year-old son  Egan three years ago.

The collection of 40 poems represents the poet’s deeply personal reflections and meditation on the loss of his son in particular, and mortality in general.

Constanza, published by Lagan Press, with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, is named after a city in Romania on the Black Sea, once known as Tomis.

Welch explains:  “I had been reading a Latin poet called Ovid, a book of his with the wonderful title Tristia, meaning something like ‘sadnesses’. It is a book of poems lamenting the fact that the poet, Ovid, has been banished from Rome for some offence he has caused the Emperor. This exile from Rome is like an exile from life, so that Ovid, in his grief in exile, is a man cut off from all that he loves.

“He is sent to a place called Tomis, now known as Constanza. The mood of Ovid in his bleak exile seemed to match my own mood in my grief, and I worked on some of his poems translating their sadness into my own.

“In doing this I hope that I widened my grief by taking it into another person’s life, another time. When I read Ovid’s description of what it was like to sail through the storms and heavy seas on the way to Tomis, it seemed very like what it was like to go through the sheer mass and bulk of the sorrow you feel at the death of someone you love beyond speech or saying.”

The reference to ‘iron sorrow’ comes from a poem called Lost to Those Waters, where the sense of loss is palpable and immense –

Iron sorrow wrung his poor
exhausted heart, drove a shockwave
from his stomach to his eyes all
full of tears.  He opened wide his arms
to hold his mother, found
she was the river.

Bob Welch
Poet, Bob Welch

Welch is relentless in his need to address his pain and that of his family, with the result that his work directly makes the reader feel and mourn for his or her own loss and grief.

This finely crafted and reworked unburdening, the ‘improvement of truth’ which poetry essentially represents, is what Welch believes is the job of a poet.

“There is no hiding place from sorrow or tragedy.  This is what poets try to do, otherwise they are not poets. We must write as truthfully as we can about what scares the bejaysus out of us. We must face the terror of what it is to be us lot,” added Welch.

While writing the poems undoubtedly had a therapeutic effect, Welch was conscious of his role as poet.

“If the work is true, then you need to move out of your own particular circumstance, otherwise you are just howling away in the prison of your ego, and you will lose your audience.”

Some of the poems, for instance The Track in Sun, flowed out of the poet, but most of the others were reworked many times, with The Binary being the poet’s more favoured as he believes he most successfully captures his son’s humour and fierce intelligence.

There will be a reading from Constanza on Tuesday, June 22, at a reception in the University of Ulster’s Coleraine Campus (Room H215) from 6.30pm with an introduction from poet Ciaran Carson and on Wednesday, June 23, at the Members’ Room, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin from 6pm with an introduction from poet Anthony Cronin and reading from the actor Richard Dormer, Welch’s son-in-law.

Constanza is priced at £8.99 and is available from all good book shops and on line from the publisher Lagan Press at www.lagan-press.org.uk.

© Copyright What's On NI 2017. All Rights Reserved.