Lough Neagh Partnership has been appointed by Mid Ulster District Council to spearhead a new initiative aimed at fostering the development and growth of tourism experiences in the Mid Ulster area.

This new project will showcase everything that is unique about the area, especially its people and their stories, family history, cultural traditions and invaluable skills. In partnership with Mid Ulster District Council and working with Tourism NI, the organisation is calling for people that have an authentic experience that they would love to develop, to express their interest in the programme. From food producers to farmers, storytellers to fishermen, craft providers to activity providers – anyone with an experiential idea that could be developed to attract local, national and international visitors, should apply.

The project is open to everyone with an interest in tourism – those new to tourism and those with existing tourist focused businesses or hobbies.

The vision is that the project will create high quality authentic tourism experiences by recruiting potential participants who may be suitable for developing a bespoke experience or which might be suited to a collaborative approach with other businesses. The multi-faceted approach, includes identifying and engaging with the right businesses, providing mentorship, conducting market research and crafting an action plan aligning to Tourism NI’s Embrace a Giant Spirit and Visit Mid Ulster, Unwinding Time.

Eimear Kearney, Marketing Manager, Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “Lough Neagh Partnership is perfectly positioned to assist this project to establish a new tourism experience for the Mid Ulster area. We are committed to sustainable development, environmental conservation, community engagement and we are dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Mid Ulster while considering new ways to encourage visitors to the region.”

A rigorous review process will determine successful applicants who will enhance the development of these high quality and authentic local tourism experiences. Lough Neagh Partnership already works with a range of businesses and represents the Lough Neagh Artisans. Its experience in marketing intelligence, research and support is unparalleled in delivering tourism projects for local businesses, including the provision of unique visitor experiences with Lough Neagh Tours.

“Businesses and individuals with viable ideas will be guided through the process by the mentor and we are excited to see what hidden gems are located in and around the area just waiting to be discovered. The programme aims to stimulate ideas and will include advice and guidance on bringing new tourism experiences to fruition”, added Eimear.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr Dominic Molloy, said: “Mid Ulster District Council has a strong tourism product offering and we are keen to further develop and enhance visitor experiences across the district.  This project will help to strengthen existing experiences, and identify new visitor experiences, that will lead to a more immersive and quality time for the visitor. All of which can be aligned to Tourism NI’s “Embrace A Giant Spirit” brand experiences.”

Expressions of interest must be completed by 6 October 2023 and it is anticipated that, following a pilot, the successful experiences will be launched in March 2024. For anyone interested in seeking more information about the assistance this project will provide, please visit https://loughneaghpartnership.org/mid-ulster-tourism-experiences/

Bannsider Productions are delighted to bring Constellations by Nick Payne to Flowerfield Arts Centre for three epic performances this October

This thought-provoking piece focuses on the lives and relationship of Marianne and Roland.  Marianne is a quantum physicist. Roland is a beekeeper. They meet. They hit it off. Or maybe they don’t. They go home together. Or maybe they never speak again.

In Nick Payne’s multi-award-winning Constellations, every decision you have and haven’t made exists in a parallel universe of infinite possibilities.

Epic yet intimate, this funny, sharp and heart-breaking play asks which of our choices make for a life well lived.

Donelle Reynolds will take on the role of, physicist, Marianne, while Alan McClarty will play Roland, a beekeeper.

See the West End and Broadway smash hit CONSTELLATIONS at Flowerfield Arts Centre from 12^th-14th October 2023.

Tickets are priced at £14 full and £12 concession, plus a booking fee and are available from flowerfield.org or by calling 028 7083 1400.

Aspects, Bangor’s festival of reading, writing and words starts next week with a full programme of events celebrating the written word. This year’s festival features a packed line-up, with something for everyone on offer, from top authors to poetry, exhibitions, history and politics.

Opening the festival on Wednesday 27 September is the Galicia Exchange and Concert with poets Keith Payne and Xavier Quiepo at North Down Museum. Galician Xavier is visiting Northern Ireland on a Cultural Exchange and will spend a month at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre as part of the experience. The evening will also feature music from award-winning Galician musician Su Garrido Pombo.

North Down Museum is also hosting some fantastic book events with Judith Mok presenting her memoir The State of Dark there on Saturday 30 September. Judith Mok is a Dublin-based classical soprano, a leading voice coach, novelist and poet. She was born in the Netherlands to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust trying to rebuild their shattered lives. The State of Dark is a memoir and a detective story which delves into her family’s past. Join authors Fionola Meredith and Olivia Fitzsimons also in North Down Museum, on Thursday 5 October, as they discuss their new books The Stamp of Beauty and The Quiet Whispers Never Stop with Nuala McKeever.

The stunning Chamber room in Bangor Castle is the location for many of the festival’s events. Award-winning composer of Riverdance Bill Whelan will join Neil Martin in conversation in this beautiful venue on Sunday 1 October. Bill’s new book The Road to Riverdance charts his life from his childhood right up to that spectacular Eurovision performance which went on to become a global phenomenon. Glenn Patterson takes to the stage in The Chamber on Friday 6 October to discuss his latest book Two Summers, a pair of novellas, set over two pivotal summers in the lives of two young men from Belfast, as they recall the constraints of the place where they were born and the times in which they are living.

For those who want to enjoy literature in the great outdoors, author Maggie Doyle will lead a creative walk along Bangor’s beautiful Coastal Path on Saturday 30 September. Using her new book Mountain Notes, A Nature Diary for inspiration, the walk will include readings and sketching.

Poetry lovers are also in for a treat at this year’s Aspects; the popular Poetry Slam returns on Saturday 30 September at Studio 1A, Bangor. This dynamic competition pits poets against poet, working against the clock and their peers to showcase original work. The outright winner will be crowned Aspects Poetry Champion and the winner and runner-up will go forward to the Ulster Poetry Slam Final in Derry~Londonderry in early November.

Aspiring writers will enjoy the Festival Club which returns to the Imperial Bar, Bangor on Monday 2 October. Writers are invited to take part by reading a short passage of their own original work in a relaxed atmosphere at this special event.

Aspects Festival runs from 27 September to 7 October at various locations around Bangor. For more information on the full programme and to book tickets, visit aspectsfestival.com

After the recent announcement of their forthcoming new studio album, synth pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) reveal details of their return to the stage, with the band taking to the road next year.

Across February & March 2024, OMD will play 22 dates across the UK & Ireland, including a night at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on 27 February.

“We are so excited to be able to tour again with a brand new album to showcase.” says Andy McCluskey. “It’s been six years since we learned new songs for live performances. The songs from Bauhaus Staircase will fit beautifully into our setlist – we just have to choose which five to play, as we have to treat people to the hits as well!”

The band also release ‘Slow Train’ – the second installment from their forthcoming new studio album Bauhaus Staircase – out October 27th. A raucous, glam-tinged explosion, ‘Slow Train’ arrives with help from the band;s only other external influence David Watts. Known as a rock producer, who helmed Sheffield band The Reytons’ recent No 1 album What’s Rock And Roll?, he brings a sharp, exciting new sound to the record.

“Slow Train is a bonkers song and the video is stunningly crazy!” Andy reflects. “It feels nice to be able to challenge people’s expectations of the band after 45 years of creating music”

The new album sees the band’s most explicitly political record and the crowning achievement of their desire to be both Stockhausen and Abba – born from the impetus to kickstart new explorations during lockdown. A broad, electronic, sonic masterpiece that lyrically tackles the topics of the future, it was predominantly written, recorded, and mixed by both McCluskey & Paul Humphreys (who has recently become a second-time father).

OMD have sold an astonishing 25 million singles and 15 million albums, which has established them as electronic synthesiser pioneers and one of Britain’s best-loved pop groups. Their 13 albums include reissued ‘Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark’ (1980), ‘Organisation’ (1980), ‘Architecture & Morality’ (1981) and ‘Dazzle Ships’ (1983).

By rights, OMD should be in semi-retirement, performing classics like Enola Gay and Maid Of Orleans on the nostalgia festival circuit like so many peers. Instead, they’ve created a landmark album worthy of their finest work. If real life meant OMD were happy to get help, Bauhaus Staircase remains unmistakably the work of a duo who are still perfectly in sync 45 years after their first gig at legendary Liverpool club Eric’s.

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