Newcastle Gears Up for Live Music and a World of Cuisine at Eats and Beats

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Newcastle has all the ingredients you need for a fantastic weekend at the Eats and Beats free food and music festival on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September.

With two music stages, local and Northern Irish food producers, and an abundance of food vendors, it will be jam-packed with live music and a world of cuisine.

Eats and Beats is a two-day free food and music festival which is expected to once again draw a large crowd to Newcastle.

Festival goers can enjoy delicious fare and drinks at the Producers Pavilion (sponsored by Lexus Belfast) with over 20 local and Northern Irish artisan food producers to sample from and buy.

Music lovers can then dance their way around two music stages, which will offer free live performances on the Homegrown and World Stages over the two days.

There will be a wonderful line-up of cookery demonstrations dishing up a delicious serving of tasty treats over the festival weekend. Visitors can enjoy a delightful local menu selection from the likes of award-winning chef Paul Cunningham of Scopers and Mourne Larder fame.

Killeavy Castle Estate, Mourne Food Adventures and Castlescreen Farm will also be on hand to inspire us with their culinary creations. For those who enjoy a tipple or two the Cocktail Demo from Avoca Hotel will be right up your street. Or whet your appetite with some local craft beers, gin, and whiskey from the likes of Whitewater Brewery, Killowen Distillery and Two Stacks Irish Whiskey. And the Food Village has over 30 food vendors offering local and world cuisine, all supported by a sustainability teepee.

Visitors will be entertained by an incredible array of performances offering an eclectic mix of styles and genres that is sure to create a big festival vibe across the seaside town. Live music at the Homegrown stage in Donard Park starts each day from 11am — be sure to check the various artists set times at: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/giant-adventures/eats-and-beats-festival-newcastle

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “Newry, Mourne and Down is becoming well known for its quality food and drink and it has long had a strong track record for producing talented and successful musicians. The Eats and Beats festival will be an excellent opportunity to sample our award-winning food, great drinks, chart-topping music, but above all else, a fantastic time with friends and family.”

Councillor Harte continued, “We are especially proud this year that the landscape underpinning our Giant Adventures is part of the recently designated Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Geopark. All roads lead to Newcastle on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September as the Eats and Beats festival finishes off the Council’s summer events programme on a high.”

Jonathon Lavery, Sales Manager at Lexus Belfast, said, “Lexus Belfast is delighted to be sponsoring the Producers Pavilion at the 2023 Eats and Beats Festival. As a brand, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and striving towards a sustainable future. Our aim is to help design the future by delivering Lexus Electrified vehicles and we are glad to be partnering up with the Eats and Beats Festival, who have sustainability and supporting local businesses at the forefront of the event.”

On the Homegrown stage in Donard Park its two day line-up will be hosted by QRadio presenter, comedian and DJ Ryan Hand.  The festival weekend will see incredible music from the likes of The Answer, Ryan McMullan, Lemonade Shoelace, Ria Maguire, and Belfast’s very own Brian Kennedy who is sure to add to the festival atmosphere.

 

Anyone looking for something different will find it at the World Stage in Donard Park, hosted by Ripton Lindsay. Here you can lose yourself in the vibes of Basork – Balkan Alien Sound and the unmissable sounds of the Streetwise Circus Samba Band. The Reverend Doc & The Flying Squad and Mirenda Rosenberg will also take to the World Stage over the two-day event.

 

For visitors travelling to Newcastle, a Park and Ride will operate from the Northfield site on the A50 Castlewellan Road on both days.  Public toilets and Accessoloo will be located across the site.

Stay tuned to the Visit Mourne Social Media pages where the full festival line-up, carparking and other important festival information will be available throughout the weekend. Further information on where to stay, eat, and things to do during your stay can be found at visitmournemountains.co.uk.

Hillsborough Ready To Drink Cocktail Brand Smashes £450,000 Crowdfunding Target In Just 24 Hours

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A Hillsborough drinks brand has smashed a £450,000 crowdfunding investment target in less than a day.

Not just that the company, Wavey Ice, is celebrating tripling its sales in the last 12 months as consumers embrace their unique range of vibrant beverages.

The ready-to-drink business which has raised over £500,000 with 79 investors is hoping to hit a £600,000 target by next week.

Wavey Ice produces a fun, vibrant range of alcoholic, non-alcoholic cocktails and nostalgic boozy Ice pops and say they’re on a “mission to redefine the ready-to-drink experience by crafting irresistible pops and cocktails that capture the essence of playfulness and creativity”.

The funding is being raised using the equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs which is enabling the company to invest in product development and introduce its drinks to more people as customer demand continues to grow both in the UK and internationally.

The pandemic sparked a trend for ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails as younger drinkers sought more fruity, colourful and playful alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit their lifestyles. The RTD sector continues to outperform the spirits category with its sales value growing 8.1% to £866m in 2022* and with 61% of people aged 18-34 enjoying a RTD alcoholic drink in 2022, the opportunity to innovate and grow the Wavey Ice brand is clear.

Wavey Ice launched in London in 2014 and was one of the first on the scene creating boozy retro ice Pops. The business was acquired in 2022 and is now run by managing director and head of production, Laura Davis and a team of four.

Laura Davis, managing director and head of production at Wavey Ice said: “We’re over-the-moon to have smashed our crowdfunding target so quickly! This overwhelming support demonstrates what we already knew that our playful, nostalgic ice Pops and RTD cocktails are a smash with consumers.”

“During lockdown we gifted the Pops to our family and friends as a way of connecting, having a laugh and delivering fun energy to each other. One of the most popular gifts was mixed boxes of Wavey Ice Pops which are an adult twist on childhood favourites that give off a nostalgic summer vibe. We jumped on the opportunity to buy the business as we knew it had a lot of potential, and it’s been a canny move as we’ve tripled sales. 

“We’ve invested in NPD and developed Sips, ready-to-drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, which have been massively popular and stand-out sellers. Our crowdfunding campaign will help us bring our vibrant products to new markets and make waves in the industry.”

The business has had huge success collaborating with celebrities and influencers such as Olympic diver, Tom Daley, by supplying drinks to The Voice UK team and creatively leveraging social platforms like TikTok and Instagram. It has built a loyal following by connecting with its audience of young people who respect its authentic and playful personality. 

Laura Davis adds: “Ultimately, our goal is to be a brand that inspires joy, creates unforgettable moments, and becomes a household name known for its exceptional products and sustainable practices. As we embark on this exciting journey, we invite our customers, investors, and partners to join us in shaping the future of Wavey Ice together.”

Wavey Ice recently launched a seven-strong RTD range called Sips, which are single serve pre-mixed alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktail pouches. They are the perfect no-hassle party addition, simply chill, shake and Sip, or freeze them for an instant boozy slushie.

Sips have been developed by in-house mixologists and are ready-to-drink, hassle free and delicious. There are currently five alcoholic flavours – Trippy Tropical Rum Punch, Easy Espresso Martini, Perky Pornstar Martini, Slutty Strawberry Daiquiri and OG Orange & Vodka – and two recent non-alcoholic additions – Virgin Mango Pineapple Mojito and Virgin Sex on the Beach. With plans for adding even more tantalising flavours to the line-up! 

Its iconic Pops range is one of the OGs in the frozen alcoholic treat market and was launched in 2014. The range of three nostalgic ice Pops; Kola & Spiced Rum, Watermelon & Vodka and Black Grape & White Rum are made with premium alcohol and all pack and flavourful punch.

The Wavey Ice crowdfunding campaign launched to the public at the start of August through equity crowdfunding company, Seedrs.

There are a range of investor perks for different levels of support including 10% discount for three months for a £25 investment, a year of discounts, ownership and an exclusive Wavey Ice t-shirt for £100 investment and there are five exclusive perks for £10,000 investors which include one-year supply of Sips and Pops (260 each), a cool-box, an opportunity to create a bespoke cocktail with its R&D team, along with a lifetime discount and full ownership.

For more information on the Wavey Ice Seedrs crowdfunding campaign to go seedrs.com/wavey-ice 

LARGEST EVER IRISH SCULPTURES TO GO ON DISPLAY AT CULLODEN ESTATE & SPA

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The two largest Irish sculptures to ever come to the art market are currently on display at international art and sculpture fair, Art and Soul at the Culloden Estate & Spa.

Larger than Life, from Patrick O’Reilly’s bear series, stands at an impressive 4m and is the largest single bronze sculpture by an Irish artist.

Oliver Gormley (L), of Gormleys, and Howard Hastings, chairman of Hastings Hotels, with Patrick O’Reilly’s Larger than Life, the largest single-piece Irish sculpture to ever come to the art market, which will feature at Ireland’s biggest art and sculpture event, Art and Soul, hosted by Gormleys at the Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast from August 19 – Sept 10. Image by Press Eye.

It is joined by Wind and Sea by Paddy Campbell, which reaches 4.3m. The pieces have a combined value of almost £800,000 and weigh around 2 tonnes each.

Art and Soul, curated by Gormleys, is the largest ever sculpture exhibition to take place on the island of Ireland and runs until September 10.

The free event will feature a major outdoor exhibition of 80 large sculptures and installations set throughout 12 acres of landscaped grounds.

More than 280 works by international artists alongside a host of artists from Northern Ireland including Stephen Johnston, Jane Rainey, Stephen Forbes and Ian Cumberland and leading Irish sculptors Patrick O’Reilly, Ian Pollock, Bob Quinn, Sandra Bell, Eamonn Ceannt, John Fitzgerald, Anthony Scott and Orla De Brí, are on display.

It also includes exhibitions by renowned Irish artists Martin Mooney, Maser, Peter Monaghan, Gordon Harris and Stephen Forbes.

The hotel’s interior is displaying 100 artworks by some of the world’s best-known artists, including Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Robert Indiana, Damien Hirst, Salvador Dali and Banksy.

“We are delighted to return this fair to the Culloden, where it first began,” said Oliver Gormley of Gormleys.

“It gives art lovers a unique opportunity to view these incredible works in the beautiful surroundings of the estate.”

All works will be for sale, with prices ranging from £1,000 to £425,000. Art and Soul 2023 will mark ten years of Gormleys events at the five-star Culloden.

“We have been hosting this internationally acclaimed event for over a decade, in partnership with Gormleys Fine Art, and are delighted to once again exhibit some of the most impressive pieces from world-renowned artists – as well as a host of local talent,” said Howard Hastings, chairman of Hastings Hotels.

“This edition of Art and Soul is a true exhibition of brilliance with works by celebrated artists.

Once again, we are supporting local artists across Northern Ireland too – and I’m proud to shine a light on the talent we have right on our doorstep, enabling them to share centre stage with some of the world’s most celebrated artists.”

To celebrate the event, the Culloden Estate and Spa is offering deals on breaks and dining, including an Art and Soul ‘Sip and See’ package from £390 per night for two, including accommodation, breakfast, champagne and canapés in the Bollinger champagne garden.

An afternoon tea among the artwork, Fancies with Fine Art, and an Art and Soul tasting menu in the Culloden’s fine dining restaurant Vespers are also offered by the five star estate.

During the event, there will be a programme of artists’ talks and daily guided tours.

Art and Soul is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and will be open to the public daily from 11am–7pm.

More information and accommodation offers can be found at www.cullodenestateandspa.com/art-and-soul

MARKET PLACE THEATRE KICKS OFF AUTUMN SEASON ON A MUSICAL NOTE

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The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is kicking off its Autumn ’23 season with a superb range of entertainment, including two very different musical performances.

‘Here Come The Girls’ will feature eleven amazing diva tributes in one great show! Celebrating some of the finest female artists of all time, and featuring Cher, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Shania Twain, Annie Lennox, Gloria Estefan, Blondie, Katy Perry, Adele, Abba and Bananarama!

All of your favourite songs from your favourite female artists spanning five decades, in one spectacular, fun, fast paced, energetic show! ‘Here Come The Girls’ will be staged on Friday 8 September. Tickets are priced £22.50 each.

On the same evening, trio TRÚ will take to the stage. TRÚ draw their inspiration from the mythological trio of poet-musicians who were revered throughout the Celtic world. Michael Mormecha [percussion/vox], Zachary Trouton [guitars/vox] and Dónal Kearney [flute/vox] come from different musical backgrounds.

The three are children of the Peace Agreement in post-conflict Northern Ireland. From their British-Ukrainian, Ulster-Scots and Irish heritage, they have inherited an unusual and fruitful ethos based on respect and exploration.

Despite their individuality and an eclectic repertoire of influences from Clannad to Nine Inch Nails via Joni Mitchell and The Beatles, the trio’s collective chemistry is enchanting audiences with powerful storytelling and noteworthy songcraft.

These are stories told with a contemporary voice. There is nothing traditional about TRÚ except the songs themselves. Tickets for TRÚ can be booked for £15 each at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre or through the Box Office on 03300 561 025.

10 things to do in Northern Ireland

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Here are ten exciting things to do 28 August- 3 September

  1. HotBox Field Trip, Limavady, County Londonderry, 28 August. Destress and unwind in this wood fired hot tub or sweat it out in the Finnish sauna. This pop up, usually on Benone Strand, is taking to a tranquil new woodland setting at Drumagosker. After braving the heat take the plunge in icy showers, before relaxing in front of the fire pit with warming mugs of tea.
  2. Eats and Beats Festival, Newcastle, County Down, 2-3 September. This festival is a must for foodies and music lovers. A celebration of delicious local cuisine alongside great live performances by some of the hottest acts around. Eats and Beats draws thousands of visitors each year who come to sample the incredible food and soak up the festive atmosphere all set against the fabulous backdrop of the majestic Mournes.
  3. Tide and Turf Portavogie, Portavogie, County Down, 2 September. Set along the harbour and fish market this free family event showcases local produce with a special emphasis on the renowned seafood and beef. Pick up a snack from the many food stalls or be inspired by chef Paula McIntyre on how to cook up a storm in your own kitchen! Children can try the pedal boats or sand crafts and there’s live music from The String Ninjas and Bangor band the Florentinas who are making big waves on the local scene.
  4. Guided Tours of the Archbishop’s Palace, Armagh, County Armagh, 3 September. Take the chance to see behind the doors of what was the home of the Church of Ireland’s Primate’s from the 1700’s until 1970’s. This hour-long tour will guide you around this wonderful neo classical listed building.
  5. After the Rain, Derry ~ Londonderry, County Londonderry 26 August. The French circus Collective, Compagnie XY, accompanied by a 50 plus strong local ensemble of acrobats, local musicians and choirs will be in Guildhall Square. This specially commissioned event celebrates the resilience of the people and communities of the city 25 years on from the Good Friday Agreement.
  6. Fermanagh Fun Farm, Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, 28 August. A fun day out for little children with the chance to meet 150 rescued and adopted animals. This social enterprise offers the opportunity to handle and feed some of the pets. A great day for hand on family memories with donkey and pony walking and grooming, a soft play area and indoor play barn.
  7. Downpatrick Racecourse, Downpatrick, County Down, 28 August. It’s Ladies Day at this historic course which has been hosting horses and riders for 150 years. Enjoy a fun day out of racing and fashion followed by live music. The turnstiles will open two hours before the first race.
  8. An Creagán, Omagh, County Tyrone, 25-27 August. Enjoy fantastic cycling and walking trails, all nestled in an area of outstanding natural beauty at the foot of the specular Sperrins. Catering for all tastes, there’s a wild wood for children and a forest walk and boardwalk for bigger kids. If history is your thing, there’s a reconstructed Bronze Age dwelling. Explore the community garden and refuel and relax after your exertions in the coffee shop, complete with an open fire, and pick up cool gifts in the craft shop.
  9. Spinning Yarns Festival, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, 2 September. Mossley Mill has a packed programme of workshops and stalls celebrating all things woolly. There’ll be traders from across Northern Ireland offering afternoon teas, artisan craft and gift stalls and much more.
  10. Belfast International Tattoo, Belfast, County Antrim, 1-2 September. Per head of the population there are more marching bands here than anywhere else in the world. This event is routed in the history, music, and dance traditions of the Ulster Scots. Pipe bands from across the globe will amass at the SSE Arena with the Majesticks Drum Corps and the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra among those taking part in this musical spectacle.

 

For more information on what’s on or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/

 

“AI Is An Inevitable Tool That Businesses Should Be Integrating Into Their Marketing Strategy” Says Content Expert

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The hype of AI isn’t going away and neither is the idea that it can “revolutionise” your marketing, especially if you’re the type of business that’s struggling to keep up with the demands practically and financially.

Whilst it’s absolutely true that, used properly, AI can provide you with a vital resource which can reduce time spent on creating content it can also, however, have a negative impact on your business if used badly.

Comms strategist and director of Excalibur Press Tina Calder said companies who ignore AI could find themselves on the “back foot” at a later date.

However, she warns that agencies like hers must also be using the tools responsibly and ethically.

“Earlier this year at Excalibur Press we realised AI wasn’t going away and tools like ChatGPT were going to continue to dominate the minds of not just many of our clients but also our staff and interns”, she said.

“With that in mind we immediately put in place a constantly updated AI Usage Policy and AI Best Practice Guidelines. 

“We operate on the basis that working with AI must be ethical and professional, therefore, if we use AI for a client we inform that client. After all, ultimately the choice must be theirs as to whether they will accept content that has some form of input from AI platforms such as ChatGPT. 

“Whilst the use of AI is not prohibited within Excalibur Press its use is strictly limited to being a research resource.”

Approach with care

The benefits of AI have been lauded across the communications world with many small businesses and marketing teams hailing it as a “saviour” and “the answer to their prayers”.

With that said, Tina said it’s important for people to spend time understanding how to use the tools effectively and efficiently.

She explained: “Whilst my scepticism of AI copywriting tools in particular has waned and I now train in-house teams to use it effectively, it’s absolutely vital that those who use it understand it can never really replace human expertise, experience and analytical thought.

“Like Canva, Hootsuite, Hubspot and many more tools that sit in our marketing stack your AI tools should be exactly that, a tool that helps you work more efficiently.”

Among the sticking points for Tina are things such as nuance and vernacular, detail, analysis, accuracy and true marketing copywriting.

“There’s absolutely no doubt having tools like ChatGPT in your marketing stack can help you level up your game. It’s essential to ensure that you understand the limitations in comparison to your own brain” she said.

“In my experience AI tools simply can’t get the right nuance and vernacular that I personally would use when writing. It doesn’t really have an attitude. Yes, it can mimic an attitude and a style of writing but it’s a bit dad dancing at a disco or a mum using the aubergine emoji to mean an aubergine. It was just a bit ‘off’.

“In properly informed copywriting the devil is in the detail. It’s why you pay for research, expertise and experience and anything I’ve managed to get out of the AI was simply surface level knowledge. It has always required my time and effort to mould into the right piece.

“When it comes to real human analysis, no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn’t get real analysis out of the tool. That human thought process that brings context and humanity to what’s being written. 

“Much has been written about the limitations of AI and its knowledge bank. I had a significant number of incidences where it gave me irrelevant, incorrect and inaccurate information and examples. Even just asking it about myself and my career I found it was way off, and, in one case, completely reported information that was totally wrong. It also often makes suggestions that are out of date, ill informed and things that would be rather embarrassing if one of my writers turned in the content to me.”

There is hope for AI

Despite the lack of abilities the current machine learning models have, AI is an ever changing technology and will continue to grow and get better as we, humans, get better at teaching it.

Tina explained that businesses shouldn’t be deciding whether to embrace it or not but rather how they should be embracing it.

“It’s not all bad news. There’s certainly a right time and a right place for using tools like ChatGPT and, in my mind, it’s the same principle that I apply to Canva.

“If the person using the tool is professional, knowledgeable and experienced enough they will have great success using the tool to optimise their workflow, speed up their brainstorming and research and, ultimately, assist them in delivering their expertise in a speedier manner.

“However, what it is not, is a replacement for this professionalism, knowledge and experience. We have found that no matter how much you train it, no matter how much information you feed the system an AI tool cannot currently deep dive into our client’s business, their customer mindset and the style in which the content needs to be delivered whilst considering the psychology of the customer journey, geographic and cultural considerations and – ultimately – the style the client likes to see their content presented in.”

How do you use it efficiently?

According to Tina embracing AI is “not optional”. 

She said: “AI is many things to many people but ultimately if you see it in the way we do at Excalibur Press you can better understand its functional use and benefit.

“It’s the intern you really want – if you brief it well enough, give it the right background and teach it enough information then AI copywriting tools can deliver you work that is definitely as good as a graduate intern. Whilst not always perfect, it’s much easier for us to edit and work with something that’s already on the page.

“It can be the mentor you wish you had – sometimes you just want someone to ask questions to, check on past trends, ask about traditional tactics and strategies and learn from a brain full of knowledge. You don’t necessarily want this person to do the job for you, just be a sounding board that you can ask questions to that you may not want to be seen asking in the office.

“It’s a good desktop research tool – sometimes when you just need some quick information organised in a certain fashion so that you can see/read it all at once and quickly, AI can be your saviour. It’s always important for you to back up the research yourself to ensure it’s correct but it’s a great speedy resource for “on the go” information.

“It can become someone to brainstorm with – many people just don’t have the luxury of colleagues to be able to brainstorm ideas with, to figure things out and throw around some ideas to see what pops up. AI is great for this, it’s a brilliant space to brainstorm in a way where you’re leading the charge and you can quickly change the course of the brainstorm without offending anyone if it isn’t going the way you want it to.”

It would seem that in order to make AI work for you it’s important to figure out what you want it to help you with. 

“So many people just jump in, open a new tab and say ‘create me 10 social media posts for a hairdresser,’ said Tina, adding: “And what comes back is bland, generic content that doesn’t reflect the brand at all.

“Think of ChatGPT and other AI copywriting tools as another member of staff. Consider what you want them to do, what you need out of it and how much time you have to commit to ensuring they are well briefed and that you have set time aside to edit, amend and review their content.”

Throughout the month of September Tina will be delivering a number of free training sessions around ChatGPT including Zoom @ Noon for Social Enterprise NI on September 12, TechConnect in Dublin on September 14 and in a free webinar on September 28. For more information go to excaliburpress.co.uk/events

 

If you would like to find out more about Excalibur Press’ training and content services which includes content creation, ChatGPT training, copywriting, social media management and website development contact Tina Calder on tina@excaliburpress.co.uk or go to excaliburpress.co.uk

Offers of the week from Discover Northern Ireland

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Belmore Court and Motel, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh

Situated just a short walk from the town centre, this is a perfect base for exploring the wild beauty of the area or delving into its rich history. You are surrounded by beautiful lakes and remarkable parkland golf courses with the chance to visit the stunning Enniskillen Castle and breathtaking Marble Arch Caves. So why not enjoy the perfect blend of relaxation and comfort? “The Sleepy Sunday” offer gives the option of a double bed and breakfast for one evening with a late checkout from £84pps. A two-course evening meal can be enjoyed at one of three nearby restaurants including the WV Bar, The Firehouse or Crowe’s Nest. This is the ultimate way to kick-start a new week.  Visit https://www.motel.co.uk/about-belmore-court-motel for more information.

 

Blackwell House, Scarva, Banbridge, County Down

Enjoy the ultimate relaxation and destress with this offer, available 30th August – 3rd September. You can enjoy a fabulous two-night dining retreat, perfect for those occasions when one night simply isn’t long enough! Guests can enjoy a relaxing stay in an individually designed luxury guest bedroom with comfortable super king-sized beds. Wake up to an award-winning breakfast each morning and indulge in a five-course taster menu on one evening of your choice, cooked with local produce. Designed to offer an authentic spa experience with a hot tub and sauna, this stay at Blackwell House is not to be missed. The Blue room and the Charleston Room are £425.00 per room for two nights. Visit https://blackwellhouse.co.uk for more information.

 

Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Subject to availability.

For more information on what’s on or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/

Save the date for Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival 2023

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The Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival will make a welcome return this autumn to celebrate the food, drink and local heritage of the area.

The village will host the festival on the weekend of 6th – 8th October, with lots to look forward to from a variety of fantastic food demonstrations, entertainment, live music, fishing activities and outdoor fun for children to enjoy. Foodies will be able to indulge locally produced food and drink, with a focus on salmon and whiskey.

Visitors will enjoy the local warm hospitality of the village at both the Bushmills Distillery and the Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market. The distillery will be open during the festival weekend, while the market will offer the opportunity to meet the makers behind the local produce, purchase unique handmade crafts and more.

Many independent businesses are involved to help make the festival a success, as well as involvement from local chefs, including Gary Stewart from Tartine at The Distillers Arms, who is an integral part of the weekend. Celebrity chef Paula McIntrye will be attending over the weekend and will be hosting several cookery demonstrations.

The festival is part funded by DAERA – NI Regional Food Programme, supported by the Bushmills Business Association.

Friday, October 6

A unique Coast & Countryside tour will be available throughout the day, exploring the bespoke offering Bushmills has to offer. This will be guided by the wonderful Wendy Gallagher (pre-booking required via causewaycoastfoodietours.com).

The highlight of Friday evening is the Bushmills ‘Dine around Town’, a unique food and drink experience created to indulge visitors with bespoke menus using the finest quality local produce. Musical performances in select venues will set the mood to kick-off the festival weekend. This is a ticketed event with limited places. More details on how to book will be announced later.

Saturday, October 7

Enjoy wandering around Bushmills and guide yourself through the Taste Trail, taking in the smells and flavours on offer. The many great restaurants and cafes in the village welcome you to try a variety of fresh local dishes embracing locally sourced ingredients, especially Salmon and/or Whiskey. Bushmills Distillery will be open during the weekend and hosting tours. The Visitor Information Centre will host a taste showcase of products from local artisan producers. Various establishments will also host music and entertainment into the evening.

Sunday, October 8

The Outdoor (STREAT) programme will consist of Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market stalls, Bushmills Distillery whiskey tastings and tours, cookery demonstrations with celebrity chef Paula McIntyre and various talented local chefs, musical acts, and entertainers. There will also be a quiet time session for children with additional needs.

Main Street carpark will host an afternoon of live cookery demonstrations and the ‘Whiskey Hub’, a brand-new experience for the Whiskey enthusiast. A select range of local distilleries will host a taste and information session across Sunday afternoon, allowing visitors to taste and experience the fine whiskeys on offer in Northern Ireland.

With many ways to enjoy unique food experiences, this festival is not one to be missed!

DAERA has advised Council that, due to budget constraints, it is unable to open up the River Bush Salmon Station to the public as part of this year’s festival, as it had done in the past.

James Huish and his Band are back – LIVE ON STAGE!

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James Huish and his band are back in action and making their way to the Belfast music scene once again.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about it! We’re super excited to announce that we will be bringing a brand new Big Band show to the fabulous Avenue Arts Centre on the Lisburn Road in Belfast. Mark your calendars for September 8 because this is a show you don’t want to miss!“

We want to extend a warm invitation to all the wonderful folks out there who have had the pleasure of seeing James and his band before, as well as those who simply adore the timeless music of the American songbook. Think Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra and of course Michael Bublé too. Send such as “The Way You Look Tonight”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “Home”, and “Always On My Mind”. “Fly Me To The Moon”. Feeling Good”, and many more. Get ready, because it’s going to be a truly magical evening that will leave you dancing all the way home. Come on down and join us for a night of pure musical bliss!

Now, let’s talk a bit about James and his incredible journey. Known as IRELANDS “King of Swing” and the UK’s Michael Bublé, James has been wowing audiences all across the UK, Ireland, and Europe and further afield with his mesmerizing vocals. But wait, there’s more! After taking a well-deserved break to create the James Huish Academy of Theatre Arts, he’s now ready to bring back the glory of his musical career to the world that existed before Covid. From sold-out shows at prestigious venues like the Grand Opera House and the Empire to performing at corporate events in glamorous cities like Dubai and London, James has truly made a name for himself. And now, it’s time to reignite that amazing sound once again!

If you’re as excited as we are and want to grab your tickets, please click HERE.  Be quick! This is an experience you won’t want to miss out on! See you there!

Arctic Monkeys Announce World Tour Finale in Dublin and Belfast!

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Announce World Tour Finale in Dublin & Belfast

15th October 2023 – 3Arena

16th October 2023 – The SSE Arena

17th October 2023 – 3Arena

19th October 2023 – 3Arena

Tickets On Sale Tuesday 29th August at 9am

Arctic Monkeys will be returning to Dublin & Belfast in October for a series of arena dates to mark the end of their World Tour. The band are pleased to announce Miles Kane as Special Guest. These dates follow the cancellation of the band’s summer show at Dublin’s Marlay Park.

Previous ticket holders will be sent a unique access code and will be given 72-hour priority pre-sale access starting at 9am on Friday, Aug 25th to purchase tickets. Only the same number of tickets, or less, purchased previously for Marlay Park will be available to purchase for these new dates.

All remaining tickets will be made available for sale at 9am on Tuesday, August 29th.

In support of their seventh, Mercury shortlisted album, ‘The Car’, Arctic Monkeys commence a 30 date tour of North America in Minneapolis on Thursday the 25th of August which concludes with two nights at Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City on October 6th & 7th.

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