The Priory Singers present “Eyes on the Prize” – Folksongs, Spirituals and Jazz for a Summer Evening.

Following the resounding success of last Summer’s “Madrigals and Jazz” fusion concerts, the Priory Singers will now take to the stage in the grandeur of Parliament Buildings Stormont for an evening of evocative story-telling through music.

“Eyes on the Prize” is more than a concert, it’s an immersive musical journey. Audiences will be guided through the rich tapestry of sound that weaves together the haunting beauty of rural English folksongs, the soul-stirring spirituals of America’s Deep South, and the electrifying rhythms of early jazz. It is a story of heritage, struggle, triumph, and joy, told through song.

Under the artistic direction of Mr Philip Bolton MBE, The Priory Singers will once again push the boundaries of choral performance with Vaughan Williams Delius, and blend classical technique with folk idioms and jazz influences to create a uniquely dynamic experience. The programme will explore the roots of American music, tracing its lineage back to European folk traditions, African American spirituals, and the birth of blues and jazz.

Joining the choir for this special performance are some of Ulster’s most celebrated instrumental soloists, whose artistry will add depth, colour, and flair to the evening. Expect piano improvisations, soulful strings, and captivating wind solos, all carefully woven into the musical fabric of the performance.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Parliament Buildings Stormont, “Eyes on the Prize” promises an evening of atmosphere and elegance. The historic surroundings offer a spectacular setting in which to experience the emotional power of music that speaks to both the past and the present.

“This concert is about connection,” says Philip Bolton. “It connects continents, cultures, and centuries. It’s also a reflection on how music can give voice to shared human experiences. We’re thrilled to bring this ambitious programme to Stormont.”

The Priory Singers has built a reputation for their adventurous programming, high-calibre performances, and ability to create concerts that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. With “Eyes on the Prize”, the ensemble continues to evolve, drawing in new audiences while staying true to their choral roots.

Whether you’re a lover of traditional music, a jazz enthusiast, or simply someone seeking an unforgettable cultural experience in a majestic venue, “Eyes on the Prize” offers something truly special. Expect soaring harmonies, unexpected musical twists, and a powerful message at the heart of it all.

Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of music, culture and heritage in one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic locations. “Eyes on the Prize” – Folksongs, Spirituals and Jazz for a Summer Evening, on Saturday 7 June at 7.30pm in Parliament Buildings Stormont, Belfast (entrance via Massey Avenue). Tickets are priced at £20 each, £5 for students and under 16s.

To book tickets, email thepriorysingers@outlook.com and follow The Priory Singers on social media.

All welcome to the Fine Art Exhibition by Brian Farrell 

Friday 30th May 2025 – 7pm – 9pm

The Exhibition will continue until 19th June 2025

Opening times : Wednesday – Saturday 12- 5pm

About the Exhibition

In this, Farrell’s most recent body of work, he bares his soul on canvas, using bold strokes to reveal his innermost secrets and vulnerabilities through an uncompromising, frenetic brush that reflects a journey through his own mental health marked by anxiety, paranoia, and depression.

Unusually, his images are paired down to their essence; to emphasise the importance of the lines of his chosen vocation, where black and white ignite his internal emotions.

On display on the walls of this gallery are Farrell’s paintings, born from a dark place, lay bare the emotional state of a man struggling to keep a grip, echoing a frantic, doomed existence and moments of feeling utterly alone.

This body of work that is authentic to his own experience of life, often left unfinished like the final pieces of artists who died too soon, hinting at a dangerous proximity to death.

Drawing from the rawness of Käthe Kollwitz and the abstract expressionism of Franz Kline, these works transform terrible circumstances into something more positive and meaningful which offer the viewer a stark, authentic reflection of Farrell’s current emotional reality.

Each painting is very personal, a part of the artist, a constant observation of heads, eyes, and movement, capturing moods and meanings with endless possibilities, where the process itself reinforces the vitality.

About the Artist

Brian Farrell is a Derry painter whose work provokes imagination and interpretation while seeking to capture the aesthetic and the beautiful. He is interested in solitary figures and faces in close up which he captures in great detail, suggesting introspection and the state of being alone.

He often expresses autobiographical emotions in his work. Heavily influenced by the Expressionists and interested in glances and visage, Brian seeks to encapsulate specific moods and emotions with a modern style, a sometimes

dark visual content, and abstract colours.

Themes and ideas about surviving adversity and the everyday angst of being human and alive are evident in the work. Paintings that are a testament to resilience through the process of introspection are key to Brian’s output. His work invisages or masklike forms, sometimes painted with bright and vibrant colours, could be seen to contradict the much darker themes that inspire him. He engages with inner worlds rather than the external and his images express these ideas.

Brian is particularly interested in exhibiting in an artistic setting where his work can

invoke a reaction from viewers and peers on a level much deeper than the surface

image might suggest. He produces work that is crafted to encourage a trigger or a

thought process in someone else’s mind. His artistic goals are visual and constantly

tuned to ideas that will inform and expose his drawings and paintings.

“Brian Farrell is a painter who captures the aesthetic and beauty in images of solitary figures that penetrate surface detail to explore themes of introspection and resilience. Brian has a particular talent for capturing mood and emotion with a modern style, a direct engagement with inner worlds, and an often unexpected use of colour.”

About UV Arts – Garden of reflection Gallery takeover

The project is part of UV Arts community outreach program and continued takeover of the Garden of Reflection Gallery. The partnership between UV Arts and Inner City Trust continues with engaging and inspiring art opportunities and exhibitions for local artists.

“The Urban Art Gallery” hosts a series of workshops and demonstrations, and a School for Street Art, promoting and educating people and places via street art and contemporary mural arts, in addition to having an alternative art store stocking all the tools required to create colossal art and also a podcast studio that can be booked by local creatives and businesses.

UV Arts aims to educate, promote and change perceptions of public spaces via street art, graffiti and contemporary mural arts. Specialising in large scale outdoor murals, advertising and community-driven initiatives, Karl Porter and his team are involved in many creative and collaborative projects across the North West.

Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland hosted a World M.E. Day awareness event at Stormont this week (Tuesday 13 May) welcoming patients, carers, healthcare professionals and elected representatives for an afternoon focused on increasing understanding of the condition.

The event at Parliament Buildings was hosted by Robbie Butler MLA and attended by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt who pledged to “do what I can” to support the continued work by professionals and organisations like Hope 4 ME & Fibro to improve M.E. healthcare services in Northern Ireland.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I welcomed the opportunity to attend the World M.E. Day awareness event and to listen to the contributions from the various speakers. My officials recently met with Hope 4 ME & Fibro and I value ongoing engagement to improve access to services for those with M.E.”

Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI was established in 2011 by Joan McParland MBE following her own experience of becoming severely ill with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis M.E. after a viral infection. At the height of her illness, she was bedbound for just under a decade and reliant on her family for care. 

Speaking after the event Joan said she was delighted to see so much support for the event.

She added: “It is encouraging to see so much support from across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland.

“A recent study published by the University of Edinburgh has indicated there are estimated to be 12,500 adults and children with M.E. including post-Covid M.E in Northern Ireland.

“At our awareness event in Stormont this week we were delighted to be able to welcome contributions from Professor Tom Trinick OBE, who recently retired from the NHS, and is triple accredited in General Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes, and Chemical Pathology as well as Tara Anderson who presented findings from the first Northern Ireland-based academic study into the use of virtual reality as an educational tool for healthcare professionals. Published in BMC Medical Education in 2024, the study explored how immersive learning can increase knowledge and empathy in clinical settings.

“Attendees and MLAs also had the opportunity to experience the award-winning short film Discover M.E. – Hidden Lives Virtually Uncovered, a six-minute animated VR production narrated by local patients and carers that provides insight into the day-to-day reality of living with M.E.”

As part of the event, elected representatives had the opportunity to engage directly with patients, carers and families. A visual display housed in an ambulance at the front of Stormont focused on severe M.E. and offered a clear and accessible view of the devastating impact the condition can have on all aspects of life.

Robbie Butler MLA who hosted the invitation only event at Stormont also showed his support to the charity by raising awareness of the condition during World M.E. Day on Monday in the Chamber.

He said: “I want to talk about the ongoing, often physical, suffering of those living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), this complex and debilitating neurological condition affects thousands of people across Northern Ireland. 

“M.E. can leave individuals house bound or bedroom bound for years, it causes profound pain, cognitive dysfunction and hypersensitivity to light and sound. 

“For over 14 years, Hope 4 M.E. & Fibro Northern Ireland has worked to fill this gap through their advocacy, education and efforts, they have kept M.E. on the public health agenda. 

“I have been proud to support and work alongside the group over the years, recognising the essential advocacy they provide for a community too often overlooked.” 

The event also marked the 25th anniversary of ME Research UK, a charity funding biomedical research into M.E. since 2000. Their participation underscored the importance of scientific evidence in shifting perceptions of the condition and informing future service development.

Also in attendance at the Stormont information event were MLAs Alan Chambers, Danny Donnelly, Peter McReyolds, Liz Kimmins, Jonathan Buckley, Paula Bradshaw, Peter Martin and Joanne Bunting.

Entirely volunteer-led, Hope 4 ME & Fibro has organised 17 medical conferences since their inception in 2011, bringing international researchers and clinicians to Northern Ireland to speak directly to local audiences. It also provides regular educational webinars for health professionals and students and continues to push for greater clinical recognition of both conditions.

The organisation has also contributed to research, supported awareness initiatives such as Light Up The Night and World M.E. Day campaigns, and offers ongoing peer support to a community often marginalised by mainstream services.

To learn more about the work of Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland, go to hope4mefibro.org

Council’s Events Team is preparing to make a splash as the Rathlin Sound Festival returns to the Causeway Coast from Friday 23^rd May to Sunday 1^st June 2025.

The annual 10-day festival celebrates the people, culture and heritage of Ballycastle and Rathlin Island.

In collaboration with Rathlin Development and Community Association, Council is bringing you this hugely popular celebration of the Rathlin Sound – the body of water connecting Rathlin Island to the Ballycastle mainland.

With a programme packed full of activities on the land and in the sea, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Visitors can look forward to a diverse programme of live music performances, wild cookery demonstrations, ‘have a go’ activities, crafts, talks, falconry and artisans from the Naturally North Coast and Glens Market.

Highlights of the exciting children’s programme include maritime themed crafts, colourful kite display, have a go activities and sand sculpting on Ballycastle Beach.

For the adults, there’s insights into traditional boat making, talks, live music, ‘have a go’ paddleboarding and wild cookery demonstrations whilst for the children there’s falconry, have a go circus skills and have a go kayaking.

The festival starts on Friday 23^rd May with the Blessing of the Boats, a poignant reflection of the ocean and a blessing to ensure a safe boating season.

In anticipation of the festival, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan, said: “I am delighted to see the Rathlin Sound Festival return for 2025, celebrating Ballycastle and Rathlin Island’s shared nautical heritage.

“It is fantastic showcase of the area’s unrivalled tourism offering and it brings a unique vibrancy which is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year.

“The festival has long been one of the highlights of our events calendar, and I am looking forward to seeing many of the talented artisan crafters, food producers and musicians and that we have in the Causeway Coast and Glens.”

“I would also encourage visitors to the festival to explore our wider Council area and enjoy some of the fantastic places and spaces we have to offer.”

The full programme is available on the website by visiting www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/whats-on/rathlin-sound-festival for the latest updates, or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre on 028 2076 2024.

Please note, details are subject to change due to tides and weather conditions, so visitors are advised to follow the Festival’s Facebook. (@RathlinSoundFestival) and Twitter (@RathlinSoundMF) channels for the most up-to-date announcements.