Prestigious Marines Band to Perform Free Concert

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Join us on Friday 17 March at 12noon as we welcome The Band of HM Royal Marines, Scotland to Civic Square, Mossley Mill.

The Band last visited the Borough in 2018 when they performed at Antrim Castle Gardens as part of the Council’s Summer Sunday Music Programme.

In their distinguishing white helmets, Royal Marines Bands are celebrated for the quality of their music, visual grandeur and precision drill. On the concert platform they enjoy a similar reputation ensuring their continuing popularity with their audiences. The Band’s repertoire includes popular classics, Big Band, stimulating contemporary works and entertaining solo features. The Corps of Drums bring movement, colour and the tradition of the ceremonial occasions integral to the Royal Marines.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross commented, “I am delighted the Council is hosting The Band of HM Royal Marines, who I have no doubt will put on a sensational performance. This is a great opportunity to plan something different for all of the family over the Bank Holiday and what’s better, tickets are free.”

The Band is currently under the direction of Captain Tom Griffin RM who assumed command in July 2020. The performance will last for 30 minutes and limited tickets are available free of charge. For more information or to book tickets visit www.theatreatthemill.com.

OPERA TELLS HOUSING CRISIS STORY

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Story of housing crisis to be told in a new NI Opera led by young people

 Nobody/Somebody is a powerful performance inspired by the Take Back the City campaign to build homes on the Department for Communities controlled Mackies site in west Belfast.

Marissa McMahon of Take Back the City www.takebackthecity.ie

A new opera that illustrates a real-life campaign led by young people experiencing the housing crisis, will have its world premiere this Friday during the Belfast Children’s Festival with a fully staged production in Elmwood Hall, Belfast, which runs from 3 to 5 March.

Nobody/Somebody, composed by Neil Martin and playwright Fionnuala (Finn) Kennedy is a collaboration between NI Opera and the Take Back the City campaign, supported by local human rights NGO, Participation and the Practice of Rights.

The Opera follows the journeys of three young people and their inspirational campaign to engage politicians and councillors to build more social housing on the Mackies site – land owned by the government. The site is in one of the areas of greatest poverty and housing stress in Northern Ireland and has controversially been rezoned by Belfast City Council, limiting its potential to help address the housing crisis. The Opera tells the story of campaigners who won’t take no for an answer and have engaged the support of international architects to develop new plans for the site.

Through song and emotive lyrics performed by Ulster Youth Orchestra, as well as some satire, the new Opera aims to provoke a conversation around the subject of how elected representatives and officials are making decisions regarding public resources.

Playwright Finn Kennedy said: “This is a story about young people living in hostels and with housing stress who are campaigning to build more social housing on a perfectly suitable site. It details their exchanges with councillors and politicians on that journey in what is a brilliant example of how young people are leading change and exercising their voices in difficult situations.”

Marissa McMahon of Take Back the City hopes the opera will expose the seriousness of the housing needs of the next generation to elected representatives who have the power to act today. She said: “Imagine growing up in a hostel or watching your parents living with the stress of paying extortionate rent to a landlord who has the power to make you homeless on a whim.

Imagine a lifetime on a waiting list for a house that is never built. Imagine being homeless and ignored while hotels and office blocks pop up all around you. Then, imagine your story is brought to life in the form of an opera where it can’t be ignored!

“This opera commission is so important and timely as we all respond to the worsening housing crisis in our country.”

In August 2022, a third controversial vote was held about the Mackies site where a majority of Belfast City councillors (12-1) voted in favour of rezoning the lion’s share of the site for cycle lane and urban greenway. Approval was made despite data, obtained using a freedom of information request, showing there are 2,068 FDA (full duty applicants — those who have passed all four tests for homelessness and have not yet been given a permanent social tenancy) homeless households in the West Belfast area alone, which is a 49% increase since 2019.

Nobody/Somebody will run from March 3-5 at the Elmwood Hall as part of the Belfast Children’s Festival. Tickets cost £10 and can be booked at www.niopera.com.

For more information visit www.TakeBackTheCity.ie

2 for 1 ticket offer at Portico to say thank you to Lottery Players!

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To say thank you for the £30m raised for good causes every week by players, National Lottery-funded venues are offering free entry, discounts, and special offers throughout National Lottery Open Week 18 – 26 March 2023.

The Portico of Ards in Portaferry, which owes its restoration to Heritage Lottery Funds, has a special 2 for 1 offer on tickets to an upcoming concert during National Lottery Open Week.

Matilda Lloyd (trumpet) and Richard Gowers (organ)

Sunday 12 March 3pm

Hailed as ​​“remarkable” by the Daily Telegraph, Matilda Lloyd is a fast-rising young artist with exceptional poise and musicality. She captivates audiences and critics alike with her artistry and communication, with her “flawless sound and virtuosic technique” bringing a unique flair to every performance.​​​ Matilda will be accompanied by Richard Gowers on organ.

Richard has appeared as a recitalist across Europe, the USA and Australia. His 2018 disc of Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur was a Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’. In 2022 he performed the Saint-Saëns ‘Organ’ Symphony with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.

The pair will perform a packed programme including pieces by Bach, Vierne, Hakim, Giazotto, Purcell and Damase.

Portico’s Chair said, “We’re delighted to be taking part in The National Lottery Open Week this year. We’ve been fortunate to receive National Lottery funding for the restoration of this amazing venue as well as towards concerts such as this one from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. So, this is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has bought a National Lottery ticket, helped us on our journey and made a vital contribution to supporting good causes. We’re delighted to invite everyone to hear the trumpet and organ in our fabulous acoustics!”

To view all venues and offers that are available throughout The National Lottery Open Week, visit www.nationallotteryopenweek.com.

To find out more about Portico or the 2 for 1 offer please visit PorticoArds.com

New accessible family theatre performance coming to Flowerfield Arts Centre

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Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart will host two performances of a new accessible family theatre show by Replay Theatre Company during March.

Prism, written by Gary Crossan and directed by Andrew Stanford, will take the audience on a journey through a retro sci-fi multiverse, packed full of pulsating synth, glorious video design and vibrant lighting effects (don’t worry, no strobes!).

Perfect for young stargazers (7+ years old) and nostalgic adults alike, accessibility is at the core of this show, and audience members who have a physical disability or other accessibility needs can enjoy a full theatre experience with captioning at every performance, pre-recorded audio description of key visual moments delivered as part of the sound design, and BSL interpretation provision.

The performances will take place on Wednesday 22nd March at 7:30pm (BSL-interpreted, visual descriptions and captioned) and on Thursday 23rd March at 11am (visual descriptions and captioned).

In the show, inter-dimensional travellers, Dawn and Dusk, are stuck in an empty void dimension for far too long.  When Dusk devises a radical solution to their problem it hurls them into our dimension and has catastrophic consequences for their onboard guide and best friend, known as Prism.

Tickets cost £5 per person with a family ticket available for £18, which admits four.

Bookings can be made at www.flowerfield.org or call the Reception team on 028 7083 1400.

Explore more of the great outdoors with The Causeway Coast and Glens Walking Festival

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The Causeway Coast and Glens Walking Festival returns from March 31st to April 2nd with a range of inspiring guided walks through the area’s dramatic landscapes.

 

We’re inviting everyone to join us through forest, mountain and coastal paths to learn more about the stunning surroundings which make the area so unique and appreciate the beauty of the destination.

Explaining more, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace, said: “The Causeway Coast and Glens Walking festival is a great opportunity for our residents and visitors to get out and get active while exploring the beauty of our trails and paths.

“This year’s programme includes popular walking routes along with some lesser-known paths, which makes it a great showcase of the very special sites which are to be found here.”

Destination Manager Kerrie McGonigle added: “The Causeway Coast and Glens Walking Festival is growing in popularity, and it is establishing itself within the walks calendar as a ‘must do’.

“We know that walking routes attract people to visit and offering an event like this enables us to highlight the range of spectacular walks within Causeway Coast and Glens. This motivates people to come here, and in turn has a positive knock-on effect for the area.

“We’re very pleased to be working with local activity provider, Far and Wild, who will lead each of the walks, and ensure that all participants enjoy this fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the destination.”

The Causeway Coast and Glens Walking Festival will begin on March 31st with a moderate walk starting in Glenariff Forest Park. It will take in a section of the Dungonnell Way following forest trails and surveying breath-taking landscape.  Dramatic waterfalls along the 15k route will fascinate the walker as they learn about the geomorphology and natural history of the Glens and the post-industrial legacy of mid-19th century iron ore mining.

Day two (April 1st) will take you on a 16km hike on the Causeway Coast Way from Portballintrae to Ballintoy, part of the International Appalachian Trail. The coastal cliff path from Portballintrae to Ballintoy is a well-known iconic and dramatic cliff and beach walk, with several notable stopping places along the coastline. Encompassing themes of mythology, world-class geology, marine biology, Mesolithic civilisation and European history (Spanish Armada), it promises to be an engaging and varied walk.

The final walk is a 9km hike at Mullaghaneaney taking place on April 2nd. It follows a circular route from the valley to the summit and back in the central Sperrins region, with walkers enjoying views to Banagher Glen and the Glenelly Valley. The human settlement story, from neolithic settlement to the early Christian ecclesiastical presence and the impact of the Plantation on subsistence farming, are all themes explored on this walk.

All walks are suitable for everyone with a good general fitness. Children over 12 years are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Distances and the nature of the terrain should be noted by parents.

Transport via minibus will be provided from the end of each walk back to the registration point.

Waterproofs are required and hiking boots or sturdy footwear are recommended.

The nature of the landscape determines that unfortunately dogs cannot be accommodated on these walks.

Each walk costs £10 per person, including refreshments, and bookings can be made at www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/whats-on

Our pick of what’s on this weekend across NI

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Antrim

The Rapparees perform live on stage at the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn this weekend. Twenty years of The Rapparees touring, performing and producing folk music.

Find out more HERE

Armagh

The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Legendary Telescopes Tour this weekend will take you on a journey through the Armagh Observatory to see its historic telescopes.

Find out more HERE

Belfast

The Commitments, Grand Opera House Belfast. It is 35 years since The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel.

Find out more HERE

Down

Ireland’s number one Springsteen tribute is back… Get ready to rock! Springsteen – A Tribute perform live this weekend at the Portico of Ards.

Find out more HERE

Fermanagh

Think Deep – Marble Arch Caves.  The day begins as you are joined by a Marble Arch Caves guide who will take you on a journey on our Rain, Rivers and Resurgence tour. You’ll then be joined by Dr. Paul Wilson from the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and travel to a local river site approximately 5-min drive from the MAC Visitor Centre.

Find out more HERE

Derry/Londonderry

The Steinbeck FestivalAmerican Blues singer Mirenda Rosenberg and band, Roe Valley Arts Centre, Limavady.

Find out more HERE

Tyrone

Omagh & Fintona Methodist Circuit are delighted to again present Gospel Fest Goes West. This will be the 8th GFGW and will be another great night of Gospel music at the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh.

Find out more HERE

 

 

10 things to do in Northern Ireland 

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Here are ten exciting things to do 27 February – 5 March 2023

 

  1. Music on the Mountain, Meigh, County Armagh, 4 March. It’s toe tapping time at Slieve Gullion if you’re mad for trad. Enjoy a fine line up of local talent for you to enjoy. Local folk group Fáinne will wow you with their energy and an unforgettable set. They are supported by talented musicians, singers and dancers from local Traditional Arts Partnership and The Carroll School of Harp’s Sonas Harp ensemble.
  2. The Titanic Experience Reimagined, Belfast, Reopening 4 March. Titanic Belfast will reopen on Saturday 4th March with four exciting new themed galleries. The reimagined Titanic Experience introduces The Pursuit of Dreams as a new theme and will use immersive technology combined with the authentic Titanic Story in its refreshed spaces called Never Again; Ballard’s Quest; The Ship of Dreams and The Lasting Legacy. The world-leading visitor attraction has now revealed details of one of the centrepieces of the new experience – an illuminated 7.6m long scale model of RMS Titanic. The new model will be illuminated and suspended from the ceiling. It will fully rotate, taking approximately 90 seconds to complete, promising to provide a true wow factor for visitors.
  3. Dawn Chorus Paddle – Celebration Of World Wildlife Day, Lisnarick, County Fermanagh, 4 March. Explore the history of the Lower Lough by kayak and taste the beauty of life on the water, with Blue Green Yonder. Celebrate World Wildlife Day by immersing yourself into nature and surrounding yourself with songbird and the glimpse of life on the water. This paddle will be in and around the wooded islands close to Rossigh Jetty. Bring your flask and snack, relax and listen to the crescendo of bird song. Booking essential via bluegreenyonder.com.
  4. World Wildlife Day Nature Detectives, Lisnarick, County Fermanagh, 4 March. Join Geopark Guide and woodland expert Ian for a safari around the forests and woodland of Old Castle Archdale Forest. Please wear suitable footwear and warm waterproof clothing but also factor in sunny weather. This event is non-refundable. If you need to cancel, please contact the provider 24 hours in advance of the event time.
  5. Cranfield Alpacas Field Walks, Kilkeel, County Down, 4 March (more dates available). Their 60-minute Alpaca field walks are perfect for families with children of all ages. Take one of their gorgeous Alpacas for a walk around the paddocks and their field with stunning views of the Mourne Mountains and Carlingford Lough. After working up an appetite, the Alpacas love to be hand fed by you and your family.
  6. A Celebration of Coinage at Ulster Museum, Belfast, 4 March. To celebrate their 60th anniversary, the Numismatics Society of Ireland (Northern Branch) are hosting a lecture on the last two and half thousand years of coinage. You’ll hear from expert speakers, as well as a series of short highlights of other areas of numismatic interest.
  7. ‘Nostalgia in the Afternoon’ – From Gorgon to the New Yorker Exhibition, Magherafelt, County Londonderry, 1 – 21 March. Magherafelt Library, working in partnership with Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, is excited to announce an exhibition showcasing a collection of Seamus Heaney archived materials curated over more than four decades by Mr Pat Brennan.
  8. Ulster Orchestra, Cookstown, County Tyrone, 3 March. The Ulster Orchestra is delighted to return to The Burnavon for an eclectic evening of music, from Mozart to Jessie Montgomery, and features the Orchestra’s own Principal Trumpet Tom Fountain as soloist for Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto.
  9. Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, County Down. Check website for dates and tickets. Down Arts Centre is a vibrant creative space/cultural hub that facilitates the development of creativity and provides a diverse range of live events, including theatre, music, comedy, workshops and classes. There are tons of great experiences to enjoy this month.
  10. Walled City Markets, Derry~Londonderry, 4 March (more dates available). We’re excited to welcome back the Walled City Market on the first Saturday of the month. Join traders in Guildhall Square for a unique shopping experience. The Guildhall Square welcomes the very best of artisan traders, offering visitors a family friendly shopping experience with a wide selection of speciality foods and handcrafted products. Tickle your taste buds with homemade jams, chutneys & sauces, artisan breads & cakes, a range of organic meats, and some sweet treats. With children’s entertainment and live music. Weather dependent.

Booking is essential for most activities. 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/

 

We Cannot Afford To Wait Until Tomorrow To Meet Energy Goals

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Setting an example at PAC Group

By Darren Leslie

Business Development Director, PAC Group

Northern Ireland has been without a government for a year and there is no indication that we will have one in place in the immediate future. As a result, the health service, education and infrastructure are all suffering from underinvestment.

It is affecting almost every part of life and the political stalemate comes at a time when the cost of living is affecting every person. What is clear, however, is that while policies and initiatives remain stalled, businesses must continue to project what can be done now for their own future and planned investment.

A key investment is needed in a drive towards sustainability. Yes, there is a Northern Ireland target to have 80% of our energy generated from renewable sources by 2030, but the driver for all sectors of society is the real need to drive down operating costs.

Being an environmentally friendly business now makes economic sense. At PAC Group we have seen that for ourselves, by installing solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.

Not only was it incumbent to put our proverbial money where our mouth was in selling solar solutions, but it was an economic decision. Obviously, it is easier to sell it or just talk about it when you have done it yourself, but by doing so we are able to show the outcome, show our customers the benefits of it, and then talk about it that way.

And, it is a decision that more and more businesses are taking.

However, there are many obstructions to Northern Ireland taking this even further, and rolling it out across more and more businesses, not least the planning and application processes and assessment of the grid having the correct infrastructure in place. That is not the case in many areas, and without investment, it will not be there for several years.

In addition, while higher energy prices mean that the return on investment for business and domestic solar installation is vastly reduced, the current tariff of selling excess back into the grid is paltry. Again, investment is required.

The same applies to electric vehicle charging points. Although the government announced the end of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK by 2030, there are too few chargers and too few sites with multiple chargers. For businesses that want to future-proof their fleet and support employees’ drive to save on driving costs, it makes sense. We cannot afford to wait for the government to catch up.

Innovation is essential. At PAC Group our investment in research and development is ingrained in everything we do. For example, our Enviro division is making managing water use and water waste sustainable. By incorporating solar solutions with this the cost is driven down.

Our clients also understand that a drive towards environmentally sensitive approaches is a business driver. Our composite division works to create flexible machinery and processes works in many industrial applications.

The aerospace industry has started to come back again after the downturn and what they are trying to do for sustainability is obviously lightening the aircraft. Lightweight structures are something the industry is looking to invest in and some of the machines that we build assist them in building the composite parts to make the aeroplane lighter weight. 

The future is never predictable, but there are some things we can confidently predict such as legislative demands to becoming more sustainable. Whatever happens with the current impasse over the Northern Ireland Protocol it can be said that the UK will broadly follow EU legislation on making all businesses employ sustainable production practices.

Business planning for this is part of the next five-year cycle. It is not something that can be pushed back and it is not something anyone can afford to ignore any further.

The reality is that there will be frustrations as the investment in making the infrastructure fails to keep up with the demands, but there are ways around this, such as installing batteries with solar solutions to avoid having to export back into the grid.

The frustrations should be a driver towards solutions. We see, from the growing number of enquiries for sustainable energy production through solar that businesses want to invest in these practices.

Northern Ireland’s Climate Action Plan has set ambitious targets that may or not be met, however, businesses must not see that as their driver, but rather what they can do to benefit themselves, employees, and owners.

We can create a win-win situation for the future and the climate.

Ards Guitar Festival 2023 Line-Up Revealed!

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Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to announce its 2023 Ards International Guitar Festival programme. The much-loved festival will take place from 19 – 23 April at various venues around Newtownards.

The festival is now in its 27th year and continues to celebrate the world’s most popular instrument in a town steeped in guitar tradition. Bringing together some of the best guitarists from Ireland and the UK, along with visiting guitarists from around the world, the festival is sure to be a melting pot of musical talent and genres.

This year’s line-up features home-grown talent as well as performers from Germany, the Netherlands, and Iran, all assembled with the help of guest programmer Anthony Toner. From live gigs to Guitar Clinics and interviews, guitar fans will be spoiled for choice.

Opening the festival on Wednesday 19 April at The Web Theatre, Newtownards, Neil Ó Briain and Paul McMordie will perform live, original and new scores to silent movie favourites at the ‘Comedy Classic Soundtracks’ event. A must for fans of Laurel and Hardy and Buster Keaton!

The Aquarelle Guitar Quartet presents Cinema Paradiso at The Web Theatre on Thursday 20 April. A night not to be missed – a sweeping celebration of the silver screen with music from films such as Chocolat, The Piano and Schindler’s List.  As one of the world’s leading guitar quartets, The AGQ is known for its extraordinary performances and expansive repertoire. Formed at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1999, the quartet studied with renowned guitarists Sérgio Assad, Oscar Ghiglia and Scott Tennant and has performed in major concert halls throughout the UK and Europe.

The festival is also pleased to welcome Dom Martin and Band to play The Queen’s Hall on Saturday 22 April. Martin is a Belfast-born, multi-award-winning artist, inspired but not constrained by the blues. In 2019 he burst onto the music scene with a unique guitar style and voice, captivating audiences everywhere. His jaw dropping, entirely natural sounding and unforced/unschooled skill on acoustic guitar, matched with an authentic ‘Belfast Blues’ voice, brings to mind comparisons with many from John Martyn to Rory Gallagher.

An exciting all-female line-up will take to the stage in The Queen’s Hall on Friday 21 April; Karlijn Langendijk, Judith Beckedorf and Sophie Chasée. As three of Europe’s most talented female guitarists, hailing from The Netherlands and Germany, this concert will be a superb one-off evening of extraordinary playing.

 

Other highlights of this year’s programme include; Jim Mullen Trio in Concert, one of the UK’s finest jazz guitar talents, who has collaborated over several decades with top musicians in Europe and the US. Jim will appear in Ards Arts Centre on Friday 21 April. This year’s Classic Brunch sees broadcaster Ralph McLean bring his attention to one of the greatest rock albums of all time – Fleetwood Mac’s Rumour’s in Ards Arts Centre on Sunday 23 April. Ralph will also be in conversation with guitar manufacturing legend George Lowden and his son Aaron on Saturday 22 April, taking a look back over George’s extensive career and hearing about the next generation of Lowden guitars.

 

This year’s Weekend Wind Down, on Sunday 23 April, will take place in Falls’ Bar with Rodney Branigan. Rodney learned how to play in Austin, how to craft songs in Nashville and how to put it all together in London, playing all types of music to all types of venues in his storied career. At the Weekend Wind Down, Rodney will be supported by Ben Cutler, a 19- year-old musician from Belfast. Expect soulful acoustic singer-songwriter material, with

an eclectic range of folk-oriented blues and stripped-back Alternative rock.

 

Speaking about the festival, Councillor Karen Douglas, The Mayor of Ards and North Down said: “The Ards Guitar Festival has always been renowned for bringing guitar talent from all around the world to Newtownards and this year is no different. I am delighted to welcome the festival back for its 27th year. The programme looks fantastic, and I would encourage everyone to get their tickets and come along and support the events.”

 

Ards Guitar Festival Director, Emily Crawford commented: “We have a great line up in store for you this year at venues across Newtownards with Jazz, blues, bluegrass, classical and world music to be experienced. We are particularly excited to welcome back the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet and to introduce the legendary Dom Martin to the stage for the first time, we’ve been patiently waiting for this one since 2020!”

 

Ards International Guitar Festival runs from 19 – 23 April. For ticket details or to view the full programme please visit the website www.ardsguitarfestival.co.uk  or call Ards Arts Centre on 028 9181 0803

                         

THOUGHT-PROVOKING NEW DRAMA AT ARMAGH’S MARKET PLACE

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Kabosh Productions are returning to Armagh’s Market Place Theatre with the premiere of ‘Silent Trade’ by Rosemary Jenkinson, a deftly crafted and exposing new production unveiling the alarming rates of human trafficking and domestic servitude reported in the north.

You wouldn’t know it at first, but it’s happening.

Amongst the immaculate lawns and shiny new Audis of a leafy Belfast suburb.

Hidden away behind the noise and the chaos of a rowdy student street.

Trapped in the familiar anonymity of an isolated farming town.

The quiet figures manipulated between houses.

The human beings imported and exported in a market that’s anything but free.

The Silent Trade that’s booming in the north.

‘Silent Trade’ will be staged on Thursday 2nd March at 8.00pm. Tickets are priced £15.00 and £10.00 (concession) and can be booked online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre or through the Box Office on 03300 561 025. This performance is recommended for age 15+.

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