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The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre in Armagh is hosting Desmond Kinney’s exhibition, BUILE SHUIBHNE ‘SWEENEY ASTRAY’.

Northern Ireland born international artist Desmond Kinney is best known for his revival of the technique of working with mosaics, through various large-scale murals and public art works mainly focused on Irish myths and legends. In the 1980’s he started illustrated calligraphy, working on Seamus Heaney’s translation Sweeney Astray, creating paintings in the medium of watercolour. The Home of Saint Patrick Festival 2020 and The Market Place Gallery are delighted to exhibit sixteen of Kinney’s stunning illustrations which have never been exhibited publically before.

Buile Shuibhne, in English ‘The Madness of Sweeney’ is an old Irish myth immortalised in verse composed during the 12th Century. The poem inspired many writers, including Seamus Heaney, who made his own translation of it, published in 1984. Heaney’s friend, artist Desmond Kinney, enamoured by the work, turned it into a series of watercolours featuring his personalised calligraphy.

Desmond Kinney also transformed the Buile Shuibhne into a large mosaic frieze which is situated at the University of Limerick. The mosaic made in Venetian vitrious glass features quotations from Seamus Heaney’s text. The poet and the painter remained lifelong friends.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Newly launched Tyson Wilson Temps has announced a series of temporary job opportunities in County Down, with temporary placements in Bangor and Newry.

The call centre opportunities are such that successful applicants will be offered an immediate start with a minimum of two weeks work, providing not only extra money, but a valuable addition to CVs.

Michelle Tyson, CEO of Tyson Wilson Temps – a division of Tyson Wilson Recruitment – said the jobs have been designed to suit most applicants, and are with a well-known call centre.

“We are looking for over 100 enthusiastic people who are comfortable speaking on the phone,” she said, adding: “This minimum two-week temporary role (with the potential of becoming 4-8 weeks) involves our candidates being the first point of customer contact via telephone.

“You will be working on a major campaign where responsiveness and customer care are paramount.

“Depending on the selection process you may be required to communicate with customers through a variety of other channels such as email, web chat and social media.”

The hours are full-time, but flexible, with a £10 per hour rate, paid weekly.

Applicants must be 18 or over and able to start immediately or within two weeks. Working days are Monday to Sunday, 7am to 11pm in both the Bangor and Newry offices. Full training is provided.

“The employer is committed to providing flexible working so that you can work around commitments such as family,” said Michelle. “Applicants must demonstrate a flexible approach and be prepared to work rotating shifts, with rotas notified one week in advance.”

No previous experience required, but those applying must have basic PC skills, a nice telephone manner, be comfortable speaking with a variety of customers, and have an up-to-date CV and full identification for registration.

Michelle said this will be a vital stepping stone in employment, or ideal for those needing a wage going into the spring months.

“For those who are considering ‘temping’ there are a series of benefits,” she explained.

“It can help improve your CV, filling in a gap and offers the opportunity to learn new skills as well as gain much needed experience in an area that may be lacking.

“It also means that you can look at a new career direction as you learn new skills and consider what path to take. That’s not to mention the financial rewards and flexibility of temping with this client.”

To apply please visit https://tysonwilsonrecruitment.co.uk/jobs/.

The Market Theatre in Armagh has a packed Bank Holiday weekend of events for all the family starting off with ‘The Hedgehog Prince’ on Saturday 14 March.

It tells the story of a couple who long for a child, be it as beautiful as a snowdrop or as prickly as a hedgehog! The storyteller spins a tale bursting with magic and enchantment; of a boy bewitched, a giant cockerel, a king lost in a forest and a promise never to be broken. The Hedgehog Prince is based on an old traditional folktale and uses puppetry, object theatre and original music, which will enchant young and old alike. Suitable for children aged 5+.

On Sunday 15 March, The John O’Connor Writing School presents a reading of ‘Come Day, Go Day’. John O’Connor’s novel ‘Come Day, Go Day’ is a loving evocation of Armagh’s Mill Row, of a people, a time, and a place long gone. From the poignancy of Teasie’s story, to the exhilaration of the Bullet Match, to the tragedy of Vincent Kelly and his dog Gyp. Come and celebrate this unique and wonderful work, adapted and read by Armagh-born actor and writer Karl O’Neill.

Then on Monday 16^th March, we have a film screening of the documentary ‘The Peacemaker’. A New York Times Critics’ Pick and multi-award winning film, ‘The Peacemaker’ is an intimate portrait of international peacemaker Padraig O’Malley – who helps make peace for others but struggles to find it for himself. The film takes us from Padraig’s isolated life in Cambridge, Massachusetts to some of the most dangerous crisis zones on Earth, as he works a peacemaking model based on his recovery from addiction. We are delighted that Padraig O’Malley will be joining us for a short Q&A after the screening. This is a free event although tickets should be pre-booked.

Tickets for all events can be purchased by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

Keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Higher Level Apprenticeships offer students the chance to learn and earn, with better prospects for the future.

CareerEncode have been partnering with progressive companies located all over Northern Ireland to grow their tech capabilities, and a series of open events are being held to explain to students and their parents the opportunities on offer.

The demand for skilled IT staff is higher than ever, and the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Computing allows school leavers and those changing career to gain a foundation degree without the burden of student debt.

Better still those taking on an apprenticeship will earn a salary, while they learn. CareerEncode is already working with companies to grow their tech teams and to offer another route to employment other than university.

The current skills shortage within Northern Ireland’s tech sector means that there are not enough graduates to fill vacancies, but a Higher Level Apprenticeship offers a pathway that benefits both the employer and the apprentice.

And the rewards are clear. Jobs requiring digital tech skills command higher salaries – 61% more than the average in Northern Ireland with one in five people in Belfast already being employed in the tech sector.

An apprentice with a CareerEncode.com employer learns on the job with the support of an experienced professional mentor. They are paid a salary whilst they study for their Foundation Degree. This means that they gain their skills without any student debt and get a head start in a future-proofed industry.

Applications for CareerEncode.com close on March 31st.

CareerEncode.com will host two open nights to explain the application process and to offer interview tips to prospective applicants.

You can find out more about CareerEncode Higher Level Apprenticeships by visiting www.careerencode.com or by attending the open nights.

These are being held in Ballymena on Thursday March 19th, at Catalyst Innovation Centre; and in Belfast on Tuesday March 24th at Bazaarvoice. Both events take place at 5pm.

Rising up from collapsed businesses and personal devastation to achieve success Bernie Allen is an inspiration, and she has now revealed some of the secrets of that journey in her new book How To Succeed in Business and Life..What’s Holding Your Back.

Out now Bernie says the book has been written to help readers identify where they have been and why they have been there, or where they are now and how they got there and also to help them get to where they want to go.

“I decided to put my experiences and subsequent success into print after a talk I gave at a convention called Camp Someday,” she said. 

“During that talk, I spoke about the difficulties and challenges I came up against both in my personal and business life, and how I identified and overcame them.

“The audience response was overwhelming and after every event, it was the same response. I decided to put it into this book to help others overcome some issues that might be holding them back. I also run boot camps to give people hands-on help.

In the past two decades, Bernie has overcome a lot of adversities, in family and business, Relationship breakups, two businesses closing leading to debts of £78,000, also health issues, to becoming a once again successful businesswoman.

“I owned a restaurant in a mall that didn’t live up to the promises I was made, and a newsagent that failed because a big garage opened next door.

“I truly didn’t know where to turn; I used to tell people my duvet became my best friend because I didn’t want to get out of bed and face reality.”

I didn’t know where my next income was coming from. I was then introduced to the world of Network Marketing A home-based business opportunity with no overheads and I grabbed it with both hands and ran with it.

I set myself a five-year business plan and my top priority was to pay off my debts. I achieved that in four-and-a-half years and became debt-free and financially secure.

Bernie has interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs, business owners, and thought leaders, to find out what either held or is holding them back,

She explained: “In my experience, all those who succeed are the people who are prepared to do what they need to do to get what they want to get, don’t make excuses, always prepared to learn more of the how-to and is genuinely interested in helping others achieve and get out of the money versus happiness trap.

“To get to the top it’s all about what is going on between your two ears so self-development is even more important than learning.

“I have travelled the world in search of empowerment knowledge and have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on seminars, books, webinars, CDs, booking trainers and attending conventions globally.

“When I was growing my self-confidence and motivation I had to make sacrifices, to succeed, but, it was all worth it, don’t let anyone tell you, you can build a successful business without having to make sacrifices.”

Tina Calder, owner of Excalibur Press who has published the book said: “We’re delighted to welcome Bernie into the Excalibur Press family. Bernie is a dynamic speaker/business mentor whose years of expertise shine through throughout this book.

“If you enjoy self-help and books that help you supercharge your life in a few easy steps then this is definitely for you.”

Since achieving her success Bernie has been working to support charities, including Puppies for the Blind and fundraisers for schools and children in Uganda.

Even though this book has been written with business in mind many readers have said how much it has helped them not only in their business but in life, and how it has helped them grow their confidence.

“Enjoy the book and maybe you will find some golden nuggets for the growth of your own success,” said Bernie.

Bernie Allen’s How to Succeed in Business and Life…What’s Holding You Back? Is available from excaliburpress.co.uk. For more information about Bernie go to bernieallen.com

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is playing host to a stunning line-up of music and drama over the coming weeks to celebrate the City’s St Patricks Festival.

The drama kicks off on Saturday 7 March with ‘Dream, Sleep, Connect’, a bold new comedy about disconnection in the digital world, which takes a timely ‘swipe’ at online dating and appoholics.

Chris is working on a technological solution for the Irish border under the beady eye of his boss, Lucy, when he realises he has no one to invite to the office do. He joins Tinder only to find he’s met his match in more ways than one… But before long, Chris begins to ask the ultimate question: Who is watching who?

Then on Thursday 12 March, join us for ‘A Sharing of Traditions’ as Cavan meets Antrim in a unique coming together of traditional music, song, yarns & humour. Antrim’s own Willie Drennan and Cavan’s Martin Donohoe will show us all how there is much more binding our cultures together than driving us apart.

The Rapparees, a 5-piece folk and traditional band, are about as exciting an act as you’re likely to encounter on the circuit. Coming to The Market Place on Friday 13 March, their unique brand of folk music combines vocal harmonies with lashings of fiddle and banjo, which will have audiences on their feet singing and dancing along. They arrive at The Market Place with a bang, with their new album ‘Recharged’. Join us for an evening of foot stomping belters and heart-warming ballads.

The Walled City Music Festival is just around the corner and as part of this year’s event a major new piece has been commissioned by the Festival, with support from Arts Council Northern Ireland, from Derry-born composer Christopher Norby.

The piece is entitled ‘Some Day: A Piece about Civil Rights’ and will be premiered in The Glassworks on Saturday 7 March by international chamber ensemble Trio Festivale (Sabrina Hu, flute; Gerald Peregrine, cello: Cathal Breslin, piano). 

‘Some Day’ presents civil rights movements as an ongoing struggle for equity over time. Within this larger context is the story of the civil rights movement in Derry – the precursor to it, how it was influenced by movements in the Southern States of the USA, and how it was eventually overshadowed by a violent Nationalist struggle. The piece also examines the changing role of communications in the modern world – from connecting people in the past to its capacity to divide, polarize and influence political discourse in the present.

In addition to the music, the performance of ‘Some Day’ will featurea film montage of incredible photography and footage from iconic figures such as Eamon Melaugh and Barney McMonagle in Derry, Spider Martin in Selma, Alabama, and contemporary TV footage from local news journalist Leona O’Neill. All of these historic materials have been crafted by motion designer and illustrator Michael Boddy into a visual accompaniment to the newly-composed music that will be shown in The Glassworks on 7 March.

Matthew Greenall, Executive Director of Walled City Music, commented “Commissioning has become a regular feature of Walled City Music Festival’s programme in recent years, and we are delighted to present Some Day, our most ambitious commission to date. Chris Norby has revisited and made fresh the live issue of civil rights in our society, and his striking new work will encapsulate both the ongoing importance of civil rights and the relevance of contemporary art works to that struggle.”

Tickets are now available for all concerts via the Millennium Forum Box Office or online at www.millenniumforum.co.uk. For more information visit www.walledcitymusic.com.

Wellness From Within 2020 aims to tackle growing mental health crisis

TWO of Northern Ireland’s leading Wellbeing Advocates have launched the province’s first ever local wellness summit which aims to help tackle the growing mental health crisis.

Annette Kelly, Founder of the inspirational wellness brand, Little Penny Thoughts, and Tyrone GAA player, Richard Donnelly have joined forces to create Wellness From Within 2020 which is taking place on Sunday 29^th March in the Crowne Plaza Belfast from 10am – 5pm.

The full day event will include talks and workshops from some of Ireland’s top thought leaders in the health and wellness industry, ‘Real Life, Real Stories’ panel discussions with an inspiring line-up of individuals who have all faced personal challenges and overcame adversity.

Speakers at the event will include Performance Nutritionist and Author, Daniel Davey; leading Personal Trainer and cystic fibrosis hero, Ben Mudge and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and mental health activist Caroline McMenamin.

Co-Founder of Wellness From Within 2020, Annette Kelly said: “We are proud to launch Wellness From Within 2020, an event with a difference that will help open up conversations surrounding our own personal wellbeing and mental health.

With Northern Ireland’s current mental health crisis, we are eager to help others and let people know that there are ways to build resilience and coping skills. Mind-set, fitness and nutrition play a major role in boosting wellbeing and overall health which is why we have created this unique event and we hope people will leave feeling empowered, educated and inspired.”

Richard Donnelly, Co-Founder added: “We’ve put together an amazing line-up of speakers who were selected because of their incredible knowledge and expertise, uplifting nature, courage and bravery and secured Event Partners from some of Northern Ireland’s top businesses leading the way in the health and fitness industry. Wellness From Within 2020 is a day suited for everyone and we are encouraging people from across Northern Ireland to come along, take some time for themselves and learn the importance of self-care.”

Event Partners include Bank of Ireland, Gym Co, Tony & Jen’s, Move Your Mind, B&L Productions and Natur & Co Vitality.  Tickets are priced at £60 and include lunch and a wellness pack to take home. For further information or to purchase tickets go to www.littlepennythoughts.com

Libraries NI roll out new learning series with TrainingMatchmaker

Aspiring bloggers will have the opportunity to create, promote and deliver their own blog with a three-week, free course in Holywood and Belfast’s Lisburn road libraries.

Libraries NI has appointed TrainingMatchmaker.com to deliver the digitally focused workshops with expert Trainer – Chartered Marketer Christine Watson.

The ‘Get Blogging’ courses will offer training to help library users develop their skills and grow their confidence to enable them to become successful bloggers.

Margaret Bell, Deputy Head of Service, Libraries NI said: “We have been delighted with the success of the Blogging Inspiration events and the educational courses that TrainingMatchmaker.com have delivered so far and are confident that these new workshops will be a tremendous opportunity for library users to enhance their digital capability and grow their online footprint in a positive way.”

Trainer Christine Watson, who founded TrainingMatchmaker.com said that the course will benefit individuals, businesses, communities and charities.

“Over the three week programme the Get Blogging workshop will focus on helping attendees develop the skills relevant to the creation, distribution and monetisation of their blogs.”

There are many benefits from upskilling in the art of blogging including enhanced employability, proven digital competence, confidence, access to a peer community of bloggers, mental health and personal wealth.

The brand new three week courses follows a series of Blogging Inspiration Sessions, featuring active local bloggers in talks in libraries across Northern Ireland and an inaugural ‘Get Blogging’ programme in Lisburn City Library.

Christine said that getting online via a blog has many advantages.

“Active blogging helps individuals develop the specialist skills that many organisations and communities need to help keep pace with and benefit from the latest technology and working practices.

“Many businesses have reported that using blogs, as part of their digital marketing strategy, has helped sales growth, which they believe is directly attributable to improvement in the digital performance of their businesses coupled with a real sense of service by providing content sought on the web.”

Lisburn Road Library in south Belfast will host learners on February 26 and March 4 and 25. 

Holywood Library in south Down will host learners on March 5, 19 and 26.

These courses are free to attend and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Individuals interested in participating in the free three week ‘Get Blogging’ course by TrainingMatchmaker.com for Libraries NI can find further information or register a place via trainingmatchmaker.eventbrite.com

Bangor songsmith King Cedar will appear at Bangor Castle on Friday 27 March as part of the Music in the Chamber series of events.

King Cedar is the adopted moniker and current musical meanderings of Stephen Macartney, formerly of The Farriers who is known for his finely crafted songs and charismatic live performances. Stephen has been a mainstay of the Northern Ireland music scene for many years, honing his craft in bars, backrooms, and festival stages. Recently, he spent time in the United States drawing on the inspiration of these turbulent times. This is sure to be reflected in his new album ‘Everything, More & Other Stories.’

With the aim of writing as honestly as possible, King Cedar recalls the stories we all accumulate along the way; from love, life and regret, to depression, death – and whiskey. It’s country without a pick-up, folk without a cardigan.

Accompanied by a full band, King Cedar will debut music from the new album at this very special hometown gig in the beautiful Chamber room at Bangor Castle on Friday 27 March at 8pm.

Tickets cost £12 and are on sale now at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ardsandnorthdown.

Tickets can also be purchased from North Down Museum or any of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Visitor Information Centres.