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In preparation for the arrival of the GAME OF THRONES^TM: THE TOURING EXHIBITION, coming to the TEC Belfast for its first and only limited-engagement visit to the UK and Ireland, sigils from fans’ favourite houses have appeared around the city.

From Monday 18^th to Sunday 24^th  February, fans of the Emmy® award-winning HBO^® hit series in Belfast are invited to hunt down banners featuring the Game of Thrones House sigils to be entered for a chance to win VIP tickets to the launch event of GAME OF THRONES^TM: The Touring Exhibition in Belfast. Upon finding the banners, featuring sigils of the direwolf for House Stark, the dragon for House Targaryen and the lion for House Lannister, fans must take a selfie photo with the House banner in their town and share the image publicly on their social media channels (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) using #GoTBelfastContest.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Deirdre Hargey was one of the first citizens to snap a selfie with one of the House banners. She said: “Belfast City Council is thrilled that GAME OF THRONES^TM: The Touring Exhibition is coming to the city, and I’m delighted to be here today to help kick off this exciting competition to immerse both residents and visitors in the world of Game of Thrones® as we continue to bring the world of Westeros to life.”

Tickets available at www.gameofthronesexhibition.co.uk

GAME OF THRONES^TM: The Touring Exhibition features the largest ever public display of costumes, authentic props and majestic settings from all seven seasons to create an interactive and immersive experience like no other.

Designed specially by GES Events in collaboration with HBO Licensing & Retail opening on 11^th April 2019 – 1^st September, the winners will be the first to authentically immerse themselves in Westeros and Essos by:

• Experiencing the wintry landscapes of the North and the tree-lined pathway of the Kingsroad
• Viewing a garrison of Unsullied warriors and the iconic costumes of House Targaryen
• Stepping into the House of Black and White
• Exploring Castle Black, the home of the Night’s Watch
• Battling for the Iron Throne

Clues on where the banners are placed are given on TEC Belfast’s (@TECBelfast) Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels. For full details on how to enter, terms and conditions or to book tickets for this not-to-be-missed blockbuster event, visit gameofthronesexhibition.co.uk.

A 200 year old beech tree on the famous Dark Hedges has been put to auction after falling victim to a storm earlier this month.

A fallen beech tree from the Dark Hedges near Stranocum in Co Antrim, which was the “King’s Road” in the famous Game of Thrones drama has been put to auction to the highest bidder,

The tree lined avenue known as the Dark Hedges has been a massive hit among tourists since its claim to fame in series two of Game of Thrones

Now auctioneer Daniel McAllister is offering fans of the show the chance to own a genuine tree as seen in the series.

Daniel McAlister and Son Estate Agents in Cushendall, said the tree fell onto land owned by his client James Laverty and he is open to the highest bidder.

Auctioneer Daniel McAllister can be contacted on 028 2177 1227 or info@danielmcalisterandson.com mailto:info@danielmcalisterandson.com


Pictures Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time (GQT) is returning to the shores of Strangford Lough on Saturday 8^th June 2019 to hold their annual Summer Garden Party in the beautiful surrounds of the National Trust’s Mount Stewart.

Tickets go on sale today [Friday 15^th February] for the event at which the gurus of gardening, including Matthew Wilson, Bob Flowerdew, Bunny Guinness, James Wong, Pippa Greenwood, Matt Biggs, Matthew Pottage, Anne Swithinbank and GQT chairman Peter Gibbs will be in attendance.

TheGQT Summer Garden Party is Radio 4’s biggest annual event – including recordings of the BBC’s flagship gardening radio programme. Visitors will get the chance to meet the GQT panellists, put their questions to them in person, and participate in demonstrations and horticultural happenings across the gardens.

In addition to talks, demos and recordings with the Gardeners’ Question Time team, some of the highlights will include: recordings of BBC Ulster’s Gardeners’ Corner, illustrated talks by three renowned Irish Gardeners: Helen Dillon, Daphne Levinge-Shackleton and Jimi Blake, guided tours, plant sales and fun for all the family.

Neil Porteous, Head of Gardens at Mount Stewart said; “We are very excited that Gardeners’ Question Time have chosen to come to Mount Stewart for their Summer Garden Party for a second year. The National Trust loved hosting this event last year and we hope to make this year even better, in this, one of the most magical of gardens.”

Peter Gibbs, Chairman of BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time said; “We’re delighted to be bringing our listeners back to Mount Stewart, a beautiful garden which played host to the GQT Garden Party for the first time in 2018. We were overwhelmed by the response last year and are looking forward to a triumphant return… let’s just hope we’re as lucky with the weather this time!”

The full programme of activities as well as how to take part in the recordings will be announced shortly and tickets will be available by visiting Mount Stewart’s website from Friday 15^th February: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart

Access to the Gardeners’ Question Time Summer Garden Party recordings and activities will be ticketed: Adult £11.50 & Child £5.75.

The biggest race launch of the year, the spectacular Meet the Stars of the 2019 fonaCAB International North West 200 in association with Nicholl Oils, will take place on February 28 in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine.

It is a night not to be missed as fans get the chance to meet the riders who will be in action on the North coast during May 12-18 Race week.

This year’s launch line-up will include Glenn Irwin, Alastair Seeley, Dean Harrison, Ian Hutchinson, Jeremy McWilliams, Maria Costello, Adam McLean, Lee Johnston and Richard Cooper. As always, there may be some last-minute additions to that stunning list!

An evening of fun and chat will be hosted by Claire McCollum and Stephen Watson with racing pundit Liam Beckett adding some experienced insight-and tall tales- to the mix! Race fans will also have lots of opportunities to meet their favourite riders for selfies and autographs during the evening.

So come along and hear for yourself what’s to come in the latest instalment of the Irwin v Seeley North West battle. Listen to Lee Johnston telling how he intends to beat his best mate Dean Harrison. And hear how North West newcomer Richard Cooper plans to get to grips with the famous Triangle circuit.

Although entry to the event is free it is strictly by ticket only. For details of how to apply for your tickets please visit   http://www.northwest200.org/meet-the-stars/

For anyone who cannot make the Lodge Hotel event there will be a second chance to catch all the North West 200 news at the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike and Scooter show at the RDS, Dublin the following day, Friday, March 1.

In a new departure for the North coast races, the Dublin event will host a special North West 200 day with the full line-up of race stars travelling south after the Coleraine event to spread the word about the North coast races. The show will open at 2pm with the riders appearing on stage throughout the day until 8pm.

A sensory story tent will be the main attraction at the Playful Museums Festival at Ballymoney Town Hall.

The festival will tell the story  of ‘A Mermaids Tail’ which is inspired by a yarn collected  on Rathlin Island by Sam Henry.

Inside the tent, there will be lots of things to touch, feel, smell and see and children will be able to explore the story at their own pace.

This free event has been tailored for children aged 5 and under. Younger or older siblings are also welcome to join.

Children will be able to enjoy sea themed craft workshops and a reading corner.

Drop in sessions for the festival in Ballymoney Town Hall are available on Friday 22^nd February, 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm,  Saturday 23^rd February from 10am-12pm and Monday 25^th February from 2pm – 4pm.

A quiet session will take place on Friday 22^nd February between 1pm-2pm.

Please be advised that booking is necessary for groups over 8 and children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information please contact Sarah Carson by calling 028 2766 0230 or email sarah.carson@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Locky Morris: ‘once a day, every day, all day long’ opens on Feb 9 featuring a special exhibition talk by local artist Anne Tallentire

A major free exhibition featuring the compelling, artistic works of renowned City of Derry artist Locky Morris will open at the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio, Banbridge, on Saturday 9 February.

Recognised across the UK, Ireland and internationally for three decades of outstanding exhibitions featuring works themed on Northern Ireland’s troubled past, this new showcase features inspiring artistic works primarily made since 2010 and which reflect Morris’ move towards more personal reflection.

The exhibition ‘once a day, every day, all day long’ was curated by Ulster University’s Feargal O’Malley and Dr Riann Coulter from FE McWilliam Gallery and references changes not only in Morris’ own personal circumstances but also in the now-transformed landscape of post-conflict Northern Ireland.

Dr Riann Coulter said:

“Locky Morris makes original and compelling work and the themes that he explores in this exhibition will resonate with our regular visitors and attract new audiences to the gallery to enjoy our busy spring and summer programme.”

The exhibition, which is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue with essays by Co. Armagh-born artist Anne Tallentire and Belfast based artist David Haughey, features photography, sculpture, sound and installation.

“Morris is a master at finding beauty in the quotidian details of life and he has created quite unexpected and often humorous art out of his everyday experiences,” Riann said. “This combination of humour and attention to the surreal qualities of ordinary things underlies his diverse practice and is the secret to the success of his Instagram account especiallyeverything.”

“The playful titles that Morris uses for his art works often have personal significance – once a day, every day, all day long is a chorus lyric from a song by respected American country singer, Connie Smith. Morris relates this phrase to the ‘everydayness’ of making art – music is an important element of Morris’s work and life.”

Locky Morris exhibited extensively from the mid-1980s both regionally and internationally. Recent exhibitions have included a large-scale installation at IMMA, Dublin, as part of Eva International and a solo show at the Naughton Gallery, Queens, Belfast.

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Past solo projects include Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast, Mother’s Tankstation, Dublin, and Mannheimer Kunstverein, Germany. His work has appeared in significant group shows in Pittsburgh, New York, Belgrade, Prague and Salzburg.

Born in 1960 in Derry/Londonderry, where he continues to live and work, Morris rose to prominence in the 1980s with works such as Town, country and people (1985-86) and An Bhearna Bhaoil – Gap of Danger (1988) which used the language of international art to comment on the local realities of life during the Troubles.

To launch the new exhibition, Anne Tallentire will present a short talk on the exhibition on Saturday 9^th February at 3.00pm.

For more information, please visit www.femcwilliam.com.

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Renowned Scottish-Italian chef, Nico Simeone, is set to introduce his Glasgow and Edinburgh dining concept ‘Six by Nico’ to Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

‘Six by Nico’ Belfast will be the third addition to the growing restaurant portfolio, taking Nico’s conceptual restaurant idea out of Scotland for the first time and placing it in the bustling Cathedral Quarter.

With the opening, comes exciting new job prospects and there are plans in place to create 40 news jobs in the local area.

Chef Nico Simeone said, “We are very excited to bring an unforgettable culinary experience to Belfast. I have visited the city and I grew up with an understanding of the strong Ulster Scots connection. Belfast is the perfect location for our next venture and I couldn’t think of a better location than the vibrant food and drinks scene of the Cathedral Quarter. We are really looking forward to collaborating with local businesses and have people from the city join our team.”

The £500,000 investment will bring the introduction of a pioneering revolving culinary hub as every six weeks, Nico and his team will re-invent the wheel – serving a brand new six-course tasting menu, each one themed upon a different place, memory or idea. Drawing inspiration from both at home and abroad, Nico and his team will combine different ingredients, flavours, and dishes, to bring memories and stories creating a brand-new dining experience every 6 weeks.

The creative and ever-evolving six course set menu, is priced at £28 per person which has gone down a storm in the Glasgow and Edinburgh food scene and Six By Nico believe this will be a great price point for diners in the city.

Six by Nico will open its doors on Waring Street in March 2019, becoming the latest addition to the city’s burgeoning restaurant and bar scene. From creative menu concepts to outstanding food and service, the venue will aim to become an immediate hit with the people of Belfast.

If you loved ‘I’ll Tell My Ma’, then you are in for a real treat this winter with ‘Is That Too Hot? The amazing Christina Nelson will be back on Tuesday 12 February, playing all your favourite characters, following the antics of Granny Eileen, Davina Carina and Chelsea Marie as they stumble their way through another year in their turbulent lives. There is humour in abundance touched with pathos, as the story, which is set in the local hairdressing salon, unfolds. There will be laughter and tears in equal measure, and a very welcome twist to the tale at the end.

Join us on Valentine’s Day, for our second film screening, ‘Casablanca’, and enjoy one of Hollywood’s most enduring romantic tales. This movie classic follows the screen lives of ex-lovers, Bogart and Bergman, as they are forced to decide between personal happiness or saving countless lives. Tickets are priced £10 which includes a drink and light refreshments.

Still in the mood for romance, enjoy the perfect Valentine’s night out with our annual and hugely popular, The PM Big Band on Saturday 16 February. They bring a classic mix of vocals and instrumentals from The Great American Song Book including selections from Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and other legends from the ageless and ever-popular musical genre. The show will feature sensational vocalists Ceara Grehan and Davy Hamilton.

Tourism NI marked the start of the official build up to The 148^th Open at Royal Portrush on Thursday evening with a celebration of Northern Ireland talent from across the worlds of sport, music, media, television and the arts.

Hosted by Stephen Watson and Claire McCollum, the theme of the event was ‘We’ve Come a Long Way’ and included the unveiling of a short film by award winning director and producer Martin Stalker. The film, which will be distributed widely across key tourism markets, was set to an original poem by local poet Paula Matthews, and narrated by leading actors Ian McElhinney, Bronagh Waugh, Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Shaun Blaney and accompanied by an original score composed and performed by Belfast-born virtuoso pianist Michael McHale. 

A sporting panel included record-breaking champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy OBE and four-time Superbike World Champion, Jonathan Rea MBE, who shared their experiences of competing at the top of their profession and representing Northern Ireland on the world stage. Also interviewed was legendary golfing commentator Peter Alliss. Voices of support from global golfing icons including Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke, as well as up-and-coming golfing stars Stephanie Meadow and Tom McKibbin added to the night.

Speaking at the event, Tourism NI chairman Terence Brannigan said:

“The ambitious plans set ten years ago have transformed Northern Ireland and our ambitions for the future are just as big. Our golfing story is a global success and that has brought us right here tonight as we look forward to 190,000 fans and visitors from across the globe descending on Royal Portrush in July for the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland.

“The 148^th Open will leave a legacy that will benefit Northern Ireland for years to come. It will boost our reputation as a premier destination for international events and gives a well-earned boost to the development of our hard-working tourism businesses.

“Together with the R&A, our colleagues in Causeway Coast and Glens Council, volunteers, contributors, golf clubs and tourism businesses, we will deliver not only an incredible event, but a true Northern Ireland experience. It will lead us all to Sunday 21^st July, when the final putt will be sunk and the famous Claret Jug will be held aloft.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of the R&A, also spoke at the event:

 “There is great excitement among golf fans for the return of The Open to Royal Portrush for the first time in nearly 70 years. This is reflected in the unprecedented demand for tickets which has led to all four Championship days being sold out for the very first time and the evident enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland.

“It is now only a few short months until the global sporting spotlight falls upon Northern Ireland for The 148th Open, when the world’s greatest golfers will compete for the iconic Claret Jug. We are very much looking forward to staging a successful and memorable Championship in July when we will welcome tens of thousands of fans to the famous Dunluce Links to enjoy this historic occasion.”

Tourism NI’s marketing and PR plans will include an ‘Epic Journey to The Open 2019’, a promotional tour of every county in Northern Ireland as well as Dublin city centre, so communities, schools, sportspeople and golf clubs can all be part of the celebration and excitement of The Open in their area.

The “We’ve Come A Long Way” short film and score is now available at https://youtu.be/KPPKRrsR-js

The 148^th Open will be held at Royal Portrush Golf Club from Sunday 14^th – Sunday 21^st July 2019. Practice Day tickets and hospitality packages are still available.