Tickets on sale from tomorrow Thursday 28 June

Creative Peninsula, Northern Ireland’s largest celebration of Art and Craft was officially launched in Ards and North Down this week. Now in its 17^th year, this thriving annual event brings together local artists and craftspeople to demonstrate their skills and showcase their work.

Taking place from Friday 3 until Wednesday 15 August 2018, Creative Peninsula, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, offers free and bookable opportunities for people of all ages and levels of experience to see, learn about and even ‘try their hand’ at a host of different art and craft forms practiced in the local area. Featuring, open studios, tours, exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and more. Creative Peninsula is an ideal way to experience what the local art and craft industries have to offer.

The programme kicks-off with ‘Creative Peninsula in the Square’ at Conway Square in Newtownards on Friday 3 August.  For one day only the space will be transformed into a tented arts and crafts village with more than 30 artists and makers displaying and selling their work.  Free demonstrations including throwing on a potter’s wheel, acrylic painting, pastels, printing sculpting and wool spinning will run throughout the day.

New to the programme for 2018 is the Late-Night Art Tour. Prepare for an evening tour with a difference! Hop on a late-night Art Bus to visit some of the Creative Peninsula open studios for an insight into how the artworks are created. Enjoy nibbles or a glass of wine/craft beer at each location and an opportunity to chat to artists and makers. Taking in a total of five studios, the tour will depart from and return to North Down Museum on Wednesday 8 August.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Richard Smart said:

“With over 20,000 attendees each year, Creative Peninsula has become one of the most inspirational, educational and vocational creative festivals attracting people from all corners of Northern Ireland. Ards and North Down is very fortunate to have one of the largest concentrations of artists and craftspeople living and working here and unsurprisingly the area has a thriving creative industry. We are delighted to be able to offer this event again which allows artists and craftspeople showcase their knowledge and members of the public to learn.”

Arts and Heritage Manger for Ards and North Down Borough Council, Emily Crawford also commented:

“Earlier this year Ards and North Down launched its new ‘Blue:Green, Creatively Connected’ Strategy for tourism, regeneration and economic development which we will follow to bring prosperity and growth to the Borough. This strategy makes use of the Borough’s three particular strengths, our landscape, the creativity of our people and our proximity to places of opportunity. Our distinctiveness is derived in a large part from these three assets and the synergies between them and our creativity is an important part of this. We are delighted to have such a talented and skilled industry and to be able to play homage to this via this festival.”

The 2018 Creative Peninsula brochure is available to download at visitardsandnorthdown.com/creative-peninsula.  Tickets for bookable events are also available from this website.

You can pick up a programme or find out more information on all the events on offer from Ards Arts Centre, Ards Crafts and North Down Museum, at any of the local Visitor Information Centres (Ards, Bangor and Portaferry) or by contacting the Council directly on 0300 013 3333.

Taylor Kirk from the Europa Hotel is inviting students to celebrate their graduation day with family and friends in Belfast’s best loved hotel.

From 28^th June until 4^th July, guests can enjoy a special Graduation Afternoon Tea with glass of Prosecco for £30 from 2pm – 5pm or a delicious 3-course lunch or dinner with glass of Prosecco from only £35 per person. Located just a few minutes walk from the prestigious Queens University and only a 10 minute walk from the Waterfront Hall, the Europa Hotel is the ideal location to celebrate your graduation in style! For more information or to book call 028 9027 1066 or email 

conf@eur.hastingshotels.com

All things aquatic will be explored in the Science of Water marquee during Foyle Maritime Festival next month.

From building a boat to delving into the River Foyle’s rich past, visitors will be able to view these exciting events happen right before their eyes.

3.+Bringing science and technology to life in the most imaginative and entertaining way, the Science of Water marquee, sponsored by DuPont™ Kevlar® to celebrate its 30^th anniversary, has a full programme of activities for all ages along Queen’s Quay during the festival from July 14^th to July 22^nd.

Speaking about the extensive programme of activities, shows and installations for the Science of Water, Paul Kirkpatrick from DuPont™ Kevlar® explained: “As Education Sponsor for the festival, we really wanted to deliver a STEM focused programme that would encourage children and young people to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths. STEM is fun, exciting and opens up a world of discovery for curious minds – and we’re delighted to be supporting this new attraction at the festival for 2018.”

STEM Aware is sure to engage passers-by with its range of activities which will make learning seem so easy – and fun. Fergal the Legenderry Shark, guided by his mermaid friend, will test your sense of smell and bring you on the Voyage of a Shark. How can a shark smell in water? Or you could try your hand at creating a cork boat and then race it along a water channel. Perhaps you’ll don some goggles and gloves to make your own Sea Safe Slime – and what about taking on your own Foyle Minecraft Challenge by building a boat on a virtual River Foyle map?

The opportunities are endless and to round it all off, the public will be invited to participate in the Wet Wet Wet Science Show, with a series of interactive activities requiring volunteers to help demonstrate some splashing science theories – will you spot the Wet Wet Wet songs interspersed? And as the title suggests, the audience may end up ‘wet wet wet’ themselves!

Roisin Crawford, Creative Director with STEM Aware, said: “We are delighted to be facilitating some very exciting activities for the whole family in the Science of Water marquee, we look forward to everyone getting a little messy and perhaps a little wet for science!”

A drier, but no less entertaining show will come from Blue Eagle Productions, which has a wealth of experience in theatre education around the UK. They will present ‘Professor Flo and the River Foyle Show’, aimed at 8 – 12 year olds but guaranteed to get a laugh from all ages. The audience will see Professor Flo wonder why the River Foyle is hardly used anymore before she meets four historical characters who remember when the river was central to so much that happened not only in the city but in the wider area – from the Spanish Armada to the Second World War with all the shipbuilding and bridge building in between. The professor will also take a look at the environmental aspects of the river.

Jonathan Burgess from Blue Eagle Productions created the 25 minute show specially for this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival. He said: “I think we have one of the most splendid natural resources in the river Foyle but everything turns its back on it! The perception is that the river is just something that’s there but in the past it was seen as a vital component. I remember being on the quay a lot when I was a boy in the late 1970s and 1980s. My father was a coal importer and when I was about 7 or 8, I was on a Chinese coal boat, The Regent Ranger, which was one of the biggest ships ever here. The Foyle Maritime Festival and Clipper Race yachts bring the focus onto the river – how great it would be if we could keep it there!”

Among the other attractions will be a boat built in real-time within the marquee.

Driftwood Canoe Club will be on-site throughout the week with a team of expert boat builders making one of their specialities, a hand-crafted strip wood Canadian canoe.

Members of the public will be able to watch the experts at their work and maybe even lend a hand by making seats or paddles.

Hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council, the canoe club will be working in association with North West Regional College, supported by the Loughs Agency.

John Duddy from Driftwood said: “This is a unique challenge as it took us nine months to build our last canoe – this time we will do it in 80 hours! Our club was set up in 2016 after members enrolled on a boat-building course with NWRC and we welcome the opportunity to work with the College again.”

John Cartin from NWRC said: “The College is excited about this new innovative joint project which has evolved into student work-based learning which is so important to our ethos of student engagement. The young people will improve their employability skills by working on communication, problem-solving, resilience and aspiration.”

The Driftwood Club will also be putting on the Foyle Bubble Challenge, a fun, fast-paced and interactive canoe challenge where a three person team will tackle a themed obstacle course in a Canadian canoe at Foyle Marina. Through the city gates, dodging the water soakers, around the Guildhall and all against the clock in front of a bumper festival crowd with a live commentary! Heats will take place on Monday, July 16^th and Tuesday, July 17^th between 12 noon and 6 pm, with a grand final on Saturday, July 21^st from 6 – 8 pm. For further details and to book, go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-foyle-bubble-challenge-by-driftwood-canoe-club-clipper-week-tickets-46321374478?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Jacqueline Whoriskey, Festival and Events Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, is delighted with the standard and variety of programming for this new attraction, saying: “We’ve worked closely with our Education Sponsor and local organisations to develop a quality educational programme as part of the event and believe that the diversity and range of events and activities on offer will be well received by visitors to the event.”

For the full festival programme, visit: foylemaritime.com or you can follow on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/foylemaritimefestival and on Twitter @Foylemaritime

 

Designs from top names in fashion including Missoni and Dior are among pieces which will go on show today at the Ulster Museum in a new exhibition, entitled Fashion and Feminism.

From runways to picket lines, the pieces in the exhibition tell the story of women who have made confident feminist statements through fashion. Fashion and Feminism examines the attitudes of feminists, from as far back as the 1800s right up to today, as they utilise fashion to express their belief in the social, political and economic equality of men and women.

Items on display include an elegant walking suit perfect for a suffragette ‘dressed to protest’ (1910), a Missoni ‘Pussy Hat’ (2017), based on the worldwide ‘Women’s March’ of January 2017, and the iconic ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ T-shirt designed by Dior (2017), inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s essay and TEDx talk of the same name. Additional highlights of the exhibition include beautiful gowns designed in the early 1900s’ by the most powerful Parisian designers in the fashion world such as the Callot Sisters, Madeleine Vionnet, Jeanne Lanvin and Madame Grès.

A key highlight is a piece on loan from London-based designers Teatum Jones’ current AW18 collection which has the theme of ‘Global Womanhood’.

Art Curator Charlotte McReynolds from National Museums NI said: “From couture to casual wear, fashion has managed to make statements of how women want to be represented. This exhibition provides an opportunity for visitors to the Ulster Museum to explore the correlation between self-expression and fashion over the centuries.”

She added: “This exhibition celebrates some of the most extraordinary female fashion designers of the modern era, including Madeleine Vionnet, Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood. From suffragettes using fashion as part of their campaign to win the vote, to contemporary designers shedding light on social injustices, this exhibition has a lot to discuss about feminist culture.”

A selection of talks and workshops will also accompany the exhibition, providing a more in-depth exploration of the links between fashion and feminism. Events include a lecture by Cally Blackman, fashion historian, author and lecturer at St Martin’s College of Fashion and Design (27 September).  Blackman’s talk is entitled ‘The Sartorial Strategy of the Suffragette Sisterhood’ and she will be discussing how the suffragettes used fashion to promote their cause.  On 25 October fashion writer and social justice campaigner Tansy Hoskins addresses the question ‘Can Fashion be Feminist?’ as she raises the profile on labour rights in the fashion industry.

Fashion and Feminism is part of National Museums NI’s year-long thematic programme Hear Her Voice which highlights the female artists, designers and iconic figures in its collections, through a series of exhibitions and events across the museums.

The exhibition opens to the public on Friday 22 June 2018 and runs until 2 June 2019. Admission is free.

For further details of Hear Her Voice exhibitions and events visit www.nmni.com/hearhervoice

The Council is delighted to invite applications for eight bursaries to attend one of our Homespun Youth Drama Groups for the new semester commencing in September.

The Bursary Scheme would offer children and young people who live in our Borough to a year’s free attendance at one of our Homespun Youth Drama Groups.

We offer two separate Homespun Youth Drama Groups, one in The Eyre Studio, Antrim and one at The Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey, both of these groups offer two classes based on age categories.

The Homespun Youth Drama Groups offer children and young people an opportunity to work under the direction of professionals who specialise in Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.

The Bursary Award is available to any resident in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, aged from 7-18 yrs. old who are in full-time education.

If you would like to apply, please email leeann.murray@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk for an application form.  Applications open on Thursday 28 June and close on Wednesday 11 July 2018 at 4pm.

 

No applications received after the closing date will be considered. The decision of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is final.

 

AMRRC Celebrates the Official Launch of the Bayview Hotel Race of Legends 2018

NORTHERN Ireland’s prime motorsport event is set to return with a bang, as the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club officially launch the 10^th anniversary Bayview Hotel Race of Legends 2018. Taking place during the last weekend in July, the Armoy Road Races welcome the best-known riders both locally and internationally to the picturesque village of Armoy, County Antrim, for a weekend of world class road racing.

Commemorating the official launch, the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club invited the passionate racing community to an event, hosted by title sponsor, the Bayview Hotel on Wednesday 20^th June.

Compered by Pamela Ballantine, the launch saw road racers, sponsors, invited guests and club members come together to celebrate the past ten years of the Armoy Road Races, with a panel discussion from club members, sponsors and the best of racing talent, Northern Ireland has to offer.

It was also announced at the Launch that 23 times TT winner, John McGuinness will be attending the Armoy Road Races this year. A life long admirer of the Armoy Armada, John will be bringing his merchandise to the national road race. He’s looking forward to engaging with his fans in Northern Ireland and visiting the Bayview Hotel Race of Legends for the first time.

Following the launch, Clerk of the Course, Bill Kennedy MBE said, “The turn out for the launch was a great reflection on what we expect from the races this year. There is a lot of expectation for this year’s event, considering that we are celebrating a very significant milestone and I have no doubt that it will not disappoint.

“The news, hot off the press, that TT Legend John McGuinness will attend our 10th Armoy Road Races is just great. As you know, he’s a great fan of Joey Dunlop and the Armoy Armada and we will ensure, that although John is not racing, he will be given a very warm Armoy welcome.

“Race entries don’t close until Monday 2^nd July and with the Isle of Man TT just finished many riders are only turning their attention to the Armoy Road Races. I’m confident that Armoy will once again attract some of the best road racers.”

McAdoo Kawasaki Adam McLean, on the back of winning the Post TT Supersport race and Ballymoney man Darryl Tweed attended the launch in advance of the races.

“I am delighted to celebrate the official launch with colleagues, friends and of course our sponsors, who have been crucial in making all of this happen and I would like to thank each and every one of them both personally and on behalf of the club for their continued support.

“Looking back over the last ten years, we have had some amazing highs and we will not forget some of the disheartening lows. All in all, I am very proud of what we, as a community, have achieved and I have full faith that 2018 will be our best year yet!

“It is the support and dedication of the Club and sponsors that ensure the success of the races year after year, so for that, the 10^th anniversary celebration is for them.”

This year, Bike Week runs from Saturday 21st July until Saturday 28th July with the races, supported by the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, taking place on Friday 27th July and Saturday 28th July 2018 culminating in the Bayview Hotel ‘Race of Legends’.

Bill concludes; “Aside from the anticipated racing, we have got a whole host of fantastic events lined up for race week, from a photography exhibition and barbeque to a classic car display and of course the renowned Miss Armoy competition, I would encourage everyone to extend their weekend and help us in celebrating the fantastic 10 years we have had.”

Visit us at www.armoyroadraces.com and on Facebook and Twitter  for updates .

Family has been at the heart of Stendhal Festival since the very beginning, the team behind the multi-award winning event say they are proud that so many people bring their loved ones and children along to the farm to enjoy the event and they strive to programme the very best in family entertainment for people off all ages.

This year is no different and Stendhal Festival’s dedicated family programme is bigger and better and includes an exciting new collaboration with the hugely respected NI Science Festival, adding to existing partners in family programming which include The Sure start Dry Arch Centre, Live Music Now and In Your Space Circus.

Consisting of everything from Workshops to performances covering science, music, puppetry, dance, sing-a-longs, circus Skills and theatre, Stendhal’s Family programme is comprehensive and fun for all the family.

NI Science Festival will be bringing several exciting shows including; Scientific Sue, Superhero Science and Ready, Steady Science’s Ugly animal Roadshow and Chris McCreery, Director of NI Science Festival says her team are looking forward to being a part of Stendhal this year.

“We are absolutely delighted to be teaming up with Stendhal to bring an eclectic range of science events to the Stendhal audience.  Through its blend of live music, stage shows and workshops, Stendhal has truly become one of the best family friendly Festivals in the UK and Ireland.

He added: “Stendhal’s message, namely that creativity is the seed of innovation, is something that perfectly aligns to the values of the NI Science Festival.  As part of the family programme, we will be presenting stage shows exploring everything from space and the weird creatures of the seas alongside a range of interactive science storytelling and walkabout events.”

Ross Parkhill, Director of Stendhal Festival, added that he was pleased to have added NI Science Festival as a programming partner for 2018.

“Stendhal is dedicated to creating an event accessible for all and one that encourages young people to embrace creative learning, so we are absolutely delighted to welcome the NI Science Festival to an already excellent group of partners within our family programme.

Ross continued:  “This year children and families can expect the very best in all kinds of entertainment and workshops tailored to suit all ages to accompany a stellar line-up of music, poetry, theatre and everything else Stendhal has to offer.”

The Family programme Line-up is as follows; Community Tribal Drummers workshop, Superhero Science,  Brothers Dimm Puppet Show, ArtsEkta presents world dance performances, In Your Space presents Fibideers, The Bubble Trouble Collective, The Mrs H. Sing-a-long band, The Sunshine Project kids laughter yoga, Mr Mess, Twisty Fun Balloon making, Scientific Sue, Ready Steady Science, Fi-Flo hula hoop workshop, Dry Arch sensory play, Toddler Sense NI sensory workshop, The Verbal Arts Storytelling Bus, Kid Art World Craft Workshop and much more.

Along with this the family area will also include the Cothu Breastfeeding Station for any new mums who might require a little support or privacy over the weekend.

Tickets and more information on Stendhal Festival is available now at www.stendhalfestival.com

TIME is running out to volunteer at this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival.

Applications of expressions of interest must be received by Wednesday (June 20^th) to guarantee you get to be involved in one of Ireland’s biggest events this summer.

Whether you want to commit to just a few hours or for the full week, the opportunities are endless, from welcoming visitors to assisting with some of the amazing events being staged from July 14^th until July 22^nd.

Aisling McCallion, Festival and Events Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “Volunteering can be a great way of adding to your experience or giving something back to your community. The Foyle Maritime Festival is looking to add to our existing team of event volunteers and we currently have roles available in a wide range of areas.

“We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our team and help us create an enjoyable, safe and friendly festival for visitors and international guests.

“You’ll have the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, build your CV and give back to your community while soaking up the fun at this world class festival. Lunch will be provided each day of your volunteering and a certificate of appreciation will be awarded.”

While the posts are unpaid, there are a range of benefits such as food allowance, a crew uniform, a volunteer recognition event and a certificate as well as free World Host training.

Volunteers must be aged 16 and over and they are requested to give a minimum of 4 hours over the week of the event.

To make an expression of interest, apply online at: foylemaritime.com or email: aisling.mccallion@derrystrabane.com by Wednesday, June 20^th, 2018. A volunteer briefing will take place at The Guildhall on Wednesday, June 27^th at 2 pm.

 

This Saturday (23 June), families are being invited to participate in an archaeological dig at Brockagh with Lough Neagh Partnership and Queen’s University Belfast.

The excavation and investigation is centred around exploring the lost late-Elizabethan fort that was famously illustrated by the English cartographer Richard Bartlett in 1602.

Located close to Mountjoy Castle the dig will be open to the public on Saturday from 11am until 4pm and anyone over the age of eight can take part in this historic event which the organisers think may provide something promising in the search for the star shaped fort.

Liam Campbell of Lough Neagh Partnership said: “We are encouraging anyone interested in heritage and culture to come along on Saturday and join us for this family day out with a difference, to take part in a unique archaeological dig with the prospect of helping us uncover something very special for the community.

“Staff and students from the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queen’s University have been undertaking geophysical surveys over the past few months at Brockagh to locate the ‘other’ Mountjoy Fort on the old shoreline below St Brigid’s School. It is an exciting find of the Lost Settlement of Mountjoy and to be involved in helping uncover the fort is certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone who wishes to get involved.”

If you are interested in participating in this exciting project, arrive at the site on Saturday 23^rd from 11am and you are advised to bring wellies, boots or old clothes as you will definitely get dirty and you may get wet! The site is located at Maye’s field, opposite the road to St Brigid’s School and Mountjoy Fort. Parking is available.

If you require further information, please contact Aaron Swann at Lough Neagh Partnership on tel 028 7941 7941 or email aaronswann@discoverloughneagh.com.

 

This is a project of Lough Neagh Partnership under the Landscape partnership programme funded by Heritage Lottery Fund.

 

www.discoverloughneagh.com, www.facebook.com/loughneaghlandscapepartnership, www.twitter.com/loveloughneagh.

 

Despite the inclement weather conditions, hundreds turned up to watch the Royal Marine Band Concert at Antrim Castle Gardens on Sunday 17 June.

The crowds were not disappointed as they were entertained to two hours of great music from one of the finest military bands around.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael, commented “it was an honour to have the Royal Marine Band play in our Borough, in the majestic setting of Antrim Castle Gardens. I am delighted so many people took advantage of the opportunity to experience one of the greatest military bands”.

The Royal Marine Band played as part of our Summer Sunday Music programme which runs each Sunday from 3-4pm at Antrim Castle Gardens and Loughshore Park Jordanstown.

For a full programme visit

www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/summersundaymusic