Golf and rugby fans gear up for a special Saturday of sport at Portstewart

FOLLOWING the British and Irish Lions’ dramatic win against the All Blacks in Wellington to set up a thrilling test series finale in Auckland this Saturday (8.35am), local sports fans can rest easy that they don’t have to make an ‘either or’ decision whether to watch the rugby or go the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation… they can now do both!

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open takes place this week at Portstewart Golf Club, and organisers have arranged for the live screening of the international rugby clash of the summer to be shown on a huge screen in the Championship Village complex, courtesy of Sky Sports.

While Saturday is traditionally known as ‘moving day’, sports fans won’t have to move too far to revel in what will be a feast of sporting action both outside and inside the ropes.

To add to the occasion, fans will be able to enjoy live half-time and full-time analysis with rugby legend Rob Kearney.

“The British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand has been eagerly awaited by sports fans for a long time,” said Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Championship Director Simon Alliss.

“Given the huge level of interest and anticipation locally, we felt it only right that we should do our level best to make sure that when two great sporting occasions coincide, fans don’t have to make a difficult decision by having to choose one over the other, hence our live Sky Sports screening of the Lions decider.

“With an early kick-off in Auckland (8.35am), what better way to get ‘moving Saturday’ off to an amazing start than by watching the match on the big screen at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. They can then enjoy a feast of golf from some of finest golfers on the planet around Portstewart Golf Course. In terms of sporting Saturdays, they really don’t come much better than this!” he added.

Also introduced for the 2017 is a Showstage in the Championship Village which will host international recording artists such as Two Door Cinema Club, who will be performing at the opening ceremony on Wednesday evening and Scouting For Girls who will bring the curtain down on the event on Sunday night.

Another first for a European Tour event is a change in mobile phone policy that allows spectators at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open to use their mobiles to take photos of the action.

Fans still have time to snap up a last-minute ticket for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com but are urged to book soon to avoid disappointment.

Organisers of the MCE Ulster Grand Prix have announced a special event with two-weight boxing world champion Carl Frampton and international road racing star Lee Johnston, to take place just days after Frampton’s highly anticipated fight at the SSE Arena, Belfast against Mexican fighter Andres Gutierrez.

The diminutive and dynamic duo, who met just over a year ago when Co. Fermanagh racer Lee went to check out the Jackal’s training regime in London, will be interviewed live on stage by the BBC’s Mark Sidebottom in the Grand Prix Marquee on Wednesday 9^th August.

The event will take place in aid of F13K Cancer, a charity founded by Lee that supports Marie Curie NI, with a minimum donation of £200 per table of 10.

Carl Frampton said: “When the Conlon brothers & the JDM Group invited me to take part in this event I didn’t have to think twice, I have been friends with Lee now for over a year and I have enormous respect for both him and motorbike racing.

“It’s a sport I enjoy watching and attending. All money raised from the evening is going to a fantastic cause in Lee’s charity F13K Cancer and Marie Curie NI and I would encourage the racing community and general public to attend what’s going to be a great night.”

Lee Johnston said: “I’m really happy that Carl has agreed to get involved, he’s a great guy at the top of his game and getting such a big name from another sport will help keep the charity in the spotlight and hopefully raise plenty of money as all proceeds will be donated.

“I think the bike fans at the Ulster will enjoy the night, we’re expecting the tickets to sell quickly so don’t hang about if you want to be there!”

Noel Johnston, Clerk of the Course at the MCE Ulster Grand Prix added: “We’re pretty excited about this, it’s something we wanted to see happen last year but the timing didn’t work out as Carl went on holiday immediately after his big fight against Santa Cruz.

“However, I do think that this will be worth waiting for and the craic will be mighty for those lucky enough to get a ticket for the event, and the first opportunity for many fans to hear from the Jackal after his big homecoming fight on 29^th July.

“Lee is a hugely popular rider at Dundrod and I know a lot of people, me included, are hoping he will be back to fighting fitness by August after his crash at the TT. One thing is for sure though, the evening with him and Carl will be unmissable and I’ve no doubt it’ll raise a lot of cash for a cause very close to Lee’s heart.

“Thanks must go to our bar and entertainment partner JDM Management for helping us put this together,” he added.

Tickets for An Evening With Carl Frampton & Lee Johnston are available to purchase from JDM Management on 028 9066 5664 or by emailing office@jdmmanagement.co.uk.

Bike Week runs from the 6^th – 12^th August 2017 and include the Charles Hurst Motorcycles Dundrod 150 and the MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix road races. Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster.

Augmented Reality, or AR, is the amazing technology that superimposes computer-generated images onto our view of the real world.

State of the art projection technology that puts you right at the centre of big screen action!

This summer, W5’s Augmented Reality exhibit is GOING LIVE!

Meet A.L.I.E.N. in a close encounter of the virtual kind! A.L.I.E.N has landed and is ready to amuse and entertain visitors in a completely new way. Are you brave enough to make first contact and see yourself live on the big screen with the animated alien from a distant galaxy?

Augmented Reality is running daily until 31 August and is FREE with admission to W5. For full information visit www.w5online.co.uk.

 

 

New Programme covers a diverse range of exhibitions, music and local history events in July and August.

The guide also features a fantastic creative learning and outreach programme with a feast of workshops, courses and projects for both children and adults to enjoy.

Speaking about the summer season of events, The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird, OBE, said: “The arts sector is an important part of our Council’s offering and we are so lucky to have both Flowerfield Arts Centre and Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in our borough. I would encourage everyone to get creative and generate an interest in the activities taking place throughout July and August.”

Event highlights at Flowerfield Arts Centre include a Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Saturday 22^nd July and a Community Arts Showcase on Friday 11^th August featuring a drop in circus workshop and a performance from Jim and Dr Nick as well as a host of brilliant activities as part of this year’s August Craft Month.

Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady will showcase the stunning artwork of Ingrid Mc Laughlin and Jim Holmes from July 1^st to July 29^th. Highlights also include comedian Owen O’Neill who will take to the stage on Thursday 27^th July to entertain the crowds while children can enjoy films such as Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory and The Jungle Book with the return of their fantastic annual August Children’s Month.

Call into your local Council venue to pick up your guide or download it from the link below. 

 

DOWLOAD PROGRAMME

4 July 2017 – BRICKLIVE, the LEGO® fan event, has today announced that it is teaming up with WB Games UK to bring some of its hugely popular LEGO video games to the BRICKLIVE UK tour this summer.

 

Hot on the heels of its recently released open-world adventure game, LEGO Worlds, WB Games UK will be attending all four BRICKLIVE events this year in Glasgow, London, Belfast and Birmingham. LEGO® Worlds will be on the show floor and available to play for fans at all four events. Fans will also have access to LEGO CITY Undercover™ at Glasgow, London and Belfast; LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™ at Glasgow and Belfast; LEGO® Marvel’s Avengers at Glasgow and Belfast; LEGO® Dimensions™ at London and Birmingham and the recently announced The LEGO® NINJAGO® Movie Video Game at London. With an array of LEGO titles to choose from, there’s something for every fan, both young and old.

 

This summer’s tour begins with a first-time visit to Glasgow, coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays on 20^th July, before moving on to Belfast on 3^rd August.  The event then returns to London on 27^th July, before finishing in Birmingham on 26^th October during the autumn half term holiday.

 

With an estimated 110,000 visitors expected across the summer months, BRICKLIVE will welcome jaw-dropping fan displays for its guests, along with a range of features such as BRICK PITS.

 

For more information, please visit www.BRICKLIVE.co.uk

Ards and North Down Borough Council are delighted to announce the return of Fair Weather Fridays to Conway Square.

Now in its second year, the lively events programme is a festive addition to summer Fridays in the Square and is a great way to kick-start that Friday feeling.   

Kicking off this year on Friday 7 July then running every Friday for the whole of July and August, this year’s programme includes an eclectic mix of fire juggling, magic, clowns, circus skills and sword swallowing!

Featuring amazing acts such as; Logy on Fire, Caolan McBride, Grant Goldie and Sideshow Ramone, audiences will be thoroughly entertained!

Opening the programme on July 7 is Logy on Fire, a daredevil act who performs dangerous knife tricks, ear-splitting whip cracks, juggling and a death-defying high balance act – don’t miss it!

Speaking about the programme, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Community Arts Officer, Amy McKelvey said: “We piloted this idea last year with great success and we are very excited about all the performances we have planned this year which we believe will amaze and thrill audiences of all ages. The square in Ards lends itself to relaxed lunchtimes in the sun and we really hope that this fun filled programme of performances will encourage people to come down and enjoy the lively atmosphere.”

 

So if you fancy some free quality entertainment to liven up your Friday lunch-times, head to Conway Square, every Friday in July and August from 12.30 to 1.30pm.

In the event of rain, performances will move into Ards Arts Centre.

For further information on the full programme visit www.ardsarts.com.

Carol Rhodes: Survey, Curated by Andrew Mummery

Dougal McKenzie: A Dream and an Argument

Bill Saunders: Side Steps These Ferried Measures Rise

30 June – 8 October

The MAC, Belfast is delighted to present three major solo exhibitions by three significant contemporary artists: two of whom are Belfast based — the painter Dougal McKenzie and sculptor Bill Saunders — with the third exhibition by one of Britain’s leading painters, Carol Rhodes, who lives and works in Glasgow.

Hugh Mulholland, Senior Curator at the MAC said: “Whilst these three artists have myriad starting points for their work, there is something that unities them all; that being a strong sense of ‘place’, whether this is the urban and industrial landscapes of Rhodes, or the emotional and historical attachment to Edinburgh in McKenzie’s work, or Saunders’ romantic but practical dependence and musings on the studio environment. We are extremely excited to be presenting this trio of exhibitions here at the MAC and we are confident that visitors will find lots to interest them.”

Carol Rhodes’ beautiful small-scale landscape paintings depict the interaction of natural geography and human intervention, placing the viewer on or near the edge of urban environments, seen from an aerial viewpoint, eerily distant from the world below.

Dougal McKenzie’s recent dreamlike painted scenes bring together key elements of the artist’s practice and thinking: an interest in history and storytelling through images and an investigation into whether it is possible to represent these as ‘memory’ in painting.

And finally, the work of Bill Saunders considers the very site where artwork is made — the profound “thinking space” that is the studio — as a source of inspiration for his work, presenting sculptural assemblages and works on paper that record, reconstruct, or otherwise invoke the place of artistic production.

The new exhibitions will open Friday 30 June in the Sunken, Tall and Upper Galleries at the MAC. Visitors will be welcomed daily from 10am-7pm and admission is free.  For further information on the exhibitions visit themaclive.com.

“The Big Splash”

A whole week of activities and madness in

PORTGLENONE

Marina, Village & Forest beside the beautiful River Bann

Sunday 16th July until Saturday 22nd July

The Big Splash Festival began over twenty years ago and is set in the picturesque village of Portglenone on the banks of the River Bann. The Festival features a week of family fun organised by a team of volunteers in Portglenone Enterprise Group (PEG).  

It is sponsored by the Mid and East Antrim Council, Waterways Ireland and local businesses.

 

SUNDAY 16th JULY

 

TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC (local sponsors – Liam Vallely & Co, Solicitors)

 

Sunday 16th July from 1-4pm

in Portglenone Forest

 

Pack a picnic, enjoy the magic show (starting at 1.30pm) and join our resident teddy bear for guided walks through the forest.

 

Also available Ice Cream Van, Hot Food Van, Tea and Coffee, Face Painting

 

Limited parking at the forest with additional parking available at Augnahoy Cemetery Car Park.

Time 2.30pm

 

MONDAY 17th JULY

 

SOAP BOX DERBY

Portglenone’s own Crash Test Dummies!

 

Assemble at Mull Park, Finlaystown Rd at 7pm for start at 7.30pm

Minimum donation £20 –Single & Double Runs!

Register at PEG office before 3pm on 14th July.

Telephone 028 2582 0150

Entries restricted to 20 vehicles.

Rules apply – All vehicles must have back brakes, steering and towing eyes (no rope steering)

Drivers must be over 18yrs & wear a helmet at all times.

Prizes for Wackiest Soap Box & Fastest Soap Box

 

FINLAYSTOWN RD CLOSED 6-10PM

 

TUESDAY 18th JULY

 

FAMILY CAMP NIGHT

 

– Venue: Portglenone Marina (Secure Site)

– Voluntary Donation

– Pitch between 5pm and 8pm

– Activities: Songs/ Games/ Disco 7.30-9pm

– Hot Food- Children £3 Adults £5

– Under 18yrs must be accompanied by a Parent/Guardian who is responsible for all supervision of their children (no exceptions).

– No Alcohol Permitted

 

Register at the PEG Office before 18th July at 3pm

Email: pegmarkethouse@btconnect.com or

Tel: 028 2582 0150

 

 

WEDNESDAY 19th JULY 2-4pm

 

AFTERNOON TEA DANCE

 

Introducing the first ever Big Splash Tea Dance, held in the brand new Community Centre Portglenone. A chance to grab the dancing shoes out of the cupboard and with the promise of a cup of tea after you have waltzed the afternoon away, you’re guaranteed a great time. Admission £3.

 

Community Centre, Gortgole Road

Singer Dave Lee

HERITAGE WALK

 

Come and join us as we walk through the heritage highlights of Portglenone
village in the company of renowned archaeologist Thomas McErlean.

Be amazed at just how old and significant Portglenone is.

Learn about:
.    our 10,000 year old heritage
.    the village and its historical importance
.    some of the village’s most significant buildings

On the night you will also have the opportunity to become a member of our
newly formed, ‘Portglenone History and Heritage Group’.

The walk begins in the village square, at the bank building, and ends at the
Marina where there will be light refreshments.

Walk starts at 7:30 pm. It will last about 90 minutes and extend for about 1
mile of easy walking.

Everyone welcome (Children must be accompanied by an adult).

To confirm a place contact:
The PEG office, Main Street, Portglenone (028 25820150)
Or, Damien (028 25821048. mobile 07719340808)

 

THURSDAY 20th JULY

VINTAGE CAVALCADE

Assemble Hawthorn Inn, Kilrea Rd at 6pm. Depart 7pm

Proceeding through the village to finish at the Marina, Gortgole Road

£5 per vehicle

Refreshments and gift for drivers provided at Community Centre, Gortgole Road  (official entry number needed).

 

Portglenone Stitcher’s Display

Community Centre, Gortgole Road

From 7pm

Come and see a display of needlework produced by the ladies of the Bannside Stitcher’s Group (held weekly) where we sew, stitch and socialise.

Men’s Shed Display & Beekeepers Display

 

Big Splash Hunt –  walking treasure hunt for the family @ 7.00pm

For all the family.  Prize for Winners.  Register at the PEG Office at 7pm

 

FRIDAY 21st JULY

HUGO DUNCAN Live BBC Broadcast!

Town Square, Portglenone, 1.30pm – 3pm

 

Gig ’n’ the Bann Festival Launch & Music

7.30pm – 8.30pm – Town Square

 

Ceili/Ceilidh

8:30 pm – 11pm

CEILI / CEILIDHI n the Town Square with The Loch Lao Ceili Band

 

SATURDAY 22nd JULY

TRIATHLON (sponsored by Centra)

 

The Big Splash Sprint Triathlon, one of the fastest sprint triathlons in the country, is back for another action-packed race.

The race is centred round Northern Ireland’s longest river, The Bann. Competitors set off from Portglenone Marina for a 750-metre swim in the river, from transition they cycle through the village and along the rolling hills of the surrounding countryside for a 20km bike leg, with one or two little climbs just to keep it interesting!!

The 5km run closely follows the route of the river, giving a flat and fast out and back course, perfect for those Personal Best times.

Once finished, and back at the marina, the successful triathletes can relax and enjoy the festivities on hand at

The Taste of Portglenone.

Come join us on Saturday 22nd July for another great race.

Registration time – 8am-9.30am

Saturday 22nd July 2017

Portglenone marina

race starts 10am

£40 +admin charge

No license required

Relay team option

For more info contact Steven at pg1tri@outlook.com or PEG 028 2582 0150

 

Sign on via www.sientries.co.uk

 

A Taste of Portglenone

(sponsored by local shop Fullans Food Halls)

 

Saturday 22nd July 1 – 4pm

 

“This is a day for Everyone to showcase their individual talent.  Whether you bake, grow or sew there is something for everyone.  For a full list of all classes or to register for the 2017 fete, please mail info@bigsplash.com.  Please note classes will only run if there are 3 or more entrants, so registration is essential.  We look forward to seeing what talent Portglenone has to offer.”

Guest celebrity chef IAN ORR

Community Centre, Gortgole Road

FAMILY FUN DAY

Watersports (including Canoeing & Zorbing), Petting farm, bouncy castles and Art, Craft and Food stalls & more

1pm-4pm

FISHING COMPETITION

 

Fishing Competition

Entry free but DEFRA license is required

 

Date: Saturday 22^nd July 2017

Location: Clady District Angling Club – Opposite The Waterwall Bar, Clady

Time: 10.30am for Angling. 11am-5pm

Registration: In club house 10.30am

Prizes: Junior – up to 17 years – 1^st & 2^nd

Senior – 18 years and over – 1^st & 2^nd

Decal requirement: All competitors must have a license, which can be obtained from Bann Valley Outdoors, Glenone Business Park or by Decal online.

 

The Big Splash programme also features a Free Draw to win a 32” television sponsored by Dynamic Audio Visual.  Simply add your email address to the special token in the programme and give it to one of the Big Splash steward before Saturday 22nd July.

 

 

Dungannon has begun its busker ‘recruitment drive’ ahead of the town’s third Battle of the Buskers event next month (Saturday 5 August).

Musicians, singers, bands and solo artists are being invited to showcase their musical talent in the competition, devised by Mid Ulster District Council, and which last year saw local musician, Darryl Quinn take the title.

This year, as well as £1,000 in prize money, the overall winner will move straight from the street to the stage, performing that same evening at the ‘Blues on the Hill’ concert at the Hill of the O’Neill and Ranfurly House, on the same bill as Grainne Duffy and Band of Friends (artists that have played with blues legend, Rory Gallagher).

The second placed busker will win £500, while £100 prizes are also on offer in other categories, including Best Young Performer and Spirit of Battle of the Buskers.

Launching the call for buskers, Chair of the Council, Councillor Kim Ashton said:

“The 2017 Battle of the Buskers, now in its third year, will be the most tightly fought yet, given the wealth of talent we have in Mid Ulster and further afield, particularly now that the first prize is a once in a lifetime opportunity to share the bill with seasoned, internationally renowned performers such as Grainne Duffy and Band of Friends.

“Mid Ulster is the place in July and August to discover music; as well as the exciting chance to unearth new talent in the annual busking competition, there’s a variety of lakeside concerts in Dungannon Park, and performances on the hill from Tony Watkins, Donna Taggert and the Ulster Orchestra, all of which are included in a packed programme of family events across the district from 28 July through to 29 August.”

Each performer will be allocated a pitch to perform on the day, along with an opportunity to perform on stage in Upper Market Square.

The closing date for applications Friday 4 August 2017.   For more information about the event and how to apply, visit www.midulstercouncil.org/buskingbreak

FROM puffins and dolphins to butterflies and badgers, Northern Ireland’s countryside and coastlines are teeming with wildlife.

Summer is the time to see cute seal pups, bees buzzing in brightly coloured blooms and young birds making their first venture into the outside world.  DiscoverNorthernIreland.com is full of ideas for a wildlife treasure hunt – so dig out the binoculars and take your little nature detectives on a safari close to home.

 

Castle Espie, County Down

The only wildlife and wetland centre in Ireland, Castle Espie is definitely geared up for the kids. Pick up a bag of seeds at reception and you’ll have some of the many species of rare and endangered ducks and geese eating from the palm of your hand. Throughout June and July, it becomes home to a huge number of cute ducklings, goslings and cygnets. There are special behind the scenes tours every weekend in June to see the indoor duckery, where the ducklings hatch and spend the first three weeks of their life. Then when they are three weeks visitors can see the cute sight of watching them adapt to the outside world. Den building is also a must at the wildwood natural play area.

Stay at: Castle Espie Cottage, 3*, Comber.

 

Ness Country Park, County Londonderry

Ness Country Park comes alive with birdsong from willow warblers, black caps and chiff chaffs as well as resident tits and thrushes. The Burntollet River runs through the park – a great place to watch dippers bobbing away or spot signs of secretive otters and traces of badgers. Go on a hunt for the unusual Purple Hairstreak butterfly and make sure you visit Ness waterfall – believed to be the highest in Northern Ireland.

Stay at: Derry Farm Cottages, 4*, Drumahoe

 

Rathlin Island, County Antrim

A haven for wildlife, the Rathlin adventure begins with a ferry ride from Ballycastle where you can spot gannets, gulls, dolphins and seals basking on the rocks. The four-mile Rathlin Trail (one of six walk trails) will take you to the RSPB seabird centre where volunteers will be on hand to help spot the comical antics of puffins and seabird chicks perched precariously on the cliff edges as well as guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills. Connected to the centre you can also explore a real working lighthouse. Home to many Irish hares, see if you can spot the unusual “Golden Hare” native to the island.

Stay at: Manor House, Rathlin Island

 

Oxford Island, County Armagh

Oxford Island is a fantastic family day out on the shores of Lough Neagh, with four miles of walking trails passing woodland, ponds, wildflower meadows and picnic and play areas. Bounded on three sides by water, there are plenty of ducks and swans hoping to be fed.  Explore the five bird hides and see if you can spot Mute Swans, Mallards or Grey Herrons. Watch out for Sparrowhawks or Buzzards performing soaring display flights over the treetops from the closet hide. Take a browse in the craft shop and have a bite at the Loughside Cafe at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre with panoramic views of the Lough or head down to the Kinnego Marina for a boat trip.

Stay at: Ballydougan Pottery Courtyard Cottages, 4*, Portadown

 

Ely Lodge Forest, County Fermanagh 

The Ely Lodge Forest is alive with wildlife and steeped in history.  Located six miles north-west of Enniskillen on the shores of Lower Lough Erne and part of the Marble Arch Caves Geopark, it’s home to an intricate network of waymarked walking routes. Some are pushchair accessible so even the youngest explorers can enjoy this scenic woodland. The kids will be in awe of the giant trees as well as carpets of bluebells in spring. Have a rest at one of the picnic areas on the lough shore and see who can spot great crested crebe, mute swans and a variety of ducks. Visit the Carrickreagh viewpoint for panoramic views over Lower Lough Erne.  Round off the day with a visit to the famous Marble Arch Caves, less than 30 minutes drive away.

Stay at: Castle Hume Court, 4*, Enniskillen

 

Mount Stewart, County Down

Listed in the top ten gardens of the world, Mount Stewart is a treasure trove of wildlife.  From bees buzzing in the brightly coloured blooms to ducks, swans and tadpoles starting life on the lake, the network of walk trails will keep your little ones fascinated.  The formal garden around the house is themed using an exotic choice of plants from around the world. The rhododendrons are a must-see until mid-August.  Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels – and visit The Lookout, a wildlife interpretation centre overlooking Strangford Lough, to spot seals and birds. Staff are on hand to answer questions and provide telescopes and a remote camera so budding nature detectives can get a close up view of nesting seabirds.

Stay at: Merok Mill House, 4*, Bangor

 

Exploris Aquarium, County Down

Take a diver’s view of marine life at the amazing Exploris aquarium. Explore everything from the native fish of Strangford Lough to the colourful coral reefs of the tropical oceans – and brave the touch-tank to see if you can tantalise a tentacle or two. This is a busy time of year for the seal sanctuary at Exploris, with cute common seal pups being born during June and July.

Stay at: The Portaferry hotel, 3*, Portaferry.

For more information on any of these attractions, or to plan a short break visit DiscoverNorthernIreland.com