The Culloden Estate & Spa has announced the completion of a renovation programme which has seen Hastings Hotels invest £4.8m in their leading 5 star property over the last three years.

This week, the Estate’s General Manager Eoin O’Sullivan was joined by the group’s Managing Director, Howard Hastings, to unveil the complete redevelopment of two floors of bedrooms which has seen a selection of the smaller bedrooms remodelled to be augmented in size, bringing the hotel stock to 98.

Also included in the renovation programme has been the extensive redevelopment of the Mitre Restaurant, the Stuart Suite and the Spa which has ensured that the Culloden remains one of the top hotels in Ireland.

Eoin O’Sullivan, General Manager of the Culloden Estate & Spa said: “We are thrilled to have completed a three year renovation programme which has seen almost £5m spent on Northern Ireland’s premier 5-star hotel. As part of this programme we now have a brand new facade to a wing of the hotel with larger rooms and magnificent bathrooms overlooking landscaped gardens, all with the aim of providing our guests with an even more enjoyable experience when they stay at the Culloden.

“As well as the bedroom project, we undertook a complete redesign of the Mitre restaurant together with new menus created by Chef McKnight, and an upgraded spa with new quiet room, exclusive nail bar and remodelled gym facilities  as well as a beautiful refurbishment of the Stuart Suite for our weddings, conferences, and banquets to enjoy.  In addition we have installed a brand new lift allowing easier access to the new rooms and to the spa.

“It is continual investment like this that has enabled us to pick up prestigious awards throughout Ireland. Most recently, this year we were delighted to have been named Luxury Hotel of the Year at the Irish Hotel Awards and highly commended at the first ever Georgina Campbell Breakfast Awards  in the Best 5-Star Hotel category,” Eoin added.

Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to announce that The Puppet Festival is back with a jam-packed programme of puppet performances, workshops and general puppetry shenanigans.

Taking place at venues across the borough from Saturday 27 – Monday 29 May, Northern Ireland’s only festival dedicated to puppets, has a range of quirky characters, madcap puppet madness and thrills and spills galore.

The Festival kicks off on Saturday morning, 27 May when North Down Museum throws its doors open for The Puppet Open Day. Come and meet the puppet-licious Polly Pocket and her pop-tastic puppets. Get up close and personal with Strangeface Puppet Theatre and catch the elves helping the shoemaker with the retelling of this magical story by Banyan Puppet Theatre.  The Rev Haslett, Ards’ veteran puppeteer, will also be there with his incredible ventriloquist dummies. William Haslett has been performing with his puppets since the 1950’s and has some incredible stories to tell about his puppet friends.

With a variety of free scheduled performances, free puppet workshops and plenty of quirky characters to meet, there’s something for everyone! The open day runs from 11.30am – 3.30pm.

One of the highlights of the festival is the Northern Ireland premiere of ‘Beached’ by Strangeface Theatre Company. ‘Beached’ is a tiny tale all about Arnold whose walk becomes an adventure. The miniature set is a box with the Strangeface trademark puppets. A soundtrack is played on headphones for each audience member, creating a world to share round the table. Catch the show at The Puppet Open Day and let your imagination run riot, a magical and spellbinding show – not to be missed!

On Sunday 28 May, the Puppet Festival will be visiting Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry with The Three Little Pigs show by Little Gem Puppets. This sweet rendition of the much loved children’s fairytale, is performed in a Punch and Judy style booth. Whatever you do don’t tell the wolf where the pigs are hiding! This is a free show although Exploris admission charges still apply. Shows are at 12pm and 2pm.

Also on Sunday 28, Strangeface Theatre Company will be performing their ‘Spaced’ show at Castle Espie Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre. This puppet version of a silent disco, will entertain children and adults alike. Come and experience the story of one bored boy, one mad scientist and an accidental trip into outer space. This free show runs at various times between 11am and 4pm. Castle Espie admission charges apply.

The puppet tour continues on Bank Holiday Monday, 29 May when “Maggie” by Little Gem Puppets will visit Donaghadee Paddling Pool. Loosely based on Hansel and Gretel, this free show is packed full of excitement and adventure. If you like to talk to puppets, this Punch and Judy style show is the one for you! Show times are 12pm and 2pm.

For a full programme or to book tickets please visit www.ardsarts.com or call 028 9181 0803.

Accidental satirist and professional twitter troll, John-Paul Whearty, follows up on his sell-out 2016 show, Adventures In Ulster with a live satirical news show – Not The Norn Iron News.

From Swift to Orange Lil to the current bunch of satirists at LADfleg, there is a long history of taking the mick out of what passes for politics in Northern Ireland.

A craic team of “journalists”  have been assembled from Belfast’s blooming stand up scene to bring you a live, multi-media extravaganza at the MAC this May.

Expect strong language and split sides from this up-to-the-minute assault on the week’s news. Book your tickets online at www.themaclive.com

The launch of “Walking Football” took place at Antrim Forum Leisure Centre with a friendly between the Move More participants, Year 10’s at Parkhall College and a team from Antrim Forum.

This was the result of a pilot programme initiated by Alan McCausland, Move More Macmillan co-ordinator and Samuel McIlveen Everybody Active 2020 Football Coach who have delivered seven weeks of Walking Football.  This programme has proved exceptionally beneficial to the health and wellbeing of seven cancer clients, clients from Cardiac rehab and volunteers who made up the teams.   The Year 10 pupils from Parkhall College have also got involved as part of a health and fitness project linked with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Macmillan.

Alan McCausland stated “Walking Football was initially ran as a pilot programme to gauge interest for clients with a cancer diagnosis through the Macmillan Move More project in conjunction with the Council”.  He added “football had been a pastime the participants loved and they wanted to get back into the sport as part of their recovery.  With support from volunteers to add to the numbers and input from clients from Antrim Cardiac rehab class based at the Antrim Forum, the class has run successfully during the last seven weeks on Friday afternoons”.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor John Scott attended the event and even kicked off the start of the first match.  Councillor Scott commented “I am delighted to see the introduction of the “Walking Football” programme at Antrim Forum and I am encouraged by the health benefits that it provides to many recovering from cancer and heart problems.”  He added “watching the matches has shown me that walking instead of running needs as much concentration as playing the game”.

Alan and Samuel McIlveen Everybody Active 2020 Football coach will now deliver the programme on Fridays at Antrim Forum 12.45-1.30pm.  Walking Football is available to anyone interested, male or female regardless of health conditions.  For a Macmillan referral call Alan McCausland at 07587 657488 or email alan.mccausland@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk or contact Samuel McIlveen at Antrim Forum 028 9446 4131 for more information.

 

Portrush Raft Race will take place on Saturday, 27^th May 2017 at the Harbour in Portrush as part of a jam-packed bank holiday weekend of harbour-side family mayhem and fun.

 

Chair of the Raft Race committee, Richard Connor, said, “We are really encouraged by the number of entries we have had so far, and knowing how many entries come in right until the afternoon itself, I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of healthy friendly competition on the day”.

The dedicated volunteers of Portrush Raft Race Committee have lined up a whole range of events for all ages throughout the bank holiday weekend.  The full programme is detailed below, with the lineup including live music throughout the day, on-board tours of historic lifeboats, a rookie life-guard challenge for kids aged 10-15, a fun dog show and much more.  The weekend’s grand finale will feature Irish magician Rod Hogg attempting daredevil escapology at the harbour.

Sponsors of weekend’s events, Ramore Restaurants, are launching their inaugural Portrush Daft Race on the Sunday afternoon.  Alan Simpson, the now familiar Raft Race commentator enthused, “as the weekend gets closer the excitement grows. With rafts of every shape and size travelling from every corner of Northern Ireland and visitors from far and wide, the town of Portrush comes alive with colour and silliness. I would ask that with so much happening over the two days that everyone can give whatever they can to help such a worthy cause. Even the dogs in the street are chatting about Sunday’s fun and with Rodd Hogg bringing his Houdini-like magic to the harbour area, this year’s Raft Race Weekend definitely promises to be Portmagical”.

As well as being enormous fun on the beautiful north coast, it’s an important annual event for the RNLI and the town of Portrush.   All the funds raised by Portrush Raft Race go directly to the local branch.  In 2015 274 brave souls, a mix friends, families and corporate teams, competing on over 50 rafts raising money for the local RNLI Lifeboat Station.

Richard Connor added, “each crew member’s uniform costs £2,000, entirely funded by donations, this brilliant family weekend makes it possible to provide the entire North Coast with a year-round invaluable rescue service”.

If you’re thinking of entering, but don’t have the skills to build your own raft there are some available for hire in return for a small donation to RNLI.

Entries are still open to teams; application forms and full entry guidelines can be obtained from www.portrushraftrace.com  Entries stay open until 2pm on race day.

 

SATURDAY, 27^TH MAY 2017

10:00AM – 2:00PM

Raft Registration (Kerr Street Green)

All raft teams to report to registration on arrival.

10:30AM – 5:00PM

RNLI Coastal Safety Roadshow (beside Lifeboat House)

Free advice on safety in and around our coastline, along with free lifejacket checks. Last year we discovered 289 lifejackets that would not have worked had they been used and 70 manufacturers’ recalls.

10:30AM – 5:00PM

Speciality Fair Stalls (beside Lifeboat House)

11:00AM

Junior Raft Race 2017 (Harbour Pontoon)

One for our Raft Race stars of the future. Fun mini-races in the safety of the harbour. Turn up and register at the pontoon from 10:30AM.  Entry fee is £2 per child, two kids per raft, with the race taking place in heats.  Full details in our FAQ section.

11:00AM – 5:00PM

Kids’ Play Zone (Kerr Street Green)

Bouncy castles, slides and a whole lot more fun c/o Cromore Castles.

12:00PM

Kids’ Outdoor Disco with Alan Logan (Amphitheatre)

12:00PM – 3:00PM

Pirate Walkabout (thoughout the harbour area)

12:00PM – 2:00PM

Lifeboat Tours Past and Present (Harbour Pontoon)

Tours of Portrush Lifeboat, ‘William Gordon Burr’, are subject to emergency response requirements. Historic ‘Joseph Soar’ Lifeboat was withdrawn from service in 1990, throughout her life she was launched 135 times and saved 135 lives.

12:30PM – 2:30PM

Music by South Ulster Community Band (beside Lifeboat House)

12:30PM – 2:00PM

Rookie Lifeguard Challenge (West Strand / ‘Wee Beach’ if inclement weather)

RNLI beach lifeguards invite kids aged 10-15 to have a go at some basic lifeguarding skills. From a beach start, competitors will complete a short sea swim, followed by a knee paddle on a surf rescue board. The timed challenge will finish with a run along the beach. Do you have what it takes to be a lifeguarding star of the future?

1:00PM – 2:00PM

Circus Skills Workshop (Amphitheatre)

1:00PM – 5:00PM

Facepainters & Balloon Modellers (Amphitheatre)

2:15PM – 2:45PM

RNLI Rescue Display (West Bay)

Portrush Lifeboats and Lifeguard teams showcase their amazing rescue skills. Live onshore commentary by Mark Mitchell, Deputy 2nd Coxwain.

2:45PM – 3:00PM

Selfies with Stormy Sam (Amphitheatre)

Stormy Stan is the busy Storm Force mascot, RNLI’s club which helps little ones discover the exciting world of lifeboats and lifeguards. The best selfie tweeted using #stormystan and #portrushraft will win a prize.

3:00PM

Beach Tug of War (West Strand)

Tug of war challenge for rafting teams.

3:30PM

Raft Race 2017 (start West Strand, finish Wee Beach)

The main event of the day. With 11 prizes up for grabs competition is sure to be fierce. Safety announcement at 3:25.

4:00PM – 5:00PM

Music with Alan Logan & Circus Skills Workshop (Amphitheatre)

4:15PM

Raft Race Prize-Giving (Wee Beach)

Presentation of prizes by Matt McAlpin (Ramore Restaurants) and Alan Simpson.

 

SUNDAY, 28^TH MAY 2017

10:00AM – 11:00PM

Beach Yoga (West Strand)

Everyone is welcome to join in our yoga taster session.

10:00AM – 12:00PM

Beach Volleyball (West Strand)

Come and watch expert teams battle it out on two beach courts.

11:00AM – 5:00PM

Kids’ Play Zone (Kerr Street Green)

Bouncy castles, slides and a whole lot more fun c/o Cromore Castles.

11:00AM

RNLI Mayday Welly Wang (West Strand)

An exciting new event to kick off Sunday’s programme of events. All are welcome to come and test their welly chucking skills. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category: under 10’s, 11-16’s, 16+ male, 16+ female.

11:30AM

Babushka’s Big Dip (West Strand)

Harbour-side coffee shop Babushka will supply those brave enough to swim, dip or bathe in the Atlantic Ocean with warm drinks and tasty treats. In return for a donation to RNLI this exciting new event is open to everyone– wetsuits are of course, optional.

12:00PM

Paddleboard Taster Sessions (Wee Beach)

Trogg’s Surf School will be on hand at the ‘wee beach’ to offer SUP paddle board taster sessions in return for a small donation to the RNLI.

12:30PM – 1:00PM

Paddleboard Challenge (Harbour Pontoon)

Come and watch the mayhem unfold with a series of short races and fun SUP challenges taking place around the lifeboat. Showcasing the growing sport of paddleboarding, this promises good fun and enjoyment for spectators and participants alike.

1:00PM – 5:00PM

Boat, kayak and surfboard showcase (North Pier)

1:00PM – 5:00PM

NBOC’s VW Beetle and campervans display (North Pier)

1:00PM – 5:00PM

Gym / Fitness Sessions (North Pier)

1:00PM – 5:00PM

RNLI Coastal Safety Roadshow (beside Lifeboat House)

Free advice on safety in and around our coastline, along with free lifejacket checks. Last year we discovered 289 lifejackets that would not have worked had they been used and 70 manufacturers’ recalls.

1:00PM

Lifeboat Tours Past and Present (Harbour Pontoon)

Tours of Portrush Lifeboat, ‘William Gordon Burr’, are subject to emergency response requirements. Historic ‘Joseph Soar’ Lifeboat was withdrawn from service in 1990, throughout her life she was launched 135 times and saved 135 lives.

1:30PM

West Bay Open Water Swim ILDSA (North Pier)

This challenging event attracts entrants from all over Ireland. After the 1pm safety briefing swimmers are dropped off by boat at Island Dhu/Blackrock to swim the 1km back to the harbour, finishing at the slipway on the North Pier. Wetsuits not allowed!

2:00PM – 4:00PM

Historic Vehicle Display (Kerr Street Green)

Coleraine & District Historic Vehicle Club present their classic cars and bikes.

2:00PM – 5:00PM

Ramore Family Funday (Harbour)

Our sponsors at Ramore Restaurants have another Sunday afternoon of fun planned.  This includes Scrufts, a fun dog show and the largest daft gathering of four-legged friends ever seen at the Port; a food, craft and music village and by way of a grand finale, The Great Harbour Escape featuring Irish magician Rodd Hogg.

 

Award-winning flautist Eimear McGeown and acclaimed harpist Jean Kelly met in London and now perform regularly as a duo throughout the UK and Ireland, in concert and on BBC Radio. They will be performing at The Market Place on Friday 19^th May.

 

A First Class Honours graduate from the Trinity College of Music, London, Eimear McGeown has established a busy and varied career both classically and on the Irish flute. She has appeared as soloist across the globe including a notable performance on BBC’s ‘Last Night Of The Proms’. On Irish flute, Eimear has two All-Ireland titles and has released a Celtic EP.

Jean Kelly, harpist, won a scholarship to study harp at the Royal College of Music, London. Since graduating she has been in great demand as a versatile harpist, with an eclectic career ranging from Early Music to Contemporary Classical and Folk Music. Jean regularly performs with the Guy Barker Big Band, at major UK venues including The Proms at The Albert Hall, and has toured alongside pop singer Paloma Faith.

The programme for the evening will include works by Debussy, Rossini, Faure and Ibert followed by a second half of Irish pieces and compositions including ‘She Moved Through The Fair’ ‘Planxty Irwin’ and ‘Raglan Road’.

On Tuesday 23 May, Patrick Prior’s ‘On Our Way To Lisbon’ comes to The Market Place. Glasgow Celtic’s 1967 European Cup win is one of the great sporting legends of all time fifty years on and this amazing feat is at the heart of this spectacular drama.

Two fans recreate the epic campaign that saw Jock Stein’s young team sweep aside the best that Europe had to offer. Acclaimed actors Pat Abernethy and Dave Marsden become players, crowds, commentators and managers in a masterpiece of story-telling, including some hilarious slow-motion sequences. The glory of the famous victory is set against the drab reality of their Glasgow existence. Was Celtic’s victory the best moment of their lives? The play has already thrilled audiences in Scotland, Ireland, England and in the United States gathering rave reviews, awards and standing ovations. Don’t miss this stunning piece of theatre.

Visit the website at www.marketplacearmagh.com for full details and bookings, or contact the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821. And 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.

Friday 19 – Thursday 25 May

 

Friday 19 May, The Faerie Thorn

The Web Theatre, Newtownards

8pm

Tickets, £10

Big Telly Theatre and Ards and North Down Borough Council are delighted to present ‘The Faerie Thorn and Other Stories’ by Jane Talbot. Tickets available on ticketsource.co.uk.

Info: 028 9181 0803, visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport Harbour

2pm – 4pm

Come along to Groomsport for free Family fun every weekend from now until September

Saturday 20: Traditional Crafts and Clayrazy Workshop

Sunday 21: Archery and Children’s Crafts

Info:  028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Saturday 20, Woodland and Whiskey Tour  

Mount Stewart and Echlinville Distillery  

2pm – 6.30pm

Tickets, £20 (includes light refreshments)

Explore the unexplored, combining a guided walk along emerging new trails in the estate farmland at Mount Stewart with a fascinating visit to the recently opened Echlinville Distillery to see the fine art of whiskey making and perhaps taste a golden drop! Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear is recommended.

Info:  028 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Tickets are now on sale for are Walled Garden Theatre performances this summer, see ticketsource.co.uk/ardsandnorthdown

 

Exhibitions

 

Ards Crafts and Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD

T: 028 9182 6846

 

Saturday 6 – Saturday 27 May

Meet the Maker: ‘What is Screen Printing? Digital Printmaking Through Process’

A exhibition by Seacourt Print Workshop

 

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882

 

Saturday 6 – Sunday 28 May

Art in the Loft – A Moment in Time

An exhibition of glass art and ceramics by Agnes Eaton, inspired by singular moments in time.

 

North Down Museum, Bangor

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200

 

Check out our permanent exhibitions in the  ‘Memories of the 20th Century Gallery’ and ‘Nostalgia Gallery’.

 

A new BBC Northern Ireland photographic exhibition inspired by the world of road racing has opened in Ballymoney Town Hall.

‘Road Racing People’ is a collection of 26 portraits by internationally renowned motorcycle racing photographer, Stephen Davison.

Featuring riders, fans, mechanics and families, the exhibition will run until May 31^st.

The pictures were taken last year during the Mid Antrim 150, Tandragee 100, Cookstown 100, Skerries 100, North West 200 and Armoy road races. Using nothing more than a portable studio and a 50mm lens, Stephen invited people to come inside and bare their souls. His photographs capture the enthusiasm, character and essence of the sport.

Welcoming the exhibition, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “Ballymoney, with its own road racing story, is the ideal place to showcase these pictures, which give a raw insight into the world of road racing. Visitors to the museum can also enjoy our NW200 Faces and Places exhibition which features archive newspaper photographs and other memorabilia. Together, they create a must-see attraction for all road racing fans.”

The exhibition is a collaboration between BBC Northern Ireland and independent production company, DoubleBand Films, who produced the BBC Northern Ireland three-part series, ‘Road Riders’.

It’s supported by Libraries NI and curated by Sarah Edge, Professor of Photography and Cultural Studies in the School of Communication and Media at Ulster University, Coleraine.

The exhibition is open from Monday – Thursday and Saturday from 9am – 5pm and on Friday from 9am – 4.30pm.