NO OIL PAINTINGS & RICH HALL AT ARMAGH’S MARKET PLACE

Chances are if you’ve been to one of the country’s many summer festivals, you will have run into ‘No Oil Paintings’. A four piece comprising two brothers and their two long-time friends, ‘No Oil Paintings’ bohemian charm has made quite an impression.

They play banjos, mandolins, guitars and they write all their own music. Think Mumford and Sons meets James Morrison meets Traditional Folk. It is an eclectic mix of music. Recently eschewing the novelty of rapid-fire bluegrass in favour of a sound that has more in common with Jack White than Earl Scruggs, ‘No Oil Paintings’ occupy their own artistic niche in Northern Ireland’s vast musical tapestry.

‘No Oil Paintings’ will perform at The Market Place Theatre on Saturday 7th May at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced £8 each.

Now’s also the chance to see the great comedian, Rich Hall, at work when he appears at The Market Place on Thursday 12 May. Rich’s critically acclaimed grouchy, deadpan style has established him as a master of absurdist irony and the king of rapid-fire wit. The award-winning Montana native, saddles up and hitches his wagon to visit Armagh once again.
Rich is a Perrier [Edinburgh Comedy Festival] Award and Barry [Melbourne International Comedy Festival] Award winner and has become well known for his television work with notable appearances on ‘Stand Up For The Week’ [C4], ‘QI’ [BBC], ‘Live At The Apollo’ [BBC1], ‘Channel 4’s Comedy Gala Live At The O2’, ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘Rich Hall’s Cattle Drive’, ‘Rich Hall’s Gone Fishing’ and ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ [BBC] and his most recent BBC4 documentary ‘Rich Hall’s Californian Stars’. This show is recommended for age 14+, as it will contain some swearing and adult content. Tickets for Rich Hall are priced £16.

Tickets for all performances can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

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.

Little Sparks Toddler Sessions – Pirate Pat at the Beach

Bring along your youngest scientists for W5’s next Little Sparks toddler sessions on Wednesday 11 May!

Visit W5’s under 8s area, the town of Discovery, and take part in a 25 minute ‘Pirate Pat at the Beach’ workshop as part of your visit!

Children are born natural scientists so why not bring them to W5 to let them imagine, explore, play and have fun? The town of Discovery is a place where children can learn about themselves and the world around them. Get hands-on with its interactive exhibits, play animal sounds in the farmyard, paddle in a virtual rock pool at the beach or flick through digital storybooks in the castle.

Little Sparks will be held one morning each month in W5. (Term time only) Your special Little Sparks ticket allows you entry into W5 from 10am – 12noon (unless otherwise stated) and sessions are aimed at children aged between 18 months and 4 years.

There will be two sessions held in the morning and each session will be themed and will include a 25 minute workshop at 10:30am or 11:15am with one of W5’s education team. Places are limited and must be pre booked by calling 028 90467790 or 02890467793.

Costs:

  • Children 4 and under: £1 each
  • Adults: £5.50*
  • Additional (non-participating) children over 4: £4.50

*Season ticket holders only pay for the workshop
Details of up and coming sessions:

11th May 2016 – Pirate Pat at the Beach

Come dressed up and enjoy the pirate fun as we take a trip to a treasure Island, make some waves and find some treasure with Pirate Pat.

For further information visit www.w5online.co.uk.

Causeway Coast’s Maritime Festival is Awash with Treats

Pirate shipwrecks, sea shanties, sailing, seabirds and… sushi!

These are just some of the sights and sounds in store at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival on the Causeway Coast at the end of May.

Pictured at the launch is Caroline Carey, Tourism Development, Causeway Coast and Glens and Glens and John Morton, Harbour Master, Causeway Coast and Glens.

Now in its fourth year, the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival celebrates the unique stretch of water lying between Ballycastle and the magical island of Rathlin.

The week-long festival will run from 27th May to 4th June. It has a packed programme of events and activities lined up in Ballycastle and on Rathlin itself, with all kinds of water-based activity on Rathlin Sound in-between.

From Tall Ship rides, to racing yachts and fishing trips, and from powerboats to traditional hand-crafted rowing boats (curraghs), every pace will be catered for.

Why not take a boat trip of the coast and marvel at the puffins.

Once again, this year’s festival has been organised by the Council, Ballycastle Community Development Group, the Rathlin Development & Community Association, and the Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Sponsors for this year’s festival include Tourism Northern Ireland, Malin Waters and Rathlin Boat House Partnership as returners.  Also on board are new sponsors Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd, Marine Hotel Ballycastle, Naturally North Coast & Glens Market and Causeway Coast and Glens Food Network.

Caroline Carey, Tourism Development, Causeway Coast and Glens, said “The Festival is packed with a number of fantastic family friendly events and attractions.  There’s a wealth of adventure-filled history in Rathlin Sound, from tales of Vikings and pirates to mysterious shipwrecks laying deep beneath the island’s waters and of course the myths and legends around the Causeway Coast’s famous giant, Finn McCool.   With the area’s unique wildlife, birds and age-old crafts, it’s sure to capture the imagination of kids of all ages.

“For the music lovers, two of Ireland’s best-loved sea shanty groups, Molgoggers from Cobh and Hooks and Crooks from Waterford, will conjur up the sound of the seas with their incredible male harmonies; and for the land-lubbers, there will be a special show by one of Ireland’s top female country singers, the hugely popular Lisa McHugh, while Aoife Scott from the famous musical Black family returns to Rathlin Island again this year with her folk music.  There’s also a wealth of pop-up gigs and performances in store in bars and venues throughout the week.

“Two Festival highlights not to be missed are the unique boat blessing event being held on Rathlin and Ballycastle at the opening of the Festival, and the visit of the handsome Tall Ship, The Johanna Lucretia, with free opportunities to board and explore this unique vessel.”

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan said, “We are delighted to invite visitors back to Rathlin Island and Ballycastle for the fourth year of this superb festival.  We have a unique melting pot of natural riches, both on land and in the seas around this little part of the world.  The Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival is a fantastic mix of culture, entertainment, nature, sport and, of course, food.

“Given that 2016 is Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink, this is the perfect event to showcase the wealth of seafood on our shores.  Local restaurants will have special seafood menus, there will be local artisan food markets we’ll have classes teaching the art of smoking your own salmon, as well as sushi-making lessons and our first ever ‘Ulster Chowder Cookoff’.  We can’t wait!”

For further information about the festival and to pre-book tickets for some events, visit www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre 028 2076 2024.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will Make May Purple to raise Awareness of Stroke

On Wednesday 11 May 2016 council buildings in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough are lighting up purple to mark ‘Make May Purple’ – the Stroke Association’s campaign to raise awareness of stroke.

The charity’s annual awareness month is all about encouraging communities to get involved in something purple to raise awareness of Northern Ireland’s 4th biggest killer.  Mossley Mill, Ballyclare Town Hall and Antrim Civic Centre will join other iconic buildings around the UK in supporting the cause by lighting up purple.

Kate Gorman had a stroke in 2005 and now volunteers with the Stroke Association Newtownabbey group. She joined Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg to launch the Make May Purple campaign.

“Stroke happens in an instant and it changes people’s lives forever.  A quarter of all strokes happen to young people like me and about half of stroke survivors are left with a permanent disability. The Stroke Association wants to prevent strokes and help those who have had strokes get the support they need, whether that’s via local groups, 1 to 1 support or by campaigning for better stroke services. I’m absolutely delighted that Antrim & Newtownabbey Council is showing their support for Make May Purple and I hope the local community will get involved too. Whatever you choose to do, whether it’s holding a bake sale or signing up for an event, it’s an easy and fun way to show your support for local stroke survivors”.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg commented “We are delighted to support the Stroke Association’s ‘Make May Purple’ campaign by lighting up our council buildings in purple. We hope that local residents will be encouraged to find out more about stroke, take steps to reduce their risk of stroke and support the fantastic work this charity does to support local people affected by stroke and their families and carers too”.

To find out more about how to get involved please visit www.stroke.org.uk/MakeMayPurple

The Stroke Association is a charity that is changing the world for people affected by stroke.  They work with thousands of stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals, with scientists and researchers, and with supporters to conquer stroke. For more information visit www.stroke.org.uk

Destination Ballycastle presents the first Ulster Chowder Championship!!

You are invited to register your interest in the Inaugural Ulster Chowder Cook Off 2016.

Destination Ballycastle are hosting the “Ulster Chowder Cook off” to celebrate our fabulous sea food in Year of Food and Drink NI. The lucky winner will be sponsored to attend the All Ireland Chowder Cook Off in Kinsale in April 2017 to represent Ulster.
Taking Place on Sunday the 29th of May at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival in the Cookery Theatre Marquee from 3pm!

Participants are invited from all Ulster counties and will compete live on the day at the Sea Front venue. The winning Entrant will be sponsored by Destination Ballycastle to partake in the World Famous Kinsale Chowder Cook Off 2017 as the Ulster representative!

If you would like to take part in the Chowder Cook off 2016 we invite you to reply using the expression of interest form available to download at http://www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com/#!ulster-chowder-championship/s8f57

Please return the form along with a copy of your Food Hygiene Certificate before the deadline of the 12th of May.

Tourism Ireland unveils second Game of Thrones® door

~ Tourism Ireland’s latest Game of Thrones® campaign is showcasing Northern Ireland to millions of fans worldwide ~

3 May 2016 – Episode two of the long-awaited sixth season of Game of Thrones® aired last night (Monday, 2 May) and Tourism Ireland unveiled its second ‘Door of Thrones’ – this time in Fiddler’s Green bar and B&B in Portaferry, Co Down.

The door is part of Tourism Ireland’s latest Game of Thrones® campaign, created in partnership with HBO, which is showcasing Northern Ireland to millions of the show’s fans worldwide.

Earlier this year, the Dark Hedges – the Game of Thrones® filming location known to the people of Westeros as the Kingsroad – were battered by Storm Gertrude. Tourism Ireland saved the trees that fell that day, to turn them into a piece of Game of Thrones® history for fans – creating 10 intricately carved doors, each one telling the story of the latest episode in season six.

The doors are being unveiled by Tourism Ireland each week as season six unfolds, in pubs and other venues near Game of Thrones® filming locations across Northern Ireland – so, by the end of this season, we’ll have a brand new Game of Thrones® trail linking the major filming locations around Northern Ireland. The first door, from episode one, is hanging in The Cuan guest inn in Strangford.

Tourism Ireland has also unveiled its second – limited edition – Game of Thrones® stamp, another element of its new campaign.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with HBO in 2016, to highlight Northern Ireland – through the exciting events of Game of Thrones® – on the global stage. TV and film are recognised as strong influencers on travellers everywhere and the stellar popularity of Game of Thrones® is a fantastic opportunity for us to promote Northern Ireland to a huge audience of potential visitors. Our latest campaign is a fun and innovative way to bring the destination to the attention of Game of Thrones® fans everywhere – they will see our ads, spiking their curiosity about the landscapes and locations featured in the series and inspiring them to come and explore them for themselves.”

Each week, Tourism Ireland is releasing a mixture of short films and images from the campaign on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube in ten markets – including Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. It is building on the success of Tourism Ireland’s previous Game of Thrones® campaigns, which generated about five million clicks, comments and shares and reached about 100 million fans across the world.

Tourism Ireland is also targeting its own social fanbase – posting and tweeting to about 3.4 million Facebook fans and more than 323,000 followers on Twitter globally. The campaign is directing fans to a special section on Tourism Ireland’s international website, Ireland.com, which attracted more than 16.5 million views in 2015.

THE MERCHANT HOTEL CELEBRATES A DECADE OF DECADENCE

Belfast’s only 5-star hotel and Northern Ireland’s only five AA red star property, The Merchant Hotel celebrated ‘A Decade of Decadence’ this weekend as the landmark hotel marked its 10th anniversary.

Bill and Petra Wolsey celebrate The Merchant Hotel’s 10th anniversary. Picture by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye.

Since opening in the Cathedral Quarter in April 2006, The Merchant Hotel has breathed new life into the city centre, delighting guests with first class service, unrivalled luxury accommodation and an unparalleled food and drink offering. In just 10 years, The Merchant Hotel has become synonymous with decadence and luxury and has put Belfast City on the map as a leading travel destination.

From the World’s Most Expensive Cocktail to its Krug Champagne Afternoon Tea and a multitude of other luxurious experiences, The Merchant provides a haven of indulgence and splendour right in the heart of the city centre.

Having accumulated over 100 prestigious accolades, including their recent AA Five Red Star Rating, the UK Hotel Awards Best UK Hotel and World’s Best Cocktail Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Awards. And, in 2015, The Merchant’s owner, Bill Wolsey, managing director of Beannchor Group received an OBE for services to business and the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.

The Merchant Hotel’s influence in the industry and unparalleled success in the region is undeniable.

The 10th anniversary celebrations are the pinnacle of a decade of hard work for everyone at the hotel.

Speaking on the decadent celebrations, Bill Wolsey, Owner of The Merchant Hotel said:We are thrilled to be celebrating 10 years of The Merchant Hotel. Since our arrival on Skipper St in 2006, we have gone from strength to strength and I am so proud of everything that the hotel and our staff have achieved in this time.

“Our success is not just because of our incredibly elegant venue; it comes as a result of constant hard work from our talented team and support from our loyal guests. Northern Ireland, particularly Belfast, is a wonderful place to do business and with our next hotel venture Bullitt planned to open shortly, we hope to be here for a few decades more.”

At a special ‘Decade of Decadence’ gala event at the hotel on Friday 29th April, staff that have been with the hotel for 10 years were awarded with a long-service pin, commissioned to mark the 10th anniversary.

Throughout April, The Merchant has been calling on guests, past and present to share their Merchant Memories on social media, using the hashtag, #Merchant10 for the chance to win a range of incredible prizes. One memory has been selected as the winner of a magical spot prize each day for the last nine days, with the final winner set to be drawn today.

Alice McKenna has worked at the hotel since 20th April 2006 and will be one of over 10 employees to receive the pin. Commenting ahead of the event, she recalled her favourite memory of the hotel; “I have been with The Merchant Hotel since April 20th 2016. We had a great induction week which included standards, personal grooming, how to iron shirts properly, tie a neck tie and polish shoes, all of which set the precedent for the very high personal standards expected of anyone who was fortunate enough to become a member of The Merchant family. These very high standards translated through to what was expected from a Merchant staff member in our everyday work and these standards are what I strive to uphold in the housekeeping department on a daily basis.

“There have been many highlights in my Merchant career including Sir Ben Kingsley switching on our Christmas lights to hosting MTV’s drinks party through to making special moments for guests who hopefully will remember them for a very long time. The pinnacle of my career so far is achieving and retaining our AA 5 red star rating and to be the only hotel in Northern Ireland to reach this standard is a great honour. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to maintain the standards required for 5-star classification, however everyone at the hotel supports each other and I get tremendous job satisfaction from knowing what we have achieved together.”

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the hotel is also giving away an incredible package worth £10,000, giving one lucky winner the chance to enjoy 10 years of luxury, enjoying a sumptuous, indulgent and relaxing weekend at The Merchant Hotel every year until 2025. This is truly the prize that keeps on giving. To be in with a chance to win the decadent prize, just complete the entry form hosted on The Merchant Hotel’s website – www.themerchanthotel.com The winner will be drawn in early May 2016.
For more information visit www.themerchanthotel.com/offers-seasonal/ten

Share your Merchant Memories on The Merchant’s Facebook www.facebook.com/themerchanthotel and on Twitter – @MerchantHotel and using the hashtag, #Merchant10

Walled City Market and North West Angling Fair

Walled City Market


Join us for the new look Walled City Market in the Guildhall Square, Derry/Londonderry on Saturday 7th May from 9am – 4pm.

The first of a monthly market, the Guildhall Square will welcome the very best of artisan traders, offering visitors a friendly shopping experience with a wide selection of speciality foods ranging from fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, homemade jams and preserves, artisan breads, cakes, sweets and treats plus handmade crafted products. There will also be a kidz farm for little ones to enjoy.

Over 21 stalls will be taking part including Pykes and Pommes, Coffee n Crepes, Molloys Fish Market, Amara Burt Dexter, Granny Knitter plus many more.

For more information and a list of traders visit www.derrystrabane.com/walledcitymarket

Also check out the 71st anniversary of the surrender of the U-Boats with events happening in the Guildhall and Tower Museum on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May. Lots of activities including a full size replica spitfire plane in Guildhall Square. For more information visit http://goo.gl/D98YWA

North West Angling Fair

Join us at Melvin Sports Complex, Strabane on Sat 28th and Sunday 29th for the first ever North West Angling Fair. Over two days we will welcome a host of world class Fly Dressers, Casters and Angling Celebrities including:

Andrew Toft
Gordon Armstrong
Peter O’Reilly
Scott Mackenzie
Steve Munn
Pauline McClenaghan

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to watch fly dressers practice their art and fly casters demonstrating their techniques and tactics.

There will also be a series of talks and seminars from these expert anglers on a range of angling related topics as well as a range of quality trade stands selling everything an angler needs.

There will be something for all the family, from educational programmes delivered by the Loughs Agency, Guided Tours of the River Mourne, Fly Tying and Pole Cupping Competitions, Cookery Demonstrations, Virtual Angling, Birds of Prey and much more.

So come along for a fishing extravaganza! Free Admission

www.derrystrabane.com/anglingfair

The 50 years that made Mini Legends

Gracehill House, which is adjacent to the famous Dark Hedges, is playing host to the Mini Legends event on Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June.

Further to an idea by long term Mini enthusiasts George Jennings and Trevor Barlow the countryside will come alive with three days of events which include a Rally on the Saturday and a Family Fun Day with an opportunity for Car Enthusiasts to show off their vehicles on the Sunday.   Appearing on all three days are names that are synonymous with the legends that surround the iconic BMC Mini – Paddy Hopkirk MBE, Rauno Aaltonen, Terry Harryman, Mike Wood and a host of others.

Full details – including what makes this event unique – are below

1. What prompted this event?

With the longstanding interest in Minis in Northern Ireland and with four works cars in this relatively small country, friends and Mini enthusiasts George Jennings and Trevor Barlow decided it would be a great idea to organise an event to celebrate the “Minis'” success.  It is exactly 50 years since the BMC Works Minis were disqualified from coming 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Monte Carlo Rally which became known as the “Monte Carlo Fiasco“.

George and Trevor’s wish is that, after costs, all proceeds would go to a Rally Charity but since none exists in Northern Ireland they felt the most appropriate was the Air Ambulance.  Just a year ago such a service was merely a dream but thanks to the efforts of a special few the Government recently announced that it was releasing funding to help make it a reality.  “What people maybe don’t realise is that whilst the Air Ambulance will be a great asset for local sport, the general public will also benefit with its unique ability to reach sometimes difficult locations with great speed and so it wasn’t difficult to decide this was our favoured charity.”

2. Why Paddy, Rauno, Terry and Mike?

Paddy and Rauno were B.M.C. works drivers from the 1960s and it was Rauno Aaltonen who finished 2nd and Paddy Hopkirk 3rd behind team mate Timo Makinen in 1966 when they were disqualified. This was achieved in a period where other manufacturers had much bigger engines thus producing more power but the minis had the advantage of exceptional handling.  Terry Harryman and Mike Wood were B.M.C. navigators in the 1960’s and indeed Terry continued well into the 80’s.

3.  What’s the current interest in Minis?

Today the Mini still competes thanks to drivers such as Mervyn Johnston from Kesh who has been rallying in them from the early 60’s and is still right up there with the best.  Ray Cunningham from Galway managed to beat the more powerful Escorts and Porsches in recent events and Lloyd Hutchinson from Wicklow is a regular class winner when competing in his modified Mini.  Glen Leece from the Isle of Man is another very experienced and successful Mini driver as is his fellow countryman Adrian Kermode.  And there’s also Rory Tougher and Colin McDowell, two more fast and skilled Mini drivers who have achieved great results. These multi-talented competitors will make this a very exciting day indeed!

4.  What of the Rally Line-up?

This event brings a host of talented Mini drivers from all over Northern Ireland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and even an entry from Florida. Any one of these drivers could end up as Winners but with names such as Sam Bowden and Norman Ferguson showing their skills from their autotest days it’ll be no walkover!  One thing that’s assured it’ll be highly entertaining as it’s been a long time since such an array of talented “Mini” drivers took part in an event like this and it is a privilege for all concerned to line up with the Mini Legends that are  Hopkirk, Aaltonen, Harryman and Wood.  As one enthusiast described it, “We’ve all heard of the golf masters but these are the Mini Masters”.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY 3rd JUNE – JKC MINI, COLERAINE

JKC Mini in Coleraine are being very supportive of this three day event and will play host to Rauno Aaltonen and Basil Wales on the morning of Friday 3rd June to meet and greet mini enthusiasts.  Basil Wales was the special tuning department manager in the 60’s at BMC so this will be a very nostalgic visit for him.  They’ll all then make the journey to Gracehill to witness the scrutineering.

GRACEHILL HOUSE

The scrutineering at Gracehill starts at approximately 11.00 am and continues until approximately 4.00pm. This will be followed in the evening by a Barbecue and a Forum at Gracehill for which a limited number of tickets are still available – for tickets mail jointheminilegends@gmail.com with your name and number.

SATURDAY 4th JUNE

The Official Start of the Rally is at Gracehill from 10.00am when competitors will compete a half mile route around Gracehill before heading off to Ballycastle Forest Park.  With the unique sound of the vehicles’ straight cut gear box echoing in peoples’ ears they’ll travel via Torr Head to Cushendun where they will have a regroup followed by lunch at the National Trust’s Glenmona House and then onwards to Glendun.  They’ll then head back to Gracehill via the famous Dark Hedges where they’ll repeat the morning’s special stage around the Estate and then to the Finishing Line.

There’ll be time to relax before the Prize-giving Dinner at which there will be a raffle and auction of celebrity items.  Well known local Compere and DJ Brian Moore will act as host for the night which will also feature the superb duo Partners in Crime.

SUNDAY 5th JUNE

Sunday is a Classic Car and Motorcycle Show which starts from early morning until approximately 5.00 pm. Entries for this event are open to all car clubs and/or anyone with a classic car or motorcycle.  Entry Forms can be downloaded from the M.I.N.I. website.   The aim here is to make this a Family Fun Day with stalls, food facilities, side shows, children’s entertainment, music hosted by Brian Moore and guests and admission is absolutely free – although opportunities to donate to the Air Ambulance Charity will, of course, be available.

The Mini Legends Paddy Hopkirk M.B.E., Rauno Aaltonen, Terry Harryman and Mike Wood will be in attendance for all three days.  Visitors will also be able to purchase the book “King Fisher” by the iconic Bertie Fisher as well as publications by Mike Wood and others.  Details on these and other additions to the programme will be made known as they are added to what is becoming a very busy schedule of events.

GRACEHILL HOUSE

Since coming under new ownership Gracehill House is aspiring to become a top resort offering quality golf and accommodation.  Set in the stunning surroundings of Gracehill and sitting in the shadows of the famous Dark Hedges future plans include quality culinary experiences such as a farm shop and cafe offering local produce, a bar bistro and high end dining – and that’s only the beginning!  Of this event they said, “We’re delighted to host The Mini Legends and we hope this will serve as a catalyst for other activities with the motoring clubs of the UK and Ireland.  Gracehill House has so much to offer whether it’s corporate, charitable, functions, leisure or any of the myriad of current day events and we’re only too willing to discuss any such plans with you be they big or small.  Gracehill House has the ambition to be a quality destination for both the local and international market and a major strategy is currently being put in place to achieve all of these goals”.

www.gracehillhouse.com

info@gracehillhouse.com

T – 028 20751209

Navan Centre & Fort, one of the first in Northern Ireland to use innovative photography technique

The Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh is one of the first venues in Northern Ireland to use amazing cinemagraph photography.  This literally allows our images of the Centre to come to life!

The technique is already popular in the States, but as one of the first users here this allows Navan to give customers a taster of the amazing visitor experience at the Centre.

A highlight of the Centre is a visit to the Iron Age dwelling where visitors meet characters who bring the Celtic era to life through weaving, cooking, pottery, weaponry and much more.  Cinemagraph allows us to give potential customers a sneak peak of the Iron Age dwelling before their visit.

You can also view at www.navan.com

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com