Not sure what Sam Cree would make the title, but that’s exactly what the Euro Spa Escape is – a wee slice of paradise.  Available at the Spas at the Culloden Hotel Slieve Donard Resort during the Euros 16.

Being somewhat rather inexperienced in the Spa department I was VERY quick to take up the offer to try this new package on offer from Hastings Hotels which is available during Euro Football season from 10th June to the 10th July.

I was greeted by Nicola, with the warmest of welcomes, who took some details regarding my health before showing me around the facilities.

I got changed into my robe and slippers before being escorted to the relaxation room – WOW- where I put my feel up for a while and drank some water infused with fresh strawberries and mint, and flicked through a magazine until my I was called for my treatments.

For my two 25 minute spa treatments I had chosen the Espa Boutique Facial and Mini Mani. The facial includes a shoulder, neck and head massage and Sarah my therapist for the morning was not only very lovely but very professional. I picked the toner and massage oil I preferred the scent of from the Espa range and relaxed so much I almost fell asleep!

The next stop was the newly opened, and very opulent nail bar where Sarah filed and painted my nails ( which were badly in need of some TLC ) to perfection. The nail bar has a fantastic range of OPI colours but I opted for natural.

Following my treatments Sarah took me back to the relaxation room where I stretched out on one of the adjustable loungers for a while and enjoyed a cheeky glass of prosecco (ncluded in the package) before going for a dip in the pool and a steam.  The changing rooms are equipped to cater for ALL of your needs.  The showers have Espa shower creme, shampoo and conditioner.   Espa Body Lotion is available post shower.  Hair dryers and ghd straighteners are on hand to help people like me with uncontrollable frizz for hair!

I decided to extend my stay by treating myself to lunch – thank you to the legend who is Paula at the Zest Bar who made me the most amazing salad with Fivemiletown Goats Cheese and was the best craic!

All in all I spent around 3 hours at the Spa at Culloden and really didn’t want to leave… but felt completely refreshed and revived to take on the rest of the week ahead.

There are two packages available – the Premiership Package and the Championship Package. So go ahead and spoil yourself (or your good lady wife/partner) to a few hours of pure indulgence while the footie is on the gogglebox!

I can highly recommend it – although I am more of a MotoGP widow than a Football widow. However,  after my experience yesterday, this might have been one of my first spa experiences, but it certainly won’t be my last. The bar has been set extremely high!

For reservations

The Spa at Culloden – 028 9042 1135

The Spa at Slieve Donard – 028 4372 6166

hastingshotels.com

Football or foot massage – it’s a no brainer!   Thank you to all of the amazing staff who took such great care of me. See you soon,

Jacqueline x

Stormont Hotel gets a major £1.15m upgrade

Belfast’s Stormont Hotel has unveiled the results of a £1.15m series of upgrades to its conference centre, hotel bar, foyer and external work which included new gates.

Jonathan Topping, General Manager, Stormont Hotel, said:  “We strive to be the best in everything we do at the Stormont Hotel so it is extremely gratifying to see the investment and hard work over the last number of months come to fruition and the results are fantastic.”

The 21^st century Confex Centre now offers delegates and conference bookers a number of modern, versatile and dedicated spaces in which to hold events, explained Jonathan.  “The refurbished and upgraded Confex Centre has a separate entrance for delegates and when they enter they will enjoy a bright, airy and modern area with lots of space for delegates.  A manned reception desk and a dedicated staff member will be there to answer any questions which may arise during a conference.”

The Confex Centre has nine Confex Rooms, with the option of opening partitions to allow for larger events as well as ample free car parking on site.

“Each conference room is equipped with integrated data projectors and motorised screens”, said Jonathan.  “They also have LCD televisions offering crisp HD audio-visual, technology sockets which are integrated with the AV equipment, storage areas that conference organisers can use and a fridge with soft drinks and mineral water.  Being at ground floor level it is also excellent for trade events such as clothing shows.

“It’s our business to take care of your business and with our experienced and dedicated staff we will do just that.”

For further information on the Confex Centre contact Eoin McGrath, Business Development Manager at Stormont Hotel via email, bdm@stor.hastingshotels.com or call, 07594 642 795.

Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink continues in June with Love Dairy month and to celebrate, Rachel Quigg from Tourism Northern Ireland (pictured) was joined by Soda the cow at a famous Northern Ireland location – can you name it?

If so, join the fun online and name the location and include #LoveDairy in your post.  For more information on ‘Love Dairy’ month and Year of Food & Drink 2016 visit www.discovernorthernireland.com/yearoffoodanddrink2016.  You can keep up to date with what’s happening on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #LoveDairy.

The newly opened Beef and Bird, located at the Lisburn Leisure Park, is looking to enlist the help of Lisburn’s budding young artists, to help design novel artwork for its new signature cow and chicken life-size sculptures.

The sculptures, which are currently blank canvases, will take up pride of place outside the restaurant’s front window where they will remain on display for all to marvel at.

Open to all children under the age of 11, the two winning designs will not only have their submitted drawings professionally transferred on to the Beef and Bird sculptures but will also have a celebratory plaque bearing their name installed, plus win a Beef and Bird party for themselves and up to nine friends. The second place runners-up will receive a jam-packed Beef and Bird goody bag and third place runners-up will walk away with a Beef and Bird T-shirt and baseball cap.

Appealing to young artists in the making from the local area, Bronagh Campbell, owner of Beef and Bird, said:

“If you look at the interior of Beef and Bird you’ll quickly see that we created a space that allowed us to express ourselves in creative ways; from our scrabble boards and play areas to quirky fixtures. There was no set formula; we want to work and eat in a space that inspires.”

“Our sculptures will eventually become integral pieces to the entire feel of the restaurant. We hope to receive wacky, vibrant and downright fun submissions to be professionally transferred onto the sculptures.

“We can’t wait to see who the winners are and what new funky designs our cow and chicken will be rocking.”

To enter simply collect an entry form and colouring-in stencil from the Beef and Bird restaurant, Lisburn Leisure Park, or download a copy from the restaurant’s website and submit by post or in-store before Wednesday 15^th June.

For more information on the Beef and Bird Children’s Colouring Competition or to make a reservation, visit www.beefandbird.co.uk or call 028 9260 7306.

The elite of Northern Ireland restaurants have signed up to the first ever restaurant week aimed at celebrating Lough Neagh Eel because eels are tasty.

Lough Neagh Eels have been awarded for their heritage, tradition and authenticity and the inaugural ‘Eel-Eat’ week which runs from Saturday 25 June will culminate in the third annual River to Lough Festival on Saturday 2 July.

Organisers have been overwhelmed by the interest in the event and would welcome any restaurants yet to get involved to sign up and join this unique celebration.

Launching the event, which was attended by newly appointed Minister for Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Michelle McIlveen MLA, Conor Corr of Lough Neagh Partnership, said:  “What better way to celebrate our unique product than to dedicate a unique celebration to it.  We’re tying in our inaugural Eel-Eat restaurant week with the Tourism NI Year of Food and Drink and believe it will be a firm economic driver for the local economy.”

Restaurants are being urged to sign up to Eel-Eat by Friday 10 June.  Those already participating are:  Deanes Eipic and Wee Love Fish, Belfast; The White River Hotel, Toome; Hastings Hotels – Culloden Estate and Spa, Europa Hotel, Slieve Donard Resort and Spa; The Tullylagan Hotel, Cookstown; Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown; Pier 59, Derry~Londonderry; Lime Tree, Limavady; Harrys Bar & Bistro, Cookstown; Café in the Park, Dungannon; Ardmore Restaurant and Beechill Country House Hotel, Derry; Londonderry Arms Hotel, Carnlough; Downshire Arms Hotel, Banbridge; Central Wine Bar, Ballycastle; Truffles Restaurant, Randalstown and The Moody Boar Restaurant, Armagh.

At the end of Eel-Eat on Saturday 2 July, foodies and families will be able to celebrate the delicacy at the River to Lough Festival.  Now in its third year, the family festival will be situated for the first time right in the heart of Antrim at Antrim Castle Gardens.  Festivities will run from 12noon until 5.00pm with a pop-up restaurant, cookery demonstrations and a craft and artisan food market.

To become a participating restaurant in Eel-Eat, email Eimear@discoverloughneagh.com by Friday 10 June.

Eel-eat is supported by Tourism NI, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Food NI and The Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative Society.

www.twitter.com/eel_eat; #EelsAreTasty

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council launched their Somme Centenary programme at The Flax Gallery at the Museum at The Mill on Wednesday 1 June exactly one month before the anniversary of The Battle of the Somme.

To commemorate the centenary of The Battle of The Somme, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council have a programme of events running from July until November, ranging from exhibitions to theatre performances.

A community grant fund was available for local groups who wanted to organise their own commemorative events.  Thirteen local groups were awarded this funding and received their certificates at the launch. Local school children were also involved in a competition designing an image to be included in the commemorative booklet being produced to promote the programme. Templepatrick Primary School P7 pupil Christina Jenkins was the lucky winner and her drawing will feature in the centre pages of the booklet.

The centenary of the Battle of the Somme has significant resonance locally, given the huge numbers of men from all parts of Ireland who served in the British Army and the many lives that were lost.  Many men from what is now Antrim and Newtownabbey, volunteered themselves for the war effort and served with great distinction; both at the Battle of the Somme and elsewhere during World War One. It is right and proper that we should honour their sacrifice.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg , commented “The Council programme aims to educate, inform and promote understanding of this historical event and the impact it had for the people of our Borough.  I invite all of our residents to engage with the inclusive programme of events and activities and remember the sacrifice made at the Battle of the Somme.”

For a full listing of events please visit the website www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Open House Festival Bangor has launched its much anticipated 2016 programme, and with 125 events taking place in more than 40 venues, the seaside town will be the go-to destination for the month of August.

This year’s programme of handpicked special events includes music, film, food & drink, theatre, literature, comedy and art, and introduces magic, mystery, dance and lectures to the lineup. The Festival’s trademark diverse list of venues and locations includes pubs and parks, clubs and cafes, boats and a ballroom, as well as a theatre, a courthouse, a church, an island and an auction room.

“Commemorating anniversaries, celebrating local talent and forging new creative partnerships are some of the themes of this year’s festival,” says Festival Director, Kieran Gilmore. “And as this is the Tourism NI Year of Food and Drink, showcasing fabulous local produce in many of the town’s great restaurants will be focal.”

Highlights include a 40^th anniversary concert by The Damned, a 70^th birthday tribute to former ACDC front man Bon Scott, and a nod to the 400^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with an open air performance of A Midsummers Night’s Dream. Singer Niamh Perry returns to Bangor for a homecoming concert – her first local appearance since her success in the BBC’s hit show, I’d Do Anything.

Other local acts include mentalist, David Meade; jazz singer, Dana Masters; and indie-folk band, Ports. They’ll share the limelight with American bands Iron & Wine and Spirit Family Reunion, and familiar faces like Suggs, Tom Robinson, Alexi Sayle and Ian Rankin. There are picnics in parks, gardens and islands, gourmet food tours, whiskey tastings and seafood with sea shanties. There are mad-cap lectures, magic tricks, and even a spot of ghost hunting, plus pub theatre, book clubs and dance classes. As well as the regular Walled Garden film screenings, there’ll be films with wine tasting, with disco dancing and even with a clothes swap. And the Open House Festival Choir, a stand out success at last year’s Festival, returns for its fourth consecutive season, with several performances throughout the month.

“This year’s programme is really eclectic and we’re hugely proud of it,” says Kieran, “especially as almost half of the events are free. Many partners from across the local arts and business communities have helped to develop it, embracing the idea of Bangor as a creative town. But Open House Festival isn’t just for locals – it’s for folk throughout the country and beyond who love live music, enjoy eating out, are game for a laugh, want to be surprised, and crave the feel-good satisfaction that handpicked arts and culture can deliver.”

Maria McAlister, Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added: “It’s great to see Open House back again with another terrific programme of exciting events for the 2016 festival.  From music to comedy, food, film and theatre, there’s something for everyone, including many free events, offering more and more ways for local audiences to experience high quality arts events right on their doorstep.”

Eddie Rowan, Events Manager for Tourism NI said: “Tourism NI is pleased to once again support Open House Festival Bangor.  With such a variety of entertainment on offer, and celebrating Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink, visitors to Bangor will be greeted with a fantastic atmosphere within the town.”

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, commented that: “Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to be supporting the festival for the fourth year running. As the festival grows it continues to bring an eclectic mix of both local and international artists. It is a true success story and, through its inclusive programme of culture and arts, plays a key role in helping to invigorate Bangor by increasing cultural tourism and by engaging and celebrating local businesses.”

Open House Festival Bangor 2016 is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Tourism NI and NI Year of Food and Drink. The County Down Spectator is the official media partner for the festival.

For more information, go to www.openhousefestival.com.

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Tourism NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• Spring Break, Barnwell Farm Cottages (Elm Cottage), Co. Down. From £18pps.  Located off a quiet country road in the heart of the Ards Peninsula, the four-star Barnwell Farm Cottages is the ideal place for a relaxing break in unspoilt countryside. Close to Mount Stewart House and Gardens, spring is a wonderful time to visit these world-renowned gardens.  Offer includes overnight accommodation and complimentary ticket to Mount Stewart.  Available until 30 June.  To book call (028) 427 88488.

• Dine & Stay, Finn Lough, Co. Fermanagh. From £82.50pppn. Set in the grounds of a 75-acre peninsula resort, five-star Finn Lough is an idyllic spot to unwind and let your cares slip away on a relaxing lakeside break. Offer includes overnight accommodation in a luxury suite, a three-course evening meal using ingredients from the resort’s garden and local producers and a cooked breakfast the next morning.  Available until 30 June. To book call (028) 683 80360.

• Champagne Sundays, Benedicts of Belfast, Co. Antrim. From £75 per room. Situated a short walk from the city centre, Benedicts is a four-star hotel ideal for those looking for a short break in Belfast. Buy a bottle of Champagne any Sunday and stay in a deluxe double room enjoying a full Irish breakfast the following morning absolutely free! Available until July 2016.  To book call (028) 90 591999.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (June 13- June 19).

• The Belfast Opera, Carlisle Memorial Church, Belfast, June 18 & 19. A mysterious man turns up in a Belfast call centre with a box and a story to tell, if only he was granted the time to tell it. Performed by an international cast and the people of Belfast, this is a story about Belfast’s past and its future. www.thebelfastopera.com.

• Midsummer Concert, Mussenden Temple, Co. Londonderry, June 17 & 18. Organised by the North Coast Association enjoy an evening of music with Craig Ogden on guitar in the unique surroundings of Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple. Complimentary buffet supper included. Booking essential.

• Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend, Various Location, June 18 & 19. See, hear, touch and be part of Northern Ireland’s farming story as over twenty farms open their doors to the public to showcase NI’s farming industry. As part of the NI Year of Food and Drink 2016, there will be special tastings available on each farm!

• Colour Run, Share Discovery Village, Co. Fermanagh, June 17. Join the 35^th birthday celebrations of the Share Centre and take part in a 5km Colour Run/Walk involving lots of paint, colour and laughs. There will be a BBQ and refreshments at the end of the race as well as a bouncy castle and slip ‘n’ slide for the kids. Booking essential.

• Tickety Moo at the Suitor Craft Gallery, Co. Tyrone, until June 30. Celebrate Love Diary month in the NI Year of Food and Drink at the Suitor Craft Gallery Craft Shop where you’ll be able to visit the gallery and sample some of the delicious artisan ice-cream with flavours ranging from wild berries and cream to honeycomb and homemade apple pie.

• Piccolo Fondo, Craigavon City Park, Co. Armagh, June 18. Part of the NI Cycling Festival, the Piccolo Fondo offers families and new comers to cycling the chance to get on their bikes and discover the simple pleasures of cycling in a fun, safe and enjoyable environment.  The afternoon would not be complete with a BBQ, fun cycling activities and entrance into a free prize draw. Participants are encouraged to wear pink to celebrate the Gran Fondo Giro D’Italia Northern Ireland.

• Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries, The Space, SERC, Co. Down, June 13. Prepare to be amazed, dazzled and bewildered by this spectacular show where maths, theatre and digital technology collide to create a fun and interactive performance proving that understanding maths can be fun! Suitable for ages 8+.  Starts at 6:30pm.

• The Art of Jack Wilkinson, Ballymoney Town Hall, Co. Antrim, until June 16. Hosted by Ballymoney Town Hall this free exhibition celebrates one of Antrim’s best known and most admired artists.  The exhibition is a rare opportunity to see a selection of his work on public display and will also be a tribute to this much loved and fondly remembered local man.

• Night Ride & BBQ, Belfast, June 15. Part of the NI Festival of Cycling take part in an evening cycle travelling around Belfast’s city centre cycle network followed by a BBQ.  The Courtyard will be the meeting point 1A Lawrence Street, Belfast, BT7 1LE and will also the venue for the BBQ after the night ride. Starts at 9:30pm.

• Cairncastle Bluegrass Musical Evening, The Halfway House Hotel, Co. Antrim, June 17. Featuring artists such as Roni Stoneman and Harpers Hallow Bluegrass Band, music lovers will not want to miss this spectacular evening of banjo playing and singing taking place at The Halfway House Hotel.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.

Leapin’ Lizards! It’s back!! The Market Place Theatre Youth Musical for 2016 will be the world’s best-loved family musical, ‘Annie’.

All roles are now filled, with the exception of just one! If you or anyone you know would make the perfect billionaire good guy ‘Daddy Warbucks’, then this is your final chance. To arrange an audition email vincent.mccann@marketplacearmagh.com, prepare a song, and you could be treading the boards this summer.

All participants must be available throughout the period Monday 18th July to Saturday 23rd August 2016. Performances will take place from Tuesday 16th – Saturday 20th August 2016. Please note that there is a participation fee of £100.00 for successful candidates. A number of free places are available for families on state benefit.

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.