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Health Minister and Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt and councillors Pete Wray and Joe Boyle joined local community leaders in Portaferry on Saturday to launch a new festival celebrating Portaferry’s abundance of heritage – built, cultural and natural.

The Portaferry Heritage Fest takes place 13-15 September with over 30 events and activities across three days, all in, or close to, Portaferry.

Access to the stunning natural heritage of Strangford Lough is available through guided boat tours or get even closer to the lough (and maybe see the dolphins!) by having a go at coastal rowing. Or find out how it all began with the talk on Windmill Hill about How Strangford Lough Was Formed. Or literally taste our natural heritage with the Wild About Foraging event at Kearney where you can forage, cook and eat nature with Wildlife Expert David Thompson and Wild Chef Celia Spouncer.

Portaferry Men’s Shed will be demonstrating how to build bird boxes and True Harvest Seeds and Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership will have stalls to explore urban biodiversity.

The built heritage offer includes Drones, Stones and Ancient Bones, an investigation into the Neolithic cairn at Millin Bay, as well as tours of Templecranny ruins and graveyard plus living history interpretation at Portaferry Castle. Tour guide Seamus Dorrian is running tours entitled ‘Think You Know Portaferry?’ which finish with a ‘pour your own pint’ stop at Fiddlers Green. Several of Portaferry’s heritage buildings will be open as part of European Open Heritage Day too.

Cultural heritage abounds with art exhibitions and heritage displays at Portico, the Recreation Hub and the Ropewalk Maritime Heritage Centre. Artisan craft demonstrations feature at a special heritage themed Market On The Square on both Saturday and Sunday, and the RNLI is open to the public too.

Find out about the history of Echlinville Distillery with the ‘Tour & Tipple’ or enjoy getting creative with Seaweed and Cyantope at Queen’s Marine Lab.

Lough Legends at Portaferry Library will entertain the little ones, and Joseph Tomelty’s The McCooeys will engage the older folk. For those somewhere in between, there’s tours and tipples aplenty, not to mention folk music with Seán Donnelly, traditional music with The Kilkennys and  a celebration of 1980s pop heritage with Spring Break, all at Portico.

Speaking on behalf of Portaferry Community Collective’s Heritage Committee, Dr Verity Peet said, “The quantity and the diversity of the organisations involved in this festival shows us just how important heritage is for our wellbeing, our sense of identity and our ability to draw visitors and their business to Portaferry.”

“This festival is just the start. We want to work with local government and public bodies to find the balance between preserving our heritage for generations to come and encouraging access and sustainable tourism; the sweet spot between caring for and sharing our heritage. We want to make Portaferry known for being a heritage destination and a thriving Heritage Town.”

The Portaferry Heritage Fest runs from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September. Find out more about the festival from the online programme at https://simplebooklet.com/portaferryheritagefest or check out porticoards.com

The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) has been announced as the main sponsor for the upcoming Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition, the largest event of its kind in Northern Ireland. 

The 5th annual conference and exhibition will take place at the TEC Belfast in Belfast on September 12, bringing together industry leaders from across the UK and Ireland.

AMIC, a £100m innovation centre led by Queen’s University Belfast in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Ulster University, and supported by the UK Government and NI Executive through the Belfast Region City Deal, is the main sponsor for the 2024 event.

Sam Turner, CEO of AMIC, said: “We’re thrilled to be back to partner with the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Conference and Supply Chain Conference and Exhibition for 2024. It’s a fantastic event that showcases innovations in manufacturing and the cutting-edge research that underpins them.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to talk to attendees about our £100m Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), which will turbocharge Northern Ireland’s manufacturing capabilities and embed a culture of innovation to drive increased productivity. Through AMIC, we are supporting economic growth and prosperity for Northern Ireland by creating high-quality jobs and increasing inward investment through high-value manufacturing innovation clusters: driving industrial transformation, paving the way for future technologies, and competing globally with a more sustainable focus.”

The event, which will feature over a hundred trade stands, a comprehensive conference programme with free workshops, and keynote speakers, is a significant platform for showcasing the latest technological solutions and innovations in the manufacturing sector. Exhibitors will range from business services to innovative companies across various sectors, reflecting the breadth of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing industry.

Speaking of the AMIC sponsorship Colin Murphy, Managing Director of Premier Publishing & Events, which organises the event, said: “We are delighted to partner with AMIC for this year’s Belfast event.

“Due to open in 2026 AMIC’s new Factory of the Future is a key development in Northern Ireland’s manufacturing industry and will significantly accelerate levels of innovation and collaboration between industry and researchers.

“Generating annual sales of about £20 billion, manufacturing is crucial to Northern Ireland’s economic development. Manufacturers directly employ 80,000 people while supporting further employment throughout the wider supply chain in every region of Northern Ireland.

“The manufacturing sector accounts for 13.4% of Northern Ireland’s economic output, significantly higher than the UK figure of 9.8%. Northern Ireland’s manufacturers also generate almost half of the country’s external sales and more than half of export sales. The Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition will encompass the full manufacturing spectrum across the country, including the food and drink, biopharma, medtech, healthcare, engineering, transport, technology, building products, fabrics, polymers, packaging and renewables sectors.”

Throughout the day, the event will cover critical themes such as Manufacturing; Supply Chain & Logistics; Sustainability; Lean Productivity & Continuous Improvement; Automation & Robotics; Procurement; 3D Printing; Hi-tech Manufacturing & Precision Engineering; IoT & Industry 4.0; and Lean Productivity & Continuous Improvement.

Colin Murphy added, “The Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition will provide an ideal location for businesses to meet with Government agencies and supporting associations, and gain free advice from experts on how to improve operational performance. The Event will also provide networking zones to connect buyers and suppliers. Indeed, the layout of the Conference & Exhibition is intended to maximise the opportunity for visitors to network and make new contacts.”

Registration for the 2024 Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition on September 12 at TEC Belfast is free and tickets are available from northernirelandmanufacturing.co.uk/register 

The upcoming Aspects Festival will spotlight poetry with a diverse lineup of poets and events.

On 25 September, award-winning Galician poet Isaac Xubín will read at Bangor’s Imperial Bar. Xubín is participating in the Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill Poetry Exchange during his residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. Aspects Festival is delighted to be a host partner of the Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill Poetry Exchange for the third year.

On 27 September, poets Paula Meehan and Gail McConnell will present their latest works at Bangor Castle. Meehan, a former Ireland Professor of Poetry, will share from The Solace of Artemis, while McConnell, from Belfast, will read from her award-winning debut, The Sun is Open.

Theo Dorgan, an acclaimed poet and writer, will appear at Bangor Castle on 29 September, featuring his latest collection Once was a Boy, which delves into his Cork childhood. A former Director of Poetry Ireland, Dorgan is an award-winning poet, a non-fiction prose writer, novelist, editor, documentary screenwriter, essayist, librettist and translator.

Also appearing at Bangor Castle on 29 September is renowned poet Michael Longley where he will read from his latest work Ash Keys. Published to coincide with his 85th birthday, Ash Keys looks back on the extraordinary career of the last surviving member of the triumvirate of poets that rose out of 1960s Belfast.

The festival is also hosting two Poetry Slams this year – the Aspects North Down Heat on Saturday 21 September and the Ulster Final on Saturday 28 September at Studio 1A, Bangor. This dynamic competition pits poets against poet, working against the clock and their peers to showcase original work.

Speaking about the events, Aspects Festival Director, Patricia Hamilton said: “We are delighted to once again welcome poets from near and far to Aspects. It is wonderful to see the return of the Galician Exchange event and as always, it is an honour to welcome Michael Longley to read for us. I would encourage everyone to check out the programme and book their tickets.”

Aspects Festival runs from 25 September to 6 October at various locations around Bangor. For further information on the programme and to book tickets see aspectsfestival.com

Northern Ireland’s foremost physical theatre company, Bruiser, has announced that its production of Kat Woods’ engaging and relevant drama, Wasted, will embark on an NI-wide theatre tour in September 2024.

The production is set to visit The Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey; Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick; The Strule Arts Centre, Omagh; The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh and The MAC, Belfast.

Wasted, by award-winning playwright Kat Woods, is a socio-political play that explores themes of binge drinking and sexual assault. Join Oli, Emma, and their mates on a night out; drinking, flirting, and clubbing. It’s the morning after the night before and Oli and Emma try to piece together the night’s events through the blurry haze of a dubious hangover. Wasted illuminates that grey area in the sexual relationship after a few too many drinks. The characters are not sure what has happened; both suffering from post-alcoholic amnesia. They are both secure in the fact that sex happened but, where alcohol puts the female in a state unable, legally, to consent to sex, our characters continually ask ‘what happened’ as they are marched through the legal system.

Enniskillen playwright, Kat Woods says:

“[Wasted] is a story focusing on a minority voice represented on the stage based on true events. A minority voice that seems to reflect the majority, when it comes to consent and drunken sex.”

Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support Bruiser thanks to game-changing funding from The National Lottery.  This new production demonstrates the power of the arts in giving people a voice, and in shining a light on important issues to create dialogue and positive social change.  We wish everyone involved great success with what promises to be a compelling and emotive performance and I would encourage everyone to go along.”

Lisa May, Bruiser’s Artistic Director said “Wasted is a raw and at times brutal piece that makes us feel uncomfortable. And we should. It is an extremely relevant and interventionist piece, which raises awareness of taboo subjects, sparking debate. Wasted has all the elements to attract new and diverse audiences; challenging, provoking, connecting and entertaining them in equal measure. It is brave, unapologetic storytelling at its best.”

Bruiser Theatre Company is renowned for its fast-paced, energetic, and engaging performances. Featuring fantastic local actors, Sharon Duffy and Warren McCook, and under the meticulous direction of Lisa May, Wasted promises to creatively explore the consequences of what can happen when lines, and memories, are blurred.

Wasted is supported by the National Lottery through The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Halifax Foundation and Belfast City Council.

To book tickets for a performance of Wasted visit:

www.bruisertheatrecompany.com/productions/wasted

The upcoming Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition, set to take place on September 12 at TEC Belfast, will bring renewed attention to the often-overlooked aspect of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) frameworks: social value. 

The event, which is the largest of its kind in Northern Ireland, will feature a diverse range of speakers and exhibitors, with a particular focus on integrating social value into sustainable business practices.

Rachel Doherty, Director of Inspired Business Consultancy, will be leading a key session titled “Putting the S back into ESG,” where she will address the critical role of social value in today’s manufacturing industry. While ESG has become a major focus for businesses, the social component frequently takes a back seat to environmental concerns such as carbon emissions and sustainability. 

Rachel’s session will argue that this imbalance needs to be corrected to ensure that social value is delivered effectively, monitored appropriately, and integrated into broader business strategies.

“ESG is crucial for the long-term sustainability of any business, but too often, the ‘S’ in ESG is overshadowed by environmental issues,” said Rachel Doherty. 

“Social value is not just a box-ticking exercise; it has real implications for maintaining margins, avoiding non-compliance penalties, and fostering strong community and stakeholder relationships. 

“At the conference, I will be discussing how businesses can take a strategic approach to ensure that the social value they deliver is both cost-effective and genuinely impactful.”

Rachel will also explore the challenges businesses face in measuring social value, particularly through tools like Social Return on Investment (SROI). Her session aims to provide attendees with practical strategies to enhance their ESG frameworks by placing equal emphasis on social value alongside environmental and governance concerns.

Colin Murphy, Managing Director of Premier Publishing & Events, the organisers of the conference, emphasised the significance of this discussion in the current business climate. 

“The manufacturing sector is increasingly recognising the importance of ESG, but there is still a gap in how social value is addressed,” he said. 

“Rachel Doherty’s session on social value will be a key highlight of the conference, offering valuable insights for businesses looking to strengthen their ESG strategies. We’re pleased to have experts like Rachel contributing to this vital conversation.”

The Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition is now in its fifth year and has established itself as a pivotal event for the manufacturing sector in the region. This year’s conference is expected to attract over 3,000 delegates from across the UK and Ireland, making it the largest gathering of its kind in Northern Ireland. 

The event will feature over a hundred trade stands showcasing the latest innovations, technologies, and services that are driving the future of manufacturing.

In addition to Rachel Doherty’s session on social value, the conference will host a comprehensive programme of workshops and keynote speeches covering a wide range of topics critical to the industry. 

These include sustainability, lean productivity, continuous improvement, automation, robotics, procurement, 3D printing, and precision engineering. The conference will also address emerging trends such as IoT and Industry 4.0, highlighting how these technologies are transforming manufacturing processes.

This year’s event will also place a strong emphasis on networking and collaboration. Special networking zones will be set up to facilitate connections between buyers, suppliers, and industry leaders. These zones are designed to maximise the opportunity for attendees to make new contacts, explore potential partnerships, and discuss pressing issues facing the industry.

The conference is supported by leading organisations and institutions, including the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a £100 million innovation centre led by Queen’s University Belfast in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, and Ulster University. AMIC’s involvement underscores the event’s importance as a platform for advancing manufacturing innovation in Northern Ireland.

Speaking of the event Sam Turner, CEO of AMIC, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition once again in 2024. 

“This event is a fantastic platform to showcase innovations in manufacturing and the cutting-edge research that underpins them. It also allows us to highlight our £100m Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), which will turbocharge Northern Ireland’s manufacturing capabilities and embed a culture of innovation to drive increased productivity.”

Registration for the 2024 Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition on September 12 at TEC Belfast is free and tickets are available from northernirelandmanufacturing.co.uk/register 

Galway-based 3D Technology Ltd, a leading supplier of 3D printing equipment in Ireland, has announced its expansion into the Northern Ireland market. 

The move is set to provide Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector with access to cutting-edge 3D printing solutions, offering potential advancements in production efficiency and capabilities.

This strategic expansion will be officially announced at the upcoming Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition on 12 September, at the TEC in Belfast.

The event, now in its fifth year, is the largest of its kind in Northern Ireland and serves as a crucial forum for industry leaders across the UK and Ireland.

The conference, which will feature over a hundred trade stands and a comprehensive programme of free workshops and keynote speakers, provides an ideal platform for 3D Technology Ltd to showcase its innovative 3D printing solutions. The company will be among a diverse range of exhibitors displaying the latest technological advancements designed to meet the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry.

Speaking of the expansion, 3D Technology’s managing director James Wall said: “We are pleased to bring our expertise in 3D printing to Northern Ireland’s dynamic manufacturing sector. 

“The cost of downtime due to broken parts can be enormous, even catastrophic, with traditional methods. By using 3D printing, manufacturers can avoid these risks by producing what they need, exactly when they need it. 

“Our goal is to help local manufacturers enhance their production processes by improving efficiency, reducing downtime, and cutting costs, ultimately boosting their competitiveness in the global market.”

In addition to the announcement, 3D Technology Ltd will be participating in discussions at the conference on key themes such as Automation & Robotics, Hi-tech Manufacturing, Precision Engineering, and 3D Printing—topics central to the future of manufacturing. The event provides an excellent opportunity for manufacturers to engage with government agencies, industry experts, and supporting associations, gaining insights and advice on improving operational performance.

Unlike traditional manufacturing methods that rely on costly and time-consuming tooling and moulding processes, 3D printing eliminates the need for these recurring expenses. For instance, with traditional injection moulding, lead times for tooling can range from 4 to 16 weeks. In contrast, 3D printing allows manufacturers to produce parts on demand, drastically reducing both costs and production timelines.

3D Technology Ltd is also committed to supporting its clients with comprehensive training, maintenance, and a range of tailored support services designed to integrate seamlessly into existing production processes. This commitment ensures that manufacturers can make the most of their investment in 3D printing technology, enhancing their operational capabilities and return on investment.

Managing Director, Colin Murphy from organisers Premier Publishing & Events said the Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference will serve as a forum for manufacturers and operators involved throughout the associated supply chains from across Northern Ireland to gather to discuss pressing issues facing their industry.

He added: “Generating annual sales of about £20 billion, manufacturing is crucial to Northern Ireland’s economic development. 

“Manufacturers directly employ 80,000 people while supporting further employment throughout the wider supply chain in every region of Northern Ireland. 

“The manufacturing sector accounts for 13.4% of Northern Ireland’s economic output, significantly higher than the UK figure of 9.8%. 

“Not just that but Northern Ireland’s manufacturers also generate almost half of the country’s external sales and more than half of export sales.

“We are delighted to be supporting 3D Technology in their efforts to expand into the Northern Ireland marketplace.”

Registration for the 2024 Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition on September 12 at TEC in Belfast is free. Tickets are available from www.northernirelandmanufacturing.co.uk/register 

This year’s Aspects Festival will bring you a series of events which will showcase writers and their latest publications. The popular festival takes place in Bangor from 25 September – 6 October.

Join Irish short story writer and novelist Mary Costello in Bangor Castle on Saturday 28 September as she discusses her latest book Barcelona. The Irish Times Bestseller, which was published in Spring 2024, reveals underlying disquiet in modern life and the sometimes brutal nature of humanity. Mary Costello lives in Galway. Her collection of short stories, The China Factory, published in 2012, was nominated for the Guardian First Book Award. Her second book and first novel, Academy Street, was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award, the Costa First Novel Prize and the EU Prize for Literature in 2014. The novel went on to win the Irish Novel of the Year Award as well as the Irish Book of the Year.

Evelyn Conlon will be in conversation with broadcaster Kathy Klugson at North Down Museum on Saturday 5 October. Evelyn’s latest book Reading Rites brings her characteristic wit and keen intelligence to the task of exploring her writing life, drawing out the events, people, books and concerns that have helped to make her the writer she is. Evelyn Conlon is considered one of Ireland’s most important writers. She is the author of four novels and three short story collections. Her work has been widely anthologised and translated. She is the editor of four anthologies and is a member of Aosdána. As part of Aspects Festival, Evelyn will also deliver a Short Story Writing workshop at North Down Museum on Sunday 6 October.

Andrew Hugh’s new crime novel Emma Disappeared, is about the disappearance of Emma Harte, a high-achieving university student and young entrepreneur. While a national debate about women’s safety rages, eyes turn to Emma’s boyfriend, Tom – who is nowhere to be found. Andrew’s debut novel, The Convictions of John Delahunt, was shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Irish Crime Book of the Year. The Coroner’s Daughter, a tale of a young lady sleuth operating at the dawn of forensic science, was nominated for the CWA Historical Dagger and was One Dublin, One Book 2023. Join Andrew for Aspect’s Crime Night event at North Down Museum on Friday 4 October when he will discuss his latest work with crime writer Brian McGilloway.

In 2021 at age 21 years old, Ruby Free moved to Rathlin Island, a biodiverse gem perched on the outer edges of our archipelago, for her dream job with the RSPB. She made Rathlin her home for over 2 and a half years and documented the experience in her new book Rathlin: A Wildlife. Ruby will talk about the book and her experiences on the island at Studio 1A, Bangor on 28 September.

Speaking about the events, Festival Director Patricia Hamilton said: “Aspects has a long tradition of showcasing and supporting new writing. We are delighted to welcome these fantastic writers to the festival and looking forward to hearing about their latest works.”

Aspects Festival runs until from 25 September to 6 October at various locations around Bangor. For further information on the programme and to book tickets see:

aspectsfestival.com

Tourism NI’s young ‘Adventure Ambassador’ enjoys some of Northern Ireland’s world class attractions and experiences

 

From exploring the depths of the Marble Arch Caves to the world-renowned Giant’s Causeway and even the stars above at the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Northern Ireland is perfect for making core family memories.

You’re only a small step away from giant experiences as Tourism Northern Ireland’s ‘Adventure Ambassador’ eight-year-old Anna McGuinness and her family have been discovering.

Having won TNI’s Giant Memory Making competition earlier this year, Adventure Ambassador Anna, and her family, have been busy enjoying fun-filled day trips and short breaks across Northern Ireland and have put together a host of videos showcasing their giant adventures.

Narrated by Anna, the three videos provide a showcase of the McGuinness family’s trips to County Tyrone, County Armagh, County Fermanagh and the Causeway Coast.

“It has been great fun exploring Northern Ireland with my family,” said Anna.

“There are so many amazing places to see and things to do here and they’re all just a short journey away from our home.

“My sister (Bonnie) and I have had an amazing time so far and we can’t wait to continue our giant adventures across counties Armagh, Down and Londonderry with our mum, dad and dog Pepper.”

In County Tyrone, the intrepid explorers enjoyed zip-lining and mountain climbing at Todd’s Leap Activity Centre, stepped back in time at the Ulster American Folk Park and learning all about the night sky at OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. They also came face to face with a giant when they met Ceoldán: The Stargazer at Davagh Forest, part of the Sperrin Sculpture Trail.

On the Causeway Coast they spent time at Broughgammon Farm before departing Ballycastle harbour for a tour along the North Coast with Kintra Boat Tours. The family enjoyed lunch with Pepper at the Marine Hotel Ballycastle and stopped at Dunluce Castle. They learned about the legend of Finn McCool at the Giant’s Causeway and then dipped their toes in the water at Whiterocks Beach before heading to dinner at Ramore, Anna recommends the brownie.

Before heading to County Fermanagh, the McGuinness family stopped by Portadown to enjoy the Orchard County at Long Meadow Farm. After they tasted the fresh apple juice and treats, they made their way to a lakeside lodge at the Killyhevlin Hotel before exploring Devenish Island and Enniskillen Castle on the Erne Water Taxi. The Marble Arch Caves were also a hit with the young family.

Watch on to find out what else they got up to on each of their short breaks and for more information, and other family-friendly giant adventures in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com.