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Belfast Author Clare Gallagher has debuted her first novel. A moving story of friendship across the miles. ‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’ takes readers from one side of the Atlantic to the other as the main character Cat embarks on a year of study in a US college.

Speaking at the launch of the novel, Clare Gallagher, said: “I’m a passionate writer and I’ve always thought that one day I would write a book. It’s been burning in me for years. Then during lockdown I decided to put pen to paper and here we are. I’ve launched my first novel and it’s been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.”

‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’ is inspired by Clare’s own experience of meeting a lifelong friend at the tender age of 20 and despite the miles between them, the two have remained firm friends for more than 20 years.

Clare added: “I was inspired from my own experiences for the book’s main character Cat to find a friend for life. Someone who she would share a fun year in college with but someone who would be there for her throughout her life. I think I’ve achieved that as her relationship with her college roommate Alex blossoms into something extremely special for both of them.”

There’s fun, humour, chaos and flirting but at the heart of the novel is the tale of a deep friendship. The story centres around Cat, a fun-loving, free-spirited Dubliner who enjoys pints with the lads and is very much a city girl but has never experienced America before. And Alex, an all-American, blonde-haired Californian, who lives in a small town just outside San Francisco who has never been out of her own county before. Both are living away from home for the first time, and they enjoy their college experience to the fullest and all the drama that goes with it.

Cat and Alex begin a hilarious adventure which sees them navigate college life, sticking together through thick and thin, highs and lows, good times and bad times. They are always there for each other and come to realise the value of a true friendship that will last a lifetime.

‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’ has already received rave reviews since going on sale on November 1. To purchase your copy, please visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/Birds-Feather-Flock-Together-Gallagher/dp/1739481194

 

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is set to host a series of events to mark Ulster-Scots Language Week from 20-24 November, 2023

Coordinated by the Ulster Scots Agency, ‘Ulster Scotch Leid Week’ aims to promote greater awareness of the Ulster Scots language and celebrate the contribution which Ulster Scots makes to our local area and communities.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan said: “This year’s programme of events to mark Ulster Scots Language Week highlights the importance of the Ulster-Scots in our local culture, heritage and tradition. Ulster-Scots tradition can be heard in towns, shops and cafes across our Borough.  It is highly important to local people, helping to give them a sense of belonging and place.”

The week of activities commences on Monday, 20 November at 7pm in The Fuse Centre Ballymoney, with an evening of poems, verses and stories from Chalie Gillen, Councillor Ivor Wallace and Alan Millar.

On Tuesday, 21 November at 7pm in Tilly Molloy Centre, Liam Logan, a native Ulster-Scots speaker and an enthusiast promoter of Ulster-Scots, will give a talk on Ulster Scots and explore how it is an integral part of our shared linguistic and cultural heritage. There will be tunes and music from renowned local musician Dick Glasgow.

Then on Thursday, 23 November in Kilrea, there will be more tunes, stories and songs featuring Dick Glasgow and friends, with a talk by Liam Logan. This will be held in Kilrea Orange Hall, New Row, Kilrea at 7.30pm with light refreshments served.

Gerard McIlroy, Good Relations Officer at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “As part of the Hear Here project, we are delighted to run these events to mark Ulster Scots Week. This project aims to promote the use of the Ulster-Scots language across the Borough.  We hope that many will take the opportunity to come to these events and explore Ulster Scots and the range of talent we have in our community.”

For those who were unable to attend the events, Fuse FM will have coverage over live on their radio station. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will also be adding information across their social media channels.

The events received financial support from The Executive Office as part of the District Councils Good Relations Programme and supports the T:BUC strategy (Together Building a United Community).

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts and Heritage Service has some fantastic festive events on offer this Christmas season.

Shoppers are invited to two unique festive shopping experiences where they can browse and purchase beautiful, handcrafted products created by local artists and makers. The special events which will be located in North Down Museum, Bangor and Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards are sure to offer ideal Christmas gifts.

North Down Museum’s Pop-Up Christmas Shop takes place from Wednesday 22 November to Sunday 7 January. The museum’s galleries with be festively decorated and filled with stunning, hand-made products, the perfect place to get that special gift whilst supporting local artists. The shop is free to explore during museum opening hours.

On Thursday 30 November, the museum is hosting a special Late Night Shopping Event where visitors can browse the galleries and buy unique presents in a completely different way. The event will also feature live music and artists demonstrations.

The Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre makes a welcome return to Ards Arts Centre on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 December, exclusively featuring artwork and handcrafted produce made by the Creative Peninsula Artists. For a unique shopping experience, visitors can browse the artworks and be inspired to purchase a wonderful, handcrafted Christmas gift, made in the borough of Ards and North Down. Seasonal interludes, complimentary gift wrapping and festive refreshments will also be on offer. The Christmas Fayre is on 4pm – 8pm on Friday 1 and 10am – 4pm on Saturday 2 December. Admission is free.

Kids will love Little Miss Muffet’s Christmas Adventure at the Queen’s Hall, Newtownards on Saturday 9 December at 2pm and 6.30pm. Presented by Centre Stage Company, this hilarious Christmas tale with catchy songs and simple effects is guaranteed to have children shrieking with delighted. Tickets are on sale now and cost £8.

A Christmas Night at the Movies will be an enchanting evening of Christmas and movie favourites, taking place in the beautiful Chamber Room in Bangor Castle on Thursday 14 December. Performed and hosted by one of Northern Ireland’s finest vocalists and Bangor’s own Michelle Baird, the concert will feature much loved hits and themes from popular films including Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone as well as West End and chart favourites and Christmas classics. Joining Michelle will be the talented pianist Steve Barnett, along with Stephen McClenahan on guitar and other guest performers. Tickets cost £15 including festive refreshments.

Speaking about the events, Emily Crawford, Arts and Heritage Manager for Ards and North Down Borough Council said: We have something for everyone this Christmas with opportunities to purchase unique handcrafted gifts, festive fun for all the family at our Christmas show with Centre Stage Theatre Company and an atmospheric evening of music at Bangor Castle with the wonderful Michelle Baird that’s guaranteed to get you into the seasonal spirit!

For more information to book tickets visit: www.andculture.org.uk

Hailing from Scotland, the award-winning Maxwell Quartet will perform across NI for the first time this November, with a performance at the Playhouse Theatre Derry on Thursday 23^rd November.

Now firmly regarded as one of the finest young string quartets around, Maxwell Quartet are a group in high demand. Performing regularly across the UK, Europe and the USA, the quartet have wide-ranging projects and programmes, constantly expanding the string quartet repertoire. With a strong connection to their folk music heritage, the Maxwell Quartet sound is instantly recognisable.

The concert programme will feature Haydn’s String Quartet in E flat no.1, Beethoven’s String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op 131 and ‘Gather’, a selection of Scottish folk music arrangements from their most recent album.

The quartet’s performances have garnered rave reviews from The Guardian, The Strad, New York Times, Gramophone, BBC Radio 3 to name a few. This promises to be a wonderful concert of chamber music, celebrating two giants of the string quartet medium and the connections their music has to folk music.

Tickets are £15/10 concession and available from www.derryplayhouse.co.uk or 02871 268027

 

The world-famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES are coming to Northern Ireland in December, with Armagh Observatory and Planetarium set to stream the live filming, direct from the Royal Institution (Ri) theatre in London on 12 and 14 December in its Kepler Room.

Watched by millions on the BBC, the annual CHRISTMAS LECTURES are a firm family favourite, broadcast during the festive season. The 2023 event is set to reveal the truth about Artificial Intelligence.

Confirmation of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium as one of 16 livestream partners announced, means that NI’s science lovers, and anyone who’s curious about the world around them, will be able to experience first-hand the magic of the world’s longest-running science lecture series.

The Ri has set a target of 20 or more partner venues – to exceed the previous highest total of 18, set four years ago before the Covid-19 pandemic – with the first 16 locations confirmed.

Helen McLoughlin, Operations Manager at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, said, “It is an honour to welcome the world-renowned CHRISTMAS LECTURES here to Armagh and we would like to thank the Royal Institution for partnering with us on this special event.

“At Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, we deliver internationally recognised research into astronomy and related sciences, along with vibrant educational and outreach programmes for all ages.

“As such, it is a pleasure to make this vital discourse on Artificial Intelligence accessible to people across NI.”

Director of the Royal Institution, Katherine Mathieson, said: “We’re extremely grateful to each of our partner venues, confirmed so far. They will all bring their own unique flavour to the live filming of the world-famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES, enabling local audiences to see what goes on behind the scenes when inspiring scientists are brought together with the public.

“We’re delighted to be working with some of the UK’s best science research and engagement organisations to bring the Lectures within reach for even more people this year. We’re very much look forward to welcoming more partners in the run-up to filming.”

From Aberdeen Science Centre and TechFest in Scotland to Exeter Science Centre in southern England, the first 16 partner venues named stretch the length and breadth of the UK.

Also confirmed are the National Museums Liverpool, Keele University, Cambridge Museum of Technology, Queen Mary University of London, STEM Learning (York), Plymouth University, Lancaster University, the University of Glasgow, the University of Warwick, London Metropolitan University, Oxford Brookes University and Science Oxford Centre.

The Ri is continuing discussions with further venues that have already expressed their interest, with others – including science centres, universities, museums, theatres and other cultural venues – invited to apply.

The CHRISTMAS LECTURES were the brainchild of Michael Faraday in 1825 and have been delivered every year since, with the exception of four years during World War II when it was too dangerous to have a theatre full of children in central London. The first science programme ever to be broadcast on UK national television, in 1936, they have been broadcast every year since 1966.

Last year Dame Sue Black revealed the ‘Secrets of forensic science’ and in 2021, Sir Jonathan Van-Tam delivered ‘Going Viral: How Covid changed science forever’ before notably going viral online himself due to the first Lecture’s opening sequences.

Filming of the 2023 CHRISTMAS LECTURES will be livestreamed from the Royal Institution’s iconic theatre on 12, 14 and 16 December. The Lectures will be broadcast on BBC national television and iPlayer between Christmas and New Year.

 

To find out more about Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, visit: https://www.armagh.space

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is delighted to announce its Christmas activities coming to a town near you.

Santa has a busy time ahead, as he will make his way around the Borough to mark the beginning of Christmas celebrations. Festivities will commence in Ballymoney on Thursday 16^th November, followed by Saturday 18^th November in Limavady, Thursday 23^rd November in Ballycastle and finishing on Friday 24^th November in Coleraine.

To get everyone in the spirit, the festive programme will be a treat for all ages, with seasonal parades, family fun, Christmas light switch ons, and of course visiting Santa in his Grotto.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “I am very much looking forward to welcoming families to our traditional Christmas programme of events, helping to spread festive cheer throughout the Borough.

“There will be something for people of all ages to enjoy, with parades, Santa’s Grotto and of course our Christmas light switch ons, creating a wonderful atmosphere in our town centres. These events are a fantastic opportunity to bring people together for some festive family fun, as well as supporting our local traders.”

In addition to the four main events, there will be community festive events taking place in November and December in local towns and villages, supported by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Children with additional needs can enjoy a pre-booked ‘Quiet Time’ in the four towns.

To book your quiet time visit, email events@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

 

DATE	TOWN	LOCATION	TIME
16th November	Ballymoney	Town Hall	3pm – 5pm
18th November	Limavady	Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre RVACC	10.30am – 12.30pm
23rd November	Ballycastle	Sheskburn House	3pm – 5pm
24th November	Coleraine	Town Hall	3pm – 5pm

 

 

Santa’s Grotto Opening Times

 

DATE	TOWN	LOCATION	TIME
16th November	Ballymoney	Church Street	From 7pm
18th November	Limavady	Drumceatt Square, RVACC	From 2pm
23rd November	Ballycastle	Co-op Carpark (Diamond)	From 7pm
24th November	Coleraine	New Row, opposite Moores	From 7pm

 

All parade routes are detailed below, and we would encourage people to choose a safe spot to view the procession.

Christmas Parade Departure Times & Route details

DATE	TOWN	ROUTE	DEPARTURE TIME
16th November	Ballymoney	Coleraine Road – High Street – Main Street – Meeting House Street – Queen Street – Victoria Street – Charles Street – Coleraine Road	6:45pm
18th November	Limavady	Irish Green Street – Rathbrady Road – Roemill Road – Catherine Street – Linenhall Street – Main Street – Connell Street – Irish Green Street	4:45pm
23rd November	Ballycastle	Quay Road – Ann Street – Market Street – Clare Street – Castle Street  – Diamond – Ann Street – Quay Road	6:45pm
24th November	Coleraine	Depart Coleraine Leisure Centre – Railway Road – Kingsgate Street – Church Street – The Diamond- Church Street – Kingsgate Street- Railway Road –  Coleraine Leisure Centre	6:45pm

 

For more information visit www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com or follow the Causeway Coast and Glens Events Facebook & Instagram pages for the latest updates.

Belfast City Hall will once again be the focus for the city’s Christmas lights switch-on, which will take place on Saturday 18 November

The event is returning to its pre-Covid format for the first time since 2019, with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, joining residents and local artists and performers to illuminate the city and begin the countdown to the festive season.

Tickets for the switch-on, entitled Let’s Glow Belfast, will be released at 10am next Wednesday 8 November from visitbelfast.com, on a first-come, first-served basis (limited to six per booking).

This year’s event will focus primarily on local music and arts performances, with a line-up that includes leading NI soul band Manukahunney, characters from the Lyric Theatre’s Christmas pantomime Hansel and Gretel, emerging electro pop queen FYA Fox, an upbeat routine from Belfast Boys, DU Dance NI’s youth dance group, and a singalong medley of popular Christmas songs from Fortwilliam Musical Society.

Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross from Cool FM’s breakfast show will also act as comperes on the evening.

“I’m really looking forward to welcoming families back to our traditional lights switch-on at City Hall and officially marking the countdown to Christmas,” said the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy.

“Our beautiful tree at City Hall, the colourful illuminations and the opening of the Belfast Christmas Market are all key elements of the festive season here in Belfast, so it will be great to get everyone together again for what promises to be a really fun evening.

“This time around, we’re putting our city’s own amazing talent front and centre, with a great line-up of music and live performance planned, sure to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

“Our Winter’s Den at 2 Royal Avenue will also open its doors on Saturday 18 November, with activities and events for all ages in the run-up to Christmas, including festive markets, family performances, Santa’s post office, tea dances, upcycling workshops and lots more.”

David Tighe, Managing Director with Bauer Media Audio NI, said: “We are really excited to see the return of the traditional Christmas lights switch-on to Belfast, with a real focus this year on local acts and family entertainment.

“Cool FM’s Pete, Paulo and Rebecca will bring that magic Christmas touch to the festivities on stage, with Downtown’s Neal McClelland starting the countdown earlier in the day with the music you’d expect from the station that’s the Home of Christmas.”

Tickets for the Let’s Glow Belfast switch-on, limited to six per booking, will be released at 10am on Wednesday 8 November from visitbelfast.com, on a first-come, first-served basis.

You must click through to download the ticket as the email confirmation will not suffice.

Wheelchair accessible platform viewing for the event can be booked by calling 028 9024 6609 on Wednesday 8 November – these are limited to two per booking due to restricted capacity. Terms and conditions apply.

The Let’s Glow Belfast event on Saturday 18 November will start at 6.30pm, and last for around an hour. There will be road closures in effect in the city centre from earlier in the afternoon, so please allow extra time for your journey, with gates opening at 6pm.

The annual Belfast Christmas Market will also open in the City Hall grounds on Saturday 18 November, starting at 12 noon. The market will continue until 6pm on Friday 22 December.

The Winter’s Den at 2 Royal Avenue begins on Saturday 18 November and continues until Sunday 7 January with events for all the family. It includes Santa’s post office, operated by Belfast One, which runs from Saturday 18 November to Sunday 17 December, and is free to visit.

For full details of the Let’s Glow Belfast switch-on event, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/christmas

For details of other festive events in Belfast city centre, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/events

Ards Arts Centre in Newtownards is delighted to welcome two new art exhibitions this November: In Search for the Past, a joint exhibition by Maria and Anna Horvathova and Curious Carnival, a solo exhibition by Anna Donovan.

Having graduated with an MFA from Belfast School of Art in 2023, Maria and Anna Horvathova have been developing their practices in painting, installation and lens based experimental discipline. 

In their current practices, both explore ideas of home, identity, and memory. They are interested in creating landscapes that tell stories and remind the viewer of old feelings and moments. Their connection and perception of the landscape has developed into an appreciation of the natural world around us.

In this exhibition, Maria and Anna will curate a body of work to include oil paintings, and a selection of polaroid photographs in an installation approach. The aim of the work is to indicate and evoke feelings of appreciation towards nature and the landscapes. Being present in nature and illustrating their unique ways of responses.

Curious Carnival is a solo exhibition of ceramics by Anna Donovan. This curious exhibition will feature ceramic and mixed media sculptures playing with imagery inspired by a variety of mythological creatures combined with familiar carnival and circus tropes. Characters will have evolved from clowns, mermen, acrobats, strong men, and bearded ladies, to create a side show of curiosities!

 

Curious Carnival is the result of Donovan’s imagination, playing with, and nourished by childhood memories of funfairs, fairy tales, and legends.

Speaking about the exhibitions, Emily Crawford, Arts and Heritage Manager for Ards and North Down Borough Council said:

We are delighted to welcome back Maria and Anna Horvathova to Ards Arts Centre. Maria and Anna’s exhibition will feature artworks and a collaborative installation that they commenced during their month-long studio residency with us in August as part of the Creative Peninsula festival. Meanwhile Anna Donovan brings a playful and other worldly collection of figures with her Curious Carnival that will be on display in the Sunburst Gallery throughout November.

Both exhibitions open on Friday 3 November and run until Tuesday 28 November.  Admission is free during gallery opening hours.

 

All are welcome to attend a preview event in Ards Arts Centre on Thursday 9 November at 7pm.

For more information telephone 028 9181 0803 or email arts@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.